Being a dog owner can be a handful at times – and if you are in a family with kids, it would be like having an extra child. The best part about having both of them is the same – at the end of the day, when they curl up against you to sleep, all worries and problems that come with them disappear.
Why then, is my dog sleeping in different places instead of next to me on the bed or the customized, expensive dog bed that you bought just for him, you ask? The answer is simple – he is a dog and it’s just his natural instinct!
Let me explain in this article just what your canine buddy is up to with its sleeping habits.
Where Should a Dog Sleep?
There is no exact answer to this question because, for dogs, the place of rest does not matter as long as they feel safe and comfortable in the spot.
You might have noticed how street dogs can be found snoozing almost anywhere – on top of cars, by the side of the road, under houses and alleys. This is because a dog’s natural instinct is to sleep wherever he feels the most comfortable. In your pet’s case, the answer to it will be by your side or your presence.
There are various places you can let your dog sleep in – all of them completely fine and safe as long as they are in your house.
- Dog Bed or Crate
It is natural to want to get your little puppy a proper bed or crate to sleep in when you first get them. From my personal experience, though dogs may shift to start sleeping on the floor on hotter days, if they like their bed, it will always sort of be a permanent space for them and you would see it in their actions too.
A particular space for your dog in the house is very important so that they have a place for confinement when they are stressed or scared and also use it for things important to them like hiding treats.
While most dog owners go for a comfortable bed for their pets, a lot of them prefer crates that are more confined as well. It all depends on your needs and your dog’s preferences. Below is a comparison I have made from my own observations.
| Dog Crate | Dog Bed |
| Pros: Provides a snug and safe feeling to the dog as it is shaped like a cave Portable and easy to move around the house or travel outside It is compact and can be a space only for your dog who is territorial by nature Cons: If not crate-trained or if your dog is an anxious one in general, the confinement can make them anxious Can be noisy at night or when your dog is hyperYou would have to buy a small bed or a replacement for it anyway to make a sleeping spot for your pet | Pros: Very comfortable for your dog to sleep, stretch and relax in Not noisy given any circumstances Is good for your dog’s joints Cons: Does not keep your dog confined in one place like a crate does, leaving him free to do as he pleases when you cannot keep watch. Is not as portable as the crate |
Depending on the above situations, you can decide whether your dog is built for a crate-type setting or one with a bed.
- Floor / Carpet
One must note that this is not ideal as a pet owner and for the dog as well. Even if it may be a street dog that you took in who is used to rough environments, when taking in a dog, it is a must that you give them proper bedding.
The only time sleeping on the floor or on a carpet is when the dog naturally chooses the places due to justifiable reasons.
For example, my dog, though provided with a comfortable bed and blanket, would move to sleep on the floor during hot summers because the bed, in addition to his fur, proved to be uncomfortable due to the heat.
He would move back to his bed during winters. Hence, remember to always provide a bed for your four-legged best friend as it is important to at least give him that option.
- Your Bed
Your bed can be a comfortable spot for your dog – especially since it is the one place that is the closest to you – the most important thing in your dog’s life.
It is completely fine to let your dog sleep on your bed, however, it is probably choosing that spot because of you. This means that when you are not around, it may not be his preferred space. Hence, he would still need a place to call his own.
Letting your dog sleep with you all the time can also help encourage attachment issues. It is something most dogs already have in general. Being very loving and friendly creatures, dogs get attached to a person easily, and spending all the time with him can make your work hours difficult and stressful for your pet.
So although it’s alright to let your dog sleep with you, by keeping two beds separate, you will also train him to trust you to come back.
The only time you should not allow your dog to grow a habit of sleeping with you is if your dog is on the aggressive side. Dogs are very territorial in general and letting a more dominant dog sleep on your bed can cause him to blur the lines between owner and pet.
Is It Normal For Dogs To Sleep In Different Places?
Just like us humans, dogs choose the most comfortable spot to rest in according to our own needs. So, it is completely normal for your dog to sleep in different places.
Your dog, being an adaptable and friendly animal, will consider your house as his own and choose to sleep wherever he wants. They might switch from sleeping on the corner of a snug house to the floor during summers.
Your bed might be used as comfort in your absence. Puppies might fall asleep due to exhaustion after playing right on the spot they get tired.
So, there are numerous, varying reasons for the switching of places for sleep and all of them are normal because dogs are smart and emotional creatures. Therefore, it is just all in their nature.
Why Is My Dog Sleeping in Random Places?
