We have a 4-and-a-half-month-old female Australian Shepherd. She is used to being left on her own, and she is absolutely fine when we are out.
But every evening, she lies down right in front of our bedroom door and doesn’t budge for hours. Mind you, her bed is only about 5 metres away, and she happily sleeps in it during the day or later in the night.
She is not allowed in the bedroom, so she knows her boundaries and always settles right by the door.
What does this behaviour mean? Does she just need to feel close to us, or is she staying in the doorway just in case we leave?
Thanks for any replies that might help explain her behaviour!
Translated from French
The forum content is sometimes translated from another language, and posts may concern countries with different animal laws. Do your research before making any decisions.
Since the forum is translated by AI, the translations may contain errors.
She clearly loves being close to us! Putting her bed there would be right in the way, though, and her own bed is only a couple of metres from the bedroom door anyway. But regardless, even if the door is left open, she won't come in and just stays outside. In the morning, to let us know she wants to go out, she sits there, looks at us and waits!
When Sky first arrived, he used to sleep in a basket in the kitchen, but we’d set up an old duvet for him in the living room right next to our bedroom door, and he’d stay with us until we went to bed. Then one night... he was sleeping so soundly on his duvet that we just let him stay in the living room. Since then, the basket has ended up in a cupboard. He doesn’t budge and doesn’t come into our bedroom even if the door is left open. If your puppy is happy in that spot and doesn’t fuss to come into your room, why not just put his bed there?
My dog also sleeps right outside my bedroom door; I’ve tried a few different spots for him but that’s where he wants to stay.
During the day, as soon as I move, he follows me. To start with, he’d go as far as sitting right behind me while I was doing the washing up, and if I took just ONE step to the side to grab something from the hob, he’d follow and park himself right behind me. Then, just like that, I’d move back to the sink and he’d follow again, sitting right behind me—he really did make me laugh.
Luckily he’s stopped doing that now, but whenever I’m out of his sight or I change rooms, he still follows me, or at least 95% of the time (the times he doesn’t come, or doesn’t come straight away, are when he’s eating ^^).
I’d read that you have to be careful with all that, as it could be a sign of abandonment issues, I think? I’ll have to have another look into it.
But maybe it’s just normal for a puppy, and perhaps in most cases it eases off as they get older and gain more confidence in us and themselves; I’m not sure.
My girl does it quite often too. A bit less now, I think.
If I’m on the sofa and I get up to get a glass of water, presto, she’s following me...
My dog also sleeps outside my bedroom door; I’ve tried out a few different spots for him, but that’s where he wants to be.
During the day, as soon as I move, he’s on my heels. At first, he’d go as far as sitting right behind me while I was doing the washing up; if I took ONE step to the side to grab something from the hob, he’d follow and sit right behind me, then I’d go back to the sink and he’d follow again, sitting right behind me—he really cracked me up.
Thankfully he’s stopped doing that now, but when I’m out of sight or move to another room, he still follows me, at least 95% of the time (the only times he doesn’t come, or doesn’t come straight away, is when he’s eating ^^).
I’d read that you have to be careful with that sort of thing, as it could be a sign of separation anxiety, I think? I’ll have to look it up again.
But maybe it’s just normal for a puppy, and perhaps in most cases it eases off as they get older and gain more confidence in us and themselves—I don’t know.
Your presence reassures her; by sitting in front of the door, she stays close to you and she’ll know the second you leave the room, ready for cuddles or just to follow you... even to the loo! ^^
Exactly, it’s so reassuring for them to be near their owners... ;-)
My Labs have always had access to our bedroom; I usually see where they prefer to sleep in the house when they first arrive and I adapt things for their comfort... (they are members of the family).
My first Lab slept in our bedroom in her own bed, and my second one—from the age of 2 months up until 4 months and 21 days—preferred sleeping under our bed. She’s going to be forced to find another spot now, though, as she’s finding it harder and harder to squeeze under there as she grows... She’s got a bed in our room where she goes for naps and one in the lounge...
All my Labs are cast in the same mould (total Velcro dogs!); wherever I am or we are, they are "glued" as close as possible to us... In the same room... and as soon as we move, they follow us immediately... ;-)
My Golden does exactly the same thing. He's not allowed in the bedroom, so sometimes he just sleeps right in front of the door. It's fine really, you just have to be careful not to tread on him ;-)
(It happens to me all the time when I'm in a rush in the middle of the night, lol. The hallway light isn't exactly next to my door)
From what I know, Australian Shepherds love being with their owners; your presence really reassures her. By sitting in front of the door, she’s getting as close to you as she can and she’ll know the second you leave the room, ready for some cuddles or just to follow you... even to the loo! ^^
