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Why your dog shouldn’t sleep in your bed every night and how to fix it
Aug
As a professional home boarder, the main reason dogs fail their trial is because they are unable to sleep on their own due to separation anxiety. Sleeping away from people is an important skill for dogs to develop, this skill means they are able to stay comfortably at kennels, with home boarders and at the vets overnight for care (although we hope this is never needed). Of course, I know there are home boarders who let the dogs sleep in bed with them and pet sitters who will stay in your home so your dog can follow their normal routine, however, for unforeseen circumstances it is definitely a skill worth working on.
I totally understand why you would want your dog in bed with you, they are part of your family. They are warm, fluffy and your best friend. You and them are both happy and content snuggled up together. However, as dog parents we also need dogs to be comfortable on their own, whether it be in the day or night. It is important for their wellbeing that they don’t have separation anxiety when they are left. Luckily this is a trainable skill.
Please note that I am not here to tell anyone how to care for their dog. I think all dogs should be spoilt and should be getting the most out of each and every day (and night). All I am doing is offering suggestions based on my own knowledge and experience.
What to do if your dog sleeps in your bed every night
- Try one night with them sleeping in another room and see how they get on. If they are fine that’s great, maybe just practise the skill once every couple of months so it is not lost.
- If they are not fine on their own and start to show signs of separation anxiety, such as crying, barking, whining, pacing, scratching or destructive behaviours then this is a skill you need to work on.
Whatever you do, don’t let your dog your suffer. This is only reinforcing the fact that being alone is a bad thing.
What to do if your dog can’t sleep on their own
- Leave them with a bed time treat/enrichment activity. You want to make the experience of being left a positive one. Why not try our Slow Feeder and Treat Toy, fill it with treats and let your dog mentally wear themselves out for a peaceful night’s sleep.
- Teach your pet independence in the day. Use the stay/wait command in another area of the house so they learn to be away from you.
- Build up time alone. Start with a shorter amount of time and build up to a full night.
- Create your pet a den. Maybe it’s a crate or bed. It is important that is a place where they are comfortable and receive rewards and praise. Give them lots of long-lasting chews (for example, Dried Buffalo Ears) here so it is somewhere they would naturally choose to be.
- Exercise and play with them before bedtime. If they have received enough physical and mental stimulation they are more likely to settle and sleep. Try a tugging game with one our rope toys, available in two sizes – 2 Knot Big Rope & 3 Knot Big Rope.
- Stay calm. Don’t make a big fuss when leaving them at bedtime and returning in the morning. This will only increase anxiety around being left.
- Switch up your routine. Dogs are intelligent and will pick up on things you do before they are going to be left. Whilst you check the doors, switch off all the lights, get a glass of water, brush your teeth etc. their anxiety will start to build. Switch it up, try brushing your teeth half an hour earlier and putting a glass of water by the bed in the evening.
- Keep a diary. Include food, exercise, mental stimulation and how well they slept. A pattern might emerge which enables you to work out why your dog is and isn’t settling at night.
- Use a professional. Speak to a dog behaviouralist, explain your problems and get the help you need to help your dog.
Dogs don’t come with manuals and like humans every one is different. By reading this blog, you’re already taking steps in the right direction to becoming a better dog parent.
I would love to hear your thoughts on night-time separation anxiety, including what does and doesn’t work for you.
Lydia x
