Is it OK for my dog to sleep in my bed?
One of the most common questions we are asked is, “is it OK for my dog to sleep in my bed?” or even, “should my dog sleep with me?”
I find that some people really WANT to sleep with their dogs but have heard conflicting information, usually rooted in the now-debunked alpha theory - or that they aren’t sure if it will harm their attempts to crate train or not.
It’s such a great question and my answer is always: depends!
Are there benefits to sleeping with my dog?
First and foremost, is this something YOU want?
Some people report sleep disturbances when an animal is in their bed.
Do you think you’d sleep better or worse with your dog in your bed? Your comfort and quality of rest is also super important!
Sleeping with a dog can provide stress relief, deeper sleep, and promote bonding for others.
Some interesting studies have shown benefits such as heightened immunity and lower blood pressure!
Does my dog want to sleep with me?
If they are allowed in the bed or on your couches during the daytime, do they cuddle up to you willingly, or do they rest in a different area?
Dogs have a knack for SHOWING us what they like - so pay attention to their natural habits to determine if they’d appreciate sleeping in bed with you.
Does your dog easily get hot or cold? Either of these scenarios could also give you some clues about whether or not your dog would like to sleep in bed with you.
Should I crate train my dog or let them sleep in my bed?
This is a personal preference, but here are some considerations:
Confinement training is an extremely valid life skill to maintain throughout your dog’s life in some form or another. I always encourage my clients to keep up the skill for a lifetime in case of emergencies where your dog might have to be contained, such as in the care of someone else, natural disasters, or travel.
While I am a fan of confinement training and it can be helpful to stick to a routine in the beginning stages, if your dog is experiencing excessive stress while confined, it may require additional training and intervention. Being stressed in a crate could be working against your goals of desensitizing to the crate.
Outdated methods such as cry-it-out can be extremely damaging to you and your dog’s trust and relationship. Vocalizations are communication and if they feel ignored, it can lead to more anxiety and stress.
Sleep is also crucial for stress recovery and cognition. The quality of sleep that a dog is getting is critical for their mental and physical wellbeing.
If your dog naturally seeks their crate for sleep and rest, they may be just fine with the current set-up.
At what age can a dog sleep in bed?
Dogs of any age can sleep in bed with you, but we recommend some safety measures be implemented for very small dogs. Here are some considerations:
Very little puppies who were just taken from their littermates and moms might be very confused sleeping alone right away.
Additional ways to help ease this transition is by using the Snuggle Puppy Heartbeat stuffed toy.
Warm water bottles inserted in a sock can help puppies feel more secure and maintain their body heat at night.
The same risks apply for puppies/small dogs as they would for infants, with risks including suffocation.
Be ready to accommodate a small dog in your bed with barriers and separation. If you sleep very deeply, take extra caution to create good barriers between you and your pup.
Here are some ways to safely co-sleep with a puppy or small breed dog:
Use a dog bed or the bottom of a crate to create a safe space in bed with you. Fill it with comfort items to help keep them warm, like soft blankets.
If you have a u-shaped body pillow on hand (like a pregnancy pillow), this is an excellent way to create some separation between you and your puppy. Your small dog can sleep in the middle of it!
You also can create a similar set-up using bulkier items like rolled up blankets to create a barrier between you and your small dog.
Is it safe for my dog to sleep in bed?
Certain behaviors and habits may mean it is not safe or advised, such as:
If your dog resource guards, area guards, or has body handling issues, then sleeping separately is the best option for the safety of everyone involved.
If your dog often gets up in the middle of the night and goes potty on the floor without alerting you or waking you up, then it might hinder potty training goals.
If your dog gets up in the middle of the night and wanders around being destructive or eating things, then it is probably not safe for them to sleep without being contained in some manner.
How do dogs like to sleep?
The exact preferences will vary by individual personality, but as a species dogs tend to have natural preferences such as:
Social sleeping - in studies, dogs show a strong preference for co-sleeping. This provides warmth and safety from predators.
Elevated spaces - dogs also show a strong preference for sleeping up higher. This also provides safety and a vantage point from predators.
Enough space - while many dogs will curl up in a ball, many also like to spread out during deep sleep. Offering your dog enough space to lie flat is important.
Choices - dogs will often get up and reposition in the middle of the night. Providing several spots to choose from should they get hot or cold may help them sleep more deeply and comfortably. Generally I recommend also offering a dog bed on the floor in case they need to move around.
So, that’s it! Do you let your dog sleep with you? Tell me what you like or dislike about it in the comments!
Written by:
Jessie Kasper IAABC-ADT, FDM, FFCP, PNCC
Mindful Methods Companion Coaching
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