The dog sleeps on the owner's bed. Benefit or harm? Scientists' opinion.

Raising a pet requires patience, certain knowledge and experience from the owner. Therefore, novice dog breeders often have questions. One of the most common is how to wean a dog from sleeping on the bed with its owner. Often people are led by emotions and allow the puppy to lie down in their sleeping place. But as you grow older, this habit causes more and more problems. However, behavior can be corrected at any age if you act persistently and persistently.

Why do dogs like to sleep with their owner?

The desire for a pet to sleep on a sofa or bed with a person goes back to antiquity. When animals lived in the wild, they formed packs to keep warm at night and protect each other from attack. Domesticated pets have an ancestral instinct, so they are more comfortable being in the company of people.

Do you scold your dog for sleeping on the bed?

Yes

69.93%

30.07%

From the psychological point of view, this behavior of dogs is associated with dominance. When a pet goes to bed with its owner, it tries to take a leadership position. At the same time, the pet does not allow you to touch his sleeping place - it is his property. As a result, the animal stops obeying, becomes eccentric and uncontrollable, which is fraught with many problems.

Also, reasons why a dog likes to jump on the bed may be:

lack of attention – the pet lacks affection and communication, so he tries to be close to the person at least at night;
an attempt to warm up - decorative and hairless breeds quickly become hypothermic. They are looking for a source of warmth, and the master's bed becomes the most suitable place;
fear - perhaps the pet is stressed or uncomfortable at home, so he tries to hide near his leader. In the presence of a leader, the animal feels safe.

Some owners allow their pet to lie on their bed and sleep with them. But otherwise, you should wean the dog off the owner’s bed as soon as possible. It is advisable to start acting while still a puppy - re-educating an adult animal is much more difficult.

How to deal with an established habit

It often turns out that the pet is simply used to sleeping with the owner on the bed and no rules of good behavior apply to the animal. In this case, it is worth using radical methods recommended by experts.

Your sleeping place must be covered with film or newspapers. As soon as the dog jumps on the bed, it will begin to make unpleasant sounds. As a result, noise can greatly irritate the animal. If this method does not work, at least the bed will be free of dirt and hair.
You can resort to a more modern method. This is more suitable for owners who love innovation. Cover the bed with a stingray mat. The product is a mat that creates light electrical discharges. As a result, this method will wean your pet from sleeping in the wrong place.
No matter how trivial it may sound, you can simply close the door to the master bedroom. But, unfortunately, the dog will only temporarily not jump on the bed. As an alternative, you can purchase covers and put up with the animal’s stubbornness.

We have given the fundamental reasons why the family pet prefers to relax with its owner on his bed. It's up to you to wean your dog off of this or not. Follow the recommendations and give the dog time to get used to the new position.

Why should an animal not be allowed on the bed?

A small shaggy ball snoring nearby is a very cute sight. However, such an indulgence seems harmless only at first glance. In a dream, the dog tosses and turns, moves its limbs, sometimes snores, and the owner, on a subconscious level, is afraid of crushing the pet. As a result, a person gets much worse sleep, feels exhausted and tired even after a long rest.

Due to constant contact with the animal, the owner may become infected with ringworm, demodicosis, scabies, or pick up any parasites. This is especially dangerous for children, whose fragile bodies cannot yet withstand many infections. In addition, the fur of most dogs is a strong allergen that causes skin or breathing problems.

Why you shouldn't let your dog sleep in your bed

It is enough to let the puppy sleep in your bed once, and you will encounter the problem that he is constantly vying for your sleeping place. Is it correct? We will not consider the aesthetic and sanitary aspect of this issue now, but we will talk about animal psychology.

The fact is that by allowing their pet to sleep in the same bed with us, the owners themselves become the culprits of the animal’s behavioral problems that they will encounter in the future

. After such liberties as lying next to the owner, the dog will feel equal to him, and serious problems with obedience may arise. The animal will no longer see the owner as the leader and main thing; accordingly, it may stop obeying, following commands, and even in some situations may begin to behave aggressively. This cannot be allowed.

