My dog hides in the closet

I’ve had at least one dog who sleeps in my closet for over ten years. Dogs are denning animals .. could be that yours just really likes the secluded, dark spot. Especially if he isn’t acting oddly otherwise.

My dog sometimes likes to hang out under the bed. For years, he’d never done that, but once he discovered it, I guess he liked it. He’ll also sometimes take a nap under the coffee table. I think dogs just like being in enclosed places sometimes. So unless she shows other signs of anxiety, I wouldn’t worry about it.

My pomeranian did the same thing as well when I first brought her home as a pup. She would hide far in the closet. Maybe your dog is just overwhelmed with the atmosphere change and just trying hide til she gets more comfortable with the new place.

Is it possible that your dog is depressed. The normal high energy companions it once had are now gone. Sure, there’s a cat but it’s probably not the same. Why not test the theory and have one of the other dogs come over for a visit. See if that helps? Doggie play dates might help

I would be concerned if he never did it before. Something may be scaring him. I would set up a web cam, of sorts, to see what it may be. Does anyone else have access to your apartment? Is there any construction going on nearby? Any loud noises that may be happening next door, upstairs or down? I understand that dogs like certain places to rest and they do like dens, but he looks scared. I might even consider asking an expert… I’m just saying

I agree with Pascale’s assessment. Also, it’s likely your dog likes being surrounded by the scent of your clothing, shoes, etc. Many years ago, my husband and I owned a lab retriever. She used to gather clothes, shoes, anything she could find with our scent. Somehow, that seemed to comfort her, until we one or both of us came home. We thought of it as her way of telling us how much she loves being with us. Hope this helps 🙂

Our dog runs and hides under the bed as soon as we get our shoes on to leave. She hangs out there when we’re home sometimes too. I think it’s just her “safe place.” Dogs get overwhelmed very easily and like to have a place to call their own. We put a little bed, and a few toys and blankets under there for our dog, and it’s basically her little fort. I can assure you our dog is not depressed, and doesn’t have anxiety or separation anxiety, I think she just likes hanging under the bed.

have neighbors above me that walk like elephants…the thudding terrifies my little fur baby…she’s either in the closet or under the coffee table

I’m a professional pet sitter and I often find dogs in closets. Especially if they don’t have a crate. Dogs are den animals and enjoy something that is dark and cozy that makes them feel safe. Plus your clothes are in there which smell like you, so she probably feels really protected and safe surrounded by your scent and in a “den”. If you are concerned, I would set up a web cam for a couple of days and see what she does when she’s alone and also when she is alone with your boyfriend. He may be displaying threatening behavior towards her when he is alone with her versus when he is with you. Is he a recent boyfriend? You moved into the apartment in October but she didn’t start the behavior until March….was that when the boyfriend entered your life? Hope this helps!

Two of our dogs (both females) enjoy laying in closets. In fact, we have put beds and blankets on the floor in two of our closets just for them. Our one dog did it because it seemed to make her feel secure, she did it for about a year after we brought her home from the shelter. Our other dog just likes laying there… it’s darker and private. Is your dog happy to see you when you get home, or is she afraid to come out? I would think that if she is otherwise happy and social with you, it’s fine. Some dogs just don’t socialize with certain people. We have five dogs, and one of our pack doesn’t really pay much attention to me at all… we’ve had her for 13 years (she’s one of our closet-lovers). She doesn’t dislike me, and I’ve never done anything to her, I love her, she just prefers my husband. When he’s not home, she generally just lays around, and she doesn’t really seek attention from me. Just because your dog isn’t social with your boyfriend, doesn’t necessarily mean he’s cold, or mean to her. You know your dog best… if your dog is afraid, you’d be able to tell.

Its the boyfriend,pay attention dogs are very smart that way.put up a camera,somethind is terribly wrong.

Update when possible, please? 🙂

Hi Maria,

I hope you get this message. I came across your post and couldn’t help but respond.

I am a Psychic Medium and Usui Reiki Master, and was immediately drawn to your dogs energy. I work with my Angels, Arch Angels and Guides of the highest light and this is the message I got for your dog. I’m listing everything in complete order as I received it. I hope this makes sense or speaks to you.

Luv and Light.

Zillah

– Sad
– She feels her life is over.
– She feels tired.
– She feels drained.
– Her heart is open, her love is open; but her body, mind feels old.
– She lacks energy.
– She wants to play but it’s hard for her.
– She weeps inside.
– She needs comfort from you.
– She wants to be held and petted.
– Take her to the Vet to get her on a regimen for older canines.

