Should Dogs Sleep In Your Bedroom?

Whether or not to let your dog sleep in your bedroom is a highly debated topic. While some people frown upon it, others love sleeping with their dogs. Research shows that almost half of dog owners sleep with their dogs, and there are many benefits to sleeping with your dog. These include increased feelings of comfort, companionship, and warmth. Dogs can also help ease anxiety and provide a sense of safety and security. However, there are also some disadvantages to consider, such as increased allergies, disrupted sleep, and potential behavioural issues. Ultimately, the decision comes down to personal preference and what works best for you and your dog.

The pros of letting your dog sleep in your bedroom

There are several benefits to letting your dog sleep in your bedroom. Firstly, it can increase your bond with your dog and enhance the dog-owner relationship. This is especially beneficial if your dog spends a lot of time alone during the day while you are at work or otherwise out of the house.

Secondly, dogs can provide a sense of comfort, security, and warmth. Their presence can reduce stress and anxiety, and their rhythmic breathing can be soothing and help you fall asleep. This is particularly advantageous for people who suffer from insomnia, depression, or PTSD, as well as those who live alone or feel vulnerable when sleeping.

Additionally, dogs tend to be light sleepers and have keen senses of smell and hearing. As such, they can act as a home security system, alerting you to any unusual sounds or smells in the house, thereby providing an added layer of protection.

Furthermore, dogs are natural sources of warmth, which can be especially comforting during colder seasons. They can also help regulate your body temperature, keeping you warm without the need for excessive blankets or heating.

Lastly, dogs can provide companionship and alleviate feelings of loneliness. This is especially beneficial for individuals who live alone, are going through a difficult time, or have recently lost a companion.

The cons of letting your dog sleep in your bedroom

While there are many benefits to letting your dog sleep in your bedroom, there are also some drawbacks. Here are some cons of letting your dog sleep in your bedroom:

Disrupted Sleep

Dogs tend to be light sleepers and are easily awakened. They also wake up several times throughout the night and shift positions frequently. As a result, they may disturb your sleep and leave you feeling tired and grumpy in the morning. Additionally, if you have a large dog, you are more likely to notice their movements and be disturbed.

Allergies and Asthma

Prolonged close contact with dogs can trigger respiratory symptoms and allergies in some people. Dogs carry allergens such as dust and pollen on their fur, which can be left on bed coverings and linens, leading to increased allergic symptoms for sleepers. This is especially true for people with pet allergies or asthma, who may experience coughing, sneezing, a runny nose, itchy eyes, or difficulty breathing.

Parasites and Infections

Sleeping with your dog increases the risk of exposure to parasites and vector-borne diseases. Fleas, ticks, and intestinal parasites can be transferred from your dog to you, leading to discomfort and potential infections. While rare, there is also a risk of transmitting certain illnesses between dogs and humans, such as Lyme disease.

Hygiene and Cleanliness

Dogs can bring dirt, germs, and messes into your bed. They may have dirty paws or roll around in unsanitary places, transferring these contaminants to your bedding. Additionally, older dogs may develop incontinence, leading to accidents on the bed that require thorough cleaning.

Behavioural Issues

Letting your dog sleep in your bed may lead to dominance and aggression issues. Dogs may start to view your bed as their territory and exhibit aggressive tendencies towards you or your partner. Additionally, some dogs may become overly protective of the bed and guard it possessively, which can be a sign of insecurity and anxiety.

How to train your dog to sleep in their own bed

Step 1: Decide on the new sleep rules

Be consistent to avoid confusion. Decide whether your dog will be allowed on your bed or furniture at all, or whether you want them to sleep in their bed exclusively. If you decide on the latter, get your dog accustomed to staying down and make no exceptions.

Step 2: Choose the right bed for your dog

Consider the way your dog likes to sleep. If your dog likes to sleep curled up in a ball, choose a bed with sides that isn't much larger than its body length. On the other hand, if your dog likes to sprawl out, choose a flat bed with ample stretching space. If your dog is older, a memory foam mattress or an orthopedic bed will provide extra support for achy bones.

Step 3: Create an inviting 'sleep zone' for your dog

Place the bed in a room where your dog already spends a lot of time throughout the day. Take care to choose a spot that isn't drafty. Rub your hands over the dog bed so it carries your scent, and lay their favourite blanket or toys on the bed. You could also leave a few treats on the bed for your dog to find.

Step 4: Introduce your dog to their bed

Introduce the dog bed gradually and keep your energy positive but relaxed. Allow your dog to explore the new bed in their own time and give them a treat and praise when they interact with their new bed. Shower them with praise if they get into the bed on their own. If they are wary, don't push it.