Requirements for the bed

The biggest mistake novice dog breeders make is the reluctance to provide their pet with its own sleeping place. In this case, the animal is forced to encroach on the owner’s bed - he simply has nowhere to sleep.

A dog of any breed should have a comfortable bed where he can always be alone and relax. It will be easier to accustom you to your own sleeping place if it fits the animal perfectly:

if your pet prefers to curl up in a ball, you should choose a round or oval mattress;
if the dog sleeps stretched out to its full height, a rectangular-shaped bed is more suitable for it;
orthopedic beds that take the shape of the body have been developed for older animals;
If the house is cold, you should buy a heated sleeping bag.

You should also take into account the characteristics of the breed. For example, burrowing dogs prefer to relax in closed houses.

Video: how to wean a dog from sleeping in bed with its owner

Can a dog sleep in a bed?

The love pet owners have for their animals is limitless. However, sometimes there are still boundaries, and they begin at... the bed. But pets (read about that here) strive in every possible way to cross this forbidden line. Therefore, some dog owners and their dogs have an irreconcilable dispute over who gets to sleep where.

If you don’t want to let your dog into your bed, or you need to wean him from this habit, you will definitely find our article useful today, in which we will tell you how to do this.

How to wean a puppy off the bed

Raising dogs and consistent training allows you to raise an obedient animal. Therefore, even in childhood, the puppy is taught to behave correctly in the house, follow a minimum set of commands, and observe a regime of activity and rest.

The baby is provided with a sleeping place in a quiet place away from drafts. In the evening, the pet is taken to the bed, repeating the command “Place”. There is no need to forcefully drag the animal - he will consider this a punishment. If the dog lies down calmly, he is generously praised and treated with a treat.

The puppy is accustomed to the place in stages. The pet remains on the bed for 10-15 seconds after the first training - this is already a success. Gradually increase the time until the dog gets used to sleeping only in its place.

If the puppy falls asleep somewhere in the house, and not on his mattress, you should carefully move him to a bed, give the command “place” and praise him.

At this time, the pet is not allowed to lie down with the owner. If the owner has made a firm decision to wean the puppy from the bed, no concessions can be made. Even when the pet begins to beg very pitifully, you should be patient and steadfastly ignore all the animal’s attempts to press for pity. Over time, the dog will understand that its efforts are in vain, and will sleep peacefully separately.

It is strictly forbidden to shout at the puppy if he whines. The pet will understand that it managed to attract the owner’s attention and will continue in the same spirit.

If the puppy is already accustomed to climbing on the bed, weaning will take longer. With each attempt, it is necessary to give prohibiting commands in a stern voice, and when the baby does not obey, force him to be taken to his own bed. However, it is important not to overdo it - if you drive the dog too aggressively, it will become afraid of the owner.

To make the puppy less lonely on the bed, place his favorite toys, bones or other things he loves nearby. This way it will become clear to the baby that his sleeping place is much better than the owner’s bed. You can put your jacket or sweater - the dog will not feel abandoned.

Another important point in establishing the correct hierarchy is allowing the dog to enter the master bedroom only after an invitation. It is necessary to convince the puppy that the owners’ room is not his territory. He can get here only with the consent of the leader.

During the period of weaning on the sofa or bed in the absence of the owners, you should close the door to the bedroom.

How to train your dog to sleep on your bed

With the right approach and positive motivation, dogs can learn to sleep on a bed within a few weeks. To make it easier for you to deal with your pet, you need to walk it intensively before going to bed. A tired dog will defend its own opinion less fiercely and accept the need to go to bed.

When you are ready for bed, put your dog on a leash and lead him to the bed. Carefully, without sudden jerks or movements, place your pet on the bed and praise him. With puppies, young temperamental dogs, it is better to use additional motivation in the form of treats. Unfasten the leash, give the command “place” and go to bed.

