Most dogs sneak into their owner’s bed at night because they want warmth, comfort and closeness to you: your bed smells like you, it’s cozy, and sleeping together comes naturally to a social animal. It can also be a sign that your dog is cold, anxious, lonely or simply in the habit, and you can teach them to sleep in their own bed if you prefer.
Let’s take a closer look at the most common reasons so that you can be a more informed dog owner.
9 Reasons Why your Dog likes to Sneak Into your Bed at Night
There are a number of different reasons why your dog might start sneaking into your bed at night. Some of the most common include:
1They're Cold
If your dog is suddenly trying to sleep in your bed, it might be because they’re cold. Their fur coats can only do so much to keep them warm, especially if they’re small or have short fur. If you live in a cold climate or it’s wintertime, this might be why your dog is trying to snuggle up to you at night.
2They're Scared
Another possibility is that your dog is feeling scared or anxious. This could be because of something as simple as a storm outside or something more serious, like a change in their environment. If your dog seems unusually scared or clingy, it might be because they’re trying to seek comfort from you. If the night-time clinginess starts suddenly, especially in an older dog, or comes with pacing, panting or restlessness, ask your vet to rule out pain or age-related confusion (canine cognitive dysfunction).
3Looking for Attention
In some cases, dogs will sneak into their owner’s bed in an attempt to get attention. This is especially common if the dog feels like they’re not getting enough attention during the day. If you’ve been neglecting your dog or are frequently busy, they might start to seek out your attention at night.
4They feel Lonely
Dogs are social creatures that need companionship. If you work long hours or are often away from home, your dog might start to feel lonely. This can lead to them sneaking into your bed at night as a way to be close to you.
5Your Lovely Scent
Dogs have an incredibly strong sense of smell. This means that they can easily pick up on your scent, even when you’re not around. Your bed is full of your scent, which is comforting to your dog and makes them want to sleep there so that they can feel close to you. Your scent is also why some dogs love licking feet; see why dogs lick feet with athlete’s foot.
6Following Their Instincts
In the wild, dogs would sleep in dens with their pack. This provided them with warmth, safety, and companionship. While our homes are not the same as a den, they can still provide these things for our dogs. As a result, it’s not surprising that your dog might instinctively want to sleep in your bed.
7Showing Dominance
You may have heard that dogs sleep in their owner’s bed to assert dominance or act like the “alpha.” Modern behavior research doesn’t support this idea: a dog on your bed is almost always looking for comfort, not status. What can happen is that a dog starts guarding the bed as a valued resource, growling or stiffening when you ask them to move. That’s a sign of resource guarding rather than a power grab, and it’s best handled with the help of a positive-reinforcement trainer or behaviorist, not punishment.
8Dogs are Routine-Based
If your dog has always slept in your bed, then there’s a good chance that they’re just used to it. This is especially common if you’ve never trained them not to sleep in your bed. In this case, your dog might not even realize that they’re doing anything wrong.
9They Simply Like It
Last but not least, it’s possible that your dog just likes sleeping in your bed! They might find it comfortable or enjoy the close proximity to you. If this is the case, then there’s no need to worry about their behavior. Some breeds are especially keen to share a bed; in do husky puppies sleep a lot we look at where huskies like to sleep.
Is It Bad to Let Your Dog Sleep In Your Bed?
Now that we’ve looked at some of the reasons why your dog might be trying to sleep in your bed, you might be wondering if it’s actually bad for them.
The truth is, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question. For most healthy people and well-behaved dogs, sharing a bed is fine, and many owners find it comforting.
There are some good reasons to keep your dog in their own bed, though:
- You or your partner have allergies or asthma, or the dog disturbs your sleep.
- Your dog growls or snaps when disturbed or asked to move.
- Your puppy isn’t fully house-trained yet.
- Your dog is small, old or has joint problems and could get hurt jumping on and off a high bed.
- Your dog isn’t up to date on flea, tick and worm prevention.
At the end of the day, it’s up to you to decide whether or not you want to let your dog sleep in your bed.
How to Train Your Dog to Sleep in His Own Bed
If you’ve decided that you don’t want your dog to sleep in your bed, then you’ll need to train them to sleep elsewhere. The good news is that this is usually pretty easy to do. Just follow these simple steps:
- Start by giving your dog his own comfortable bed. This could be a crate, a mat, or a cozy dog bed, ideally with a blanket or old T-shirt that smells like you.
- Put the bed in a location that you’re comfortable with. Placing it next to your bed at first often makes the switch easier, and you can move it further away later if you like.
- Whenever your dog tries to sleep in your bed, calmly lead them to their own bed and use a cue like “go to bed” to build up a conditioned response. Never scold or punish them for it.
- Reward your dog for sleeping in their own bed. This could be with a treat, a toy, or just some positive attention.
- Be consistent with your training. If you allow your dog to sleep in your bed sometimes, they’ll get confused and it will be harder to train them.
With a little patience and consistency, you should be able to train your dog to sleep in their own bed. A good walk and a last potty break before bedtime also help your dog settle down for the night. If your dog hides under the bed instead, try one of these DIY under bed blockers for dogs.
Let’s Recap
In this article, we’ve looked at some of the reasons why your dog might want to sleep in your bed. We’ve also discussed whether or not it’s actually bad for them to do so.
Overall, there isn’t necessarily a right or wrong answer to this question. It will depend on your unique situation and what you want your relationship with your dog to be like! Pursue the sleeping arrangement that is right for you.
