10 Eye-Opening Reasons Why Your Dog Lays On You In Bed
There’s nothing quite like snuggling up with your furry best friend in bed after a long day. If your dog loves to lay on you in bed, it’s often a sign that she feels safe, comfortable, and close to you.
However, if you have one of those dogs who like to wedge themselves right up against you or even drape their entire body weight over you, you may find things get a bit hot and heavy – so to speak!
In this article, I’ll explore 10 of the most common reasons behind your dog’s bedtime habit and provide tips on how to ensure she has a comfortable and safe sleeping space of her own.
Unless of course, like me, you enjoy having your own personal canine snuggle buddy!
#1. To Stay Warm
Dogs, like humans, are drawn to warm and cozy spots to sleep, so it stands to reason that your dog likes to snuggle up with you at night and benefit from your body heat.
Puppies, in particular, are vulnerable to cold temperatures, especially when they are young and still developing their ability to regulate their body temperature.
Laying on you in bed is not only a great way for puppies to stay warm and cozy, it also helps keep their vital organs toasty.
Our former rescue dogs, Daisy and Bertie, used to have their own spots in the bed.
Bertie would be in the middle under the duvet, complete with his own pillow. After over three years in the shelter sleeping on a hard concrete floor with other dogs, he deserved the very best!
Meanwhile, Daisy liked to curl up at the foot of the bed on or against my legs. She would barely move all night. Luckily, they were both quiet, peaceful sleepers.
Our two other dogs at the time, Louis and Roxy preferred their own spots on the sofa.
In the end, it all comes down to individual preferences – both yours and theirs!
#2. Comfort and Security
Dogs are social animals and sometimes use their owners as a “secure base” when exploring and interacting with their environment, similar to the way children feel with parental figures (Horn et al., 2013).
This explains why your dog may enjoy laying on you in bed – it provides her with a sense of safety and security.
When your furry friend is close to you, she knows she is protected and can relax fully, allowing her to fall into a deep sleep in a safe place.
Some dogs also find physical contact comforting. This means that if you move or get up when your dog is laying on you in bed, she will be the first to know about it.
She may even get up and follow you.
Puppies sleep close to their mom and littermates as it provides warmth, comfort, and security. It also helps them bond and learn social skills. For example, how to share resources and resolve conflicts, both of which are crucial for their social development.
Co-sleeping can also reduce stress levels and promote feelings of security – making it a popular choice for many dogs (Smith et al., 2017). And humans too!
#3. To Seek Attention
As I’ve already said, dogs are highly social creatures and they often form a strong bond with other dogs, humans, and other species of animals.
If your canine friend isn’t receiving what she considers to be enough attention, she may find ways to get noticed and spend time with you. Laying on you in bed could be just the ticket!
While dogs are still commonly referred to as “pack animals” or being “part of the pack,” research shows that free-ranging dogs tend to form more fluid, temporary associations rather than a rigid pack structure (Donaldson, 2013).
But having said that, the desire for social interaction and attention-seeking behavior is still present in domesticated dogs.
Which brings me to…
#4. To Be Sociable
We’ve already established that dogs typically begin their lives snuggled up with their mom and siblings, and this co-sleeping habit sometimes persists into adulthood, with dogs continuing to seek out cozy sleeping arrangements.
It’s not surprising then that your dog might like to curl up on you in bed or cuddle with another pet she shares a bond with.
It’s a great way to get to hang out with you and spend some quality time together.
Recent research shows that around 50% of dog and cat owners permit their pets to join them in their bedrooms or on the bed (Smith et al., 2017).
Evidently it’s a popular choice!
#5. Scent
Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell, and they use it extensively to explore their environment and communicate with others.
When your pup cuddles up with you and lays on you in bed or on the sofa, she is surrounded by your unique scent, which is familiar and comforting.
For puppies, the scent of their owner can be particularly reassuring, especially if they are feeling anxious or alone when they’ve just gone to their new homes and are away from their mom and siblings for the first time.
Additionally, some dogs may also find comfort in the scent of your shampoo, body wash, or the fabric softener you use on your sheets.
So laying on you in bed could just be a way for your dog to make sure she is surrounded by the familiar smells of her home and family members.
#6. Sign Of Affection
Many dogs enjoy human companionship and form a deep mutual connection with their owners, and sleeping near you can simply be an extension of that. A sign of affection, if you will.
Your dog may be seeking out closeness and intimacy by laying on you in bed because it makes her feel good to be near you.
She may already associate your presence with positive emotions like happiness, security, and comfort.
Additionally, creating a physical connection can increase the release of oxytocin in both of you.
Oxytocin is a hormone that is sometimes called the “cuddle hormone” or “love hormone” because it promotes feelings of happiness, love, and connectedness (Nagasawa et al., 2015).
