Why Does My Dog Stay In Another Room? [Is It Normal?]

Dogs are man’s best friends for a reason. They love to spend time with people and crave their owner’s affection. However, you might have noticed your dog distancing themselves and staying in a different room to you. Why do they do this? Is it normal? What’s going on? Here is all you need to know.

So, why does my dog stay in another room? There are various reasons why your dog may decide to stay in another room. It could be because of comfort or protective reasons. Or it could be a negative association with the room you’re in, such as loud sounds, harsh smells, or a cluttered environment. In un-wished for circumstances, it could be as a means of staying out of your way.

It may not be entirely obvious which one of those could be causing the isolation.

So, it’s up to you to figure out the root cause and put in place the steps needed to encourage him into the same room as you.

Besides, it’s likely that they are a little unsettled.

With this in mind, let us now further explore the potential reasons before turning to how you should respond to them.

Should you allow them to isolate, for instance?

We’ll also be looking at how you can encourage your dog to stop isolating themselves and stay closer.

So if that sounds like something you’d be interested in – keep reading!

Why Does My Dog Not Stay In The Same Room As Me?

Reasons your dog is choosing to stay in a different room than you could be because of the room you’re in. Or he believes you don’t want him near you or the room.

Each dog’s personality is unique, so your dog’s reasons for staying in a separate room from you may differ greatly.

Finds It More Comfortable Elsewhere

Your dog might not like the location of the room you’re in.

For instance, if it’s a room that retains a lot of heat, he might find it too warm to stay in for a long time.

So, he’ll avoid it and choose to settle down somewhere else.

Or, say you have lighted scented candles or incense; they could be agitating him. Besides, these release toxic fumes for dogs.

No surprise, he doesn’t want to stick around!

Protective Breed On Alert

Or, if your dog is a guard breed like a German Shepherd or a Dobermann, he’ll want to stay close to the front of the house.

The room you’re relaxing in might be at the back of the house. Or it doesn’t have windows for him to watch for intruders from.

Guard breeds have strong protective instincts. They usually don’t settle until they know their family is secure.

Or until they have a good vantage point to watch the house from.

To Avoid Harsh Noises or Smells

Other issues your dog might have with the room itself are the noises and smells in it.

It’s not uncommon for humans to relax with some music or with a scented candle.

Although these elements can be soothing to us, they can aggravate your dog. Dogs are much more sensitive to smells and sounds than humans.

They learn the world through these senses.

A loud stereo or tv can irritate him. Not only from the volume but also the high pitch noise emitted that only he can hear.

Also, if he’s a guarding breed, the noise will deafen him to potential intruders. So, he’ll want to move away to a quieter place to be able to listen.

For Better Flooring

One unexpected reason he doesn’t stay in the same room as you is because of the flooring.

He may have had a bad experience slipping if it’s hardwood or tile. Or how reflective it is can be annoying.

Avoid Cluttered Environments

Another unintended reason your dog isn’t staying in the same room as you is he considers it to be messy.

Dogs love their comfort, and being able to stretch out completely is part of that.

If the room is full of different things, this will hinder his relaxation.

So, he’ll choose a different area in the house to settle down in instead.

To Stay Out Of Your Way

There may be a time when your dog might feel intimidated by you. This can be after a scolding or even an accidental step on his tail.

He’ll show his intimidation by hiding from you or leaving any space you enter.

If this is the case, consult a dog behavior specialist on how to overcome this behavior.

He could feel like he’s not welcome or allowed in the room you’re in.

If he’s usually rewarded in a different room to where you are, he’ll interpret that room to be the main one he’s allowed in.

Is It Normal For Dogs To Sit In Another Room To Their Owners?

Every dog is different. Some revel in being in their owner’s company all the time. Others like free time to be alone and relax. And some like a mixture of both. It depends on your dog’s behavior and health.

It’s not unusual for a dog to have a favorite spot in their house. It could be a nice sunny spot or a particularly comfy rug.

As dogs love comfort, your dog may choose to sit in a different room to where you relax.

A change of season would be enough to cause a dog to switch where he usually rests. During the year, a dog owner usually sits in their usual room in the house.

But, during spring and summer, this room now catches and retains all the sun’s heat.

