There’s Something Going on Elsewhere
Sometimes, there’s just something happening that’s more interesting than making a nest in your bed. There might be an animal outside or a strange sound that needs investigating.
As exciting as you may be, it’s hard to compete with strange sounds or smells, which is why your dog wants to be somewhere else.
The first thing that you’ll have to do is figure out what’s so much more interesting than your bed. Once you figure it out, you’ll have to see if there’s any way to cause it to stop.
If you can’t fix the situation, you’ll either have to wait for it to go away on its own, create a diversion that distracts your dog, or try to soundproof your house in some way. It will also be helpful if you can exhaust your dog before bedtime so they don’t have the energy to investigate strange goings-on.
All the Spots Are Already Taken
This one is similar to not having enough room, but in some cases, it won’t matter how much room you have.
For example, if you have cats or other dogs that have already staked out their claim to the bed, your pup may not feel comfortable trying to hop up there. Those other animals could be guarding their spots fiercely, and you run the risk of having a scuffle break out if you force them to share.
You’ll have to teach any dogs that are protecting their spot not to guard their resources; this may require the assistance of a professional trainer. Good luck with the cats, though.
Ultimately, your dog may not be comfortable jumping up into another animal’s space, no matter what you do, so you might need to admit defeat here.
Your Dog Feels Unwanted or Rejected
Your dog can mistakenly think that you don’t want them in your bed. If your dog not only stops sleeping with you but also avoids you during the day, then it’s very likely because of something you do. For example, you might shout or snap or simply be unkind to your dog.
But don’t be mistaken; it’s not always because of negative encounters, positive reinforcement can be the cause too. For example, it could be that you have accidentally rewarded your dog for not sleeping on your bed by giving them more attention when they sleep elsewhere.
Tip #7: Encourage and reward your dog for sleeping where you would like them to sleep.
14 Signs Your Dog Doesn’t Love You (Even if You Think They Do)
Do you have a dog that suddenly doesn’t want to sleep on the same bed? This can be concerning especially if the dog was sleeping together with you for many months or years. Here are some common reasons that may lead to a dog preferring to sleep alone than with you or other humans in the house.