Therefore, when your pup cuddles up with you, she may experience a boost in feel-good hormones. This positively reinforces her desire to be physically close to you and she’ll be even more likely to do it again and again.
In other words, it becomes a…
#7. Learned Behavior
Dogs are smart animals and they quickly learn which behaviors get rewarded.
Positive reinforcement is a common training method where rewarding a behavior increases the likelihood of it being repeated.
For example, if your dog has received attention (e.g. petting or verbal praise) while laying on you in bed, she may have learned that this is a desirable spot to sleep and will continue to do so in the future.
Even if there was no intentional reward, simply being close to you in a warm, safe, and cozy spot is often more than enough encouragement for her to continue the behavior.
#8. To Protect You
Some dogs have a natural instinct to protect their owners, especially when they are sleeping.
This protective instinct may be genetically ingrained in certain breeds, such as German Shepherds and Dobermanns, which were specifically bred for guarding purposes (The Kennel Club, 2022).
Some owners report that their dogs sleep on their feet or their head, or lay on them in bed while facing the door – possibly as a way to stay alert and protect their precious human from any potential danger.
#9. Fear/Anxiety/Stress
Many dogs can experience fear, anxiety, or stress due to various factors like loud noises, new pets in the home, being left alone, house guests, new people, or unfamiliar environments.
Some dogs may also have a natural disposition towards anxiety, which can be affected by their genetics, early learning environment, and life experiences.
Moreover, as dogs age, they may lose confidence and become more anxious, leading them to seek comfort from their owners. Older dogs may also feel disoriented and confused if they wake up in the night.
At the other end of the spectrum, adopted puppies may feel vulnerable after being separated from their mother and littermates.
These are all possible reasons why your dog lays on you in bed, as it is a familiar and secure place where she can feel safe with her most trusted person.
RELATED
Separation Anxiety
Separation anxiety is a common issue for dogs, affecting over 75% of dogs in the United States to some extent (CertaPet, 2021).
Dogs with separation anxiety can become extremely distressed when left alone, often exhibiting behaviors such as excessive barking or howling, urinating or defecating indoors, destroying objects or property, and trying to escape.
While laying on you in bed can be a normal behavior for some dogs, it may also be a sign that your pup struggles with being alone.
If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, it’s important to seek help from a specialist as the condition won’t go away on its own. I’ll list three of my favorites at the end of the article.
What Should I Do If My Dog Is Anxious?
It is essential for pet owners to be patient and understanding of how their dog is feeling.
If you have just adopted a puppy or a new dog, she’ll need some time to settle in and adjust to her new surroundings.
If your dog is generally anxious or has a specific fear, then there are a few steps you can take to help her:
- The first step is to identify the triggers or situations that cause your pup distress.
- Once you have identified these, try to minimize the exposure and create positive associations with those triggers.
- For example, if loud noises terrify your dog, start by exposing her to low levels of background noise that she can tolerate and reward her for staying calm.
- Gradually increase the volume, rewarding her each time she remains composed. Never rush this and let your dog dictate the pace.
- Additionally, providing mental stimulation activities can help to keep your pup occupied and reduce anxious behaviors. Food puzzles, interactive toys, or sniffing games can be great boredom-busters for dogs of all ages.
- Finally, always remember to reward your pup for good behavior, as positive reinforcement is more effective in shaping canine behavior than punishment.
In the meantime, if your dog finds laying on you in bed comforting and you don’t mind it, then by all means snuggle away!
#10. In The Genes
I’ve alluded to this already, but some dogs may have genetic propensities or hardwired behaviors that make them more likely to stick close to their owners.
Breeds like Border Collies, Hungarian Vizslas, Golden Retrievers, Shetland Sheepdogs, and Labrador Retrievers were originally bred for tasks like herding and guarding sheep, while toy dog breeds like Maltese, French Bulldogs, Chihuahuas, and Pugs were specifically bred to be lap dogs (The Kennel Club, 2022).
So your dog’s tendency to lay on you in bed may simply be attributed to an innate predisposition to stay close to you.
Is My Dog Trying To Assert Dominance By Laying On Me In Bed?
Absolutely not! This outdated idea has been disproven by behavioral scientists. Anyone who still clings to it is out of touch with current research.
Instead, if your dog likes to snooze on you in bed, she’s most likely seeking comfort and closeness for whatever reason, gaining a sense of security from your familiar scent and presence.
This has nothing to do with her trying to “dominate” you or assert her position as the “alpha dog” or “pack leader.”
Considerations for Letting Your Dog Sleep in Your Bed
When it comes to deciding whether or not to let your dog sleep on your bed, the choice is entirely yours. A survey by the American Kennel Club found that 45% of dog parents let their dogs sleep in bed with them so it’s certainly not an uncommon decision.
