Why Do Dogs Hide Under Beds?

If you’ve ever wondered “Why does my dog hide under the bed?” or “Why does my dog sleep under the bed?” there are a lot of potential reasons. They include a desire for security, a search for a cool spot, or a bid for attention.

For Dante, the area under the bed is a quiet place where he takes a nap. Jitter was afraid of fireworks and hid under the bed when she heard them. Momo goes under the bed because she knows it’s a surefire way to get attention from her owner. Star runs under the bed with contraband paper that she wants to tear up.

Why Do Dogs Sleep Under Beds?

For lots of dogs, under the bed is just a quiet, cozy place to nap or stay cool in summer’s heat. Heather Houlahan, who has a small farm in Pennsylvania, says she could tell what season it was by the location of her German Shepherd, Lilly:

• Winter—on the bed
• Spring/Fall—on the rug
• Summer—under the bed, seeking coolness, possibly stuck

“Lilly used to slide under there and find herself in difficulties because a 75-pound dog cannot actually fit.”

Will a Dog Hide Under the Bed for Privacy?

Zippy, a Miniature Pinscher mix, was five months old when her family had to bug out from the Palisades fire in Los Angeles on January 7. She wasn’t fully housetrained, and stability went out the window as her people moved from hotels to rental houses until they could get settled again. Along the way, Zippy apparently decided that under the bed was an ideal place to poop.

“She likes her privacy, and she was tiny enough to stand up under the bed in one of our longer temporary lodgings,” says owner Susanne Howarth.

Howarth speculates that Zippy might have had trouble figuring out how to indicate that she wanted to go out. That particular rental was on the second floor with no immediate outdoor access and no nearby grass when she did get outside. That can be confusing for a puppy.

Will a Dog Hide Under the Bed Out of Fear?

For some dogs, slithering beneath the bed is a response to fear. Things that might scare dogs into hiding under the bed include:

• Storms
• Fireworks
• Large trucks
• Electronic beeping sounds
• The sound of the doorbell

“You could name a thousand things,” says veterinary behaviorist Lisa Radosta, DVM, DACVB. “They might have been rescued from a hoarding situation where they like little dark places.”

And sometimes it’s a mystery. Jo Mercer had one dog who was too large to fit beneath the bed, but he would sometimes stick his face underneath it as far as he could. “I don’t know why,” she says. “Was he aggravating the cat? Sniffing out a mouse?”

What Should You Do if Your Dog Hangs Out Under the Bed?

If your dog is hiding under the bed, you may not need to do anything or you may need to take action. It depends on the reason. If your dog is hiding in response to noises such as fireworks or thunderstorms, Radosta recommends seeking veterinary advice sooner rather than later since studies show that noise fears can intensify over time. White noise machines, classical music, apps to alert you to approaching storms, a cozy hideaway in an enclosed windowless area such as a closet or bathroom, or in severe cases, medication, can all help. Dell found that a Thundershirt relaxed Jitter during fireworks.

Keep in mind that some dogs may hide when they are ill or in pain. If your dog suddenly starts hiding under the bed when they haven’t before, it may be time for a vet visit to make sure all is well.

However, if your dog simply enjoys lying under the bed, there’s nothing wrong with letting the quirk continue. Let it go unless there’s some risk to the dog.