Scared

My Dog Goes Under the Bed and Cries, How Do I Help?

“My dog goes under the bed and cries!” And I’m sure your heart is absolutely breaking for them! What is going on when your dog goes under the bed to cry? Are they in pain or is your dog just sad? And most importantly, what should you do if your dog is going under the bed and crying?

Well, while it’s certainly worrying for you, the good news is that this is not that unusual a behavior for dogs, which means that there are well-known answers to all of these questions. Keep reading, because we’ll fill you in on everything you need to know to help your dog through this stressful situation!

What Should I Do If My Dog Goes Under the Bed and Cries?

My Dog Goes Under the Bed and Cries

If your dog is going under the bed and crying, then you should first rule out that they’re in pain. If you don’t see any signs of injury or illness, then your next step is to coax them out from under there. Lure them with a favorite toy or treat, then when they come out give it to them along with pets and praise. Next, allow them to cuddle with you somewhere that they find comfortable.

These steps will get your dog to stop going under the bed and crying, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issue (anxiety) that was causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address that, any positive changes you see are only going to be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes stick?”

By getting your dog to truly choose to follow your direction, that’s how. I tried many times to write out how you can do that before deciding it made more sense to just link you to the free video series that explains it better than I’d ever be able to.

The series is by a man named Dan who is one of the world’s leading dog obedience trainers. In it, he teaches you how to put an end to things like when your dog goes under the bed and cries and all other misbehavior using his fast and easy-to-follow methods.

In the first video, Dan will reveal to you why the two most common methods of dog training only doom you to failure. You can watch the video now by clicking here. Follow the proven system he’ll show you in his series and you’ll never have to spend another second worrying about your dog going under the bed and crying ever again!

Why Does My Dog Go Under the Bed and Cry?

Your dog goes under the bed to cry for a few different possible reasons. You should first rule out that they are in pain. Look for other signs of injury or illness like problems going to the bathroom, not wanting to eat, or just having a loss of energy. It’s also possible that they’re just sad.

Another likely possibility is that your dog has issues with fear and anxiety, and they go under the bed and cry because that’s the only place where they feel safe and secure. Dogs descended from wolves and still retain many behaviors from those days, including finding safety in spaces that are closed off and dark. Going under the bed works perfectly.

You should look for other clues from your dog to see if this is what they’re experiencing. Is your dog also very timid generally? Are they routinely refusing to come out from under the bed, even without crying? Do you find them under other places, like your desk or the couch? These would all be very good indications that your dog has significant anxiety issues.

To help your dog through these worries, you can try coaxing them out with a favorite toy or treat. If you’re able to get them to come out, calm them by softly petting them and speaking positively in a quiet tone. You’ll still need to address the problem at its root, however, which we covered in the first section of this article.

Is My Dog In Pain If They Go Under The Bed and Cry?

If your dog goes under the bed and is crying then there’s a good chance that they are in pain. Hiding and crying is a common response for dogs that are hurt. Sadness and anxiety problems are the other likely causes which you should look to next. But as far as pain goes, try looking for common indications that your dog is hurt.

Are they limping or just acting differently in general? How is their activity level? Has it dropped very recently? Do they have no interest in playing or eating? Have you seen any signs of scratches or blood on them or where they’ve been? If you notice any of these, or something just seems off, you should take your dog to the vet for an examination.

Is My Dog Sad If They Go Under The Bed and Cry?

If your dog is going under the bed to cry, then there’s a good possibility that they are sad. If you already ruled out that they’re in pain (which we covered earlier), then this should be your next consideration. Some signs that your dog is sad include not being interested in playing or eating as much.

Dogs experience sadness just like humans, and for many of the same reasons too. It could be something as simple as the time of year. Winter means less sunshine and playtime which might upset your dog. Also consider things like changes in routine or who they’re interacting with. Have they been getting less social time or walks? Did a family member move, or did another dog pass away?

If you feel like your dog is sad, then just try to be a good friend and owner to them to help them through this rough patch. Try to get them to play a favorite game or with a favorite toy, but if they’re not interested just coax them out with a treat. When you’re able to get them out from under the bed, have them spend time cuddling with you. Make sure they get lots of pets and positive talk too.

I’m sure you’re eager to see these changes in your dog and to take all of that stress and anxiety off their shoulders, so I’ll let you get started. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading!

The Author

KB Williams

KB Williams

Hey there! I'm a dog behavior expert and lover of travel. Since 2016, I've been sharing my knowledge of dog training and behavior while exploring the Pacific Northwest with my two rescues.