Whether you let your dog sleep in bed is a personal choice, but experts say it's fine if you set clear boundaries, ensuring it's on your terms and not due to separation anxiety, while considering potential hygiene, allergies, and sleep disruption; a well-trained, mature dog is usually best, with consistent rules preventing resource guarding or confusion.
In a crate: Even for dogs who haven't been crate trained before, a crate can serve as a comfortable, safe den at night. Ensure the crate is spacious enough for them to stand, turn around, and stretch out.
Sharing your bed with your dog can strengthen the bond between you. Dogs are pack animals by nature, and sleeping close to their pack leader (you) provides them with a sense of security and belonging. This can lead to a more harmonious relationship, as the physical closeness reinforces your connection.
Go ahead and sleep with your dog—it's perfectly safe, as long as you are both healthy. In fact, sharing your bedroom with your canine companion—as long as he isn't under the covers—may actually improve your sleep, according to recent research published by Mayo Clinic Proceedings.
Typical window: 12--20 weeks is a common time to start the transition. By 12 weeks many puppies can sleep longer stretches and begin basic crate training; by 16--20 weeks they often tolerate separation more reliably.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
Benefits of Letting Your Dog in the Bed
But if it's something you'd like to try, plenty of pet parents swear by the benefits—and some new studies are backing them up. In particular, co-sleeping with your dog may improve your bond, lead to a better night's sleep, and relieve symptoms of depression.
A survey by the American Kennel Club reveals that about 45 percent of dog owners allow their pets to sleep in bed with them. There are plenty of positives to weigh when considering whether you should share your bed with your furry friend. Sleeping with an animal by your side can be comforting for both you and your dog.
Leaning into you
Leaning against your leg (or whatever part is closest to them) is a big sign that they love you. If you find your dog leaning against you, take a moment to pet him and show him some extra affection.
When your dog sleeps right next to you, he is demonstrating trust in his “alpha” human. Your immediate presence provides the security and comfort pack dogs instinctively seek during slumber.
Do dogs know how long you are away? They can't tell how many hours, days, or weeks you have been absent. But they can sense the passage of time through many mechanisms while you are gone. Because dogs tend to focus on the current moment, it could be a case of you either being there or not.
Generally, dogs dislike hugs, not being allowed to sniff, a lack of routine, and more. Even the most laid-back dog will hate some of the things we humans do—if they tolerate it, it's just because they love you or don't want to be dominant.
Recent studies brought good news for pet lovers: dogs can live longer years if they sleep with their owners. This practice brings different benefits to the animal. Also, good pet owners are aware of the animals' needs in terms of comfort, interaction, and love.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
You can tell if a dog is sad by noticing changes in behavior, body language, and energy, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, hiding, lack of interest in play, a low or tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive licking/pacing, or increased inappropriate urination, all signaling potential depression or unhappiness that often requires a vet visit to rule out medical issues.
Dogs say "sorry" through submissive body language like tucking their tail, lowering their head, making "puppy eyes," licking, and rolling onto their backs to show they're not a threat, which are appeasement signals to diffuse tension after a conflict or misbehavior, often combined with whining or approaching and retreating. They recognize when their human (or another dog) is upset and use these signs to seek forgiveness, though it's more about reducing stress than human-like guilt.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
For dogs, pawing is a natural behaviour, often used to attract attention or invite play. As they grow, dogs quickly learn that repeating actions that get a response will work again. A paw on your arm may lead to you fussing them, playing with them, or even just giving eye contact and speaking.
Vets' and scientists' opinions tend to vary on this one. Some believe dogs can't tell how much time has passed: one minute of a thorn in the paw may feel like an eternity, or 10 minutes extra waiting for food might feel as long as 10 hours.
The leading cause of death in dogs, especially older dogs, is cancer (neoplasia), affecting about 1 in 4 dogs, similar to humans, with specific breeds at higher risk. Other significant causes include old age, heart disease, digestive disorders (like bloat), infectious diseases (like Parvo), and trauma, with sterilization influencing risks for cancer and infections.
So, at the end of the day, it's really a matter of personal preference. “Some people find they feel more protected and comfortable with their dog sleeping in bed, while others may find them distracting,” Ellis concludes. “There's really no right answer — it's whatever best suits your lifestyle.”
Warmth and Comfort
When your pup sleeps pressed up against you, they're soaking in all that cozy body heat. It's their nature, especially for dogs with shorter fur. Aside from temperature regulation, it's also about comfort. Your dog loves relaxing when they're nestled close to you.
A July 2022 survey of 1,000 American dog owners concluded that 76% allow their dogs to sleep in the same bed. The survey revealed that 80% of single pet parents were open to co-sleeping, while 73% of married pet owners allowed their pets to sleep in their beds.
Although studies show most people who co-sleep with their pets enjoy it, your mileage may vary. You may not want to let your dog sleep in bed with you if Fido does prevent you from sleeping well. Your dog may be a restless sleeper and move too much in the night or wake up and bark at every little sound.