The most difficult part will begin immediately after the pet gets up and follows you.

Try to get the dog to return to its place on command; if the pet ignores you, fasten it on the leash again and take it to the lounger. Strictly and clearly say “no” or “ugh”, like every time the dog tries to get up from the bed. Once you have your pet down, unfasten the leash and go to bed.

On the first day, your main task is to win this monotonous competition. Don’t forget to reward your pet every time he lays down on his bed. Typically 6-8 repetitions allow the dog to understand that a reward is associated with being on the bed.

The next difficult moment that you may encounter on the very first night is manipulation through barking and whining. Ignore any attempts to get your attention when it comes to training an adult dog. If the puppy appeared in your house a few days ago, for the sake of reducing it, it is more logical to move the lounger to your bedroom.

Be patient and pretend that you are sleeping, even if the dog’s whining turns into howling and barking. Remember your main task - you need to survive the first night at any cost and not succumb to your pet’s manipulations.

Any sounds you make in response to whining and howling will reassure your pet, which will only make the situation worse.

If your pet decides to act impudently, gets up from his sleeping place and jumps on your bed in the middle of the night, stand up abruptly and order the dog to go to the bed. Ignore the sad eyes and discontent - this is just part of the plan that the dog is used to manipulating. If the pet does not hear the commands, use a leash and start the whole algorithm again. Don't forget to praise your pet as soon as you take him to his place, it is important that your voice sounds sincere.

The first night will not be easy, but if you pass all the tests, you can consider that half of the task is completed. All your further steps should be related to the development of positive emotions in the dog in relation to the sleeping place. It is important not to break down and scold your pet, not to scare him away or push him out of bed. Always use a leash, remain calm and reward appropriate behavior.

Try to get your dog's attention every time you notice him about to jump on your bed. Go to the bed, show the treats in your hand and call your dog. Place the pet on the bed, give the command a place and give the treat. Let your pet remain in place for a few minutes, then call your dog and praise him again. This algorithm of action will allow the ward to understand that praise and encouragement are associated with the permitted sleeping area.

Fight for territory or who is boss?

There is one nuance due to which all of the above methods may not be effective. If your pet is fighting for territory or trying to dominate, showing that only he is worthy of the title of leader of the pack, you need to start by establishing a hierarchy.

Your authority may be undermined by incorrect behavior or mistakes in the upbringing process that you made earlier. The leader of the pack has several privileges that you should start using, and you need to do this demonstratively:

The leader always eats first
- feed the dog only after you have eaten and do not allow your pet into the eating area until the bowl is filled.
All members of the pack give way to the leader
- if you are walking and a dog is on your way, stop and wait until it gives way to you. If the pet does not pay attention to you, send it to its place with a command. If the command is ignored, use a leash and take the dog to the bed.
No one dares to contradict the leader
- discuss problems with family members and agree that any conflicts and quarrels in the house will appear. It is important that the dog does not observe how their voice is raised at its owner.

Remember, everyone is equal before the leader! If you have other pets, it is important to treat all four-legged animals equally. The dog will not understand the essence of the training if it is not allowed to sleep on the bed, but the cat can sleep on the pillow.

Pet personal hygiene

Owners who still allow their dog to sleep with them must follow the following hygiene rules regarding their pet:

Finally, I would like to say that each owner himself determines whether his pet should sleep next to him or whether it is better when he rests on his bed. You need to accustom your furry pet to its place from childhood, because retraining it in adulthood is quite problematic. But it is possible, the main thing is firmness and determination.

Tired of your dog pushing you at night? Is your spouse or partner unhappy with co-sleeping with your pet? Are you planning to train your dog to sleep with its owner on the bed, but don’t know where to start? Let's take it in order.

First, decide on your motivation, why do you want to wean your dog from sleeping on the bed? If you are governed by generally accepted rules, or someone has told you that a dog shouldn't sleep in your bed but hasn't explained why, it's worth weighing up the pros and cons.

