Pick The Right Size Mattress
Before doing anything else, you need to make sure you have the right-sized bed for you and your dog – and your Mr or Mrs if they’re in the picture.
It’s going to be difficult sharing a single bed with a Great Dane or other large breed dogs.
If your dog feels cramped or uncomfortable in the bed, this was cause them to continue waking and shifting, or even to go and find another spot in the house.
Ideally, if you’re sleeping in bed with a dog, pick king over queen, or at the very least a queen over a single.
1 Reduces Allergies Later in Life
Many people’s argument against sleeping with your dog includes the fact that they may bring allergens into the bedroom. However, one study found that infants who slept with their pets were less likely to develop allergies later on in life. Early exposure to allergens carried by dogs seems to have a positive impact! While this may not be the case for everyone, it’s certainly worth considering when deciding to let your dog sleep in your child’s bedroom.
Having pets in the household has an array of benefits like lower cholesterol and triglyceride levels, decreased feelings of loneliness and more opportunities for activities and socialization. However, these benefits don’t stop at bedtime. One study found that 41 percent of pet owners described sleeping with their pets as unobtrusive and even beneficial. The case can be made that having your dog near you, whether in the waking hours or sleep, can lead to improved health overall
Invest in a Comfy Bed for Your Dog
Invest in the coziest and most comfortable dog bed to ensure your furry friend gets the perfect slumber. There are various beds for your pup, from memory foam beds to orthopedic beds.
When searching for a bed, consider the design, size, material, and how comfortable it is when your canine decides to stretch out. It is important to remember that dogs sleep up to 14 hours a day, so finding the right mattress is essential.
How to Get Your Dog to Love You More than Anything
The short answer is yes, if you want your dog to sleep in the bed with you.
New dog owners first ask me how to stop their dog from peeing in the house. Their next question is usually whether or not it is okay to have their new dog sleep in the bed with them.
The answer is that yes, it is okay, however, there are some things to consider before inviting your pup to share the bed and there is a correct way to train your dog to be a desirable sleep partner.
It is best that you make the decision to have or not have your dog sleep in your bed BEFORE the first night with your dog. If you have already committed one way, no worries. This article will help you as well.
Let’s review what to consider when making the decision to have your dog sleep with you in your bed and then the best way to train this behavior.
If you have a puppy and hope that your puppy will soon be sleeping with you – then this article is a must-read!
Start by spending the first few months with your new dog sleeping in his crate, bed, or designated area. This will teach him that at night, you go to your bed and he goes to his bed. This routine will cut down on the anxiety of being away from you and will also show him that sleeping solo is totally fine.
Don’t make going to bed a big ordeal. If you make your departure to your bed a big deal, your dog will think it is a big deal.
During the day, don’t allow your dog to be on your bed, let alone sleep there. The bed should be a human only zone – no dogs allowed. Just like his crate or dog bed is a dog only zone – no people allowed.
If you allow your dog to be on your couch, consider allocating a certain portion of the couch for your dog. You can do this by placing a blanket on a certain section of the couch, inviting your dog to that section, and rewarding him for being on his blanket. When they move off of that section, you can either redirect them back to the blanket or you can move them off the couch.
Once you feel like your dog is fully potty trained and does not suffer from separation anxiety, place the blanket on the portion of your bed you wish to allocate for your dog. Get ready for bed and invite your dog up on his blanket. Reward him for being on the blanket. Just like on the couch, if he moves to other parts of the bed, either redirect him back to his blanket or remove him from the bed entirely. Over time, he will learn that he now gets to sleep on the human bed if he stays on the blanket.
There are some important rules to remember when your dog is sleeping in your bed with you.
There is no hard-fast rule when it comes to whether or not your dog should sleep with you in your bed. If it’s not causing any issues and you’re comfortable with it, go for it.
However, I urge you to put your dog’s well-being before your own selfish desire to share a bed with your pup. Although you may want to snuggle up with your brand new puppy on the first night, teaching independence and potty training are going to give you, and your dog, a much happier life in the long-run. Plus, remember, you can also invite your dog to sleep in your bed later.
[Kyle Kittleson is a professional animal trainer and behaviorist who resides in Los Angeles, California. You can learn more about Kyle Kittleson here, contact him here, and follow him on all social media platforms at @KyleKittleson.]