He accompanies you on your weekly runs. He greets you enthusiastically when you come home from work. When something is bothering you, it almost seems as though he can read your mind. Given that your dog is your canine best friend, is it any surprise that he wants to sleep next to you at night?
A common ancestor of gray wolves and dogs was domesticated by humans between 20,000 and 40,000 years ago. We’ve been inseparable since that time. Early inhabitants probably included their canine companions in the sharing of food and living spaces. In a sense, we’ve been using the same bedroom for a very long time. Some pets are happy just to be around you. Others want a closer relationship.
Reward Your Dog for Sleeping Elsewhere
You might want to encourage your dog to sleep somewhere else if you have a large dog that suffocates you or if you have a dog allergy. If that’s the case, you must designate an area for your dog to sleep and provide rewards for doing so.
For instance, purchase a cozy dog bed and position it close to you so that your dog feels connected to you without directly lying on you. Reward your dog each time it approaches the bed—it might take some time. Your dog will learn that the bed equals rewards and encouragement by doing this.
Continue doing this until your dog understands that’s where it’s supposed to sleep. This could take some time, but it will learn eventually.
Sleeping with dogs is not a fad
Some say people humanize our pets more than ever before. According to a 2011 Harris poll, 90% of pet owners think of their pets as family members. A survey by the American Pet Products Association found that nearly half of dogs sleep in their owner’s beds (62% of small dogs, 41% of medium-sized dogs, and 32% of large dogs).
But sharing beds with dogs isn’t a fad. Humans have long shared their beds with dogs. According to an article in Psychology Today:
Sleeping With Your Dog Helps You Bond
Your dog may be sleeping so close to you to strengthen your relationship, which is another possible explanation. As you are probably aware, dogs are a species that develops strong attachments to its owners. They take several steps to deepen their bonds because they want to.
To strengthen their bond with their owners, dogs will specifically sleep very close to them. Because wolves interpret sleeping in packs as a sign of trust and cooperation, dogs interpret it similarly. Your dog might sleep close to you even if it doesn’t anticipate a threat in order to deepen the bond with you.
FAQ
What does it mean when a dog sleeps on you?
Dogs want to lay on top of their owners to show them that they are a part of their family and pack, as well as to give and receive comfort and security from them. Even when there is no real threat or danger, lying close to their owner is another way that they protect what they value.
Why does my dog always have to be touching me when sleeping?
Your dog views you as their defender because you are the pack leader. So it makes sense that, for safety and protection, he or she would prefer to remain directly opposite the alpha. Canines will also sleep touching one another in a pack for warmth. Perhaps your pet simply adores you and thinks the world of you.
Do dogs love you if they sleep on you?
Your dog likes to sleep with you. They are showing that they trust you and regard you as a member of their pack if they are willing to cuddle up to you on the couch. You are part of their inner family circle.
Do dogs choose to sleep with their favorite person?
When it comes to who they prefer to sleep with, dogs can have a variety of preferences. While some dogs might feel more at ease sleeping with their favorite person, others might prefer to do so alone or with another dog.