Research has been conducted on co-sleeping between pets and owners. Experts from the American Pet Association and other organizations observed control groups of owners who allowed their dogs to sleep in their beds. Based on the results of the research, it turned out that there are five significant advantages and 4 significant disadvantages of sleeping together with a pet.

pros

Plus #1 – peace of mind.

Sleep studies of owners have shown that in the presence of a dog, they find it easier to relax and fall asleep. A dog's breathing and heartbeat are usually faster than a human's, which acts like a lullaby on owners. Following research, experts have suggested that co-sleeping with dogs could be used as part of a treatment for stress-related insomnia.

Plus No. 2 – warmth.

The majority of owners surveyed considered the dogs' high body temperature to be an advantage of sleeping together. A detailed study revealed that pets that sleep with their owners have a body temperature at night that is on average 5–6 degrees higher than the owner’s. A constant source of heat has a calming effect on the human body; in addition, dogs really help to warm up during the cold season.

Minuses

Disadvantage No. 1 – disturbance of peace during sleep.

A large American clinic conducted an extensive study of patients who came with various ailments. According to the results of the survey, more than 53% of patients were owners of dogs who always or sometimes sleep with their owner. More than 25% of dog owners noted that their pets will often be with them at night.

You need to understand that a person makes a lot of movements while in a state of sleep. Waking up from your own movements is a rarity, which is most often associated with colorful dreams. In addition, more than 10% of dog owners noted that the continuity of their sleep was also affected by other irritants: monotonous noise, a spouse sleeping next to them, sounds coming from neighbors.

Minus No. 2 – health problems.

The study on co-sleeping between dogs and owners was conducted by an American clinic that specializes in the treatment of allergies and asthma. The results of the study are clear: the health of owners with allergies worsened when they slept together with their pet. Moreover, allergy and asthma sufferers were negatively affected by sleeping with a dog in the same room.

Minus No. 3 – problems with a partner and personal life.

During the study, it unexpectedly turned out that more than 80% of owners who allow their dog to sleep in their bed regularly quarrel with their partners or spouses. The other halves, guided by logic and common sense, demanded that the dog be removed from the bed, since it interferes with close physical contact and intimate life.

Disadvantage No. 4 – worsening of the pet’s behavioral problems.

Almost all world-renowned experts urge not allowing dogs to climb onto the bed until the owner allows it. The unauthorized decision to sleep in the owner's bed may be due to an attempt at dominance. In the wild, the highest sleeping point is occupied by the leader of the pack. The puppy and young dog may try to climb onto the bed to show the importance of their role. In the future, this behavior may turn into aggression when trying to send the dog to his place or force him to leave the bed. At an early age, dominant puppies often try to “win” a sleeping place on the sofa.

Sleeping place: rules of choice

If you're determined to stop your dog sleeping in your bed, you'll need to make an effort to create a comfortable sleeping area for your dog. If you spend enough time observing and choose a comfortable bed, you can be sure that the dog will not break the rules of behavior even in the absence of the owner.

You need to start by choosing a comfortable lounger. In order to understand what type of bed your dog needs, you need to watch your pet sleep. The main factor you need to pay attention to is your usual sleeping position. Most often, dogs like to stretch, curl up, or change positions frequently while sleeping. In the first and third cases, a rectangular-shaped lounger is suitable, in the second, a round or oval basket.

Important! For older dogs that suffer from arthritis or other musculoskeletal ailments, it is necessary to choose a spacious bed with a quality mattress.

When choosing a dog bed, pay attention to the quality of the product. It is not recommended to buy sun loungers covered with synthetic fabrics. It is best to choose a lounger with a removable cover that is easy to wash. Carefully inspect the lounger for staples and nails that are sometimes used to hold the frames together.

If you want your dog to sleep in his own place and not try to climb onto your bed, the bed should be located outside the bedroom. Make sure that the lounger is not in a draft! During the training process, the dog may refuse to be on the bed if it is located in an unsafe (in its opinion) place.

