Many experts will agree that dogs sleep for over 13 hours per day. For the most part, this is not a problem, but it can be a concern in some instances, like when your dog sleeps under the bed.
The reason for your dog to sleep under the bed can be one of many things. It can be something as innocent as wanting to remain close to a family member. Or, it could be that he is trying to stay away from other people in the household. Whatever the reason, you can take steps to help him feel more comfortable and develop a healthy sleeping habit again. But firstly, let us get to know why your dog could be sleeping under the bed.
There are various reasons your dog could be sleeping under the bed. Some of the most probable reasons include:
1. Feels safe under the bed
Whether your dog is an indoor or outdoor dog, he may feel safe under the bed. He feels protected and hidden from view. This happens especially if you have other pets in the house that might bother him or pester him when he’s sleeping.
2. Still has a puppy’s mindset
Like human infants, dogs can also feel comforted by being close to the ground or with a strong support system. Sleeping under the bed may be analogous to being in a mother’s womb for a dog. The height of the bed or the size of your dog’s head makes no difference.
3. Feels warm under the bed
Especially in winter, dogs can sometimes feel cold on top of the sheets, but they don’t know why. They will then look for warmth and safety under the covers where they think they are protected. Moreover, they might feel just as warm under a blanket spread out on the floor.
4. Fear or feels threatened
Many times, your dog is sleeping under the bed because he feels threatened. There are reasons for this character, such as a visitor coming in. the stranger can be a family member or friend in the same room. If there is someone new in your homestead, it can make your dog feel unsafe.
5. Depression
In some cases, dogs can also be depressed and sad because they don’t want to be bothered by you or other people anymore. If you feel that your dog does not want to be around you anymore, this could be a sign of depression.
Steps to stop your dog from sleeping under the bed
Step 1
The first step is to determine why your dog is sleeping under the bed. Is it because of something that happened during the day? For instance, if you recently had visitors over and he was afraid of those guests, he may associate the bedroom with this bad experience. In this case, try leaving a radio or television on in the bedroom while no one is there to help desensitize him to the area.
Step 2
If that doesn’t work, you can try placing a bed in the room for him to sleep on. Just make sure you remove it in the morning because he is not allowed to sleep under the bed all night long. This will help him associate the bedroom with something positive and more pleasant. If you are concerned that he might feel trapped and not want to leave, make sure there is a clear path out of the room.
Step 3
If the bed and desensitizing techniques don’t work, it’s time to add another piece of furniture to the bedroom. Although this might seem redundant, if your dog were in there alone, he might feel like he is being trapped.
Try setting up a hammock or some cot with soft blankets for him to sleep on. This is not something you want to use as a permanent solution because he will probably begin sleeping under the bed again when he feels comfortable again.
Step 4
If you’ve tried all of these things and it’s still sleeping under the bed, then it’s time to consult with a professional about your situation. There may be some underlying medical cause for him sleeping under the bed. He might have trouble walking or standing, or he could even have a parasite or growth which prevents him from getting comfortable enough to sleep on top of the bed.
Conclusion
Hopefully this article has helped you better understand why your dog is sleeping under the bed. It is important to know the reason why, so you can take action to try and solve the problem. We have described various steps to offer solution to this problem, so try them out and see what works for you. You should have some patient with your canine. Soon or later, your dog will get used to his new routine, even if it takes a little longer than usual.