You enter the room where your dog stays.
You are looking forward to spending time with them.
But your furry friend leaves as soon as you arrive.
So much for your effort.
You start wondering:
“Why is my dog leaving?”
“Is my dog scared of me?”
Keep reading to find out:
- What can you do about it.
- 11 reasons why your dog sits/stays in another room.
- Tips on how to make your dog stay in the room with you.
- And a lot more…
Why does my dog sit / stay in another room?
Your dog stays in another room because your dog is protective or they want to feel comfortable. It can also be because they want to explore the other room. A sick, anxious, or depressed dog may want to stay in another room. At times, they just want to take a break from you.
11 reasons why your dog sits / stays in another room
#1: Your dog wants to protect you
Does your dog always want to stay in the front of the room?
Chances are, they’re protective of you.
You might be thinking that your dog does not enjoy being with you.
Your dog wants to say, “I want to protect you.”
My parents’ dogs, Bart and East, always stay at the terrace during nighttime.
No matter how we try to let them in, they’d be more comfortable.
They prefer staying at the front part of the house.
The two dogs are watchful of strangers passing by.
Dogs are naturally protective. There are also breeds such as guard dogs that are more protective than the others.
German shepherds and Dobermans are two examples of guard dogs.
But even a poodle or a pomeranian are keen on protecting their owners.
The next time they choose another room, it can be due to their protective nature.
Learn more: How do I know if my dog is protective over me? & Why does my dog protect me from my husband?
#2: Your dog wants to feel comfortable
Most of us would choose a room based on how comfortable it is.
A big soft bed versus an old small one would be lovely.
A spacious room is more comfortable compared to a tiny space.
If you have a preference for comfort, your furry friend is the same.
Encourage your doggo to stay in the room with you. There are several things you can do.
Try to place their bed on the floor of your room. Some dogs prefer to sleep on their favorite rug.
You can attract them by placing their favorite stuff in your room. Add toys so they’ll have more reasons to join you.
Providing water is also a must. You may also notice that your dog wants to sleep on cool tiles during hot days rather than in a warm bed.
In cold months, they may prefer to stay in a warm room.
The important thing isn’t to force your canine to sleep in a particular room.
Give them the freedom to choose where they’re most comfortable.
#3: Your dog needs a break
Is the room usually full of people?
Is it loud and noisy most days?
Does your dog prefer to retreat in a quiet room?
Your dog is an introvert. Just kidding. Your dog needs a break.
We all have our days. There are moments when we want to get away from a noisy environment and have a bit of me-time.
It happens especially if your dog is used to a quiet and orderly home.
When you suddenly have visitors over, and it turns into a chatty home, your doggo may want to retreat.
You don’t need to worry once the noise has died down. Your furry friend will be back to their usual self.
Some dogs even hide under the furniture and will only come out if everything has settled.
#4: Your dog is anxious
Would you rather be alone when you feel anxious? Your adorable dog needs that too.
Anxiety is more common in dogs than we think.
Several factors can cause your dog to get anxious.
At times, we think that only significant life changes cause anxiety.
Indeed, lifestyle changes like a new environment or separation from the owner can cause dogs to become anxious.
But we also need to take note of simple things that might cause them to be fearful.
Hearing loud noises or riding in a car can also be factors that might cause your furry pal to get anxious.
Aside from staying in another room, what signs should you watch out for?
Keep a lookout for other signs of anxiety such as:
- Crying.
- Pacing.
- Barking.
- Digging.
- Whining.
- Shivering.
- Lip licking.
- Poor appetite.
- Damaging items.
- Excessive or lack of sleep.
If your dog exhibits the other signs mentioned accompanied by staying in another room, you need to do something about it.
For starters, you can comfort them when they cry by cuddling or petting them.
Provide a safe and secure place where they can rest. A quiet environment helps a lot.
Exercising or socializing with other dogs are great mood boosters as well.
And if all else fails, It’s time to bring your canine to the vet.
Editor’s pick: Why is my dog so cuddly all of a sudden?
#5: Your dog is ill
Terrence is a playful dog who loves to follow the owner.
They like to have afternoon walks. During the night, Terrence stays in the doggy bed in the owner’s room.
One day after a short hike, Terrence didn’t stay in the room but opted to sleep at the toilet.
It was pretty unusual, but the owner thought his dog was tired or wanted to sleep on the cold bathroom floor.
Another day passed, but Terrence kept hiding in the toilet. The usually energetic canine won’t come out to eat or play.
The owner got worried and checked on Terrence thoroughly.
Finally, he realized Terrence got stung by a bee. They brought the dog to the vet for treatment.
Terrence was back to their usual active and clingy self in no time.
A sick dog may want to get away to focus on healing and storing energy.
Illnesses can be as common as flu or as severe as cancer.
Be observant of other signs if your usually clingy dog suddenly wants to be alone.
Some signs can be very subtle, so it is hard to know if your dog is sick.
Check your dog for these subtle but common symptoms:
- Crying.
- Whining.
- Wincing.
- Limping.
- Sneezing.
- Coughing.
- Weakness.
- Too Thirsty.
- Peeing often.
Do not have second thoughts in bringing your doggo to the vet if you notice these telltale signs.
Reading recommendation: 13 Effective Tips To Get A Sick Dog To Drink Water (Fast)
#6: Your dog is aging
Age is just a number that comes with a lot of changes.
Let us be honest here, as we grow older; we experience a lot of unwanted pain or feelings.
Easy for humans since we can rant or complain.