Note! In order for the dog to understand that the new bed is its property, it is necessary to place a basket with toys nearby. Your old sweater or shirt, which can be used to cover the bed, will help make it easier for your pet to get used to it.

If you are training a puppy or a very emotional dog, you can use a spacious box or crate as temporary shelter. The bottom line is that the shelter must have a roof. Generally, dogs feel more relaxed when the bed is dark.

We teach you not to jump on the master's bed

Of course, the first time you will not be able to accustom your dog to his sleeping place, even if your dog is a purebred, service dog. But we must be patient and give the command clearly and strictly. A treat for obedience is given only when the dog actually lies down.

If your ward runs away from there, strictly and clearly pronounce the command “place” each time or calmly take him back. Some time will pass, and the dog will understand what is required of him, he will understand that he receives a treat only for obedience. If your pet starts whining at night, don’t give in. And you shouldn’t yell at your pet when he starts jumping into your bed. Once again command “place”, say “no”. If the dog repeatedly performs such actions, lightly spank him on the rump. Use positive reinforcement to correct behavior.

Some owners use a spray bottle to wean themselves from a bad habit. They do not scream or hit the person under their charge, but simply splash plain water in his face. This is also an effective way to correct behavior, but it is still better to use positive reinforcement than such harmless punishment.

Experienced dog breeders are sure that the dog should be taught to wait for an invitation to enter the room and never be allowed to wander around the house. Otherwise, again, the dog may imagine itself to be the leader. After all, if the dog lies on the master’s bed, that is, above floor level, then he will feel like a leader. Therefore, in order to avoid such excesses in behavior, you need to ensure that your pet’s mattress or bed is always lower than yours. Above are those who are of higher rank, that is, the leaders.

It is necessary to ensure that the dog approaches you only on command. If not only a dog, but also a cat lives in the house, then he should not be allowed to sleep or just stay on your bed. Otherwise, jealousy will force the dog to drive the cat out of there and take her place.

If all your pets sleep in their own places, then this will provide you with a restful and deep sleep.

An option for weaning a dog off a bad habit is to close the doors to the room. If there is no temptation, there is no need to correct the dog’s behavior.

They say that over time, owners become like their dogs. Or maybe it’s the other way around, and it’s the dogs that are starting to look like us? What do you think? After all, some pets adopt our behavior with enviable tenacity. For example, do they prefer to sleep on the bed (and everything as it should be: with their head on the pillow), while ignoring the bed and the disapproval of the owner?

Of course, there will be those who say: “What’s wrong with that? Let the dog sleep on the bed." But in this case, most likely, we will be talking about a toy terrier who has just taken a bath, and not about a Russell, who just a minute ago was exploring the corners of his favorite park. Or not about a long-haired collie during the molting period, do you agree?

More often than not, the dog’s persistent efforts to climb onto the owner’s bed actually turn into a problem. However, with the right approach it is very easy to solve. Take note of our useful tips!

Don't bed train your dog.

Many problems are easier to prevent than to fix. This is also true in our case. From the first days the dog appears in the house, accustom it to the bed and under no circumstances take it with you to the bed. After all, if today you decide to “pamper” your pet a little and give him a place on your pillow, then when he jumps onto the bed tomorrow, he sincerely will not understand why you are unhappy. Remember, the most effective way to stop a dog from jumping on a bed or other furniture is to not teach it to do so in the first place.

Find the perfect bed.

Offer your pet a worthy alternative to a bed - a bed on which he will be warm and comfortable. To achieve the effect, the bed must be made of good material and ideally suit the dog in size and shape. It is very important to arrange a place in a quiet part of the apartment, without high traffic and drafts.

Distract your dog with toys and treats.

To distract your pet's attention from the owner's bed, offer him special toys and hard treats. For greater effect, place them directly on the bed. In this way, the dog will develop pleasant associations with its place, and it will get used to it.

