I’m a Dog Trainer, and Here’s What I Really Think About Pets Sleeping in Your Bed
If you sleep with your dog in the bed, you aren’t alone. A study from the American Academy of Sleep Medicine found that nearly half (46%) of Americans sleep with pets in their bed. Despite co-sleeping with pets being so common, it’s something many people can feel embarrassed about.
“Don’t get upset, but my dog sleeps in the bed,” is something I hear all the time as a certified dog trainer. But if you ask me for my professional opinion on the matter, I wholeheartedly recommend it (which may come as a surprise to some people). Here’s why letting your dog sleep in your bed might be beneficial for you.
Should You Let Dogs Sleep in Your Bed?
I believe this embarrassment of letting your pets sleep in your bed stems from outdated dog training information that suggests you need to be your dog’s “pack leader.” In reality, dominance theory has been widely disproven and is considered harmful by leading dog training and veterinary organizations. Essentially, if you want to co-sleep with your dog, and your dog enjoys being in bed, generally, I professionally recommend it.
Personally, both my dogs (a 10-pound dog and a 100-pound dog) sleep in bed with me every night. In fact, I even chose my bedframe specifically for co-sleeping with the dogs because the low platform style makes it easier for my senior giant dog, who has orthopedic challenges, to get into.
Do We Sleep Better with Dogs?
Sharing our lives with dogs has been shown to have a positive impact on our overall health. Petting dogs can lower blood pressure, reduce heart rate, and decrease stress-related cortisol levels. Dogs have also been shown to positively impact mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. When we feel better physically and mentally, we tend to sleep better as well.
Having a dog in bed can help people to feel safer, more comfortable, and less lonely. I know that personally, I sleep better when co-sleeping with my dogs than when I’m sleeping alone or even next to another person. A study from the Mayo Clinic found that 41% of participants expressed that having pets in their bed was unobtrusive or even beneficial to their sleep.
Some research has shown that people who co-sleep with dogs may experience more sleep disturbances or take longer to fall asleep. However, these studies also found that co-sleeping with pets was also associated with increased feelings of personal safety. Importantly, participants did not report significant differences in daytime tiredness. Much of this ultimately comes down to individual dog personality, nighttime activity levels, and the specific needs of each person and dog. Most dog lovers I come in contact with who co-sleep with dogs think it’s worth it even if they do occasionally get woken up.
How to Start Co-Sleeping with Your Dog Responsibly
If you want to start co-sleeping with your dog, here are some of my favorite tips to help make bedtime peaceful for both of you.
Invest in potty training.
Before letting your dog co-sleep with you, make sure they are fully potty trained. This helps prevent messy nighttime wakeups and interrupted sleep for you. If you have a young dog who is still learning, consider having your puppy sleep in a crate or small pen next to your bed until they are consistently reliable. Don’t forget a final potty break before bedtime to help your dog settle in for the night.
Give them a designated part of the bed.
When starting out with co-sleeping, it can be helpful to give your dog their own designated spot on the bed to help dogs settle. The “dog only blanket” can be washed regularly to manage shedding and dirt and keep your sheets cleaner.
Dog-proof your bedroom.
For your dog’s safety, make sure the bedroom is dog-proofed before bedtime. Keep closet doors closed, laundry secured, trash cans covered, and medications stored out of reach. Don’t forget to pick up socks, underwear, or any items that could tempt your dog during the night. This protects your dog and helps ensure uninterrupted sleep.
Build an intentional sleep routine for you and your pet.
Dogs thrive on routine and creating one for bedtime can help everyone sleep better. Dogs that get enough exercise are more likely to sleep calmly through the night, so before bed, spend time playing with them. This physical and mental enrichment will help tire your dog out for sleep. Then, don’t forget that final potty break before turning off the light.
And remember, not all dogs should share the bed with you.
Co-sleeping can be a great way to feel connected and bonded with your dog. However, there are situations where it is not recommended. If your dog has shown any aggression toward you, especially when startled or moved, your dog should not sleep in your bed for safety reasons. Similarly, if your dog resource guards the bed or other objects from you, it’s best to keep your dog out of the bed while working with an experienced trainer and veterinarian to address the underlying behavior issues.