Why Does My Dog Hide Under The Table ?

You may have even noticed that your dog hides from time to time.

Maybe it’s when you’re having company over and the dog has been left alone with guests for too long.

Or maybe it’s just a habit that develops when the dog feels insecure.

Whatever the reason, dogs hide for many reasons.

Here are some of them.

They feel threatened.

They seek security.

They want to escape.

They Feel Threatened

Dogs may feel threatened by strange people coming into their home, other animals, loud noises, or unfamiliar smells.

When they feel threatened, they may try to protect themselves by hiding.

They may also become aggressive in order to scare off the threat.

If your dog is hiding because he feels threatened at home, he might benefit from training sessions with his owner.

Using positive reinforcement, you can teach him how to calm down and not feel threatened.

They Seek Security

Your dog may feel more comfortable if he knows where he is and what’s going on around him.

If this sounds familiar, then this is something you should consider teaching your dog.

You can start with simple commands such as “stay,” “come” and “sit.”

Another way to help your dog feel secure while hiding is to give him a place to retreat to when he feels frightened.

A safe place could be a crate or a bed tucked away.

It also helps if you put up a barrier between your dog and the person who’s threatening him.

For example, if someone is yelling at your dog, you can put up a barrier between the two of them using a leash.

This will keep your dog from running away and will make it easier for you to take control of the situation.

They Want to Escape

When a dog wants to get away, he’ll do whatever it takes to escape.

Sometimes he’ll run away and sometimes he’ll hide.

He may choose to hide because it’s less stressful than running away.

For example, if there’s an intruder in your home, the best thing to do would probably be to run away.

But if you’re alone and only have one door leading out, hiding may seem like your best option.

If your dog is trying to hide in order to escape, he may need to learn that he can’t always run away when he doesn’t want to.

You can use this opportunity to teach him why staying still is better than running away.

After all, once he learns this, he won’t ever want to run away again.

Hiding as a Protective Instinct

When you go to the vet’s office, you are likely to see many dogs hiding behind the reception desk.

They may have been there for quite some time and are just waiting patiently for their owners to come out so they can greet them.

Many people think this behavior is cute but it is actually a sign of anxiety and fear.

If your dog hides under the table when you enter the room, he might be trying to avoid another frightening experience.

He might also be protecting himself from an unknown source of danger.

It is important to understand why your dog is hiding under the table.

You will know if it is a good idea to keep him away from the entrance or if you should let him greet you.

Here are some reasons why dogs hide:

They are afraid of something new.

They are unsure about how to react to someone they don’t know.

They are trying to protect themselves from harm.

They are simply curious.

They are bored.

1. They Are Afraid Of Something New

Dogs who are afraid of something new will often hide under the table until they feel safe enough to get up and greet their owner.

This is a natural instinct, especially if your dog has never met anyone before.

They want to make sure everything is okay before getting too close to you.

If your dog has never met a stranger before, he might not be able to tell what type of person you are.

In order to determine whether you are friendly or not, your dog will need to assess your body language first.

If you are calm and relaxed, then he probably won’t hide under the table.

However, if you are tense or nervous, he might choose to do so.

2. They Are Unsure About How To React To Someone They Don’t Know

Some dogs are very shy and nervous around strangers.

They are unable to predict how other people will behave towards them.

They might want to stay hidden while they work out what to do next.

Your dog might try to hide under the table because he doesn’t want to approach you yet.

He wants to see what kind of reaction you have to his greeting before deciding to take action.

This could be a good thing, as long as you let your dog know that you are happy to meet him.

You can show your dog by moving towards him slowly and calmly.

As soon as you see him looking at you, give him a treat.

A simple “yes!” will encourage him to approach you more.

This way, both of you can relax and enjoy meeting each other.

3. They Are Trying To Protect Themselves From Harm

If your dog is scared of a situation, he will prefer to stay hidden until he feels safer.

He might choose to hide under the table if he thinks there is a chance that you might hurt him.

For example, if you have a large dog who is used to playing with small children, he might choose to hide under the table when you walk into the house.

He knows that these kids will play rough with him and he needs somewhere where he can escape safely.

He is trying to protect himself from possible injury.

He might even decide to lie down under the table if he sees children coming into the room.

He is simply protecting himself from a potentially dangerous situation.

4. They Are Just Curious

Sometimes, dogs are simply curious about new situations.

They want to explore and learn more about the world around them.

Your dog might be hiding under the table because he wants to see what happens now that you are here.

In order to find out, you need to ask your dog to sit quietly while you look under the table.

Then, reward him for sitting still.

You can use treats like peanut butter or cheese.

These foods are easy to chew and will help your dog to focus on the task at hand.

He will feel rewarded for doing well, which will encourage him to continue.

Ask your dog to sit quietly while you move around the room.

When you are satisfied that your dog is ready, you can ask him to move closer to you and place a treat under the table.

He will love the food and will quickly follow your instructions.

