Skip to Content

Why does my dog look out the window?

Why does my dog look out the window?

If your dog has been looking out the window a lot, this post will show you likely reasons why and what you can do about them.

So, why does my dog look out the window? Likely reasons why your dog looks out the window are that it can hear or see people or animals outside or that your dog wants to go outside.

There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog looks out the window and it might be due to a combination of them. However, there are a number of things you can consider to help figure out the main cause and there are a number of things you can do about it.

Why does my dog look out the window?

Below are likely reasons why your dog looks out the window and what would make each of them more likely.

Your dog wants to go outside

A likely reason why your dog looks out the window is that your dog wants to go outside. This would be a lot more likely if your dog wants to go outside when you approach the window and if it stays by a window that normally gets out through.

Your dog hears or sees animals outside

Another likely cause is that your dog can hear or see animals outside. This would be a lot more likely if your dog does it at a time when you are able to hear or see animals yourself.

There is a problem inside

Another possible cause is that there is an issue inside. The problem could be that the room it normally stays in is too hot, loud or bright. This would be more likely if your dog has started looking out the window more since there was a change in the home.

Your dog simply likes how it feels by the window

It could also be the case that your dog likes the way it feels by the window. This would be a lot more likely if it is slightly cooler by the window due to some air getting through the vents.

It is being protective

The cause could also be that your dog is being protective. This would be more likely if your dog tends to bark outside the window and if it does it when there are a lot of people or animals outside the window. It would also be a lot more likely if you happen to live on a busy street.

Things to consider

Below are some things to consider to help figure out the main reason why your dog has been doing it.

If your dog has always looked out the window

If your dog did not always look out the window, it would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it. If your dog started doing it suddenly, it could be due to things such as a change in the environment inside or because your dog started hearing, smelling or seeing animals outside.

The timing of when your dog sits by the window

If there is a certain time that your dog tends to look out the window, it would also help to consider the timing. For example, if it only does it during the daytime, when people are walking past, it would be a lot more likely that your dog is looking at the people. In this case, it could help to get your dog to stay in a quiet room where it is less able to see and hear the people walking past.

What to do about your dog looking out the window

Below are some options you have when dealing with the behavior.

Let it do it

If your dog seems to be doing it simply because it likes the way it feels by the window, one option would be to simply let your dog continue doing it.

Limit potential problems inside

It would also help to limit possible issues inside such as by letting it stay in a part of the house that is less noisy, cooler and where it cannot see people outside.

Why does my dog look out the window at night?

If your dog only seems to look out the window at night, the cause could be that it can hear or see animals outside or that it is sitting there because it likes the way it feels by the window.

Why does my dog look out the window when I leave?

If your dog only seems to look out the window when you are leaving, the most likely cause is that your dog has some separation anxiety.

Why does my dog look out the window and whine?

If your dog looks out the window and whines, the cause is likely to be that it wants to go outside or that it can hear and see people outside.