Inexperienced owners regularly ask the question: “Why does the dog hide in a dark place?” The animal may actually be hiding under the sofa, under an armchair or bed, hiding under the bathtub or in other areas of the house where there is little light. For those who are not very familiar with dog training, this behavior is difficult to understand.
The fact is that for a dog, darkness is a place where one can escape from potential threats and stress. To prevent further shocks from affecting the behavior of your pet, you need to understand the reasons why it hides in the twilight. And, of course, eliminate them.
Why does a dog hide in a dark place?
Is your dog hiding in a dark place, being unresponsive and showing passive signs of stress? This suggests that she has problems with her emotional state or physical health. It is worth understanding the factors that lead to this behavior in your pet. And also understand how to stabilize the dog’s condition.
External factors
The main reason why a dog acts strangely and trembles is due to overexposure to their senses. So, noise, for example, from a car in the yard, a drill, a TV or a vacuum cleaner, can provoke fear. Sounds that have a lot of bass are considered particularly disturbing to pets.
A slightly different, subconscious stress appears when a thunderstorm thunders outside - the dog’s instincts include fear of it. But the main problem is fireworks and the sounds of explosions, flares and fireworks. Even well-trained working breeds or dogs that are accustomed to hunting with a gun are afraid of them. The fact is that with them and with changes in the weather, the dog feels how its fur becomes electrified. The resulting small current charges lead to increased discomfort and attempts to escape and hide.
Also, if a dog has lived in a family from early childhood where communication occurs by shouting, it may hide in dark places. The eardrums of canines are much more sensitive than those of humans. And they read the intonations of speech perfectly, so they may fear that the active aggression of household members is directed not at each other, but at them.
Diseases and injuries
The feeling of malaise provokes strange behavior in the pet, including the desire to hide in dark spots in the house. If the cause is illness or injury, the dog’s hair may fall out and its teeth may crumble. Skin problems appear and the condition of the coat changes. The disease also affects the dog’s behavior: he becomes apathetic, refuses food and prefers to be away from his “pack”. The fact is that in nature, weak animals more often than others die in clashes with healthy ones, so the individual instinctively tries to distance itself.
Almost all diseases in which a dog hides in corners, under a sofa, under a bed are indirectly or directly related to the central nervous system. It is this that influences the pet’s perception of light and colors. If you do not contact a veterinarian in time, such diseases can completely deform the dog’s behavior and lead to serious consequences for his health, in worst cases, death. That is why dog breeders need to know the list of symptoms that, in combination with photophobia, signal a deterioration in the pet’s health:
- excessive nervousness and unmotivated aggression;
- the desire to constantly be in one place;
- rapid and slow breathing, tremors of the limbs;
- change in the shade of the mucous membranes of the eyes and mouth;
- refusal of water;
- whining, howling.
► If your pet shows serious aggression and hides in dark corners, the cause is often unbearable pain due to a recent injury. Then he needs to be given half the dose of any non-steroidal painkiller. This will save him from suffering, painful shock and will buy him time to take him to the vet.
► Aggression and photophobia also appear in dogs after birth. They are caused by pain, which will intensify as the effect of anesthesia wears off. To solve this problem, you need to give your pet neurotransmitters and hormonal agents pre-selected by your veterinarian. Less commonly, such symptoms are characteristic of individuals who experience a false pregnancy. In this case, you need to provide your pet with complete rest, and also consult with a veterinarian to develop a treatment strategy.
► Doctors call acute calcium deficiency the final main cause. A sharp drop in its level in the blood can lead to the death of the dog. The first aid, if hypocalcemia has been diagnosed, is the administration of sweet water or tea. If the drug is available, you can administer a dose of calcium gluconate to the dog. Well, then - urgently take him to the clinic.
Photophobia is one of the main symptoms of rabies; more about this disease in our separate material.
Emotional problems
Sometimes the cause of strange behavior is fluctuations in the emotional state. For example, this is noticeable in dogs adopted from a shelter. It is difficult for them to completely trust people and get used to the apartment environment. The only thing a person can do is be patient. The new owner will have to prove to the dog that he is loved in any case, stimulating correct behavior with treats, a soft tone and stroking, if the pet does not mind. Recovery usually takes from a week to several months. It all depends on the animal’s background and its socialization.
► Stress can also occur in ordinary pets. A situation in which he almost got hit by a car while walking can be a big shock for a pet. The dog's behavior stabilizes over time. The main thing is to let him know that he is safe, and the owner is always nearby.
