Why Is My Dog Putting Her Head Under The Bed?
Since moving into the new house, I've noticed my Boston Terrier Addison scooting herself under the bed to cover her head. Did she find her new favorite spot or is there something more going on?
WagWalking.com says there are many reasons pets retreat under the bed.
The most common reason for this is the comfort. Dogs love small spaces because they feel contained, which is enjoyable for relaxation. They may also enjoy the temperature that is created in that small space as well as the fresh carpet.
Stress could also be the cause of your dog retreating to a safe place according to Cuteness.com. Whether it's from a thunderstorm or a stranger in the home, there are ways to curb their anxiety.
For example, if it's thunder that's prompting her to hide under the bed, play soft recordings of thunder while giving her treats, and lots of praise when she sits calmly with you. Slowly increase the volume until she doesn't react to the sound anymore.
If strangers and guests scare your pup, you can change that behavior by having your guests feed yummy treats to her on their next visit. Your dog will soon associate strangers with good things — namely treats — and won't run off when company comes over.
Illness and injury could be the reason your dog is finding safety under the bed. Dogscatspets.org listed "dog hiding under bed or in closet" as a potential clue of poor health along with these other signs:
- Loss of appetite
- Excessive sleeping
- Restlessness
- Excessive licking and grooming on specific areas
- Growling or crying when you pick her up or come near her hiding place. This is the dog’s way of communicating to you that it hurts when you touch her.
- Limping
- Heavy panting for no reason
- Pale, blue, or dark red gums: normal gums should be pink and moisture laden.
While Addison does have a bad wheel, I've concluded that she's just high maintainence and is doing all this for attention. And, of course, I fell for it again.
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