15 Reasons Why Your Dog Sleeps In Another Room + 9 Tips

Your dog sneaks out every night to sleep in the next room. 

“Hey, come back here.”, you tell them. 

But they just slowly walk away without looking back at you. 

“Noooooooo!”

In this article, you’ll discover:

• Why your pooch wants isolation.
• How to create a special place for them.
• 15 reasons why your dog sleeps in another room.
• 9 tips on how you can encourage your dog to sleep with you.
• And more…

Why does my dog sleep in another room?

Your dog sleeps in another room because of the room temperature, comfortability, being light sleepers, feeling sick, scared, anxious, protecting something, experiencing room changes, being independent, hunting, an ongoing heat cycle, getting old, or preferring having their own space. 

Where should my dog sleep at night time?

Your dog should sleep in the place where they’re most comfortable. While many dogs enjoy sleeping in the same room with their dog parents, some choose to sleep in another room or other part of the house. 

As dog parents, you must consider that your dog’s sleeping preferences may vary depending on their physical and mental conditions. 

For example, if they’re feeling sick, they may choose to sleep in more enclosed spaces. And if they’re feeling protective of someone, the’ll choose to sleep in their room instead of yours. 

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15 reasons why your dog sleeps in another room

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#1: Your dog sleeps light

You’re a heavy sleeper. 

Your snore is louder than thunder on a stormy day. And you also move a lot. 

However, your dog is a light sleeper. Every sound and small movement from you wake them up. 

Sigh.

Your dog then decides to go to another room so they can doze off better. 

Dogs have sensitive ears. Based on studies, they can hear sounds 4 times better than humans. Soft sounds for humans can be loud ones for your pooch.

Because of this, they get easily distressed by loud noises such as fireworks, the sound of the vacuum, drills, and unfortunately – your snoring. 

#2: They’re maturing

Your dog is like a teenager going through puberty. 

They want their own space now. And they certainly don’t want cuddles anymore. 

Kisses? Forget it. 

The last straw is your dog even sleeps in another room now. 

Oh no! 

You love cuddling your dog while you sleep. But sadly, your growing dog has other plans. 

Don’t lose hope! It’s normal for dogs to have behavioral changes as they mature. 

While your dog is choosing to be independent, this doesn’t mean that they don’t love you anymore. They’re simply in their experimental stage and they want to discover new things. 

#3: Some dogs prefer tight spaces

You notice that your dog isn’t sleeping with you. You look everywhere, but you can’t find them. 

You opened the door to another room where you found a small ball of fur hiding in the space between the closets. 

There’s your furry friend, sleeping soundly. 

They totally look uncomfortable sleeping in that tight space, so why would they prefer it over your big bed? 

For them, surprisingly enough, sleeping like that is relaxing. 

There really are times when dogs just like to be tucked away in narrow spaces, lying on their back, with their bellies up. 

#4: They don’t want cuddles 

Every dog has their own personality. 

There are clingy dogs who can’t be away from their dog parents. Those are the ones who enjoy cuddles, kisses, and even hugs. 

And then there’s your dog. (But sometimes you wonder whether you have a cat disguised as a dog.)

Your pooch hates cuddles. 

So much that during sleeping time, they’ll get up the instant you come near them and sleep in another room. They can’t stand you cuddling them while they sleep. 

Don’t sweat it. It’s not you, it’s them. 

Sometimes, there are just dogs who aren’t big fans of physical touch.

#5: Room temperature

Your dog’s sleeping location depends on how cool or hot the room is. 

If they want to warm themselves up, they sleep in your room because yours has a heater on. But when it gets too hot, they leave to go to the other room. 

You may think of your dog as a traitor at first. 

But here’s the truth:

Your dog has layers of thick fur. Think of it as having a jacket that you can’t take off all the time. 

This is why they get hot easily. And so they prefer places that cool their body temperature down. 

#6: There’s a sudden change in your room

Aside from their hearing abilities, dogs are also incredible with their sense of smell. According to research, they can detect and smell 10,000 to 100,000 better than us humans. 

Pretty cool, huh?

So when there’s a new member (maybe a partner or spouse) in the room your dog sleeps in, they may suddenly be uncomfortable. 

