Many dog owners allow their furry friends to sleep in bed with them. In fact, surveys show that around half of dog owners share their bed with their pet. Sleeping with your dog in the same bed or bedroom can certainly seem like a natural way to bond and feel close with your canine companion. But does sharing a sleeping space actually help build a stronger connection between owner and dog? Here we’ll explore the evidence behind the pros and cons of sleeping with dogs and whether it truly impacts the human-animal bond.
Quick Facts on Co-sleeping with Dogs
- Around half of dog owners allow their dogs to sleep in their bed or bedroom.
- Letting dogs sleep in the bedroom, but not directly in the bed, is the most common arrangement.
- Co-sleeping with dogs has risks like disrupted sleep, spread of parasites, and behavior issues.
- However, it also has potential benefits like increased bonding, oxytocin release, and security.
- Experts say sleeping together can strengthen the bond for some owner-dog pairs.
- Much depends on the individual dog’s and owner’s personalities and relationship.
Why Do People Choose to Co-sleep with Their Dogs?
Humans have a long history of close sleeping arrangements with their canine companions going back over 15,000 years. So why in today’s modern world do so many pet owners still choose to snooze near their pups? There are several motivations that commonly drive the choice to allow dogs on the bed or in the bedroom at night:
Increased Bonding and Affection
Many owners feel that sleeping close to their dogs helps promote bonding, attachment, and affection in their relationship. The nighttime increase in oxytocin from physical closeness may strengthen the human-animal bond. Dogs also seem to solicit contact from their owners at night. Being near each other for hours during sleep can facilitate feelings of comfort and security.
Easier Nighttime Care and Supervision
Having your dog sleep in your bedroom allows easier nighttime care and supervision. You can hear your dog make noises or movements that signal a need to go outside or other issues. You also have quicker access to comfort your dog during anxious episodes like thunderstorms or fireworks.
Protection and Security
Some owners feel safer and more secure at night when their canine companion is close by in their bedroom. Dogs have superior senses of hearing and smell compared to humans, so they may detect threats or disturbances. Their presence offers a sense of protection, while snuggling provides calmness and comfort.
Keeping Company and Alleviating Separation Anxiety
Both you and your dog can feel less lonely at night with a shared sleeping space. Dogs are social animals who take comfort in being near their family members. It may help ease separation anxiety connected to being apart at night. Your dog’s presence also can make a bedroom feel less isolating.
Convenience and Household Logistics
In some cases, letting the dog sleep in the bedroom is driven by convenience and household needs. Lack of space for multiple crates, keeping dogs with certain medical needs close by, managing multi-pet homes, or proximity preferences are practical motivations. Allowing your dog to sleep on your bed can also just feel like an easy option.
Potential Risks of Sleeping with Dogs
While co-sleeping appeals to many dog lovers, there are also some potential downsides and risks to be aware of:
Disrupted and Poor Quality Sleep
Dogs can impact their owner’s sleep in various ways like snoring, scratching, kicking, or taking up space. This can make it difficult to get uninterrupted, high quality sleep and lead to daytime fatigue. Sleep position may also be affected.
Parasite Transmission
Dogs have higher risk of certain parasites like tapeworms or fleas. Close nighttime contact in a shared sleeping space increases the chance of humans contracting these parasites. However, dogs on proper preventatives and with good veterinary care have minimal parasite transmission risks.
Allergies and Asthma
Being close to dog fur and dander at night can aggravate allergies or asthma in sensitive owners. Owners with dog-related conditions may experience worsened symptoms by sleeping near their pets. Using allergy-control bedding can help reduce effects.
Overheating and Discomfort
Dogs give off a lot of body heat. Having a dog in bed can cause overheating for some owners, leading to disrupted sleep from discomfort. Dogs also take up space, sometimes leaving owners crowded or forced into awkward sleeping positions.
Behavior Problems
Letting your dog sleep in your bed from puppyhood might instill territorial or protective behaviors over the sleeping area. Some experts warn this access can promote dominance issues or make training more difficult. However, these risks likely depend on the individual dog’s personality.
Hygiene and Cleanliness Issues
Dogs can track in dirt and other messes at night. Things like mud, drool, hair, and incontinence accidents can mean sleeping near your dog leads to cleanliness issues over bedding and sleeping areas. Proper nighttime hygiene routines are essential.
Overall the risks of co-sleeping with dogs seem very manageable with basic precautions. The benefits for many owners seem to outweigh potential downsides. But the decision should be made carefully based on your individual circumstances.
Impact on the Human-Animal Bond
So what does science actually say about whether sleeping with your dog impacts your bond and relationship? Let’s explore what recent research reveals:
Higher Oxytocin Levels
Several studies have detected increased oxytocin levels in both owners and dogs after positive interactions. Since sleeping beside your dog facilitates physical contact, it may similarly boost oxytocin. This “love hormone” can strengthen emotional bonds between humans and dogs.
Increased Comfort and Security
Surveys consistently find that the majority of owners report feeling comforted, relaxed, and secure sleeping near their dogs. The close presence of their pet seems to confer psychological benefits. Dogs also appear to solicit contact at night from their owners as a soothing strategy.
Potential Attachment Benefits
Some research has found positive associations between co-sleeping and attachment behavior in owner-dog relationships. Sleeping together may enhance feelings of affection and connection. However, more research is still needed on this potential effect.
Personality and Bond Considerations
Studies suggest the impact of co-sleeping depends significantly on owner personalities and the specific human-dog bond. Highly bonded pairs tend to display more associated benefits. But for dogs or owners with certain traits, bed sharing may be problematic.
