Why Won’t My Dog Sleep with Me – Impatient Dog Parents
What do pet owners want? They want nothing more than just a few more hours with their adorable, cuddly dogs. But if you’re here, something is not going right at your home, and your pup has refused to give you some of the pleasures of being a dog parent. The question ‘why won’t my dog sleep with me’ keeps many dog parents worried sick.
We cannot begin to tell how lovely it is to have your big boy cuddle up with you on your bed — it’s like a dog parent utopia. Most dogs don’t mind doing the honors for their humans, but this cannot always be the case.
Well, usually, it’s not you; it’s them. There are multiple reasons for a dog’s reluctance to share a bed with you. Let’s find out what they could be:
Reasons Why a Dog Doesn’t Sleep With You
Uncomfortable Beds
Your pets love you so much – but not at the cost of their comfort. Everyone deserves to have a good sleep that makes them fresh in the morning. Uncomfortable beds are torture that not only disturbs your sleep quality but also messes with your posture. If you’re guilty of having such a bed, your dog will not enjoy sleeping in it.
So, what should you do? If you’re planning to get your bed changed, you don’t need to have any second thoughts. Your dog’s choice is a sign of the problems that your bed has.
But what if you can’t get the bed changed? For example, what if you need a hard mattress to sleep on, but your dog prefers a softer one? In that case, you cannot do much about it and have to resign from the thought of making your dog sleep in your bed. The least you can do is make arrangements for the pet to sleep in the same room as you are.
You can get a small, comfy, and separate bed for the dog. Mostly, dogs don’t mind changing the sleeping areas and will appreciate your gesture. This way will help you build lovely memories with your pet without putting either one of you in discomfort.
Small Beds
There is no universal truth to this particular reason. Dogs of different breeds show various behaviors. Some dogs do love to sleep closer to their humans, while others are more interested in stretching out as much as possible.
For the latter, sleeping in a small space can be tiring, which they will want to avoid. Changing your bed and getting a new one that offers enough legroom for you and your pet is preferred. Again, it will cost you an arm and a leg, and there is a possibility that your room fails to accommodate the change. Whether you want to incur the rather exorbitant expense is up to you.
Some dog parents get worried when their older dogs (who they have had since they were puppies) stop sleeping with them. The reason for this, at times, is simple: your dog has grown up and finds it difficult to adjust in a small space. So, don’t worry; if you can upgrade, go for it. If you can’t, you can get a separate bed for the dog.
Active Dogs
Sometimes, dogs hate to get in bed because they aren’t tired yet. For you, night hours may start at sharp 10 pm – which is understandable since you have early mornings – but your dog isn’t restricted to any such schedule.
Instead of stressing over your dog’s lackadaisical attitude when it comes to sleeping in your bed, you may want to keep a close eye on its daily routine.
If your dog is full of energy, it won’t go to sleep.
More Play
Dogs are curious animals. They cannot ignore strange noises from down below or the small squirrel they saw on the windowsill.
It is possible that your dogs aren’t up for sleep time because it wants to keep up with their investigation. Let them play for as long as they want, and don’t force them to be in bed.
Not Enough Space
Some of us are guilty of sleeping in a messy bed with our laptops, clothes, skincare products dumped in a small corner. We don’t mind if our legs (while sleeping) are brushed with a charger wire. Dogs don’t sleep like that. They need to have empty spaces for their stretches and wouldn’t be comfortable sleeping there.
It is upon you to keep your bed sparkly clean before bedtime. Also, if you love to decorate the bed with pillows and cushions, you’ll have to put them away for a while — or for at least bedtime.
Stranger in the Bed?
If your long-distance partner is staying over, your dog will not sleep with you. It will take some time to build a relationship with your partner, and until then, sleeping in bed with them is out of the question.
But don’t panic; dogs are extremely friendly animals, and once your partner wins your dog’s trust, they will gladly spend time with them.
Smelly Bed
Have you recently eaten anything while being in bed? Late-night snack-binging may leave some unwanted crumbs on your bed. Sometimes, you’re too tired to grab the vacuum to dust off the leftover particles. So, you decide to just go to sleep anyway.
Your dog doesn’t like this casual behavior. It has a strong sense of smell as well, so any unwanted smell continues to disrupt its sleep. Resultantly, it will prefer to sleep somewhere else and not in your bed.
Health Problems
Dogs usually try to tend to themselves when they are sick. They move to a generally quieter place to deal with their symptoms on their own. You should closely monitor their symptoms.
If your dog looks tired, scared, stressed out, or is a bit lazy, you should take them to a vet.
What to Do if Your Dog Doesn’t Sleep with You
There are numerous ways of getting your dog to sleep in bed with you.
Activities Before Bedtime
Dogs sleep peacefully after they have had a long tiring day. They need to be drained of their energy to have a good sleep. Outdoor activities before bedtime will allow your dog to sleep at the drop of a hat.
Positive Reinforcement
Dogs get scared if their humans use an angry tone with them. Use a positive reinforcement approach with them to make them sleep with you in bed. If you show anger, your dog will not associate the bed with something peaceful and comforting.
Spend Some Time with the Dog in Bed
Start spending quality time with your dog in bed. You should read a book with them or just pet them. This will help the dog associate the bed with calmness. But beware, don’t play with the dog in bed, or else it will see the area as a potential playing spot.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Why does my dog sleep on the floor and not in bed?
Ans: Dogs are fond of a hard floor and find it more comfortable to sleep on it. Your dog may want to abandon the comfy bed for the same reason. It isn’t something to worry about!
Q: Why won’t my dog cuddle with me?
Ans: Many dogs don’t like to cuddle when they’re sleeping. So, it’s just that. But if you have a dog who used to cuddle while sleeping and have now recently stopped cuddling, you may want to visit a vet.
Dogs may avoid cuddling if they have joint pain or any other injury. Cuddles may aggravate the pain. The best thing is to get it checked by a vet who can rule out any injuries or joint pain.
Q: Why did my dog stop sleeping with me all of a sudden?
Ans: If internal factors like uncomfortable beds aren’t an issue, your dog may be reacting to an external factor. You are the best judge of a change in your surroundings, so have a look at what has possibly changed and, if possible, fix it. Dogs may also show this change in behavior if they are sick, so a vet visit should be on the cards too.
Q: Why is my senior dog not sleeping with me?
Ans: As dogs age, their health deteriorates. Senior dogs are prone to developing arthritis. Your dog may be dealing with the same situation, so do get it evaluated by a vet to make its sleeping arrangement more comfortable.