However, some dogs can be disruptive and may keep you up at night.
Moving around, taking up too much space, invading personal space, or making a noise – like snoring or barking – can be common disruptions and affect your quality of sleep.
Additionally, some dogs suffer from health problems and sleep disorders such as insomnia, sleep apnea, narcolepsy, and REM (Rapid Eye Movement) behavior disorder, which can further disrupt your beauty sleep.
Having said all that, in my experience cats are far more disruptive co-sleepers than dogs!
You may also want to consider your dog’s size. A large dog laying across you will obviously have a far greater impact than a small dog.
At the end of the day, you should do what works for you and your pup to ensure a good night’s sleep for both of you.
Dealing With Aggression and Sleep Startle
It’s not uncommon for dogs to get aggressive if they get disturbed when they’re sleeping, regardless of whether it’s accidental or intentional on your part.
Sleep Startle
If your pup is in a deep sleep and suddenly wakes up because of some disturbance or you roll over and squash her, she may react fearfully and lash out in self-defense (i.e. fight or flight) – till her rational brain kicks in and she realizes there’s no immediate danger.
This is known as sleep startle (or sleep aggression) and can be seen in dogs of any age, size, or breed. It’s completely normal and does not mean you have “an aggressive dog.”
The startle reflex is a way for the brain and body to protect themselves from potential danger, and it can be triggered when a dog is woken up suddenly from a deep sleep.
Dogs who haven’t been properly socialized during early development or who have come from professional kennel environments, such as ex-racing greyhounds, may be more prone to sleep startle (Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, 2023).
Resource Guarding
Resource guarding is another common dog behavior and occurs when a dog perceives a potential threat to something they value, such as their food, toys, favorite person, bed, or resting area.
If your dog starts growling or shows any other kind of aggressive behavior – like snarling, snapping, or biting – when you get too close or accidentally disturb her while she’s sleeping, you may want to consult with a certified positive reinforcement professional dog trainer to help you address the behavior.
They may recommend techniques like teaching the “off” cue, instituting a “say please” program, counter-conditioning, or operant conditioning.
To be safe, it might be a good idea to train your dog to sleep in her own bed or even a crate.
How to Train Your Dog to Love Her Own Bed
To encourage your dog to sleep in her own bed, provide her with a comfortable and cozy dog bed, either in your bedroom or in another part of the house, and make it irresistible.
Here’s a video tutorial by dog training expert Emily Larlham on how to train your pup to love her bed.
And if your dog does have a tendency to resource guard her sleeping area, crate training may be a useful tool to establish a safe space for her while preventing any confrontations.
Emily also has a helpful video explaining how to crate train your dog to promote comfortable and safe sleep.
Before You Go…
As a proud pet parent, you are likely already well aware that your dog sometimes likes to get up extra close and personal!
While some dogs prefer to snooze on top of their owners for any of the 10 reasons I’ve outlined above, other dogs will simply follow you everywhere. “Why?” I hear you ask. Luckily I’ve written an article all about it!
Check it out for more tricks and tips to help you better understand your canine friend:
Canine Separation Anxiety Specialists
Here are my recommendations for specialized separation anxiety trainers. Even better, they all do online consults so geography doesn’t matter!
Resources
- A Multispecies Approach to Co-Sleeping – Bradley P. Smith, Peta C. Hazelton, Kirrilly R. Thompson, Joshua L. Trigg, Hayley C. Etherton, & Sarah L. Blunden
- An Exploratory Study of Human–Dog Co-sleeping Using Actigraphy: Do Dogs Disrupt Their Owner’s Sleep? – Bradley P. Smith, Matthew Browne, Jessica Mack, & Thomas G. Kontou
- Crate Training Basics – Kelly Fahey / Kong Classroom
- Crate Training- Part 1- Dog Training [Video] – Dog Training by KikoPup
- Oxytocin-gaze positive loop and the coevolution of human-dog bonds – Miho Nagasawa, Shouhei Mitsui, Shiori En, Nobuyo Ohtani, Mitsuaki Ohta, Yasuo Sakuma, Tatatsushi Onaka, Kazutaka Mogi, & Takefumi Kikusui
- Separation Anxiety in Dogs & Dog Owners in 2021 – CertaPet
- Should Your Dog Sleep on the Bed with You? – Pat Miller
- Sleep Startle In Dogs – Battersea Dogs & Cats Home
- The EASIEST way to train your puppy to go to his bed – Dog training [Video] – Dog Training by KikoPup
- The Importance of the Secure Base Effect for Domestic Dogs – Evidence from a Manipulative Problem-Solving Task – Lisa Horn, Ludwig Huber, & Friederike Range
- Why does my dog follow me everywhere? – The Kennel Club
