Does your dog run and hide whenever there’s a scary noise or visitor to the house? Is it normal or a sign of a deeper issue? Is it strange for your dog to hide under the couch?

Well for starters, no it’s not an unusual thing at all. But the reason they do so could be a behavioral problem you need to be working on — or just a minor thing that’s nothing to worry about.

No worries, though, because in this article we’ll give you all the information you need to determine why your dog is doing this, and we’ll tell you how to stop your dog from going under the couch! Let’s get to it!

How to Stop a Dog from Going Under the Couch

To stop a dog from going under the couch because they are scared or fearful, you must address their anxiety issues at the root.

Let’s think about why your dog might feel the need to hide when they hear noises or when visitors come over to your home: because they’re scared.

That’s obvious, of course, but think deeper on that. Your dog gets scared of new things — even when you’re around. Here, they are essentially saying to you “I don’t trust you to handle all of this stuff so I’m just going to hide!”

Doesn’t feel so great, but the good news is that you can easily remove those fears for them and get them to have all the trust in the world in you. Soon, they’ll feel no need to hide under the couch — and they’ll have confidence in other situations too.

“That’s perfect! So how do I do that?”

You instill confidence in your dog — and in you — by showing them that you are a capable and effective leader in the home. Remember the dogs are pack animals, and in every pack, there will be a pack leader.

“Okay, but how…”

I’d recommend an excellent free video series on just this subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan. He’ll show you everything you need to know, and he does so in a 100% humane and loving manner.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry if you have no experience with this sort of thing, because he makes everything very easy to understand, and gets right to the point so you can start seeing results in no time.

Why Does My Dog Hide Under the Couch?

Your dog hides under the couch because they feel safe and comfortable there. Some are motivated by fear, while others just like it down there because it’s nice and cozy.

If something prompts your dog hiding under the couch — like a loud noise or the doorbell ringing — then you can safely say it is due to fear. This would be a behavioral issue that needs to be addressed because obviously, they are experiencing stress.

You can continue to the last section for what to do if you believe your dog is hiding under the couch due to fear or confidence issues, and we’ll tell you exactly how to help them.

But if your dog has been hiding under the couch for a long period of time without showing any other signs of stress or anxiety, you can safely assume it is just a comfortable place for them to hang out and relax.

Remember: even dogs want a little alone time occasionally!

Why Does My Dog Hide Under the Couch All of a Sudden?

Your dog hides under the couch all of a sudden because something is scaring them. Think about what has been happening, which didn’t before. Something is triggering their stress and anxiety, and they’re retreating to a safe place.

You’ll remember that dogs are descended from wolves, and as such spent thousands and thousands of years feeling safe in dens — typically caves. Your dog hides under the couch because this is the next best option for them today.

Obviously, your dog experiencing this new stress and anxiety should be a concern for you. It’s very troubling for them, and it’s important that you address this so that it doesn’t grow and cause additional behavioral issues.

Go back to the first section where we went over how to handle your dog’s fear.

Will My Dog Grow out Of Hiding Under the Couch?

If your dog is older then they will not simply grow out of hiding under the couch, especially if they are doing so due to fear. If they are doing so simply because they feel comfortable down there, they’ll continue to do so.

If your puppy is hiding under the couch, then they could grow out of it in a few months as they get older and more confident. This is a safe space for them, and as their fears ease as they get bigger, many no longer feel the need to hide.

If your puppy is having fear and anxiety issues, however, it’s best to start addressing them now. Older dogs experiencing these problems can have further behavioral issues, so it’s best to take care of a puppy’s fear issues while they’re still young.

How Do I Keep My Dog from Getting Under the Couch?

To keep your dog from getting under the couch, you should block off the area and give them an alternative safe place — such as a crate.

Remember, however, that it’s not necessarily a bad thing if your dog is hiding under the couch if it’s not due to fear. Sometimes dogs just want to be alone, and somewhere warm and comfortable.

But if you do not want your dog hiding under the couch, you can simply place some small boxes under there to keep them out. Just make sure to give them an alternative safe spot, like a crate in the corner with a cozy bed inside. You can also lay a blanket over the top to make it feel more closed off and cave-like for them.

I’m sure you’re eager to get rid of your dog’s fear and anxiety so they’ll stop hiding under the couch when things worry them, so I’ll let you get started. Good luck with everything, and thanks for reading our article “How to Stop Your Dog from Going Under the Couch!”