All you need to do is praise him for following your commands.

Confidence

Your dog might seem to have lost his confidence when you notice him hiding under the couch or table.

He also may avoid going out into the yard and play with other dogs.

You’ll know that he has lost confidence because he will not come when called, even if you are right next to him.

There are many reasons why your dog may feel insecure.

Some people think it means that their dog is sick.

Others think it means that they are being punished for something.

Still others believe that they just need to spend more time playing with their dog, which would help improve his confidence.

But I don’t agree with any of these theories at all.

I believe that your dog is actually experiencing fear.

Fear can occur in several different ways.

In this article, I will discuss two common causes of fear — lack of confidence and fear.

Lack of Confidence

If your dog feels insecure, then he may choose to hide from you in order to protect himself.

Many times, this is a sign of shyness.

Shy dogs tend to prefer staying away from strangers and new things.

They may feel uncomfortable around strange dogs or strange smells.

Some dogs simply do not like to go on walks.

If you try to take them on a walk, they may start whining and pulling back.

This behavior can indicate that your dog is afraid of crowds.

Other dogs may pull back because they are afraid of traffic.

If your dog pulls back when you try to take him for a walk, then there may be another reason for his lack of confidence.

Maybe he is afraid of getting hit by a car.

When animals lose their confidence, they often become depressed.

Their moods can change very quickly, so you should pay close attention to your dog’s demeanor.

If you see signs of depression, then you should seek professional help immediately!

Fear or Anxiety

The term “Anxiety” is derived from the Greek word for worry.

Worrying can be defined as the process of anticipating future events and having negative thoughts about them.

Fear is a more intense form of anxiety because it causes a person to actually feel afraid.

Both fear and anxiety are normal human emotions but when they become excessive, they can cause problems.

For example, you may experience extreme feelings of fear if you are afraid of heights, or you may have an irrational fear of spiders.

Many people with phobias have fears that are so intense that they cannot tolerate even mild exposure to their objects of fear.

Some phobias can cause panic attacks which may involve symptoms such as chest pain, dizziness, heart palpitations, sweating, rapid breathing, shortness of breath, nausea, lightheadedness, and/or trembling.

These symptoms may last anywhere from ten minutes to several hours.

Dogs who live with humans often get anxious around new situations or people.

They can also become distressed when you leave them alone in a room for too long.

If your dog has been experiencing any of these types of anxieties, there are some things you can do to help him overcome his fears.

If your dog is fearful of something he should not be, you should try to find out why he feels this way.

There are many possible reasons that a dog might be afraid, including:

He is afraid of certain sounds.

He is afraid of certain smells.

He is afraid of something you have said or done.

He is afraid of something you have left behind.

He is afraid of something unknown.

Once you understand what is causing your dog’s anxiety, you will know how to deal with it. You can then take steps to prevent the problem from occurring again.

Illness or Injury

If you are not sure what is wrong with your pet, it may help to remember the acronym ABCD.

A = ACTIVITY

B = BOWELS (or STOMACH)

C = CLAWS and EARS

D = DOG

If your dog is acting like this, then he may need to see his veterinarian and have an examination.

If your dog has been injured, then it will be important for you to know how to check for internal injuries.

It is always a good idea to keep a record of when your dog was last seen, what symptoms she had at the time, and if there were any changes in her behavior over a period of time.

This will give you some clues as to whether there might be something more serious going on.

What Causes Distress?

Some things that can cause distress include:

Change in routine or environment

Anxiety from separation from owner, other animals, or familiar places

An injury or illness

Feeling trapped or confined

Boredom

Most dogs are very sensitive to their owners’ moods and emotions.

They pick up on our feelings and respond accordingly.

For example, if we feel stressed out, they will become stressed out too.

How to Help Your Dog When She Is Sick or Injured

There are many ways to help your dog cope with sickness or injury. Here are some tips:

Provide plenty of fresh water

Offer food and treats

Let your dog into the room where she feels safe

Keep the door open so she can come in and go out easily

Don’t leave your dog alone, but let her explore the area around her while you are gone

If you suspect there is a problem, ask your vet about it

Boredom

A bored dog can become destructive and even aggressive.

If you notice your dog chewing on an object or trying to pull something out of its mouth, this may be a sign of boredom.

Bored dogs will often hide under furniture or other objects to keep from being distracted.

Bored dogs are also more likely to bark at strange people who come to the door, or worse yet, bite them.

Sometimes it’s best to leave your dog alone for a few minutes while you go get some coffee.

This will help him feel less stressed, and he’ll calm down.

However, if you feel like you need to take your dog outside immediately, try playing with him before going back inside.

He’ll be much happier after spending time outdoors.

What can you do if your dog is bored?

If your dog seems bored, you can try one of these tips:

Leave your dog alone

Play fetch with your dog

Take your dog for a walk

Provide toys and treats

Give your dog extra attention

Offer opportunities for play