Inconclusive Effects on Training
Despite warnings that sleeping together can worsen behavior issues, research on this risk is limited. Some studies have found no link between a dog’s sleeping location and the prevalence of training or behavior problems. More investigation is required.
Overall, current research seems to generally support the notion that co-sleeping has the potential to strengthen the human-animal bond – but that optimal outcomes depend on each owner-dog pair’s unique situation and relationship.
Expert Opinions on Co-sleeping with Dogs
Veterinarians, dog trainers, and other pet experts have shared diverse perspectives on the impact of sleeping with dogs. Here is a summary of their guidance:
Possible Bonding Benefits
Many experts acknowledge sleeping together likely provides feelings of comfort and facilitates bonding for dogs and owners. Contact during sleep may increase trust and attachment between pairs with closely bonded relationships.
Risks Can Be Managed
While risks like disrupted sleep or behavior issues are valid concerns, most experts emphasize taking precautions can mitigate risks. Things like scheduled potty breaks, designated dog beds, and training reinforcements allow co-sleeping benefits while avoiding pitfalls.
Depends on Individual Dog and Owner
Rather than general recommendations, most experts advise owners consider their individual dog’s needs. Highly anxious or dominant dogs may be poor candidates. But for other dogs, sleeping together poses no behavior issues and enhances the bond.
Best Practice is Room-sharing, Not Bed-sharing
Many experts suggest room-sharing but not bed-sharing as the ideal arrangement. Letting your dog sleep nearby but not directly in your bed provides proximity while avoiding some co-sleeping downsides.
Establish Rules and Boundaries
Experts emphasize that owners should set clear ground rules and boundaries around shared sleeping arrangements. Consistency and reinforcement are key to preventing unwanted behavior patterns.
Overall, most experts seem to agree sleeping close to your dog has the potential to promote bonding. But owners should carefully consider what works best for their unique needs and relationship with their dog.
Tips for Safe and Effective Co-sleeping
If you want to reap benefits of sleeping close to your dog while avoiding pitfalls, here are some expert tips:
Start Early On
Begin room-sharing or bed-sharing early on rather than suddenly changing the arrangement with an adult dog. This sets clear expectations.
Designate Your Dog’s Sleep Space
Use a dog bed on the floor or other dedicated sleeping area for your dog rather than allowing full run of the human bed. This prevents territoriality.
No Bed Privileges Without Permission
Only allow your dog on the bed when given permission. Don’t let them self-invite. This reinforces boundaries around your sleeping space.
Follow a Nighttime Routine
Take your dog outside immediately before bedtime and establish set routines. This can minimize night disturbances and accidents.
Manage Disrupted Sleep
If your dog disturbs your sleep, use earplugs, white noise, or a closed crate. Prioritizing your rest is crucial.
Observe Your Dog’s Preferences
Pay attention to signs your dog enjoys co-sleeping or would prefer their own space. Let their individual personality and needs guide arrangements.
Clarify House Rules
Be very consistent in training your dog on house manners and rules around your bed. Ensure all family members reinforce these principles.
Use Washable Covers and Bedding
Protect your mattress with waterproof encasements and wash bedding frequently for cleanliness.
The ideal co-sleeping arrangements for you and your dog will depend on your needs and relationship. But following basic guidelines can help make shared sleeping safe, clean, and bond-strengthening.
Frequently Asked Questions
Many owners have additional questions around co-sleeping with their dogs. Here are answers to some commonly asked questions:
Is it unhealthy for dogs to sleep in bed with humans?
There are some risks, but most dogs can safely sleep in human beds with proper precautions like preventatives to rule out parasites, ensuring potty trips before bed, and giving them their own designated sleeping space rather than full bed access.
Should I let my new puppy sleep in bed with me?
It’s best to begin whatever sleeping arrangement you plan to keep at maturity early on with a new puppy to set expectations. Letting them sleep close by aids bonding and supervision in the puppy stage. Just be prepared to transition them to another space if bed-sharing doesn’t work long-term.
Will my dog sleep better in my bed or their crate?
Most dogs can adapt to sleeping well in either location. Take cues from your individual pet on which environment they prefer. Some dogs may feel more secure and comfortable in a crate, while others bond closely and relax more when sleeping near their owner’s bed.
Is it better to let your dog sleep in your bedroom or outside the door?
Letting your dog sleep in your bedroom (but not necessarily directly in your bed) seems to provide more benefits in terms of companionship and bonding while still giving them their own designated sleeping space. However, having them sleep just outside your bedroom can work as well.
Can I train my dog not to sleep in my bed anymore?
Yes – with time, consistency, and patience, you can train an adult dog not to sleep in your bed if this arrangement is no longer working. Use reward-based techniques and designated alternative sleeping spots to reshape their nighttime habits. The earlier this training begins, the easier it tends to be.
The Bottom Line
At the end of the day, whether to invite your furry friend into your bed or bedroom comes down to your specific needs and preferences. The available evidence indicates that when executed properly, co-sleeping with your dog has the potential to strengthen your bond and provide mutual security benefits. For dogs lacking behavioral issues and owners willing to implement some management strategies, the pros seem capable of outweighing the cons.
Of course, sleeping with your dog is not right for everyone. You may need to experiment to find the optimal setup that provides the benefits of closeness while minimizing disruptions and other risks. Establishing defined spaces and consistent training is key. Listen to your dog’s cues and be willing to adjust arrangements if needed.
With thoughtfulness and care, sleeping near your beloved pup can augment your special relationship. Sweet doggy dreams can become a new nightly bonding routine.