Step 5: Select a 'go-to-bed' command

This could be 'go to bed', 'place', or 'bed'. Whatever phrase you choose, use it consistently. Lead your dog to their bed with a treat and place it on their bed, saying your chosen command word/phrase. If they climb into the bed, praise them and give them another treat. Allow them to get up and move if they like; you are establishing positive associations with their bed.

Step 6: Stay upbeat and repeat

Learning to use a dog bed should be a positive experience. Never scold or punish your dog for avoiding their bed. If they won't cooperate, take a break and try again later. Stagger short training sessions throughout the day. When kept brief, training doesn't feel so challenging and frustration is less likely for you and your dog.

Training your dog to use their bed may take anywhere from a few hours to a few days, or possibly longer. Be consistent and offer plenty of encouragement and praise.

How dogs in the bedroom can affect your relationship

There are several ways in which sharing a bed with your dog can impact your relationship with your partner. Firstly, it can create physical distance between you and your partner, potentially signalling to the dog that they are in charge. This perception of dominance may be further reinforced if the dog sleeps between you and your partner.

Additionally, the presence of a dog in the bed can interfere with physical touch and intimacy, which are essential for maintaining a close connection between a couple.

Furthermore, dogs may disturb your sleep, especially if they are large and move around frequently. Poor sleep quality can affect your mood and energy levels, potentially impacting your relationship.

Allergies and asthma can also be aggravated by sharing a bed with a dog, as they bring in allergens from outdoors, such as dust and pollen, which can trigger allergic symptoms.

However, it is important to note that the impact of a dog in the bedroom on a relationship may vary depending on individual circumstances and preferences. Some couples may find that the comfort and security provided by the dog's presence outweigh any potential disruptions. Ultimately, the decision to allow a dog in the bedroom should consider the needs and dynamics of both the humans and the dog in the relationship.

The health implications of letting your dog sleep in your bedroom

Pros

Letting your dog sleep in your bedroom can have several health benefits for both you and your dog.

Enhanced Bonding and Comfort: Sleeping with your dog enhances the dog-owner bond and provides comfort and companionship. This is especially beneficial for individuals suffering from loneliness, depression, PTSD, or other mental health issues. The physical closeness and the release of oxytocin, the "love hormone," strengthen the emotional connection between owners and their dogs.

Increased Safety and Security: Dogs provide a sense of safety and security, acting as a home security system of sorts. Their keen senses of smell and hearing can alert owners to unusual sounds or smells in the home, providing added protection, especially for those living alone or with diminished hearing.

Warmth: Dogs are excellent bed warmers, providing warmth and physical comfort, especially during colder seasons.

Anxiety Relief: Co-sleeping with dogs can ease anxiety and provide a feeling of safety and security. Dogs' light sleeping habits and alertness to sounds can give owners peace of mind throughout the night.

Cons

However, there are also potential health drawbacks to letting your dog sleep in your bedroom.

Sleep Disturbance: Dogs are polyphasic sleepers, averaging three sleep/wake cycles per nighttime hour, while humans are monophasic sleepers. Dogs' sleep patterns and alertness to sounds can cause sleep disturbances for owners. Additionally, dogs may take up too much space or make the bed uncomfortably hot, especially during summer.

Allergies and Asthma: Prolonged close contact with dogs can aggravate human allergies and trigger respiratory symptoms due to exposure to pet dander, dust, and pollen that cling to their fur. This is particularly problematic for individuals with asthma.

Parasites and Infections: Sleeping with dogs increases the risk of exposure to parasites, fleas, and ticks, which can carry vector-borne diseases like Lyme disease. Very young, old, or immunocompromised individuals are at higher risk of infection.

Accidents and Messes: Senior dogs may have potty accidents, resulting in wet bedsheets. Additionally, dogs can make a mess on the bed, requiring tedious cleaning and steam cleaning of the mattress.

Health Risks: Dogs may carry infections and lick their owners' faces or bodies, potentially transmitting diseases. This is of particular concern for individuals with weakened immune systems.

In conclusion, the decision to let your dog sleep in your bedroom depends on various factors, including your health, your dog's health, and your personal preferences. While co-sleeping with your dog can provide comfort and security, it may also lead to sleep disturbances, increased allergies, and potential exposure to parasites and infections. Ultimately, it is a personal choice that should consider the specific circumstances and needs of both the owner and the dog.

Frequently asked questions