Why does my dog sleep in another room?

If your dog always sleeps in another room you might be wondering why and what you can do about it.

This post will show you a number of possible reasons why it does it and what you can do about it.

So, why does my dog sleep in another room? Possible reasons why your dog sleeps in another room are that it is used to there, it finds it more comfortable, the area you want it to sleep is not comfortable for it or that it’s being protective.

There are actually a number of possible reasons why your dog does it and it could be a combination of reasons. However, there are a number of things you can consider when trying to figure out the exact reason.

Why does my dog sleep in another room?

Each of the different reasons why your dog does it will likely come with some clues.

Below are some possible causes and what would make them more likely.

It’s used to sleeping in the other room

The cause might be that it is used to sleeping there and it feels safer when it sleeps there. It could also be the case that it is not sure of what it would be likely sleeping in your room so it chooses not to do it. This would be especially likely if it has never slept in your room and it has always slept in the other room.

It finds it more comfortable

It could also be the case that it finds the other room to be more comfortable. It could be that there is more space for it to lay down there, it has a bed in the other room or that it is cooler in the other room.

It thinks you don’t want it to sleep where you sleep

Another reason why it does it might be that it thinks that you want it to sleep in the other room. This would be more likely if it has always slept in the other room and if you reward it when it sleeps there.

Instead, it would help to reward it when it sleeps in your room or when it shows signs of sleeping there. It would also help to follow the other tips mentioned below.

Your room is not comfortable for it

If you want it to sleep with you, it could be the case that your bedroom is not comfortable for it. The room might be too hot or there might not be space for it to lay down.

Related: Why does my dog sleep downstairs?

It’s being protective

It could also be the case that it chooses to sleep in the other room because it is being protective. This would be more likely if the room it chooses to sleep in is one that people have to pass through and if it tends to get very protective around the home.

Related: Why doesn’t my dog bark?

Things to consider

If your dog always wouldn’t sleep with you

It would help to consider whether or not it always chose to sleep in the other room or if it started doing it recently.

If it started doing it recently then it could be due to things such as your room becoming too hot or discovering that it finds the other room more comfortable at night.

Whereas, if it has always slept there then it would be more likely that it does it because it is used to sleeping there, the other room is more comfortable or because it is being protective.

If your dog sleeps with you sometimes

It would also help to consider whether or not it chooses to sleep with you sometimes. If it does choose to sleep with you sometimes then it could be the case that the timing has something to do with it.

For example, if it sleeps in the other room when it is hot it could be the case that it chooses to sleep there because it is cooler in the other room.

How to get your dog to stop sleeping in another room

Below are some options you have when getting your dog to stop sleeping in another room.

Positive reinforcement training

Positive reinforcement training is where you reward your dog for displaying behaviors that you want to see or for showing signs of displaying them.

To use positive reinforcement training to get it to sleep with you one option would be to train it to learn the down command and to tell it to lay down in your room during the day then to reward it for doing so. You would then tell it to lay down there at night as well.

Avoid negative reinforcement

Negative reinforcement is where you inadvertently get your dog to do undesirable things more by giving it things that it wants when it does them. Instead of rewarding your dog when it chooses to sleep in the other room, try to train it to stay in your room and to reward it for doing so.

Give your dog a spot to sleep where you want it to sleep

If there are not currently many spots for your dog to sleep in the room that you want your dog to sleep in, it would also help to create space for your dog. You could try putting a dog bed down for it or possibly making space for a crate.

Why does my dog sleep in a different part of the house?

If your dog has started sleeping in a different part of the house, it could be because an issue arose with the spot that your dog was previously sleeping in. It could be the case that it became too hot, another pet took its spot or because you started hanging out in different parts of the house.

If your dog has always slept in a different part of the house to where you sleep, it could be because your dog is being protective, because your dog thinks that you do not want it to sleep where you sleep or because your dog does not like the room that you sleep in due to things such as it being too hot or uncomfortable.

Why is my dog suddenly sleeping in a different room?

If your dog has suddenly started sleeping in a different room, it could be because the old room became too hot, other pets started sleeping in there, you got annoyed with your dog in there, or because your dog simply discovered that it prefers the new room. It would help to consider what else happened when your dog first started doing it.

Is it ok for my dog to sleep in another room?

Unless there are problems with the room that your dog sleeps in such as it being wet or very loud, it is perfectly fine for your dog to sleep in a different room to the one that you sleep in.

Why has my dog started sleeping downstairs?

If your dog has started sleeping downstairs, it could be due to things such as it becoming too hot upstairs or it might be the case that your dog has no longer got the strength to get up the stairs which would be more likely if your dog was struggling to get up the stairs previously.

Why did my dog stop sleeping in my room?

If your dog stopped sleeping in your room, it could be due to things such as something changing in your room, you got annoyed with your dog, or because it became difficult for your dog to get up the stairs due to old age or injury. It would help to consider what else happened recently that could have caused the behavior. It might also be the case that your dog simply decided that it no longer likes your room.