It’s pleasant for the owner, but their dog now finds it too warm and chooses to go to a cooler spot.

Dogs are social by design, which is why they make such great companions.

However, some dogs can get overwhelmed at times and need some space from their owners.

They might retreat after being around loud noises or after spending time around a lot of people.

This is common with breeds that are prone to anxiety, like Bichon Frise and Spaniels.

They can get overwhelmed, needing space and quiet to soothe themselves.

If your dog sits in a different room to you, it doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. The important thing to watch for is his behavior and demeanor.

If he’s happy and healthy, then there’s nothing to worry about. But if this behavior is new and is accompanied by other symptoms, it’s vital to find out the cause.

Other symptoms to watch for are signs of pain (e.g., limping), reduced appetite, and lethargy.

These signs could be the result of illness or injury in your dog, and you need your vet to check him out.

Should You Let Your Dog Stay In Another Room?

Again, letting your dog stay in another room depends on your dog. If your dog is young or destructive by nature, leaving him in a separate room might not be the best idea. But, if you’re confident in your dog and can confirm they are happy, healthy, and content, there is no harm in letting him have his own space.

Allowing your dog to stay in another room depends on your dog’s age and temperament.

• Young puppies (under the age of 5 months) shouldn’t be alone for any long period of time. They need looking after and encouragement to socialize to prevent developing bad behaviors.
• Dogs aged five months old and older can gradually be alone for up to 4 hours alone. They will have a better temperament and be well trained at this stage.

Saying this, it’s recommended that your dog has at least 2 hours of active interaction with you per day.

Luckily, it doesn’t need to be in one sitting, and you can break it up over the day.

A factor to consider when you’re deciding to let your dog stay in another room is his temperament.

If he tends to be destructive, even if it’s accidental, it’s best not to leave him in a room by himself. Unless the room he’s staying in is destruction-free.

If you trust your dog to behave without supervision, there’s no reason they can’t stay in a separate room from you.

Though make sure to keep doors open so he can move about when he’s finished in the room unless he’s staying in that room during the night. Closing the door then is perfectly safe.

How To Encourage Your Dog To Spend More Time Around You

It’s natural to want your dog to spend time with you. A dog’s company is enjoyable and soothing to its owners. Creating a positive association with the room you’re in will help. And reducing the noise level and smell exposure will too.

Sometimes all a dog owner wants to do is relax after a tough day while petting their dog.

Cuddling up close with a pet releases oxytocin in humans, the happy hormone. So, it’s disappointing if your pet doesn’t want to spend time with you.

Ensure A Calm Presence

It’s essential that your dog feels calm and relaxed around you. You want them to feel safe and well protected in your company.

It’s not uncommon to accidentally shout at your dog out of frustration.

However, your dog might feel scared or intimidated around you afterward, making them a lot more likely to isolate.

Not only should you try to refrain from shouting altogether, but you may need to repair some of the damage too. 

It may require more positive experiences, positive reinforcement techniques, and so on.

If this doesn’t work, consider reaching out to a behavior therapist for advice.

Encourage With Treats

If your dog has a negative association with the room you’re in, you can encourage him to think of it positively.

Rewarding him with treats when he’s in the room will help with this.

Keeping treat time to this room will boost that happy connection with you and the room you’re in.

Give Rooms More Incentive

If you want to relax to some music, ensure the volume is not too high or that it is soothing in nature.

This will be gentler on your dog’s ears, preventing his need to escape the noise.

At the same time, you can leave toys in rooms you want your dog to be in or even consider closing off of restricting access to those you want them to avoid.

Studies show that scents of vanilla and ginger help reduce stress in shelter dogs.

So, you could consider using these as a means of helping your dog relax.

Finally

Dogs are intelligent and have unique personalities and preferences.

So the fact that they decide to stay in another room isn’t necessarily a bad or personal thing.

His room might be more comfortable or better situated in the house than your room.

Unless he’s showing signs of injury or illness, there’s no need to disturb his alone time.

But luckily, you can encourage him to spend more time with you and in other rooms with a few simple and effective techniques. 

And below, I outline some of my other guides that may be of interest to you:

• Why Does My Dog Take His Treats To Another Room?
• Why Does My Dog Bring Me Random Things?
• Why Does My Dog Drop The Ball Away From Me?