You wake up in the middle of the night.
And you notice your dog’s not on their bed.
You find them sleeping in the dark corner of your room.
Why do they do this?
Should you allow them to sleep there all the time?
I got the answers to that!
Read this article to discover:
- The secret of how to get your dog to come out of there.
- 9 interesting reasons why your dog sleeps or lays in the corner.
- 5 easy tips on what to do when you see your dog in that spot again.
- And this is just the beginning…
Table of contents
Why does my dog lay in the corner?
Your dog lays in the corner because they find it comfortable. Maybe even more comfortable than their bed. It’s because of a certain scent, temperature, or all their toys are there. Some dogs also like small and dark places for it makes them feel secure. It could also be due to fear or anxiousness.
9 reasons why your dog sleeps or lays in the corner
#1: Personal space
Like us humans, our dogs need their private time.
Dogs can get uncomfortable and stressed from too much hugging. It makes them feel like they’re trapped.
Some dogs get aggressive when you approach them while they’re alone.
What’s more, if you pet them or wake them up.
You have to understand that your dog gets tired too. It’s from all the active playing or running.
The corners of the house may be their only peaceful spot. Let them have their time in the corner.
And when they’re ready, they come to you.
Recommended read: 5 real reasons why you shouldn’t bother a sleeping dog (no petting, please!)
#2: They’re anxious
Anxiousness is also a top reason. A new environment can confuse your dog.
It can also make them fearful of moving away from their familiar place.
You’ll find your dog laying in the corner.
This will make them aware of what’s happening around the new place.
Keep in mind: Our pups get overwhelmed like us. So the corner would act as their safe space until they’ve adjusted.
They need to feel certain about their new environment.
You can expect that they’d scratch the wall or bite its corners.
This reason is that they’re trying to escape the area. Or they can’t find a way out.
Give your pup a long time to adjust. Soon, the new place will feel like home.
#3: It’s more comfortable
There are times when dogs won’t prefer their bed.
They’re not in the mood for that cushion-like feeling. Or they could also be curious.
This is when they start finding new spots. But out of all places, why the corner?
Here’s something to think about:
What’s your floor made of?
For me, my dog, Lissa, prefers the floor during the summer. It’s because it’s cold.
She noticed that the floor’s marble feeling is cooler than her bed.
This makes her lay in the corner. There would be days when she’d sleep in the corner for a long time.
Also, when did you introduce your dog to their bed?
Some dogs could’ve slept on the floor the moment you first brought them home. This shows them that the floor is the comfiest spot.
Now, expect that they’ll try out the other corners of your home.
And introducing them to a new bed would take time.
Check out: 7 surprising reasons why your dog is suddenly sleeping on the floor
#4: They don’t like their bed
Your dog could be picky with their bed like they are to food.
It could be the wrong size, it’s too soft, or they don’t feel the warmth from it. Because of that, they’d get up and leave.
They’ll search the house for a new place. You can also see them circling around.
Testing out the corners if they’re comfy enough.
But another reason is the position of their bed.
Yes, placing it in the best spot is important. It has to be quiet, comfy, and with no distractions.
You need to pick a spot that calms your dog. But remember that always changing the area could overwhelm them.
This would make them associate their bed with something they don’t like.
And it would make them decide to sleep in the corner instead.
Senior dogs are prone to dementia. This is also called Canine Cognitive Disorder or CCD.
According to research, this disorder can appear in 14.4% of dogs 14 years of age or older.
It’s like Alzheimer’s in humans. This causes behavioral changes.
Your dog can end up laying in unusual places, like the corners of your house.
This is because of disorientation and memory loss. They can also forget routines or where their bed’s placed.
This affects their sleep cycle too.
So when they feel tired, they could decide to sleep on the floor instead.
This is also common when they don’t want to show they’re in pain.
An instinct for old dogs is to hide it and not show weakness. This is like their ancestors who would hide in the wild.
They do this to not show vulnerability to their predator.
Common signs of CCD include:
- Limping.
- Inability to jump.
- Having a hard time getting up.
- Being hesitant to go up or down the stairs.
- Not wanting to be touched in certain areas.
Remember: At times, it’s hard to know the pain your senior dog is feeling.
What’s more, when they end up isolating themselves.
#6: There’s a certain scent they like there
Your dog keeps sleeping in the corner because they like the scent there.
They’re also trying to familiarize themselves with it. Especially if it’s your scent.
Look at this scenario.
You always leave your shoes or slippers in the corner. Then your dog grabs one and runs away with it.
Have you experienced this (more than once even)?
Good news! It’s normal.
Your dog does this because they’re figuring out the smell. It may smell like a different place or another dog.
When I first got my dog, Lissa, she’d fall asleep next to my slippers. In other words-in the corner where I’ve placed them.
The funny thing is, she doesn’t only fall asleep in that corner. But she puts her nose inside my shoe!
You can say that she was making herself familiar with my scent.
After all, pooches get attracted to certain smells.
#7: It’s where their toys are
Have you ever tripped on one of your dog’s toys?
I’ve been there too.
I bet your solution was to gather them in one area, right?
It’s what I do with Lissa’s toys every now and then. After I find a few balls scattered around.
I mean, I get scared every time I accidentally step on one. Mainly because I’m afraid that I might hurt Lissa’s delicate paws.
That being said, most dog parents have a play area for their pups. Your dog may be laying in the corner often because all their toys are there.
This would make them go there every time they’re bored. Or they could be staying there when no one’s around.
