Question of the Week: Why does my dog keep crawling and hiding under the bed?

When I first noticed this behavior in my roommate's beagle, I thought it fell right in with his feline characteristics. After all, he is a very dainty lap dog rather than a typical beagle. Then I started reading of other people's experiences and realized that it is not a feline characteristic but a canine trait.

Dogs are den creatures who like to burrow in a tight and cozy space. You may notice that if you give bed access to a dog, he may move around pillows and blankets to create some sort of fort. He likes to morph just about any place into his own little fort, including under my bed. When he crawls out, it's almost like he's in the army, crawling through the ditches.

Whenever there are loud noises like fireworks or thunder and lightning, he resorts back to this type of behavior of hiding. It makes him feel safe and secure.

It is important to note that this can be a behavior trait or possibly an illness. If your dog is hiding under the bed and not coming out for food, water, or going outside, it may be a sign of a health problem and your dog should be taken in for veterinary care.

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What's in your dog's crate ?

Recently I stumbled upon an older forum post on Pets.CA where pet owners discussed what kind of items turn a crate into a den for dogs. Most people agree that crates should be dark, snug, and reminiscent of the den-like atmosphere that dogs are inherently accustomed to.

Toys, blankets, and treats make up the majority of the answers but from my own personal experiences, I’ve found several cases of hidden food. Dogs can be ultra sneaky and Benny the Beagle is no exception. Bones from a barbeque six months ago scraps of food paper from McDonalds or Taco Bell… His crate has become his hiding place for those secret treasures and since his crate was made into a home, he has preferred spending alone time in his own place. It is interesting to observe his behavior as the crate really becomes a place of comfort and solace for our pet.

What do you think makes a crate into a den?

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