If your dog runs into walls, it could be for a variety of reasons. In this article we will discuss some of the most common reasons, and how to approach them in order to solve your dog’s problem.
If your dog has a history of running into walls, then it is important to understand why they are doing it.
Running into walls can be caused by a variety of reasons, which will be discussed in this article. It is important that you identify the reason for your dog’s behavior, and take steps in order to prevent future incidents.
In all cases, if you have any concerns about why your dog is running into walls you should consult a veterinary surgeon to seek professional advice.
Table of Contents
Reasons Why A Dog Runs Into Walls
1) The dog was distracted.
The dog was distracted by something at the same time that they ran into a wall.
A dog that is following a scent might experience a kind of tunnel vision. It could be like they are looking straight ahead and not noticing anything else.
This would cause the dog to run into anything in their way, including walls or other dogs or people.
2) The dog was startled and ran.
A sudden sound, such as the closing of a door, can startle some dogs and cause them to run into furniture or objects in their path without thinking about it.
3) The dog is struggling to see.
Some breeds are more prone to blindness than others. Blind dogs tend to use their nose more for finding things as well as relying more on hearing.
This leads them to bump into things like walls or doors occasionally, but it doesn’t mean that they are lost or being disobedient – just less aware of where they are going.
4) The dog is not well trained.
Some dogs have a habit of running into things. They may not have been trained properly to avoid this behavior.
Training can help, but if the dog is older, or has other problems such as arthritis, it may be difficult to train.
5) The dog has pain caused by arthritis.
Arthritis in old dogs can cause them to limp or walk gingerly, and they may run into walls or doors accidentally as they try to compensate for their discomfort.
A dog getting enough exercise and regular veterinary care will usually be less likely to run into walls and doors than one who isn’t getting these things.
It’s best to teach dogs not to run into things and ask your veterinarian for advice on how to do this.
6) The dog was sleepwalking.
If your dog runs into walls or doors when he is asleep, it may be due to sleepwalking.
If this is the case, there is no cause for alarm. Dogs who are sleepwalking are not suffering from any disease or injury.
They are just asleep, doing the things that dogs do when they are asleep—which can include running not just into walls, but also into fences and other objects.
7) The dog suffers from epilepsy.
Epilepsy refers to a range of conditions in which seizures (abnormal bursts of electrical signals in the brain) occur frequently or chronically.
Seizures can also be caused by other diseases and injury. If your dog runs into walls, he could be suffering from a seizure.
Some dogs who are epileptic will run with their heads down, bumping into objects that get in their way.
8) The dog has nerve damage.
If your dog runs into walls and objects on purpose. He could have a disease or injury that causes him to lose or damage nerves in his face or neck.
9) The dog is deaf.
If the dog seems to be running into things without regard for what is in front of him, he may be deaf.
Check with your veterinarian and get any medical tests needed to verify whether the problem is due to deafness or some other cause.
10) The dog is chasing something.
Some dogs will run into walls or doors when they are chasing something, such as rabbits or squirrels.
If you have a wall-banger who seems very intent on going places, he could be following something that you can’t see, such as an insect or another animal.
This does not necessarily mean that he has an injury or problem, it just means that the cause is not obvious.
11) The dog is protecting something.
Your dog may run into walls as a protective action.
Your dog may feel threatened when you come home from work and find him curled up on the back of your couch, so he runs into your wall to get as far away from you as he can while still remaining safe.
12) The dog is frightened.
Your dog may have been startled by something he saw and run into a wall to avoid getting hurt by whatever it was.
It’s important to be aware of what could frighten your dog and take steps to prevent him from being startled in the future.
A frightened dog can also hurt himself by running into things or through windows.
13) The dog is lonely.
Dogs do not like being alone, and some may feel abandoned if they are not allowed to go with you. If you leave them behind while you go out, they may become anxious and run into walls as they try to get back with you.
14) The dog is in pain.
If your dog runs into things and seems to cry out even though he has not been hurt, he could be suffering from pain.
Pain can cause a dog to run into things as he tries to avoid the source of the pain. If your dog is running into things, you should contact your veterinarian for an examination.
15) The dog is anxious.
Your dog may run into things when he is anxious because he cannot see his way around clearly.
This could happen if you are moving to a new house or have recently brought home a new pet.
16) The dog is in search of something.
If your dog runs into things repeatedly the way a youngster will, he may be searching for something he knows is in the room with him but can’t find.
This may be especially true of dogs who are underground denning breeds, such as terriers and borzoi.
17) The dog has been trained to do it.
Your dog may learn to run into objects on purpose if she is rewarded for doing so by being given attention or being offered treats.
The behavior can be reversed by giving the dog a special treat for not running into objects, or the dog’s favorite toy is put within easy reach.
18) The dog is envious.
If your dog sees you speaking with another dog and wall-bangs out of jealousy and he might have a hard time getting your attention.
You can train him to come when called to help him learn that he doesn’t have to get into trouble or use bad behavior to get your attention.
Final Thoughts
As we have seen, there are many reasons why your dog could be running into walls. The best thing to do is not worry, but have a discussion with your vet about the situation so they can make a more informed diagnosis.
Rest assured, dogs are resilient animals and it’s likely just an odd habit that will only last for a short period of time.
