What else can feel more special than your dog sleeping next to you? We all know the sense of security and bonding you can get, and of course not to mention an extra fluffy pillow that can keep you warm on cold winter nights.
There’s a lot that comes to whether a dog is old enough to sleep with you. It is critical to wait for the appropriate time not to cause any harm to your dog, face some bad consequences that may occur, influence him negatively or teach him bad habits during the critical stages of growth.
So, At what age can I let my dog sleep with me? You can let your dog sleep with you starting from the age of 4 to 6 months. The age when dogs should start sleeping next to their owner differs depending on multiple things like potty training, the size of your dog, and both of your sleeping habits.
There are things to consider before encouraging your dog to join the bed, and there is a proper method to train your dog to be a desired sleep companion, so let’s find out when and how you may let your dog sleep with you…
When can you let your dog sleep with you?
The age when it’s okay to let your dog sleep with you differs from one puppy to another, and also depends on many factors.
Normally, a dog will be ready to sleep next to you by the age of 4 months. But it may take some dogs to be at the age of 6 months in order to make good sleeping partners.
But it’s not always the age that matters most, there are some things you should bear in mind first, these include:
First, That your dog must be well potty trained so you wouldn’t wake up to a smelly surprise, Second, the size of the puppy so you wouldn’t risk rolling over and causing any harm, and also the sleeping habits of both of you, meaning you being light or heavy sleeper, your dog snoring at night, any of you tossing and turning in bed.
All these factors determine whether you can let your dog sleep with you or it would be better for you to sleep separately.
5 Steps to train your dog to sleep with you
Make a sleeping space.
Give the instruction verbally, then indicate to his bed and urge him to go there. , your dog will eventually clock on and take a step onto the bed. Give him a treat and lavish him with praise as soon as he does so.
Select a location for the sleeping space.
Choose a location for your dog to sleep, such as the foot of the bed or next to you.
Create a favorable impression
Lead the dog, pick him up, or guide him with treats to the bed. To lie down, give him the “down” command. Reward him with treats and compliments the longer he stays. Increase the time you want him to stay there gradually, from a few minutes to at least half an hour, until he is comfortable. use positive reinforcement to make him think this is a wonderful place to be.
Make sure he goes potty before bed
Before you go to bed, take him out for a potty break. While you’re getting ready for bed, put him in his sleeping place and encourage him with goodies to stay there, or just offer praise and pats.
Maintain consistency
When you’re ready to sleep, turn out the light and crawl into bed. If the dog leaves his territory, return him to it and reward him with a goodie. If he moves, always restore him to his original location.
The pros and cons of dogs sleeping in your bed
As everything has its good and bad sides, here are the pros and cons of dogs sleeping in your bed.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| An added sense of security: Whether you’re not comfortable sleeping in the dark or concerned about intruders or uninvited visitors, your dog sleeping next to you will give you that sense of safety. | Dominance: Your dog might think he is in charge & that you are not the leader of the pack. |
| Warmth on cold winter nights: dogs’ body temperature is higher than hours, so they’d keep you warm at night. | Possibility of Infections: There are some but rare infections that can transmit from pet to person like Chagas disease and Bartonella infection |
| Bonding: Sleeping beside your dog will strengthen the emotional bond you have with each other and will increase your dog’s trust and protectiveness over you. | Sleeping HabitsYour dog may keep you up by hogging too much of the bed, tossing too much, or snoring. |
| Health Benefits: The American Heart Association has stated in the results of research done on the health benefits of owning animals that simply touching or petting your dog reduces your blood pressure. | |
| Improve sleep efficiency: because sleeping next to your dog increases the feelings of warmth, contentment, and relaxation, this could lead to better and deeper sleep. |
Do dogs like sleeping with their owners?
Dogs typically enjoy the comfort of their owner’s bed, but that differs from one case to another; if you tend to toss and turn and move around, your dog might get a bit annoyed and would rather take the couch or the floor.
Some dogs tend to not like cuddling while others will curl to your side and won’t leave any type of space between you, so it depends on your dog’s personality, and both of your sleeping habits, so there’s no general rule for it.
But if you want your dog to sleep next to you they make sure to make it is a pleasant sleeping experience for them, but put their boundaries first, before anything else.
Do dogs bond when they sleep with you
Just as you feel comforted, safer, and more relaxed when you sleep in the bed next to you, dogs feel more bonded to you when they sleep next to you; when dogs come to bed with you, they are showing you affection and trust; dogs choose to sleep this way with one person in the home with whom they feel the safest.
That fluffy, cuddly creature is likely to appreciate sleeping with you as much as you like snuggling with them. This contributes to the cozy atmosphere that most dogs like.
Make sure to also check why some goldens sleep so much here, and why some dogs love sleeping on their backs here.
Related Questions
Can my puppy sleep with me the first night?
No, your puppy cannot sleep with you the first night. This will form a very undesirable habit, may cause separation anxiety, your puppy will be whining all night, and he’s more likely to have a potty accident in bed. It’s best if the puppy stays in his crate the first night.
Where should my dog sleep at night time?
Your dog should sleep either in your bed or his crate at night time, that depends on the dog, if your dog snores or hogs all the space or if you keep tossing and turning and you can’t get comfortable together then your dog should sleep anywhere other than your bed.
Why shouldn’t your dog sleep with you?
Your dog should sleep next to you as he might think he is in charge, you’d be at risk of some infections like Chagas disease and Bartonella infection, and your dog may keep you up by hogging too much of the bed, tossing too much, or snoring.
Do dogs bond when they sleep with you?
Yes, dogs bond when they sleep next to you; when dogs come to bed with you, they show you affection and trust; dogs prefer to sleep this way with one person in the house with whom they feel the safest.
Helpful Resources
Should You Allow Your Dog in Your Bed?
Living with a Retriever: Recommendations and Sources
- Want the best diet for your dog? Check out the best and healthiest foods for golden retrievers at every age here – Dry, Wet, Homemade Recipes, and Treats!
- Looking for new toys? These toys will prove to be fun, engaging, and will stand their heavy chewing.
- Make them look GLAMOROUS with the best shampoos and conditioners and the best brushes here.
- Taking a walk? These are the best leashes, collars, and harnesses for the buck that you can find.
- Find my list of recommendations here.
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