Understanding Why Dogs Want to Sleep in Bed With Couples
It's an age-old question for many pet owners that allow dogs on the furniture: Why does your pooch insist on wedging themselves right in between you and your significant other in bed? This common dog sleeping behavior often divides couples on whether it should be allowed or not.
Yet understanding the psychology and motivations behind this phenomenon can help you set reasonable expectations on managing it. Learn what's really driving your dog to break up countless spooning sessions so you and your partner can get better rest together.
Exploring the Dog Mind
To understand any confusing canine habits, the first place to look is how dogs view their worlds. Considering key differences from the human thought process explains much about why dogs act the way they do.
Dogs prize family togetherness much more than privacy or personal space. So activities that reinforce pack bonding like sleeping together take high priority. They also have innate desires to protect valued members of their pack.
When these perspectives mix with your scent and body heat creating an irresistible lure, ignoring that siren call proves difficult even for the best trained pets.
It's Not About Dominance
A common misperception is that a dog climbing into bed with couples reflects dominance issues. This may play a small role with some problem behaviors like pushing owners out of the way.
However, most dogs just want the comfort and security that comes with sleeping as a unit. Allowing furniture access for this purpose usually does not negatively impact rank within the household.
Key Reasons Dogs Want Between Couples in Bed
When digging into "why dogs sleep in bed with couples specifically," the choice becomes much clearer. Dogs prioritize closeness with their people along with resources like warmth and scent. Sharing your covers simply checks more preference boxes.
Body Heat Beckons
Dogs naturally love warmth, originally curling up with littermates then transfering to owners as they mature. The combined radiating body heat from two people creates an even more appealing heat source.
Your Scent Equals Comfort
Humans emit pheromones and scent molecules invisible to people but detected by dogs that signal safety and home. Combining aromas from a bonded couple offers double the reassuring power.
Full Access to Both Humans
Wedging between owners allows equal intimacy and closeness with all members of their preferred pack, strengthening attachment in your dog's mind.
Guarding Both People
Centering themselves close to each human plays into protective pack instincts, allowing them to react quickly to any threats approaching owners.
Touch Reinforcement
Getting pet frequently from both sides when nestled between couples rewards dogs with more pleasurable touch stimulation.
Managing Dogs Sleeping Between Couples
While this behavior stems from positive pack bonding instincts in dogs, it can still cause issues for couples wanting personal space. Use these tips to set reasonable boundaries.
Provide Alternative Beds
Place comfy dog beds around your room and praise/reward your pet for using them. This gives them an appealing sleeping spot while redirecting them off your bed.
Practice Crate Training
Acclimating your dog to sleep in their crate occasionally enforces set rest periods together but apart. Just avoid anger if they vocalize over this at first.
Reinforce a "Go to Your Bed" Command
Use a release cue like "go to your bed" to send them to their own approved sleeping area when you want alone time. Always reward compliance.
Agree on Compromises
Find times allowing dogs in bed together works for better sleep and intimacy. Quickly learn effective commands moving them when not.
Health Considerations of Dogs Sleeping in Beds
Before establishing any policies on bed access, consider potential health impacts. Weigh pros and cons for both species.
Human Health Risks
Dogs in bed absolutely increase exposure to dirt, dander and parasites. However, close nightly contact generally poses minimal infection transmission or allergy risks for healthy adults.
Animal Health Benefits
The comfort, security and bonding provided by sharing a sleeping space offers mental and emotional perks improving long-term well-being and behavior for most dogs.
Injury Dangers
Larger, senior or disabled dogs showing signs of mobility issues should probably stick to padded floor beds though. Jumping down from human mattresses raises injury risks.
Signs It's Time to Ban Dogs From the Bed
Requiring some solo sleeping time becomes essential if dogs in your bed lead to any of these problems:
Disrupting Your Sleep
If your dog is restless, pushy or disruptive at bedtime, consistently interrupting your sleep, it's reasonable to enforce dog-free hours.
Resource Guarding
Any growling, snapping or aggression from your dog when moved off the bed points to possessive behavior requiring correction by a trainer.
Allergy or Asthma Flare-ups
Worsening allergy symptoms clearly connected to dog contact in bed warrants rethinking open access to improve owner health.
Bed Hogging
Small dogs often try stretching across an entire bed, stealing covers and space. Ban access if this habit leaves you hanging off the mattress!
Should You Ever Crate Dogs at Night?
Owners considering crating dogs overnight first should honestly assess if daytime attention meets pets' needs. If enforced too often though, potential issues include:
Increased Separation Anxiety
Dogs already prone to attachment issues may experience more distress when crated at night away from their people.
Disrupted Sleep Cycles
Dogs count on cues from owners' movements and schedules to align their own bio rhythms. Removing overnight access interferes with this synchronization.
Boredom Barking/Whining
Unsatisfied dogs often voice annoyance through vocalizations keeping the whole household up. Consider if your home and lifestyle provides sufficient outlet for your dog's needs before removing bed privileges.
The Takeaway
Letting dogs sleep in your bed often creates divided opinions between couples. While usually not a dominance play, understanding the pack mentality driving your pooch between you can lead to better compromises.
Set reasonable boundaries on bed access when dogs disrupt rest for either species. Also invest in appealing alternative dog beds. A few simple management tweaks lets both pets and partners get their needed affection and intimate time.
FAQs
Is it a dominance issue if my dog sleeps between me and my partner?
No, in most cases your dog simply wants closeness for comfort and the warmth/scent motivation rather than trying to assert dominance.
How can I get some alone time with my partner at night?
Provide appealing alternative dog beds in your room and positively reinforce laying on their own bed on command for set periods of couples' time.
Is having dogs sleep in bed unhealthy?
Some increased allergen exposure occurs, but generally poses minimal risks other than possible mobility injury risks. The bonding benefits typically outweigh downsides.
When should I absolutely ban my dog from bed?
If your dog excessively disrupts sleep, resource guards the bed, spikes your allergies or takes over too much mattress space, it becomes reasonable to enforce dog-free hours.
Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult with a healthcare professional before starting any new treatment regimen.
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