If your dog is sleeping in random places, the first thing you must do is observe. Is it sleeping in places that are normal for dogs to be in and are comfortable to sleep in or is it going to places that are completely odd for any creature to be in?
Though dogs may switch many places for their snoozing time, it is important to note that odd places like under a bed, inside a closet, under your desk or cold corners are not normal.
Dogs tend to try and hide when they are under stress, discomfort, or even nearing death. Isolating behavior is not very common in dogs. Hence, if the random place your dog is sleeping in is also accompanied by strange patterns in his personality, you must take them to a vet.
What Does a Dog’s Sleeping Position Mean?
Sleeping positions can say a lot about how a dog is feeling. Since these canine creatures have varying positions and resting habits, here is a table to help you understand what a dog’s sleeping position means.
| Position | Meaning |
| The Burrower (wrapped under blankets and sheets) | Dogs who sleep like this seek warmth, comfort, and safety |
| The Superman (laying on its stomach) | This position is most common in dogs when they are trying to cool down |
| The Donut (curled up in a rounded shape) | The position avoids leaving them vulnerable to predators and is trying to keep its warmth and vital organs |
| Lion’s Pose (laying head between top or front paws) | This pose means your dog is just starting to fall asleep and might change positions |
| The Side Sleeper (sleeping on one side) | They are the most comfortable when snoozing in this position as their most vulnerable part |
| Belly Up (on his back, exposing his stomach) | A dog exposing its belly in its sleep does not only indicate that he is completely comfortable and trusting of its environment, but it also means at times that your dog is trying to cool down |
| Cuddled Up | If your dog cuddles up with you, it means it seeks the sense of warmth and security that it got from its mother, from you. |
How Do Dogs Choose The Place To Sleep?
Apart from the normal requirements of their sleeping spot like cleanliness and comfort, the main driving force that helps a dog choose a spot to sleep in is its nose.
Dogs are driven by smell, their most heightened sense, and will choose a spot that smells the most like their owners. Hence, you should expect your dog to choose a sleeping spot near you!
Other factors that matter are the fact that it should be unmarked by other dogs, in case you have more than one. When all three needs of comfort, cleanliness, and their owner’s scent are met, the dog will be happy in its new sleeping spot.
Why Does My Dog Sleep In My Spot When I Get Up?
The reason behind your dog taking your spot when you get up is on two different ends of a spectrum – it is either them showing affection, or them asserting dominance.
Dogs can be both hopelessly affectionate and dependant as well as aggressively territorial. However, dogs being more on the distant and cold side is rare as they are naturally loving creatures.
Most of the time, your dog taking up your spot when you get up means that he adores your scent and warmth and relates it to comfort. Dogs relate your favorite sitting spots and the places you are mostly in, to you and enjoy being in those places the most. Taking your spot just means they love you and your own presence.
On the other hand, if your dog has been through some traumatic events (like a rescue dog that became your pet or a shelter dog with previous, abusive owners) or is new to you, him sitting on your spot could mean that he is trying to show dominance.
Gentleness and opening up the dog should be your first step to making them comfortable, but if the situation seems helpless, getting a dog trainer could be recommended.
Why Would a Dog Sleep On The Floor Instead Of Their Bed?
Dogs could choose to sleep on the floor due to many different reasons. Contrary to common belief, it is not an uncomfortable spot for dogs to sleep in.
Reasons for choosing the floor instead of the bed may vary, but the most common ones are as follows:
- The temperature of the bed may not be right. Since beds are made to be warm, it can be a hot experience for dogs (especially the furry breeds) to sleep in them during summers. Hence, a lot of dogs choose to sleep on the floor during the season.
- Your dog might not like your bed for reasons that can be of any sort such as wrong size, structure, or material. Or, your dog has outgrown its bed or you have shifted the bed to be at a different spot. If your dog chooses to sleep wherever but their bed, it is time to check if everything is okay with the bed.
- Your dog could also have slept on the floor their entire life. This can be the case with a lot of new dogs. Getting them used to the bed can take some time, but with a few treats and kind words, it shall be possible to fix.
Conclusion
Your dog can sleep anywhere he likes and as they are smart creatures, it is easy to trust them on making their own decisions.
The only place that is completely unacceptable to let your dog sleep in, and is looked down upon gravely in my eyes – is the outside. The point of getting a pet is to give them shelter and love as members of your family.
Just as you would not let anyone in your family sleep outside, so should you let our pet be safe and secure within your household.