For your pooch, the newcomer’s scent and presence are unfamiliar yet.

Because of the sudden changes, your dog’ll go to another room because they’ll be more at ease there.

#7: They think you don’t want to sleep with them

If you have always prevented your pup from sleeping with you, they won’t bother coming into your room. 

“No way, I love sleeping with my dog. 

So why are they suddenly sleeping in another room?”

Well, in this case, you may have unintentionally encouraged them to sleep in another room. 

Did you ever coax them with treats to make them come with you the first time they slept in the other room? 

Yes?

Then that’s possibly the reason why. 

Giving your pooch treats while they’re still inside the other room will make them think: 

“You’re rewarding me because you want me to sleep here.”

#8: It’s hunting time

You recently changed your residence.

It’s an old house, and you want to rebuild it. At night, your dog sneaks out of your room to stay in the other room. 

What gives?

Dogs are natural predators, and they want to catch their prey. When they sneak out at night, your dog may be hunting. 

They may be on the lookout for some small mice hiding in the house.

This doesn’t mean that they’ll eat the poor creatures. Sometimes, they just want to catch them. 

#9: The other room is spacious

Dogs enjoy squeezing themselves into tight spaces when they sleep. But at the same time, they also love big beds. 

I know, they’re complicated. 

So when a room is too cluttered and messy, they can’t lay down well. 

They can’t stretch their butts. And they can’t do their intricate sleeping positions. 

So they choose to sleep in another room. They want it more because it could be more spacious and they can sleep there better. 

#10: Someone else is worth-watching

Congrats! Your dog is now an older sibling. 

There are many changes in your household, and one of them involves your beloved pup. 

Your dog is not sleeping in your room anymore. You caught them sleeping in the baby’s room, or sometimes outside their door.

You’re sad because you miss your pooch dearly. 

But you’re also happy because you know your baby is safe. Your pup is the best guard dog ever. 

Dogs have a special connection with babies and children because they perceive them as vulnerable. Aside from that, they also think of them as their playmate and pack member. 

#11: They’re scared of your room

Okay, firstly, this is not a horror movie. Your dog is not scared of your room because it has a ghost or anything. 

This simply means that your room has certain things that your dog doesn’t understand. 

For example, your room may have a large mirror that makes your dog question who is the other dog they see. 

And why are there two of them?

It’s also possible that you always listen to loud music and it harms your dog’s ears. 

Or… your dog has a bad memory or experience of your room. 

Because of these reasons, your dog chooses to sleep in another room because they feel safer there. 

#12: Anxiety

An anxious dog can get stressed because of many things. 

They could be frightened of unfamiliar people or dogs. When they hear loud noises. Or when they lack mental stimulation.

Distressed dogs refuse to eat. They could also avoid their dog parents by hiding or sleeping in another room. 

If you are concerned that your dog has anxiety problems, observe them. According to VCA Hospitals, here are some its symptoms: 

• Tail-tucking.
• Sluggishness.
• Escaping behavior.
• Shaking or trembling.
• Avoidance or displacement. 
• Changes in bodily functions including bowel movement.

#13: They’re not feeling well

Sometimes, a dog who is ill may conceal themselves and avoid any contact with their dog parents. 

So, what’s the reason behind this behavior? 

Let’s take it back to the relationship between predators and their prey. 

Predators consider weaker and sick animals as their next meal. So in your dog’s mind, they must hide to protect themselves from being eaten or harmed when they’re sick.

Even though they’re in your home and they’re safe and sound, this natural instinct kicks in when they’re not feeling well.

They’ll hide in the garage, at the back of your closet, or sleep under the bed of a different room. 

#14: They isolate themselves

There’s a sad reason why your dog refuses to sleep with you in the same room anymore. It’s because now, they choose to be alone.

Dogs have a need for isolation when they’re getting old and nearing death.  

When your dog feels that they’re getting weaker as time goes by, they look for a secluded place they hide for protection. 

In your dog’s mind, if they’re secluded, they’re away from threats.

If they’re having difficulty in walking, their hiding place could be somewhere in your house where nobody is using it. 

It could be a garage or a spare room.

