Where Your Dog Chooses To Sleep At Night Shows What You Mean To Them
Gladskikh Tatiana | ShutterstockYour dog's favorite nighttime sleeping spot is kind of like a message letting you know how much they love you. It can also offer a glimpse of their personality and how much they trust you.
It's important to pay attention to what our pups are telling us with their behavior because they can't quite talk ... yet. Dogs aren't usually shy if you pay attention to their actions and habits.
What your dog's favorite nighttime sleep spot tells you about how they feel about you:
In your bed
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It always feels good to have your dog next to you in bed for some cuddles. If a dog chooses to sleep in your bed at night, I'd say that means they have a pretty deep level of trust in you, and so would the American Kennel Club.
Animals are at their most vulnerable when they sleep. Choosing to sleep beside a companion means they feel comfortable enough to completely let their guard down. But most people already know this, or at least assume it. But what about the specific places on the bed where they sleep?
If your dog sleeps at the end of your bed by your feet, it's usually a sign of protectiveness. A lot of guard dog breeds sleep like this. They're just the right amount of close to you while still being able to see the room and their surroundings, ready to jump up at any sign of trouble.
If your dog is all up in your space, on your chest, in your face, or smack dab in the middle of the bed between your legs, it usually means you have an overly affectionate dog. They might want to hear your heartbeat or find that your warmth soothes them. They also like being close to your face because they can smell your scent best there.
In your bedroom
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Now, while I'm sure a lot of us would love it if our dogs slept in bed with us, that's not always the case. It's also not always wanted, especially with big dogs. It's like cramming another person into the bed with you. So it makes sense that only roughly 45% of dogs sleep in their owners' beds.
Similar to choosing to sleep at the end of the bed with you, your dog might like being close while still being able to protect the space. Maybe you have a dog bed on the floor next to yours or a little area that's covered in fur because it's your dog's favorite place to lie down. If your dog sleeps in their own bed every night, that means you've created a space they view as their own. It can become a source of comfort for them, just like our own beds are comforting to us. No matter how comfortable that hotel bed is, it's never quite the same as your own.
Your dog might also just like having a little more personal space. Just like people, not everyone loves affection all the time, but that doesn't mean they don't love you. Your dog sleeping in the same room as you shows a deep level of trust. They might not be the most affectionate dog, but they may express their love through their protectiveness instead.
In a different part of the house
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Just because your dog sleeps in a different part of the house than you do doesn't always mean they love you any less than you love them, though sometimes it can feel that way. Maybe your dog views the family couch as their own space, where they feel most comfortable when the rest of the pack is together. Maybe they're a light sleeper who is always checking out different creaks and noises throughout the house. If you have kids, your dog could feel a particularly strong bond with one of them and choose to sleep in their room.
It could be as simple as preferring the cool hardwood floors in the hallway or the tiles in the kitchen. Your dog may feel secure enough to sleep independently rather than relying on your immediate presence to settle down. It's normal for humans to have their own rooms. Why isn't it for dogs? As long as they're not cowering in a corner or hiding under beds, their willingness to sleep alone can simply mean they like their own space.
In multiple spots throughout the night
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Now, if you're reading this and thinking, Well, my dog sleeps in my bed, in their own bed, on the couch, in the hallway, in my son's room, and by the door, and the more you think about it, the more places keep popping into your head, then read this!
If a dog chooses different places to settle down throughout the night, it can indicate that they feel secure in the home. They recognize your home as their home, too, and enjoy spending time in different parts of it. There's a difference between sleeping in different places and being restless throughout the night. If your dog is restless, something may be bothering them, and their behavior could be a sign they're trying to tell you something.
But maybe they're just trying out different spots to see which they like best. They might get bored after a while and move to a different place to see if the couch is softer than the throw. At the end of the day, if your dog is sleeping through the night and following your routines, changing sleeping spots doesn't mean they love you any less. They may simply feel comfortable enough in your home to make themselves at home wherever they choose to sleep. And isn't that the ultimate goal as pet owners? To give your animals a forever home.
Julia McNulty is a writer with a Master’s degree in Literary & Cultural Studies who specializes in lifestyle, relationship, culture, and human interest topics.
