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A dog that presses against you all night is common, and the reasons are mostly ordinary ones. Two sources cover the sleeping side of it: American Kennel Club, which explains why dogs get close to their owners and burrow in, and VCA Animal Hospitals, which weighs up whether sharing a bed is a good idea. This guide uses both.
Short answer: warmth, comfort and a sense of safety are the usual reasons, and the AKC adds a carry-over from puppyhood, when littermates slept together. The things to watch for are guarding behavior, anxiety and your own sleep.
Why Your Dog Sleeps Touching You
The AKC quotes Mary Burch, PhD, a certified applied animal behaviorist and director of the AKC Family Dog program, on why dogs get under the covers with their owners. Her reasons overlap with sleeping pressed against you:
- Warmth. Dogs seek warmth the way people do. Dr. Burch says covers could help keep a dog warm, and that in colder weather this might be wanted by a flat-coated breed such as a Whippet.
- Safety. The AKC says sleeping out in the open could make some dogs feel vulnerable, while being covered or close to a person makes a dog feel hidden from danger.
- Puppyhood. Dr. Burch says that getting closer to you could be a throwback to the litter, where young puppies sleep with littermates and have companionship and safety in numbers. The AKC adds that the bed also holds your scent.
- Denning instinct. The AKC says burrowing under blankets could be left over from the days when early dogs slept in burrows, and notes that earthdog breeds such as terriers and Dachshunds often like to sleep under covers.
The VCA adds a social reason for dogs that are alone much of the day. It says a dog that spends a lot of time alone while the family is at work or school may feel isolated, and that sleeping with his family can provide a much-needed connection. For the position-specific versions of this question, see why a dog sleeps between your legs and why a dog sleeps on top of you.
When It Can Be Anxiety
The AKC says crawling under covers can be a behavior of anxious dogs, for example during fireworks or thunderstorms, when some dogs hide to let the perceived danger pass. Dr. Burch also suggests the pressure of blankets on the body may calm some dogs, the way a weighted blanket is thought to calm people. If anxiety is behind it, the AKC advises recognizing the fear and building the dog’s confidence with desensitization and counterconditioning, and working with a professional trainer or animal behaviorist where needed. If the clinginess shows up mainly when you leave, see separation anxiety in dogs.
Is It Good for You and Your Dog?
The VCA says whether a dog should sleep in the bed depends on your dog’s health and your health. Its points:
- Sleep. Some owners do not sleep well with a dog in the bed, because a dog that rolls over, kicks, scratches or snores can wake a light sleeper. The VCA says training a dog to sleep at your feet may reduce the disruption. Many owners feel more secure and sleep better snuggled next to their dogs, and the VCA says dogs tend to calm people and can lower blood pressure and stress levels.
- Allergies. Prolonged close contact exposes people to dander, and even people without pet allergies can have more symptoms when co-sleeping, since dust and pollen cling to fur and can linger on bedding. The VCA suggests wiping the dog with a damp towel before he comes inside, bathing him, using HEPA filters and washing bed linens often.
- Parasites. The VCA says dogs can carry intestinal parasites, fleas and ticks that cause human illness, and sleeping with a dog increases exposure. Very young, very old and immune-compromised people are at particular risk. It recommends year-round, broad-spectrum parasite control prescribed by your veterinarian. See also our flea and tick prevention comparison.
- Your dog’s joints. The VCA says dogs with arthritis may struggle to climb onto a bed, and suggests a ramp or steps, or lifting a small dog onto it. Older dogs may become incontinent, and pee pads on the bed can protect the sheets.
The VCA also notes that research shows almost half of dogs sleep with their owners, and that about 62% of small dogs are allowed to, compared with 41% of medium-sized dogs and 32% of large dogs.
When to Limit It
The VCA says some dogs want the bed but not you. If a dog guards the bed or guards a family member too forcefully, he should not be allowed on the bed until he can show he will not act this way, and you should talk to your veterinarian. It also says a dog that is startled when you roll over may bite without meaning to, and an unintentional bite hurts as much as an intentional one. The VCA’s conclusion is that if neither you nor your dog has health or behavior issues that make sleeping together unhealthy, co-sleeping should be fine. If guarding is part of the picture, see why a dog becomes more aggressive.
Some dogs simply prefer space. The VCA says some get too hot in a bed and choose a cool floor, and others move between several sleeping spots through the night.
If You Want Him in His Own Bed
For dogs that burrow, the AKC suggests teaching an alternative such as sleeping on top of the covers at the foot of the bed, with a towel or small blanket marking the spot. The VCA’s tip applies too: if your dog is used to sharing, be ready to finish as you started, and if you would rather he sleep in his own bed, reinforce that habit near you early, to avoid future stress.
A safety point from the AKC if your dog sleeps under the covers: electric blankets and burrowing dogs are not a good combination, heavy covers or tightly tucked sheets can trap a dog, and a dog under blankets can overheat or struggle to breathe.
Final Thoughts
A dog that sleeps against you is usually after warmth, comfort and closeness. Check three things: whether he guards you or the bed, whether he is anxious when you are out of reach, and whether the arrangement is costing you sleep. If none of those apply, the VCA says co-sleeping should be fine.
Resources
- VCA Animal Hospitals, Should my dog sleep in my bed?
- American Kennel Club, Why does my dog crawl under the covers?
Frequently asked questions
Why does my dog sleep touching me?
Warmth and safety. Dogs sleep in contact with their group, and pressing against you is a sign they read you as part of it. It has nothing to do with dominance.
Should my dog sleep in my bed?
It is fine unless the dog guards the bed, you sleep badly because of it, or someone in the house has allergies. Those three cases aside, it is a preference, not a training mistake.
Why does my dog move around at night?
Mostly temperature. Dogs shift between a cool floor and a warm spot all night, and older dogs also change position to take pressure off stiff joints.
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