We can quickly diagnose an aching back or blurred vision since we can say something about it.
But your senior dog does not have that ability. As the owner, it helps a lot to be observant about their needs.
An aging dog needs extra time and care.
They may exhibit unusual behaviors. People change, and dogs too.
Your long-time friend may now prefer to retreat in their own space than playing with you in the room.
They may also forget their ways around the house. Poor eyesight can also be a hindrance.
Your aging dog can also feel exhausted quickly. They may want to stay in one part of the house rather than going around.
You may want to know, “How can I make my senior dog more comfortable?”
That is a good question.
Here are fantastic tips on how to take care of your aging dog:
- Healthy diet.
- Vet checkups.
- Give attention.
- Regular exercise.
- Regular grooming.
- Comfortable rest area.
#7: Your dog needs to socialize
In the age of social media, humans feel that online socialization is enough.
A quick chat with an old friend or sending memes in a group may feel like socialization.
A zoom video call feels like a night out now.
But with our dogs, it gets deeper than that.
It’s easy to tell if humans need to improve their socialization skills, but dogs can be pretty tricky.
Staying in another room can be a hint that your dog needs to improve his socialization skills.
A dog that retreats to another room when introduced to new people or animals needs training on dealing with these situations.
Some dogs have poor social skills because they are not used to new situations.
They’re not used to going out and meeting unfamiliar faces. Your face and smell are their only comfort.
Another reason is that your doggy had a bad experience with socialization. A person that they just met may have yelled or hit them.
How exactly do we help our dogs to socialize?
We can be that clueless in this online age. Do not fret.
There are concrete ways that you can help your dog improve their social skills.
It’s always good to start them young. Puppies in their first three months can gain socialization skills that will shape their personalities.
Research says that socializing your dog early can mold them into adults with better behavior.
Socializing makes them less fearful. Get your puppy to walk on the cold floor and a warm carpet the next day.
Introduce them gently to new people. Let them listen to different sounds.
Create it as a happy experience for them by giving praises and treats.
As your dog gets older, you can take them for walks and meet other dogs.
However, follow your dog’s pace and do not force them to socialize when they seem uncomfortable.
You will soon enjoy the benefits of training your dog early.
#8: Your dog is jealous
You brought a new pup home to be a companion of your long-time dog.
You thought they would get along, but your older dog seems indifferent.
They don’t want to stay with you in the room anymore.
As soon as the pup arrives, they leave or bark a lot.
You start thinking, “Is my dog jealous?”
It may seem unlikely, but yes, your dog gets jealous.
The study states that dogs getting jealous is similar to kids who feel that their parents have a new apple of the eye.
Dogs are social and territorial.
If they feel neglected, they’ll start to feel envious about the new subject of your affection.
How do you deal with this scenario?
Avoid following your dog as not to encourage them with this behavior.
The best way is to wait for them to come to you and reward them with praises and treats.
Slowly include the new pup in your activities with the older dog.
Who knows, in no time, they’ll become doggie besties.
Do you need more help?
Check this video on how to introduce your new puppy to your older dog.
You might also be interested in: Why does my dog hate my husband?
#9: Your dog is avoiding you
Sounds absurd, right?
How can your lovely pooch avoid you?
The hooman who loves and takes care of them.
You cuddle them. Play with them a lot.
Take them for walks often.
I hate to tell you this, but those can be the reasons your dog is avoiding you.
You smother them with too much attention.
Do you wake them up for cuddles even when sleeping?
Do you insist on playing with your doggie your way?
Those can be reasons they want to stay away for a while.
Your dog can also feel stress.
Avoiding you means they want to relax.
Give your furry friend the time they need.
Signs like cowering or hiding away may indicate that they’re overwhelmed.
Take time to check the environment if it’s too noisy. It can also be a reason why they want to stay in another room.
You can cuddle and play with your furry pal but make sure to let them rest if they feel tired.
Check out also: 9 Reasons Why Your Dog Is Suddenly Afraid Of You + 3 Tips
#10: Your dog is exploring
Curious dogs, especially puppies, love to explore.
Your sister’s room may seem more enticing than yours.
The other room can be comfier. There are a lot of toys to play with.
Being curious is part of growing up for your pooch.
What can you do?
Make your room more attractive for your pup.
A new toy may spike their curiosity.
Take them outside for a walk to fill their curious nature.
Allow them to explore the outdoors.
When you come home, your little explorer already had their fill.
They will find that resting with you is the next best thing to do.
#11: Your dog is depressed
Depression in dogs can happen due to a significant life change.
Does your dog stay in another room and seem withdrawn?
Does your dog sleep a lot or has a poor appetite?
Think about the happenings in your lives lately.
Did you recently move to a new town?
Did you lose a family member?
Dogs can go through a period of mourning.
They can recover, but you have to take part in helping them cope.
How do you deal with a depressed dog?
Give them attention but do not baby your furry friend.
Look for improved signs such as tail wagging.
If you see good behavior, reward them.
What does your dog love to do?
If he likes to have walks, take them regularly.
Do they like games like fetch or find the treat?
Schedule playtime with your furry friend so they can get excited about it.
The most common cause of depression in dogs is the loss of loved ones.
Give them time to cope but help them recover.
Take them to parks. Seeing other dogs can lift their spirits up.
Doggie daycare may also do wonders for your canine.
Most dogs improve through these interventions.
If not, take them to the vet.
The vet can help them with an appropriate treatment that is best for your lovely dog.