Dogs may exhibit a range of behaviors that appear odd to others. Some of this behavior like staring at a wall, could be normal or have legitimate reasons for their existence, while other behaviors could be indicative of an issue. If you observe for instance, that when you’re watching your favorite show your dog is looking at the wall in front of what seems to be nothing of interest there, it’s probably not a reason to be concerned. However, it’s important to know why.
Why Do Dogs Look at Walls?
Dogs are known to occasionally stare at a wall. this could be alarming to pet owners. Sometimes, the reason why dogs stare at a wall is due to the fact that they can hear or see something. In other situations, it could be an indication of cognitive confusion or a seizure disorder or a behavior that developed over time.
They hear something
Sometimes rodents and insects enter the walls. If your dog is able to hear someone scurrying about or scratching on the wall, they might explore the area and gaze at it. Dogs can hear more clearly than we can, so even if it’s not your intention to hear any sound, your dog could. If you see the same thing happening regularly it is possible to consider an issue with pests.
They can see something
Shadows, insects crawling, and the light shining off the wall could all get your dog’s eye and make them stare at it. You might not be aware of the cause of the distraction immediately but if you observe the place where your dog is gazing at, you might discover reasons for their gaze.
Canine Cognitive Dysfunction
Sometimes referred to as Dog dementia or canine cognitive dysfunction (CCD) is a condition that can lead dogs to become confused or act out without any rational explanation. Dogs with cognitive problems can bark without a cause, urinate in the home even though they are housebroken, and may even look at the walls. Similar to those with Alzheimer’s disease, the cause of cognitive impairment is not understood fully, however it is due to changes in the brain as dog’s age. There are a few products 1, and diets with ingredients that could assist dogs suffering from CCD and you must discuss the possibilities with your veterinarian.
Seizures
Many people imagine a seizure as an uncontrollable shaking or a temporary loss of consciousness seizures can manifest in various ways. The appearance of partial or focal seizures are a good example. They aren’t obvious and can cause your dog to stop moving and look out toward space. If this kind of seizure happens to your dog, and they are standing facing an obstruction, the seizure might appear to be like your dog is looking towards the wall.
Dogs can experience seizures due to various reasons. If your dog experiences a seizure that lasts longer than 5 minutes or multiple seizures within an hour then you must take your dog to see a vet. If the toxin isn’t the primary reason for the seizure medication and supplements, a diet alteration, and a range of tests for diagnosing the cause may be necessary.
Compulsive Behaviour
Compulsive behaviors are undesirable habits that don’t bring any sort of reward for dogs but they still practice them. Barking, licking, circle-sucking, flank-sucking, pacing, or gazing at a certain location can turn into a routine or even a compulsive habit for dogs. It could be an inherited predisposition however the good news is that looking at a wall isn’t likely to cause any negative effects.
Attention-seeking Behavior
When staring at a wall, might not be a way to reward dogs with attention, if you know that your dog was able to consistently receive attention while looking at a particular wall, this might be an attention-seeking habit. If, for instance, you own an electronic canine camera that gives treats on a wall or a shelf the dog might not be aware of which wall the treat is coming from and might think that with the wall in the vicinity the place where the treat is the source. If your dog is in the mood for treats, it might be drawn to the wall. To avoid re-inforcing this kind of behavior, ensure your dog isn’t constantly getting treats or attention at the same time within your home.
How to Stop Your Dog from Looking at the Wall
If you’re worried that your dog has been gazing at the wall due to a medical condition make appointments with your vet. Before you conclude that it’s simply unintentional behavior, make sure that there isn’t a medical reason why it should be happening.