Dogs are a man’s best friend. They are expected to play with you, follow you around, and guard your bedroom door while you sleep. So it’s kind of concerning when your dog won’t want to sleep or stay in your room. This is not the common behavior you read in pet blogs or pet videos. Your bedroom is supposed to be BOTH your comfort zone! So why is your dog staying in another room? Moreover, is this normal behavior? There are quite a few reasons why your puppy stays in another room. However, comfort is most likely the main reason that your dog stays in another room. There might be something overwhelming in your room that draws them away. It could be high-pitched noises from your computer, whenever you watch tv, whenever you use a blower to dry your hair, or maybe you are a fan of metal songs and you love to play them in your room in high volumes. It could also be the smell in your room like your perfume, your air freshener, the smell from your humidifier or diffuser, or maybe the scented candle you use. Aside from comfort, there are other possible reasons why your dog prefers the other room to your room. Each dog is different and each has unique reactions to different living situations. Read on to learn the other possible reasons your dog prefers another room, whether this is normal dog behavior, and other FAQS.
Why Does Your Dog Choose to Sleep in Another Room (Aside from Comfort)?
Temperature
If your dog favors different rooms depending on the season, it’s possible that the temperature in one area is more soothing than the temperature in another. During the summer, your dog may prefer to sleep on the cold tiles of your kitchen rather than in a warm room upstairs. During the winter months, you will most likely discover them in your room, as it is typically the hottest portion of the house during this time of year.
Space
If your room is too cluttered, your dog may choose to go to another room. Dogs love large, empty spaces where they can stretch out completely. It’s clear that if your dog doesn’t have enough comfy space to lie down in, they won’t prefer to be in that room.
Obedience
Believe it or not, it is possible that your dog prefers a different room simply because he thinks you like him being there. This is the case if you reward him (whether you meant to or not) whenever he is in the other room. For example, if you ask your dog to behave, and he goes to the other room to behave, it’s typical for you to reward this behavior by giving him treats or a toy to play with. While the reward is for your dog’s behavior, he can very well interpret that you are rewarding him because he went to another room.
Familiarity
If your dog has always stayed in a different room ever since he was a puppy from the day you adopted him, then it is most likely that he prefers the other room because he is more familiar with it. It takes a while before a dog will be able to get comfortable in a new environment but once they do, they’ll have a feeling of security in that particular place. It’s highly possible that your puppy prefers to stay, sit, and sleep in a different room more than your room because he already knows that the other room is a secured area for him and that he is not yet familiar with your room.Additionally, if you do not usually interact with your dog inside your room like if you prefer to play with your dog in the living room or on the balcony, then it is less likely that he will feel comfortable in your room. The more happy memories you build in a particular area, the more secure your dog will feel staying in it.
Intimidation
In rare cases, dogs may not go inside their pet parent’s room because they are intimidated or scared of their pet parent. This is especially true for dogs adopted from shelters or those with previous abuse experience. It will take a while for these pets to get settled and feel safe with their new pet parent.
Pet Parent’s Emotion
Dogs are sensitive creatures and they can easily sense their pet parent’s emotions. So if you are stressed, chances are your pooch can sense it from your body language and facial expression. Your pet’s reaction to different emotions they can sense from you depends on how you reach out to them. If you usually snuggle with them whenever you are sad, then your dog would surely try to snuggle with you whenever you are sad. If you turn away your pooch when you are distressed, then he might hang out in another room because he feels neglected and prefers a room without your presence.
Fear of Climbing Stairs
If your pooch needs to climb the stairs before he can reach your room and he usually hangs out in a room that can easily be accessed without the need to go up the stairs, then your pup is probably scared of the stairs. This fear comes from the fact that they might not have tried to use it before or they had trauma from climbing up and down the stairs, like an injury or joint problem.
Fear of Your Bedroom
Your dog’s experience inside the room can very well explain why he does not like your room. Was he ever hurt inside your room, like maybe he slipped on your room’s floor? The negative experience he had encountered regardless of whether you caused it or not is a frightening memory for your dog that might be flooding back into his brain whenever he is inside your room. Additionally, all dogs are unique and while some dogs love to play with stuffed animals, some dogs are scared of them. If you are keeping stuffed toys inside your room and your dog seems to react negatively whenever they are around these objects then they might be scared of these toys. Common symptoms of fear are hiding, barking, trembling, and squealing.