What spirit is making me feel…

– Arthritis.
– Middle of back, down hips, butt, thighs to legs.
– Front Shoulders, all the way down front legs to paws – Arthritic.
– Tired, wants to sleep, no disturbance.
– She could use pain medication.
– It will make her feel so much better.

My first instinct was the boyfriend. Happened to me and it took 6 years before I realised….he was history from then on. If everything was ok when you lived with your parents, it was probably because there was always someone around and the dog felt safe. Guys are often jealous of their girlfriends pets, please take it seriously.

Maria,
I dont agree at all with the above posts as it is all negative. The only person that is love and light is Jesus Christ! Anyway, my dog is older and I have begun to notice that he can’t hear as well. This has made him scared of things. He has always slept under the coffee table and feels secure there, but now that he is hard of hearing he tries to go in my closet. It’s so crowded in there and he is a big dog so he ends up coming back out! Lol! Ever since we got a big screen smart tv, he gets uneasy with the surround sound and light reflection. It seems to make him have anxiety, but when we turn it off, he settles down. I hope you have a vet that you trust who you can get advice from.
Lizzieg

Thanks for the reply. Can’t wait to hear what the Vet has to say. I really got Arthritis from her Angels and Guides.

Zillah

I see tile on the floor. Is the closet carpeted? Did you have lots of carpet in your previous home? Is your new place on a second level? Maybe the view is distressful. Is there more light in your new place? We hide our eyes when we have migranes. Could your pup have a head ache or new onset allergies? Best of luck.

Lizzieg, you don’t have to agree with other peoples posts, we are giving our opinions, as are you and you surely cannot disagree with a potential source of harm being checked out! Maria, I am really pleased that BF is not a problem. My 18 year old dog is deaf and partially sighted but he doesn’t hide away. I’m sure your dog will settle, its still early days. Good Luck.

I think he probably misses his dog friends. Some media, like cable or satellite have Dog TV. See if you have it and try watching it with him while you’re there and leave it on when you leave. He may need meds for separation anxiety. If no Dog TV, try leaving relaxing music on when you leave. Good luck.

She looks scared. Just for the heck of it I would check to see if something happened in the apartment. Dogs can sense those things. My business partners dog wouldn’t walk through the front door of his new house. He found out the old owner passed away from a heart attack in that doorway. You never know. Hopefully it’s just getting used to new surroundings or it is possible that the friends are really missed. Hope you can find out whats wrong.

Even if you think it’s something you can’t afford, PLEASE put in a camera. Tell no one, not even your boyfriend. It’s the only way to really SEE what is bothering your dog. I saw a post on facebook where the dog was being abused by her fiance’. She NEVER would have guessed. That POOR DOG.

I have a ten year old mini foxy who loves sitting under the bed in my ex-husbands house. He also likes sitting in the wardrobe. Its a safety thing. He is going blind and we think he feels safe staying in these spots. Maybe your dog is scared as he can’t see what is going on outside but he can still hear everything going on around him. The neighbours might be noisy but he can’t see or smell what is happening. Make sure that he is ok health wise and then don’t worry about it. They feel safe underneath something.

Get your dogs eyes checked that’s how my dog started showing signs of losing his sight not being able to jump up on the bed!!!!

It could be all the new sounds she is not used to yet. I remember moving on a very busy street and leaving the windows open and would come home and find my dog in the closet too. It turns out the sound of the blinds hitting the windows would scare her even when I was at home with her. So I started opening the windows partially and leaving the radio or tv on.

When we finally got rid of the crate, Boots would automatically go into my husbands closet and lay down. We put pillows on the floor for her to lay on. I think it still gives her the comfort of the crate, but the freedom to roam around when she is comfortable to do so.

I must agree with the others that have said , its the boyfriend, He did something. FIND OUT AND DO IT ASAP.

Maybe she or he is terrified of your boyfriend. I hope your boyfriend loves and adores your dog.

Ive been depressed for a year now and have losts the energy to walk my dog. I use to walk him twice a day. He has been hiding in the closet and bathtub for about two months. He only did this during storms and fireworks. Have i depressed my dog ? Also he lays around here and there and never stays in one spot long. This is new also. Please advise…Mary

Hi my dog is 13 years old now and the last couple of weeks hes bin acting weird he keeps emptying the bottom of my wardrobe n leaves all my girlfriends clothes all over the floor n he did it to my borothers aswell n when i cum back from work i found him just sitting there in my wardrobe idont know wats going on but its like something is scaring him ?