Establishing this as their play area will develop into a routine.
Expect that when you give them a toy, they might run to the corner.
And when you get home, you will find your dog sleeping there. They’ll decide to sleep surrounded by their toys.
Why?
Well, remember that stuffed toy from your childhood you used to sleep with? It brought feelings of coziness and comfort.
Dogs feel similar when they’re sleeping surrounded by their toys. Pooches like being around something familiar.
#8: It feels secure
Have you ever noticed your dog squeezing themselves in small areas?
Some examples include (but are not limited to) dogs hiding under tables, chairs, beds, couches.
Canines do this to feel secure. These secluded and private spaces also protect them from a danger that they sense.
If you noticed, they also have certain sleeping positions when they lay in the corner. This helps to tell you how they’re feeling.
Have you also noticed their backs against the wall? It’s so they know no one can get them from behind.
And when they wake up, they can immediately see their whole area.
Another reason for this could be their past. For example, was your dog a rescue?
They could’ve been highly mistreated in their previous home. This experience may have traumatized them.
Yes, it’s possible that your dog can get emotionally scarred. And one of the main causes of this is physical abuse.
The corner, in this case, would act as their hiding place. It’ll help them stay out of danger or not be seen by anyone who could hurt them.
#9: The corner’s dark
It’s recommended that your dog sleeps in dark areas. This will help establish their sleep schedule.
Having light in the room at night could confuse them. Yes, dogs can’t tell time as we do.
Fun fact: Their sense of time is through their smell. This helps them realize the smell of their environment and when it fades away. It soon forms into patterns for their memory.
Now, it’s likely that the corner your dog sleeps in the darkest areas of your room.
If you sleep with a night light, it could be a disturbance. Your dog will always see a bright light in the corner of their eye and it’ll irritate their sleep.
This would make them move to an area with zero light.
5 tips on what to do if your dog sleeps or lays in the corner
#1: Notice what’s making them anxious
As mentioned, the corners of your house make them feel secured.
But what made them go there in the first place? I can tell you a lot of reasons why your dog gets anxious at home.
It might be:
- The doorbell.
- The slam of a door.
- You are leaving for work.
- Car horns along your street.
- Strangers coming inside your house.
- Clanging pots and pans in the kitchen.
Your dog’s prone to lying in the corner because they aren’t used to these noises yet.
Are you familiar with desensitization for dogs? It’s similar to counterconditioning where your dog’s emotional response to a stimulus switches from fear to positivity.
The act of desensitization is when you expose your dog to what makes them anxious. Only at different levels to control the exposure.
This control helps you understand what specifically triggers them. It could be the distance of the object, the sound, or the way it moves.
Here are 3 main areas to focus on when practicing desensitization for your pooch:
Focus on the distance
Start at different levels, moving closer and then further away from your dog. Notice how they react to the distance. Once you’ve reached a distance where they’re calm, note the exposure at that level.
Try different volumes
Begin from the softest to the loudest. Similar to step one, when you notice they turn relaxed at a certain volume, continue the exposure from there.
Start adding movements
For example, if the stimuli is a stranger, have them start waving their hands or doing leg movements. And watch how your dog reacts to these gestures.
These 3 areas will allow you to understand the level of anxiousness of your dog. Plus, they’ll show you how it can be controlled. As well as transformed into something indifferent to your dog.
#2: Get them a new bed
Their current one may be worn out. Which made them move to sleep in the corners of your house.
So introducing them to a new bed would do the trick.
Now, aside from a new bed, think about a new place for it. Picking the right place for your dog’s bed is important.
You can’t place it somewhere too noisy or with too many distractions.
Make sure to set a permanent place. This will help your dog recognize that place as their own. And it will turn into a safe haven.
It’ll also be faster to train them how to act since they’ll know where you want them to go.
It’ll take some time for them to adjust. Especially if the corner was a great bed substitute for them.
But proper training will always do the trick!
Watch how Zak trains Gotti to go to his bed when asked:
#3: Check with the vet
What’s more, if your dog’s a senior one.
They may be hiding to not show they’re in pain.
Some do it for a whole day. This is also prone to dogs who’ve been given new prescriptions.
Some medicines can make them drowsy or tired.
They’d move to the corner to not be in a vulnerable position. If it’s been happening for a while, it’s time for a check-up.
#4: Don’t encourage them
Don’t always give them a treat if you want them out of the corner.
If you do, they’ll soon understand the routine. This will make them go to the corner to get a treat.
They might also start thinking you want them to go there. I mean, wouldn’t you think you’re doing something great if after you do it, you get rewarded?
Instead, there are more effective ways to encourage your pooch to get out of the corner.
You can invite them outside to play. Or practice training them to go to stay in their bed.
These productive alternatives will help both you and your pup.
#5: Show them new play areas
Instead of allowing them to always play in the corner, give their toys in an open area or better yet, outside. This will give them the freedom to run around with the toy.
It’s far better than rolling their ball around while they’re stuck in the corner…and eventually falling asleep.
Outside, they’ll realize that they have more space to roam around and see new things.
Your dog’s gonna love it! And It also won’t feel as restricted as a corner.
Another thing, if you see their toys in the corners of your house, move them immediately. Keep repeating this until they get the picture.
You’d be surprised. One day, you’ll see your playful pup chewing their toy in the middle of your living room.
Or they’d grab their toy by the mouth and run to the door, telling you to play with them outside.
All in all, giving them a new area will change their environment for the better.
So once you’ve already established a new play area, it’s goodbye corner!