Why does my dog hide under the table? You love them so much, and when they display a behavior like this, it really gets you worried. Is it normal? Is it a sign that they’re sick or in pain? Do you need to do something about it or is this just a normal thing dogs do?

Well, the good news is that your dog hiding under the table is quite common, which means there are clear answers — and solutions — to all the questions you have. So keep reading, because we’re going to fill you in on absolutely everything you need to know in this article!

How Do I Stop My Dog Hiding Under the Table?

To stop your dog from hiding under the table, you can start by coaxing them into somewhere more out in the open where they’ll also feel safe. Place their bed or a comfy blanket with a treat on top near where you like to sit. When they go and take it, encourage them to stay by giving them pets and praise.

This will help them to ease their fears by making positive associations with being out in the open. You’ll still, however, have the underlying issue present which is that they are experiencing a tremendous amount of fear and anxiety. This is what’s caused them to want to retreat to a small, safe space.

And why exactly would they feel this way? Well, you’ve probably heard before that dogs are pack animals, and that in every pack there is a pack leader. One of the pack leader’s responsibilities is to watch over and protect the other (weaker) members of the pack.

This should be your role, but the fact that your dog is hiding under the table proves that they are not seeing you in this way. This makes them feel very anxious and worried because they don’t know who will protect them from all the unknown, scary things out there in the world.

But by showing them not only that you are their pack leader — but also a capable and effective one — you can end all this stress and awful feelings for them. Your dog will no longer hide under the table or in other areas, and will just be an all-around much more carefree and loving dog.

Sounds terrific, doesn’t it? Of course!

“But how do I do any of this? I have no clue how to make that happen.”

That’s okay! Because there’s an excellent free video series on just this subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan which will show you everything you need to know. Best of all, he does so in ways that are very clear and easy to understand, and he gets right to the point so you’ll start seeing results in no time!

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And don’t worry because you won’t ever have to be mean or even raise your voice to your doggo. Dan loves dogs just as much as we do, and only he uses methods that are 100%  humane and loving at all times.

Do Dogs Hide Under the Table When They Are Sick or in Pain?

Dogs do hide under the table when they are sick or in pain. Pay very close attention to your dog’s behavior if you feel like this is the case. If you haven’t observed any obvious indicators like your dog falling or throwing up, then look for clues from the way they’re acting.

Are they also seeking out other areas to hide under if you don’t allow your dog to hide under the table? Are they refusing to eat or do other things they might normally enjoy like going on walks? Do they seem to not have any energy at all? If you’ve noticed any of these or things just don’t seem right, consider taking your dog to the vet.

Will My Dog Grow Out of Hiding Under the Table?

Your dog will not grow out of hiding under the table, as this is more of a behavioral issue than one that is age-related. Your dog is hiding under the table because they are feeling scared and anxious, and they lack the confidence to face the outside world. They retreat to what feels like a den for them (remember that dogs are descended from wolves).

Many dogs will gain confidence as they get older and no longer do things like hide under the bed, hide under the recliner, and hide under your desk. But these changes have occurred due to someone unwittingly training the behavior out of them, not simply because they just got older and stopped wanting to do it. That just won’t happen.

To stop your dog from hiding under the table, you’ll need to address their fear and anxiety issues through behavioral training. Go back to the first section for more on how to accomplish that.

Why Is My Dog Hiding Under the Table All of a Sudden?

If your dog is hiding under the table all of a sudden, then something scary has likely occurred recently to prompt this behavior. Was there a loud noise on the television, or did you have visitors come over to the house? Did they have a negative experience with an aggressive or overly friendly new dog while on a walk or at the park?

If your dog is suddenly hiding under the table, look to the very recent past for explanations. Dogs retreat to places that are dark and more closed-off to feel safe, and something is obviously giving your dog the need to do this. If it only happens briefly for an hour or so, it’s not a big deal, but you should still work on their issues with handling their fear and anxiety.

We went over how to do that in the first section of this article.

I’m sure you’re looking forward to seeing these wonderful changes in your dog — not to mention getting them out from under that table — so I’ll let you get started! Good luck with everything, and be sure to share this article “Why Does My Dog Hide Under the Table” in case you need to read it again later.