Place your item on the bed.

Another plus to the pleasant associations with the bed. Many dogs jump on the bed not because they are comfortable there, but because they miss their beloved owners, and the bed retains their scent. If your pet is often left alone, put something of yours (for example, a T-shirt) on his bed - this way your faithful four-legged friend will be less lonely in your absence.

Teach your dog the “No!” command.

When you see that the dog is about to jump on the bed, clearly state its name and command “No!”
If your pet does not respond well to voice commands, reinforce the “no” with a treat or toy. Your main goal at this stage is to attract the dog's attention and prevent him from jumping on the bed. Continue to educate and train so that in the future your pet will follow commands without additional incentives (in the form of treats, etc.) .
Limit access to the bed.

Perhaps the most effective way to prevent your dog from jumping on the bed is to close the bedroom door. The point is that the pet, without seeing the bed and not being tempted to jump on it, after some time will completely forget about it. And do not give in to provocations! The dog may whine pitifully outside the door and ask to come to you. Yes, yes, especially at night. Your task is to courageously withstand the onslaught (and it can last for several days) and completely ignore such behavior. Only then will the dog understand that its measures are useless and go to sleep sweetly on its bed. But if you can’t resist and open the door or even just shout at the dog, rest assured, the quest is lost! Having achieved your attention (it doesn’t matter whether it’s positive or negative), the pet will conclude that its complaining behavior worked and will resort to it in the future.

Create unpleasant associations with the bed.

Remember how we said above how important it is to instill in your dog pleasant associations with a dog bed? The same thing, only in reverse, needs to be done with your bed. In a word, the pet must make sure that the owner’s bed is completely unpleasant. What needs to be done for this? For example, cover the bed with oilcloth, rustling newspapers or bags. Yes, of course, all this is not very convenient, but it is effective. Having jumped onto the “prepared” bed several times and experienced not the most pleasant sensations from this, the dog will soon abandon his idea, and there will no longer be a need for rustling structures.

We hope our tips will help you in raising your household. Try it and share your feedback in the comments on the website or on social networks. And also love your pets. Despite the flaws in their behavior, they deserve it!

Professional breeders and dog breeders know that it is extremely important to train and properly raise your four-legged pet from the earliest months. The little puppy remembers commands very quickly and is receptive to training. It is much easier to motivate a puppy to behave correctly, unlike an adult dog.

It is necessary to wean the dog from sleeping with the owner on the bed from the very beginning, just like eating from the table, keeping dirty paws on the bed and much more. By letting the dog into his bed, the owner undermines his authority as a leader and the animal may simply stop obeying his. In some cases, other behavioral problems follow.

Such a manifestation is associated with ancient instincts, dating back to the times when domesticated dogs were still wild. In the wild, a flock gathers in heaps for the night, huddling together. In this way, animals retain heat and at the same time increase their protection. Pets still have the pack instinct, and the owner is the leader.

Experts in animal psychology believe that from a psychological point of view, sleeping next to the leader is the highest privilege for a dog. It is believed that the dog tries to be close to the owner everywhere and even during sleep, trying to win leadership positions by taking away the place.

Remember!
The dog’s desire to sleep with its owner in the same bed entails the development of complete uncontrollability of the animal.

Other reasons are:

Lack of proper attention from the owner - the dog tries to jump on the bed in order to arouse emotions in its owner.

Feeling cold - trying to warm up, the dog looks for a source of heat, and often the owner’s bed is such a source. In most cases, dogs of dwarf and hairless breeds like to jump on the bed and sleep with their owner.

The presence of strangers in the house is a desire to hide and take a leading position, so that the imaginary enemy does not pass unnoticed.

A feeling of fear - the pet tries to find shelter and hide near its leader.

Note!
Whether a dog sleeps with its owner or not is the owner’s decision. If a person does not want to sleep with a dog, then it is necessary to take measures to quickly prevent the problem.