Do you find your dog reacting weirdly recently and likes to sit alone in another room? Is he suffering from depression or is there more to this?
When your dog starts to sit alone in another room, it could be a sign of depression. He is looking for a more comforting spot or to find a place where he has a better view of the house to prevent any intruders. He is feeling uncomfortable being with you or has associated negative feelings with your room.
Sign Of Depression
Yes, dogs do get depressed. They’re social animals, after all.
When your dog feels depressed, he can be extremely sensitive to the changes in his environment.
This is especially so when his companion has left him, and he finds himself becoming lonely all of a sudden.
He may also start to avoid people and places and like to be alone in the room where he and his companion had been playing together.
He recalls the happy moments that they had shared and starts to feel sad and gives him a sense of loss.
You will find him to be isolating himself, sleeps a lot, has no interest in any activities, looks lethargic and cries a lot.
He is experiencing a mood disorder which can be quite severe if not treated on time. You need to act now and seek help from a veterinarian.
Looking For A More Comfort Spot
It is undeniable that your dog loves to be with you every moment.
But there will be times when he feels the need for a more comfortable spot to rest in, especially when he is getting tired or when the weather is getting hot.
This can be a dog crate, a special room or an area of the house where he feels more comfortable to be in.
So it is of no surprise that you find him resting in another room if that is going to be more cooling and comfortable than your room.
For A Better View To Guard The House
Does your dog belong to a watchdog breed such as Mastiffs, Schnauzers, German Shepherds, Rottweilers or Doberman Pinscher?
That will explain his behavior of sitting in another room where he is going to have a much better visibility on the doors and windows.
He is following his natural instinct which is to keep a close watch out on your house and alert you if there’s any intruder.
You should not get too worried about this as he is certainly not disliking you but is performing his natural duty to keep you safe.
He Feels Uncomfortable To Be With You
Have you yelled or shouted at your dog lately?
This could have caused him to grow his fear of you.
He is worried that you are still mad or upset with him, and he is staying away from you by being alone in another room.
You will find him trying to avoid you as he’s afraid of getting into trouble again.
This would be “normal” behavior from your dog if you had exhibited your anger at him.
You will have to work on gaining back his trust in you to be with you again.
Make him come to you willing through positive reinforcement (treats) and then praise him for doing so.
Use positive words like “Good Boy!” or “I love you” to reinforce his thinking that you are an approachable person in his eyes.
He will eventually feel more secure and be less fearful of being with you.
He Is Connecting Your Room With Negative Feelings
Is there anything happening in your room recently that makes him uncomfortable?
It could be the scent, noise or any offensive objects in your room that make him feel uncomfortable and stay away from it.
Irritating Scent Deter Him
Dogs don’t like smells that irritate their sense of smell such as the scent from some cleaning products, air fresheners or even the smoke from your cigarette.
If you happen to switch to a new brand of air freshener or start picking up the habit of smoking in your room, that could turn your dog off and make him stay away from the room.
Loud Sounds Irritates Him
Your dog is tired and looking to get some rest in your room, but the loud TV sounds or music that you are listening to is too distracting for him.
This environment makes it difficult for him to relax and get to sleep.
So he will just leave the room and look for a quiet spot.
Room Is Too Bright For Him
Is your room facing directly to the sun?
If so, it is too bright and hot for him, and he is leaving the room for a more cooling and dark spot.
What you can do is to close the blinds or curtains so that the sun is not hitting your room directly.
That should make your room more cozy for him to be in.
Unable To Make His Way To Your Room
Dogs with arthritis have joint pain, stiffness and inflammation that affects their ability to move.
So, if your dog is suffering from arthritis disorder, he will not be able to climb up the stairs to your room.
He has no choice but to stay in the ground room.
You will likely see him be less active and become increasingly sedentary.
He is trying to limit any movement that could bring him pain or discomfort.
In some cases, your dog might refuse to move at all!
Although this disorder tends to be more common among senior dogs (more than 7 years old), this can also happen to young dogs who have had an accident, illness or surgery.
It is important to pay attention to any sign of pain or discomfort in your dog.
This includes changes in his behavior, such as laying down more often than usual, excessive licking of paws and showing no interest in any physical activities.
You should take him to see a vet for a checkup immediately.
Arthritis in dogs can be very painful, and it is a medical emergency.
Dementia Makes Him Forget You
It is common for senior dogs to suffer from dementia and that makes them feel a sense of loss and not be able to recognize anyone, even their owners.
The symptoms of dementia include forgetfulness, disorientation, confusion, and impaired judgment.
A dog that is suffering from dementia will have difficulty understanding the surrounding situation.
He might not be able to recognize his owner, other dogs or even his own house.
If your dog happens to have dementia, you might be a stranger to him and that will make him fearful of you and keep a distance from you.
He will make his way to another room where he will feel safe and secure.
It is important for you to understand how to deal with the symptoms of dementia as this disorder can occur in all age groups, though senior dogs are the more common ones.
Seek help from a vet to guide you on how to take care of your pet.
This will include giving him food supplements, exercise, and medication if required.