► Often the dog behaves restlessly and hides in dark places when it is worried about the appearance of new people in the house. Some pets, for example, are acutely sensitive to the appearance of a child or overstaying guests from their owners. Fear of new people, and even more so open aggression towards them, is a bad sign. Especially if the dog is a working, hunting or service breed. In an ideal situation, a dog should meet new people and then decide whether to interact with them. If your pet behaves inappropriately, consider training with a dog trainer.
New home for a puppy
A small dog may whine and hide in the dark if it has just met a new home, a new family. If she is separated from her mother at too early an age, the likelihood of developing phobias is much higher. They will make socialization difficult as the animal grows up. A small puppy can only control his emotions when he is at rest. And darkness can provide it. Another peculiarity is that the baby may not eat for some time. Do not force him under any circumstances. Just talk to him kindly, provide him with a warm and calm place.
New home for an adult dog
The individual may become stressed due to moving to a new apartment. Carrying things and transporting a pet to a new place is considered especially traumatic: for them this process is incomprehensible, which is why it is scary. But if the dog understands that it moved with its owners, the signs of stress will quickly disappear. True, for some time the dog may refuse to eat and prefer to be in the corridor, in the bath, where there are fewer light sources. Problems also arise with walks in new locations. However, usually curiosity wins, and the dog quickly gets used to the conditions.
It’s another matter if the owners simply give the dog to a new home. Even if the animal knew its new owners before, it will greatly miss its first family. In some situations, dogs require neurotransmitters pre-selected by a veterinarian. Dog handlers believe that it is better to avoid moving situations and allow them only if keeping a pet is no longer possible. Most often, the stress caused by the appearance of a new home in an adult is manifested as follows:
- Tendency to hide in dark places and avoid natural light.
- Passive aggression towards new household members.
- Reluctance to go for walks and physical passivity.
- Refusal of food and previously favorite treats.
- The desire to be close to objects from the “old life”, for example, a favorite toy.
- Attempts to mark territory.
Typically, the stress caused by a move goes away within a few weeks. But if the move was accompanied by a change of owners, it may take many months to fully establish contact with the animal. Working with a dog handler and stimulating friendly behavior with attention, tactile contact and treats will help facilitate and speed up the process.
Diseases and injuries
Pain or illness are another good reason for an animal to want to retire away from prying eyes. If the dog does not even come out to eat, and its appearance has deteriorated, it is necessary to show the pet to the veterinarian. In addition, the following symptoms should raise alarm:
- an indifferent attitude to what is happening around or, conversely, excessive anxiety;
- licking the same area;
- rapid or slow breathing;
- change in the shade of the mucous membrane;
- the dog refuses to drink;
- the dog whines, howls, and shows aggression upon palpation - sure signs of pain.
To urgently help your four-legged friend and relieve pain, it is recommended to give him 0.5 doses of a non-steroidal pain reliever.
Females that have recently given birth may develop hypocalcemia, a disease in which the animal is bothered by photophobia. If the calcium level drops to a critical level, the dog may die. Before death, she has a convulsive attack, coordination of movements is impaired and her gaze becomes unfocused. First aid in this case is the pet’s salvation; she needs to drink water with sugar/sweet tea or inject calcium gluconate.
It is important to know that photophobia is one of the symptoms of rabies. The dog feels unwell, is nervous, hides from the light, which means you should call a doctor at home, isolating the dog from other animals and people.
Dogs have many reasons to go in search of a secluded place, and this behavior is not always associated with illness or mental disorders. But the owner should take a closer look at the pet, this will help identify a possible illness before it leads to serious consequences.
What should you do if your dog constantly hides in some dark place in the house?
To get rid of your pet's strange habits, many ways have been invented. Classes with a dog handler are considered the most reliable: a specialist helps to socialize the dog faster and more correctly and solve its psychological problems. But there are other options that any breeder can implement:
- Monitor your dog's health. If his illness is not brought to chronic stages and he is promptly checked by a veterinarian and vaccinated, the likelihood of photophobia and other unpleasant behavioral problems will decrease.
- Let him walk exclusively with you, without a leash - only in permitted places. Self-walking can lead to psychological turmoil that you may not even know about.
- Give sufficient intellectual load. Unobtrusively teach your dog commands, so it will not only become smarter, but also become better socialized and learn to control its emotions.