Protective
Dogs have a natural guarding behavior. It’s part of what defines being a dog and their instinct to protect their human is why they are called man’s best friend. So when your dog prefers to sleep in a different room, it can be because it is being protective of you or whoever he feels loyal to. Your dog will sleep in a different room if he feels like he can better guard the house if he stays in that area than when he is inside your room. When your pup chooses to stay in an area where people need to pass through whenever they enter the house, then your dog is most likely guarding you. The same can be said if your dog prefers to sleep in your child’s room. If you treat your dog as part of the family, he’ll treat you as his family too. And as part of the family, your dog feels responsible and protective not only of you but of those that you care about. So if your dog is sleeping in your child’s room, then he is showing his loyalty to you by being protective of your child.
Alone Time
While dogs usually love company, there are times that they seek alone time as well. Like when they feel sleepy. Dogs don’t mind being alone if it means that they get the comfort of an undisturbed sleep especially if there are a lot of distractions in your room like when there are children or other animals in your room or when you clean your room.Also, when your dog is sick or unwell, he might prefer to stay in another room or a solitary area to protect you and your family from getting sick as well. It’s a way for them to protect you from whatever is attacking their body. Constant affection can also drive your pup to seek peace and quiet in a solitary area. For instance, if you usually wake your dog just to cuddle, then the affection you are giving your pooch can be interpreted by your dog as you trying to interrupt good sleep.
Is this Normal Behavior?
If your dog prefers a separate room, there is usually nothing to be concerned about. It could be a coincidence, or he may simply prefer a different part of the house to your room. Consider the root cause of why your pooch prefers a different spot in the house before you panic. Is your room significantly hotter than the others, especially during summer? Did your dog pick a spot where he can easily keep an eye on the house? Was there a time when your dog slipped and wounded himself on the floor of your room? If the cause is not a medical or behavioral issue, and your puppy looks happy and healthy, then there is nothing to worry about. IMPORTANT NOTE: Keep an eye out for signs and symptoms such as pain, loss of appetite, sudden aggressiveness, and drowsiness. If any of these symptoms is present, consult your veterinarian immediately.
Tips to Encourage Your Dog to Stay in Your Room
Again as previously mentioned, there is nothing wrong in letting your puppy sleep and stay in a different room as long as they are not showing symptoms of anxiousness and being in pain. However, if you are inclined to let your dog sleep in the same room with you, there are few things you can do—
Give Your Dog His Own “Spot” in the Room
Provide a comfortable spacious area in your room where your puppy can comfortably stretch out and sleep. Make sure that the area is cool, quiet, and not too bright. Place a comfortable dog bed and a water bowl so he does not have to exit the room to drink.
Stop Encouraging Your Dog to Stay in Another Room
If your dog insists on staying in a different room, then you should let him be. However, if you have trained him to stay in a different room by rewarding him, then you can stop encouraging your pooch to stay in a different room by not giving him treats whenever he is there. Instead, lure him with treats to go to your room.
Declutter Your Room
Your room is your private place. You can do whatever you want with it. However, if you want your dog to stay with you in the same room, then you should consider that your room will be his room as well. Both of you should be comfortable. So if your bedroom is usually a dumping site for different items like laundry, then you have to declutter more frequently so your dog will be comfortable staying in it too.
Add an Area Rug or Carpet
If your flooring is hardwood, consider adding an area rug to help your dog avoid slipping up. Additionally, dogs usually like carpet and rug surfaces as it reminds them of grass.
Reduce Noise in Your Room
Dogs are sensitive to noises and they don’t appreciate loud noises. If you love listening to metal rock songs loudly inside your room and you don’t wish to give it up, then it is best for both of you for him to stay in a different quiet area.
Don’t Let Strong Scents Spread in Your Room
Dogs do not appreciate strong scents and there is a good reason behind it. Strong fragrances release toxins that are harmful to your pooch’s respiratory system. If you are fond of scented candles, essential oils, or perfumes, then your dog is most likely not entering your room because of the scent. Encourage your dog to sit and stay inside your room by not exposing them to these fragrances.
