Should you let your dog sleep in bed with you? Here's what trainers say
My dog sleeps in my bed every night. He's a small, 10-pound poodle though, so he doesn't shed or take up much room. I also wipe his paws every time he comes in from outside and wash my duvet cover regularly, so even as a self-proclaimed clean freak, I'm fine with it. In fact, I love waking up to him curled up at my feet or snuggled against my side. But whether you should let your dog sleep in your bed is an ongoing debate among pet parents. Some say it's unsanitary, eliminates necessary boundaries and leads to poor sleep. Others say it helps them relax, bond with their pets and feel safer at night. Whether you're preparing to welcome a new pooch into your family or you've already got a gang of fur babies under your roof, here's what experts want you to know about sharing a bed with your dog. (And check out the products that follow, which can help make bed-sharing with your pup a better experience for you and them.)
Darris Cooper, CPDT-KA, FFCP, national dog training manager at Petco
Maddie Messina, MA, SAPT, FFCP, applied animal behaviorist and founder of Paws For Thought Dog Training
Cesar Millan, bestselling author, star of Cesar Millan: Better Human Better Dog on National Geographic and Disney+, and co-founder of wireless GPS dog fence Halo Collar
Cooper: Allowing your pup into your bed is a personal choice up to each pet parent. The most important thing to remember when it comes to letting dogs sleep in the bed is to remain consistent. For example, if you allow your pup into your bed on a few occasions, but then realize you don't want them on the bed at all, it will take time, patience and training for them to learn the new boundary. Instead of reprimanding pups for what we don't want them to do, I recommend teaching them what we want them to do instead. For example, the desired behavior would be to go to their "place," such as their own bed, mat or crate, on cue. This can be achieved through reward-based training.
Messina: It is a personal preference, but unless your dog is demonstrating a behavior concern like aggression while in bed with you, there's nothing wrong with choosing to let your dog sleep in your bed.
Millan: It's OK to let your dog sleep with you as long as you invite them in and set rules, boundaries and limitations. I tell humans to think about if it's the safest option for you both.
Cooper: Bonding with your pet is essential to establishing a healthy relationship, which in turn is important for the health and wellness of your pet. There's a myth about how sharing a bed with your dog can create a "dominance mentality," but this has been largely debunked by research. Bonding can include spending time together on daily walks, practicing cues, playing with toys or something as simple as spending downtime together. Pets who sleep in their pet parent's bed are often strongly bonded together. If you feel that your dog is struggling with separation anxiety, reach out to your veterinarian.
Messina: Most dogs likely choose to sleep with us because we are a source of comfort to them. This could also encourage secure attachment (which is something that was previously only studied in humans but is now being applied to dogs). There is some evidence to suggest that dogs with secure attachment to their guardians are less likely to display concerning behavior problems like separation anxiety. Additionally, there is some evidence that sleeping with your dog can increase nighttime movement and sleep disturbance for humans, particularly in women.
Millan: When a dog sleeps in bed with a human on his own, then he is going to choose where to lie on the bed. If you are going to sleep in bed with your dog, I would recommend getting in the bed first and having the dog wait. You can then invite the dog into the bed with you after.
Cooper: Your dog likely wants to sleep in the same bed as you because they feel close to you and want to extend those feelings of closeness and bonding. Beyond that, the bed is an extra-luxurious place for them to rest, not only because it's comfortable, but also because they may recognize it's where their humans sleep.
Messina: We know that free-roaming dogs prefer to sleep near humans, potentially because they view them as a food source. Our pet dogs have evolved to be attuned to our movements and moods and were selectively bred to be incredibly attuned to us. Not only do they look to us for food, but also comfort. Pet dogs likely choose to be near us when they sleep for that reason.
Millan: When and if you invite a dog in the same bed, they are going to seek love and affection, and that's a beautiful thing to exchange, but it's all about rules, boundaries and limitations.
Cooper: According to the Journal of the American Veterinary Medical Association, letting your pet on the bed is not associated with separation anxiety. If your pet is displaying signs of separation anxiety, reach out to your veterinarian.
Messina: In a recent study, experimenters looked at "spoiling" your dog — allowing them to sleep with you or get on furniture (among other things) — and they did not find any link between co-sleeping and separation anxiety.
Millan: If the human tries to get the dog on the bed or move them, you might get pushback or slight anger from the dog. If you allow the dog to get on the bed before you, they might show behavioral issues because they then feel like you invaded their space that they claimed.
Cooper: Dogs thrive when they have a safe space they can call their own. A crate or bed in a quiet corner can be a place for dogs to reset and self-soothe, especially when faced with environments that are unfamiliar, such as when guests visit or you are traveling. With training, pets can learn to go to their designated bed when they need downtime or are experiencing anxiety. It's also important for dogs, especially older ones, to have a soft place to rest that supports their bodies and is easy to get into and out of.
Messina: Yes, providing a dog a bed of their own to hang out in during the day can be useful for promoting rest behaviors. Many older dogs also suffer from joint problems, so providing a memory foam bed could help reduce pain from lying on hard surfaces.
Millan: A dog bed can be used for both lying down and for boundary purposes. Not only does a bed give your dog a place where he feels safe and relaxed, but it can be used to teach him to respect boundaries. A dog bed gives a dog a place where they know they can wait, which makes them more social, obedient and polite. Not all pet parents use a dog bed for those boundary purposes.
Experts say it's fine to let your dog cuddle up in your bed as long as you're comfortable with it. If you prefer to keep your bed fur-free, stay consistent with your choice and give your pup a comfy bed of its own. And, of course, if you notice that your dog is experiencing behavioral issues such as aggression or anxiety, talk to your veterinarian and reach out to a trainer for help.
Whether or not you're on board with letting your dog snooze in your bed, you can upgrade both of your sleeping situations with a few accessories.
Don't want to share your bed with your pup but want them close by? These comfy pet beds come in a wide range of sizes, and buyers say they and their pets love them.
Need pet insurance for your beloved furry friend? Check out the offers below:
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