My puppy won’t come out from under the sofa

[CleverQuacks]

Got my Shihtzu puppy yesterday. She has been very quiet and shy, we had a long journey home so I think she is worn out. About an hour ago she crawled under the sofa and now seems to be asleep under there, I have tried encouraging her out with food but she is not interested. I am on my own so don’t want to move the sofa in case I crush her. What should I do???

Just leave her, maybe a trail of treats so she smells them when she wakens. Hopefully she will come out then.

Doesn’t sound like there’s space to poo under the sofa, so she’ll have to come out for that.

Leave her! Let her settle in.

She will emerge eventually. She has found a safe snug space to snooze. When she is hungry or needing a wee she will come out.

Ok I will try to stop worrying and leave her sleep.

Photos please!!!

Agreed with leave her be

She’s frightened. New house, new smells, new human, no mum, no siblings plus a car journey she’s never had before.

She’s also exhausted from all of that. She will emerge when she’s had a good sleep

My dog is a happy confident 8 year old and still sometimes likes to sleep under the spare bed or a coffee table sized table that sits against the wall in my living room. A lot of dogs like to be in a closed in space, it makes them feel safe, for obvious reasons.

As pps have said she will come out when she's ready.

Do you have a crate for her? My dog loved her crate when she was small. I kept three sides covered and it was her little cave. She didn't use it for long but while she had it I found it very useful for her.

How's it going CleverQuacks

Aww! How is she now?

She has been much better today. Had a good sniff around. She is still taking herself under the sofa when something spooks her but now that I know she will come out again, I am more relaxed about it.

She's obviously decided that it's a good hiding place.

Glad to hear it's going well.

Can you get her a crate to use as the safe hiding space instead? Small crate, cover with blankets and make really cosy? Place it next to the sofa, and block the sofa (rolled up towels for example).
Will be safer than the sofa, and will be helpful in the long run.