There are two types of owners: those who believe that the dog can be allowed on the bed, armchairs and sofas, and those who strictly suppress such liberties. In this case, often even the size and weight of the dog does not become a decisive factor: a couple of Labradors get along well with one owner in the bed, and even a Chihuahua of another owner will sleep in a special dog bed from the first days.
In this matter, there are no clear recommendations except one: once you choose a side, stick to it. As soon as a puppy appears in the house, or better yet, before you get a four-legged friend, discuss with all family members the rules for keeping a pet: should the dog be allowed to sleep on the bed, lie on the sofa, put its paws on its owners (especially when it comes to a potentially large a dog, even if now the puppy is no bigger than a child’s toy), and so on. If you’ve decided not to let anyone on the sofas or the master’s bed, then don’t let anyone else in, ever. It has long been known: it is enough to give in once and it will be very difficult to kick the dog out of bed.
This is especially true for families with children. Explain to your child that uniformity is very important to a dog. If yesterday it was prohibited, today it was allowed, and in a week it will be prohibited again - the dog is guaranteed to be nervous, because it will not be clear to him what is allowed and what is not allowed, and subsequently this will lead to the dog becoming angry and uncontrollable. It is important to remember that we are talking here specifically about the master’s bed, i.e. about the bed of older family members, or, in the dog’s understanding, leaders. The dog will fully accept and understand the rules, where it is forbidden to climb onto the parents’ bed, but it is possible to climb onto the bed of a child or teenager.
Why do dogs climb on beds, sofas and chairs?
There are several reasons why dogs want to climb onto soft beds and comfortable sofas:
- By analogy with their closest wild relatives, dogs strive to occupy the highest position in the available territory as part of the struggle for leadership. The higher, the more important. This is worth remembering if you are going to get a dog of a dominant breed (Cane Corso, Tibetan Mastiff, Pit Bull, Akita Inu, etc.), which are also quite large in size and weight.
- Genetic memory is another reason why dogs climb onto the bed: canines always sleep together, huddled close to each other. This can be observed both in the wild and in packs of stray dogs. It is logical that in his “new pack” - your family - the dog will strive to lie down closer to its other members, cuddle up to a warm side and sleep peacefully. This is especially evident in the first days of the puppy’s stay in the house: there is no mother, no brothers and sisters, it’s scary, and the new pack won’t accept it either. It's time to howl like a wolf. The puppy will whine, yelp and look with such eyes that even the Snow Queen will melt. The choice is yours, but if you have already decided that your pet will sleep separately, arrange a comfortable place for him to sleep and be tolerant, give him time to get used to it.
- Sometimes a dog climbs onto the bed for a completely banal reason - it’s warmer, softer, and overall more comfortable. In this case, you will have to reconsider the location or configuration of your pet's bed and check how well it retains heat. It may be worth using a special heating pad, purchasing a lounger with a soft mattress and sides or a comfortable house, or providing your pet with a blanket or blanket.
- Individual characteristics and momentary factors are another reason why a dog climbs onto the bed. New Year's fireworks are starting outside your window, guests have arrived or one of your family members is away - and the puppy, quite accustomed to its bed, got scared and climbed into your bed. You should not be too strict in trying to drive your pet away; be calm and friendly, and he will fall asleep on his bed again. Orphan puppies raised by a person perceive him exclusively as a leader and protector, therefore their desire for their master’s bed is stronger than that of other dogs. Dogs of guard breeds, not trained to guard the house and sleep in their own kennel, often climb into the bed of their owners, quite rightly believing that the closer they are to the owner, the better they can protect him.
This does not apply to well-mannered dogs.
For a well-adjusted, well-behaved dog, it is highly unlikely that sleeping in your bed or bedroom will do anything other than please your dog, comfort you, and strengthen the bond between owner and dog.
But if your dog is showing signs of aggression or any other problem behavior that is exacerbated by co-sleeping, provide your dog with a separate place to sleep while you consult with a professional trainer, behavior consultant, or your veterinarian.
