Why does my Dog Sleep Between me And my Husband?

Have you been having a problem with your dog sleeping between you and your partner? In this article, we discuss the reasons behind it along with other interesting and helpful details.

Why Does My Dog Sleep Between Me And My Husband?

It’s no secret that our dogs love us. And sometimes that causes them to want to be around you as much as possible. They may even try to sleep between you and your partner! Read on to find out more about this behavior and what-if anything- you should do about it.

The Pros & Cons To Letting Your Dog Sleep Between You And Your Husband/Spouse/Partner?

There could be multiple pros and cons to letting your dog sleep with you and your partner. Some pros may be that it is a nice bonding activity for the two of you and your dog. Another pro is that your dog will feel happy and loved, being close to those they consider family. As for cons, letting your dog sleep with you can lead to a lot of pet dander on the bedding and you will have to clean them more often. Another con is that if your dog has separation anxiety, allowing them to be by your side at all times may strengthen their separation anxiety. This can cause more problems for all involved further down the line.

 

What Does It Mean When Your Dog Sleeps Between You And Your Partner?

There could be several reasons why your dog likes to sleep between you and your partner. It can be from instinct, emotions such as anxiety, lack of training, or love for their owners. Here, we discuss in more detail the possible reasons why your dog has this habit or behavior.

It’s A Natural Instinct For A Dog To Sleep Between What It Considers Its Mom And Dad

You are your dog’s pack. So they will see you both as a sort of elder in the pack or their mom and Dad. This is their natural animal instinct.

That Spot On Bed Is Rather Comfortable

You and your partner may both like your bed because it’s comfortable. Your dog probably feels the same way. Once the dog sleeps in between you for the first time and finds it comfortable, it will continue to sleep there unless they are deterred from the act.

 

Dog Feels Comfortable With Both Of You

When it comes to your dog, they see you as part of their pack. So being near you both is a big comfort to them. Your dog trusts you both and wants to show you by being close and affectionate.

Dog Is Over Attached To Both Of You!

While having a strong bond with your dog is a good thing, there is always the chance that your dog can be too attached to you! If you feel like your dog gets anxious or struggles to be away from you, you can ask your vet or hire a dog trainer to help you solve the problem.

They Were Encouraged And Allowed To Sleep With You In The Past

Knowingly or not, you may have encouraged your dog to sleep between you and your partner. If they are rewarded for this behavior or feel like they may be rewarded in some way, they will continue to act this way. Getting extra attention from you and your partner is likely the biggest reward your dog could align with sleeping between the two of you.

Dog Missed Both Of You

Most adults work during the day, leaving their dogs and other pets home alone for most of the day. If this applies to you, then that means your dog misses you! Once you’re home your dog will want to spend as much time as possible with you. Including when you all go to sleep at night.

Anxiety

In this article, we’ve established that your dog loves you and sees you as family. So when they’re feeling nervous or anxious, they seek safety with you. So, be it a thunderstorm or any other possibility making them anxious, they will want to fall asleep between their favorite people.

Trying To Protect Both Of You

As mentioned, your dog thinks of you as part of his pack. So they want to keep you safe. While you’re sleeping, you are at your most vulnerable. The dog knows this and wants to make sure to keep you safe. It goes back to their ancestry Trying To Get Some Warmth From Both Bodies

Sleeping between the two of you is not only a comfortable place for your dog but also warm. With both of your bodies giving off heat, your dog will feel safe and happy.

Natural Scent From Both Of You Are Pleasant And Comforting To The Dog

Dogs have an amazing sense of smell. Exceptionally more substantial than us humans. So they can smell things like the scents of different humans. They especially recognize the scent of their owner(s). So to have that sent not only from you, but the bedding as well, they feel happy and comfortable.

Dog Wants Attention From Both Of You 🙂

Your dog loves you-especially if they want to sleep with you at night. Your dog may want affection and attention from you. As we mentioned, if you have to work all day, your dog misses you so when you’re all settled for the night that’s when he figures he can get both of your attention. This could also apply even if you work from home or are otherwise p-+reoccupied.

How To Get The Dog To Stop Sleeping Between You And Your Husband?

Stop Encouraging The Dog!

There are a couple of ways that you can stop your dog to sleep in between you. One way is to no longer encourage this behavior. Maybe put a pillow in between you or some other block to keep him from laying there. You can also reward him when he goes to lie down and sleep somewhere else.

Teach The Dog To Sleep Elsewhere.

Another method is to train your dog. The best way to do this is by using positive reinforcement by trying to encourage the dog to sleep in other locations. You can give them treats, pets, or other positive signs when they behave in a way that you want them to. You can also confer with your veterinarian or a dog trainer.

 

Resources

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8936707/

https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3351901/