As dog parents, we all dread this. But it is a natural way of life. 

#15: They’re in heat

You’ve noticed that your dog doesn’t sleep at night, and they also leave you to go to another room. 

However, you are not sure what they do there exactly. There’s constant whining, and you’re also hearing scratches on the window. They sound like they want to go out.

What’s up with that?

Female dogs who are experiencing their heat cycle will take a break from sleeping in your room. Some also try to avoid their dog parents for about 2 weeks. 

The same goes if you have a male dog.  

Sexually aroused dogs are escape artists. They’ll not just leave your room, they’ll try their best to go outside the house to look for female dogs in heat. 

Don’t worry! 

Your pooch will come back to sleeping soundly in your room once the heat cycle stops. 

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9 tips on what to do if your dog sleeps in another room

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#1: Let them be

As mentioned above, there are many reasons why your dog chooses to sleep in another room. So what should you do about it? 

If that habit doesn’t cause trouble, then the best way to deal with it is to let it be. 

Your dog is just like you. They just want to sleep and take a rest. And they want to be as comfortable as they can. 

After all, there are also advantages when your dog sleeps in another room. 

They’ll be more independent. Dogs who don’t sleep with their humans are more unlikely to be clingy. 

You’ll refrain from getting allergies because of their thick fur that could bring dust and pollen. 

And you’ll also get a better night’s sleep because your dog isn’t tossing and turning on your bed. 

#2: Don’t force them 

Your dog sleeps in another room. But you want them to sleep in yours. 

Here’s how you can encourage them to sleep in your room:

Don’t just carry them and bring them inside. 

Don’t use your strength or pressure by any means. If you do that, your dog’ll associate your room with a negative experience. 

In this kind of situation, you mustn’t force your dog to sleep in your room. Or else they’ll further refrain from going there.

What you can do instead is to lead them with treats. 

Then introduce your space to them by letting them get familiar with your room slowly. 

#3: Positive reinforcement

Your dog is now comfortable in your space. 

Great job, doggo! Now, it’s reward time. 

To further encourage your dog to sleep in your room, you have to give them something in return. 

Aside from bribing them cookies and other treats, what you can do is to bond with them in another way. 

Try giving them pet massages or belly rubs as well! 

#4: Create their own space

But alas! It isn’t enough that you give them rewards. 

Nope, your dog is not that easy to get. 

“What else can I do?” , you ask.

The answer to this is to give them their own space in your room. You might want them to sleep on your bed, but still, they need a place they can go to that serves as their sanctuary. 

It may be a dog bed beside yours. Or a blankie wrapped around to form a bed in a corner. 

Make it appealing. Leave their favorite toys on it. 

And for your last touch, leave your scent on it by tucking in your old shirt somewhere in there. 

#5: Make rules

Dogs love rules – whether it’s giving a command or playing a game. 

They’re happy every time they follow them because it stimulates their mind. 

So to make your pooch think that sleeping in your room or bed is a fun activity, you need to give them rules. 

You can teach them the ‘Go to the room’ command. Or they have to wait for the ‘Jump’ command before they can jump on your bed. 

Don’t forget to reward them with little treats!

This way, they’ll think of your room as a fun and challenging place. 

#6: Keep them healthy

If your dog is still a pup or from a dog shelter, you must first earn their trust. 

Let them ease their way into your home. Don’t rush the process. 

Feed your dog well and give them lots of exercises. This’ll make it easier for them to adjust to new environments. 

#7: Take them to the vet

Your pooch cannot express themselves through words. So when they’re unwell, it’s up to you –  their dog parent – to try to understand the changes in their behavior.

If you worry that your dog is experiencing pain, have them get a check-up. Or you can also ask for a vet’s advice. 

#8: Praise them when they go to your room

Dogs read their dog parent’s body language and tone of voice. They know whenever you’re happy or angry at them. 

Your pooch is happy when they’re being praised for a job well done. So don’t shy away from expressing yourself when your furbaby goes to your room to sleep. 

#9: Be positive and comfortable

Dogs are intuitive. They can sense your mood and emotions. 

Before going to bed, make sure that you are feeling good and you are comfortable. This’ll make your dog feel more at ease sleeping with you.