Is it possible to let a dog on the bed - how to choose?
To make an informed decision about whether to allow your dog to sleep on the bed, you need to consider the pros and cons. What are the pros and cons of the available options?
| pros What do owners gain when they let their dog into their bed? | Minuses Why can't a dog sleep on a bed? |
| The main advantage is emotional comfort. We love our dogs. The special feeling of unity with your beloved pet when sleeping together cannot be replaced by anything. | Hygiene. If you allow your dog to sleep with you, your bed will never be clean and fresh again. No matter how well you wash your dog after a walk and comb out its fluffy sides, wool, sand, various stains (especially during the ladies’ heat), and even bones and toys will still appear in the bed. And new suspicious smells will also appear. Don’t forget about the parasites that the dog could bring from the street. |
| Warm. Dogs have a higher body temperature than humans, so dogs are living hot water bottles that come to bed on their own. | Closeness. If your dog sleeps in your bed, curled up at your feet, you are incredibly lucky. Even a small dog can take up half the bed, spread out in the shape of a five-pointed star. In addition, dogs in their sleep and in front of him also toss and turn, move their paws and strive to lie down directly on the pillow. Scientific research shows that dog owners who allow their pets to sleep with them experience a decrease in the quality of their sleep, sometimes quite significantly. |
| Falling asleep quickly. The measured snoring of your four-legged friend is the most effective remedy for insomnia. | Noise. Dogs snore, often very loudly, especially short-faced ones. In addition, dogs sleep more lightly and get up more often than humans at night, so be prepared to hear the clicking of claws next to the bed in the middle of the night. And then your four-legged friend will settle down to sleep, roll around and snore again. |
What did the study show?
Research has shown that sharing a bed or bedroom with our pets is not a modern phenomenon.
In fact, some traditional cultures have found co-sleeping with animals to be very beneficial. For example, Australian Aborigines often slept next to their dingo dogs for warmth and protection from evil spirits.
Or the famous English idiom about the night of the seven dogs, meaning a very cold night. And to keep warm, you had to put seven dogs in bed with you.
Unfortunately, modern culture tends to focus on the negative aspects of co-sleeping rather than the benefits.
What should you do if you do allow your dog to sleep with you?
- Monitor your dog's hygiene, especially after going outside. In addition to washing the paws and belly, you need to wipe the body with a damp palm or sponge, brush your teeth and ears, and trim your claws. Remember: dogs not only run on the ground while walking, they lie on it and constantly sniff something and even chew.
- Regularly carry out antiparasitic treatment and check the condition of the dog’s skin. Few people would like to find a tick in their or their child’s bed, for example. And some parasites cannot be seen at all with the naked eye.
- Ventilate the room where you sleep as often as possible. In principle, it is useful to do this, even without pets, and even more so with them.
- Make sure that it is convenient for the dog to climb on and off the bed - this is especially true for older dogs. For this you can use small stools and ladders.
- Secure the sleeping area so that the dog cannot get hurt (for example, if your bed is made of untreated wood, or it has sharp corners) or otherwise harm itself (for example, getting a splinter in its paw by brushing a glass of water onto the floor at night).
- Take preliminary measures to ensure that the dog cannot damage your furniture (for example, wear a waterproof mattress cover, use disposable diapers during heat), or other things located next to the bed on bedside tables or shelves (glasses, books, phone, tablet, charger) triple, etc.).
How safe is it for a dog to sleep with its owner?
How to train a puppy to sleep in his place alone at night
Some owners, explaining why they should not let their dog on the bed, claim that this is harmful for the pet itself. In most cases, all the harm from sleeping together comes down to the fact that the owner may accidentally lie on the animal, crushing it, or throw it to the floor. In this case, there is a risk of injuring the dog.
However, according to other criteria, being in the bedroom with the owner cannot be called dangerous. On the contrary, it improves the dog’s sleep quality, gives it a feeling of security, and strengthens its relationship with the person.
