Get there first, cathybee. My OH used to do it, I couldn't understand it until i saw his mother do it over something so small and petty that I was shocked. At least i suddenly realised where OH had got the habit from. It's annoying, but not much different from me going out in the garden and weeding for half an hour to calm down. Or Ex getting in the car and driving off, although he usually drove to the pub which was rather stupid.
The problem with clearing off to bed is that it does nothing, unless maybe you read, to dissipate the mood. you are alone with your thought festering around inside you. At least going to the pub gives you company and dtstraction and distance, and gardening or vacuuming are constructive. Going to bed and sulking is plain childish, IMO. So I fought back by getting there first. I always have a pile of books by the bed, it was no hardship, and gradually he got out of the habit, watched TV instead and his mood was so much better.
My sister has always said that she hates the way we have to pander our husbands' egos, I didn't see it that way, I just saw it as a challenge to break a bad habit.