- Attract your dog to other areas of the house. For example, move a box of toys or change the feeding location. This way the dog will gradually explore the space and get used to it.
- Do not raise your voice in front of your pet. A dog is more sensitive to sounds than a person, so it is acutely sensitive to screams.
The main secret to rid your dog of obsessive fears or unusual behavior is to spend as much time with it as possible. The dog must understand that he is in no danger when he is with his owner. Then he will relate to frightening factors more easily.
How to calm a dog at home?
In some cases, the owner's direct involvement is required, and sometimes the dog needs to be left alone or isolated.
To calm your dog, try calling your pet, talking to him and tracking his reaction. If the dog calms down, great; if not, use the opposite tactic. Take the dog to a bed and leave it alone, observe the changes. If your pet falls asleep, most likely he is hyperactive because he is suffering from overfatigue.
In case of strong excitement, the dog may show aggression or behave completely inappropriately. The only most gentle method to calm a pet is to isolate it in a separate room and not show emotions in response.
If a dog looks nervous all the time, itches, licks its paws, and does not listen, a comprehensive approach is required to help. At home, you can use standard sedatives (strictly according to the instructions). Another method of help is to increase the duration and activity of walking; the more tired the dog is, the faster it will fall asleep after returning home.
Character of dogs
Nervous dog breed
Dogs tend to be more or less nervous depending on their breed, without the term "nervous" having a negative connotation. That is, there are dogs that have more energy than others, so it will be easier for their life force to make them nervous. To give a simple example, it is not the same as having a Jack Russell and a Maltese Bichon at home. The first is a more nervous and active dog breed, while the Maltese Bichon has a calmer character. Of course, this is not a golden rule, but each breed has its own characteristics
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The dog becomes nervous in front of certain stimuli
While in the previous case we said that the dog is very nervous because of its character or temperament, here we emphasize specific situations. These situations cause a reaction in the dog, causing him to become very nervous or have periods of hyperactivity or anxiety.
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Some of the stimuli that make the animal nervous could be: fireworks, visualization of an object that is scary, other dogs, etc. Additionally, it is also possible that the dog becomes very nervous at night
, or when you take him outside.
Signs of stress
Scientists have identified a number of signs that indicate stress in a dog. Symptoms can be expressed in different ways, the reaction is very individual and depends on the characteristics of the pet:
- Nervousness. The dog fusses, is nervous, cannot calm down;
- Anxiety. The dog’s actions are repeated: he cannot sit still, walks from corner to corner, cannot relax even in his place;
- Excessive barking, hyperactivity. Sudden bouts of barking, as well as overly active behavior of the pet may indicate an increase in the level of stress hormones in its body.
- Lethargy, apathy, refusal to eat. Depression, apathy and lethargy are common signs of animal health problems.
- Combing, tugging, licking to bald spots.
- Hard breath.
- Disorders of the excretory system. Uncontrolled urination and diarrhea, changes in the color of feces can indicate not only diseases of the gastrointestinal tract, but also a stressful state of the body.
- Increased salivation. Occurs quite often; Although many breeds themselves are prone to increased salivation, this symptom should never be ignored.
- Picking up trash. If a dog does not respond to the “Fu” command and tries to eat edible and inedible finds on the street, you should pay attention to its psychological state.
When symptoms of stress appear in a pet, the first step is to determine the cause of its occurrence. But this is not always easy to do. For example, while on a walk, your pet begins to behave restlessly when surrounded by other dogs. Then the owner decides to limit this communication and brings the pet to an empty area. But even here he is unlikely to be able to completely relax: even the smells of other animals will cause stress in the dog. In this case, treatment should begin with limiting trips to the playground and gradual socialization of the pet.
Children
It so happens that the children of our friends are frequent guests in your home. Children love pets very much, especially if it is a dog. Therefore, children often show too much attention in the form of touching with their hands and often caressing the dog, thereby causing it discomfort. Therefore, for this reason, your pet is looking for a secluded and calm place.
In this case, dog breeders recommend not to disturb the calm environment in the house to which your dog is accustomed, otherwise its mental state may become aggressive and inappropriate towards children.
What situations cause stress most often?
- Appointment with a veterinarian;
- Haircut, bathing, combing;
- Public transport, car travel, air travel and other travel;
- Celebration, noise, loud music, fireworks and thunder;
- Lack or excess of communication with the owner;
- Fight with other dogs;
- Jealousy, the appearance of other animals or children in the house;
- Change of owner;
- Moving.
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