Have you ever noticed your dog spending hours staring at a wall? It can be quite strange, especially if you’ve never seen them do it. But why does this happen, is there something wrong, and what should you do about it? If you’ve been asking yourself why your dog stares at the wall, read below to find out some possible causes.
Dogs Stare at Walls
It’s normal for your dog to spend some days staring at a wall. As well as being a strange thing to do, being fixated on a particular area can make your dog look like they are in an awake coma. However, the good news is that it is perfectly healthy (if not creepy).
There is nothing wrong with this type of behavior. They may be just resting their eyes, or maybe they are bored and looking for something to entertain them. Unfortunately, there is not much you can do about it.
You can find out what is on the other side of the wall. Perhaps your dog is drawn to the TV, a flowerpot, or something of that nature. However, if your dog is staring at the wall for hours, you may need professional help to get to the bottom of the behavior as there may be some medical concerns.
Causes of Wall Staring
There are several possible explanations for why your dog may have started looking at walls. One possibility is that they’re bored or anxious, so they’re looking for something to distract them from their current situation. Another potential issue could be an underlying medical condition such as vision problems, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome, or seizures. It’s important to rule out any serious medical concerns before considering other possible explanations.
Less serious reasons could be that your pup is trying to hunt something, or they may find the walls comforting or reassuring. Dogs can pick up on their environment and sense changes in the air even if we don’t notice them. If there was recently a loud noise or an intense scent nearby, it could have caused your pup to become paranoid and feel unsafe. Remember, to dogs, humans are hearing impaired. They will hear something that you may never hear. So, if they’re staring at the wall, it may be that they hear something inside of it (like pests or insects) or on the other side.
Another possibility is that they are overly excited or haven’t gotten enough exercise, causing them to run extra energy off and focus on something specific. This isn’t necessarily bad, but it can be troubling, and you may want to do something about it.
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome
Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome in dogs refers to the deterioration of a dog’s brain as it ages. While all dogs demonstrate signs of aging, a dog with this disorder displays more severe symptoms such as disorientation, acting differently, anxiety, difficulty learning, and a general decrease in performing normal activities. In human terms, Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome can be compared to dementia or Alzheimer’s. If you suspect your canine friend may be suffering from this disorder, consult your veterinarian as soon as possible to diagnose the problem.
Anxiety
Dogs can feel anxiety or stress by themselves or due to their environment. If you think your dog is anxious, consider offering them a toy to help calm them down. Consider taking them out for a walk to burn off some extra energy if they are restless and overly alert. While you can’t necessarily cure your dog’s anxieties, you can help them cope with the issue.
Extreme Exhaustion
If your dog is restless and having trouble sleeping, it may be that your dog is suffering extreme exhaustion and causing them to stare at the walls. You should speak to your vet if you notice your dog is not resting as much as they should. You can also try working your dog very hard. It could be a good idea to take them out on a long walk, then play fetch and throw. You can also move on to working them harder during walks and make them work harder to burn off extra energy so they will rest at the right times.
Vision Issues
If your dog has a vision problem, try getting your dog properly checked by a professional. Like humans, a dog’s vision can become impaired as they age. If you find them staring at a wall, it just may be that they can’t see so well and may be having trouble navigating.
Paranoia
If your dog is staring at a wall for hours without blinking or moving, you may have a problem. This is a sign of paranoia, in which your dog becomes paranoid about being harmed in or near a particular area.
Dogs can read changes in the air and pick up on their environment, including anything outside their visual range. The problem is that they need help seeing everything and doing better. This means that if there is any event near them, they pay attention to it entirely too much to know it is unimportant.
You may want to visit the vet if you’re confused with your dog’s behavior. They can tell you for certain if something is going on behind the wall that you can address. But, if this is not the case, you may have to wait it out.
Solutions for Wall Staring
The solutions for wall staring are more varied and dependent on the cause of the behavior. Whether your dog is doing this due to boredom, anxiety, or paranoia, you can find many solutions that best suit your dog.
Boredom
If your dog seems bored, you should entertain them with different toys and walks. Shifting their attention to something completely different and new will also shake their interest dramatically.
Anxiety
If your dog seems anxious before staring at a wall, it’s a good idea to try to find out if there are any extreme changes around your home. This can be a good idea because it’s the cause of your dog’s anxiety and can help you solve it. Try a different tactic, such as playing with your dog or taking them on a walk to a separate area, which is also a good idea.
Paranoia
You may want to talk to a vet if your dog displays paranoia. They should be able to give you some anti-anxiety pills to help make your dog feel calmer and eventually alter its behavior.
Exhaustion
If your dog is too tired to be alert of any change, it’s best to work around the problem instead of trying to cure it. They will have to get out and run around, thus draining that energy.
If your dog is tired, try walking them very slowly. They will usually stay alert but will certainly know when you’re hurting them. They’ll last a little happier as well.
Vision Issues
You can visit a vet if your dog has a vision issue. They can help you with any vision problems before they become serious or worsen. While focusing on your dog’s vision is a great idea, it’s risky since they could have serious issues or hits with their eyes. However, there are recovery methods that you can try that should help if your dog has any vision problems.
Therapy
Therapy can also be a good idea if your dog is bored. You can hire a professional dog walker or sitter to play with your dog and pamper them with exercise and time. They’ll feel like they are getting all of the attention they need without you feeling like you are neglecting them.
Final Words
When you think about it, there are several causes for a dog to stare at walls. If your dog is having difficulty paying attention to anything else, it can ensure they get all the attention they need. All it takes is a quick walk, a little extra exercise during their walks, or a little extra pampering in their lives. They’ll be back to looking at you and not at the wall in no time!