Is there a way to kick a dog out of bed?
Let's say that a dog, accustomed to sleeping with its owner, has to be moved to a bed. There may be very good reasons for this. For example, the appearance of a new family member who also claims a place in the bed with the dog’s owner, or the dog’s relocation to a new home with new rules. One should not discount the often encountered situation when a puppy in bed did not cause concern to the owner, but an older dog simply interferes with getting enough sleep. So how do you get your dog out of bed?
Firstly, don't expect quick results, but don't despair either. You should not suddenly change your usual lifestyle, especially if we are talking about an elderly animal. At first, you can place the bed on the bed, then next to the head of the bed on the nightstand, or purchase a separate bed for the dog and place it like a crib close to yours, and only then move the pet to the opposite corner or another room.
Secondly, be firm in your decision. Once we decide that it’s impossible, it means it’s impossible.
Pros of having a dog:
- Help with falling asleep. Rhythmic, calm breathing helps children and older people fall asleep.
- Warmer. Many people enjoy the warmth and feeling of comfort that comes from their pet. This heating pad is needed on cool evenings at home or in a tent on a hike.
- Emotional unity. A dog is a social animal that needs to participate in the life of the family. Sleeping together brings people and pets closer together.
A significant number of dog breeders do not focus on the disadvantages and continue to let their tailed friend into bed. And if everyone feels comfortable about it, then why not. Here is one opinion on this topic from a dog forum.
I have the same situation with my dachshund - he’s freezing. This is especially noticeable in winter. I don’t like it when it’s hot in the apartment, a temperature of 19-20 degrees is the most comfortable for me, but in the bedroom it’s 16 degrees. But Jolly doesn’t like it at all. If cats are warming themselves on a radiator, then the dog, taking the cats’ example, fell off the radiator and actually hurt itself. She tried a different method: she quietly entered the bedroom and crawled under the blanket. Now he does this trick in the summer too.
Regarding where the dog sleeps, I won’t lie - in bed with us, under the covers. My husband doesn’t protest, the dachshund takes up little space. Moreover, she knows very well that before going to bed she must wash herself in the bathroom. The cats also decided to follow the example of the dog and moved to sleep in our bedroom. There is enough space for everyone. Is it a problem to change your underwear more often?
PS The problem is not that dogs conquer our personal space, but that we ourselves like it. Where does your dog sleep? Share with us in the comments.
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Tags: raising a dog, children and dogs, dogs, dog care
What to do if the dog lies on the bed in the absence of its owners?
The pet of working owners spends a long time alone, and the smell of the owner helps him calm down in their absence. Therefore, when you come home from work, you may find wool, toys and saliva stains on your pillow. Try putting things on your pet's bed that smell like the owner: a worn T-shirt or gloves, for example. It is quite possible that the smell of the owner will be quite enough to brighten up your pet’s long hours of loneliness. When you get home, don't ignore your dog, spend some time with it.
There are several tricks that will help you secure your bed:
- Dogs do not like to lie on slippery or hard surfaces. A sheet of plexiglass or construction film placed on the bed will reduce comfort to zero, and the pet will not lie there for long. You can also put squeaky toys, wooden blocks under the bedspread, or spray the bed with cologne with a strong smell.
- If you want to prevent your dog from lying on the bed in the absence of its owners, try fencing it. High enclosure sections (at least 1 meter) or barricades of chairs and boxes can, if not make it impossible, then make it so difficult for the dog to get to the bed that your pet will decide that it is easier to lie down on his bed than to overcome so many obstacles. Especially if the bed is comfortable, soft and smells like the owner.
What the researchers say
Despite the disadvantages of co-sleeping with a dog, researchers explain that so many owners do it because the benefits likely outweigh the disadvantages.
Research has shown many physical and mental health benefits for a pet owner, and co-sleeping increases the amount of time spent with that pet, potentially increasing these benefits.
For example, co-sleeping can enhance the sense of comfort and companionship that your dog provides.
