Why Does My Dog Sleep Between Me and My Husband? A Guide to Solving This Common Problem
When you first bring your new dog home, everything is exciting. There’s a new member of the family to love and care for, and life is just getting better. But then one day, you start to notice something strange. Your dog has taken to sleeping between you and your husband at night. What could be causing this behavior, and more importantly, how can you stop it? In this article, we will answer these questions and provide some useful tips on how to solve this common problem.
Reasons Why Your Dog Likes to Sleep between You and Your Husband
There are a few reasons that your dog may like to sleep between you and your husband. [1]
It’s the Most Comfortable Spot
The spot between you and your husband is likely the most comfortable spot in the bed. It’s warm, it’s soft, and it smells like both of you. Dogs are attracted to comfort, so it makes sense that they would want to sleep in the most comfortable spot in the bed.
Your Dog is Being Protective
One reason your dog may sleep between you and your husband is that he or she is being protective. Your dog sees you and your husband as their pack, and they want to make sure they are in the middle of the pack so they can protect you both. This is especially common if your dog is a breed that were bred for guarding or protection, such as German Shepherds, Dobermans, or Rottweilers. If this is the case with your dog, there are a few things you can do to help them feel more secure:
- Make sure everyone in the family knows not to bother the dog when he or she is sleeping. This includes small children who may not understand why the dog needs his space.
- Invest in a dog bed that is big enough for your dog to stretch out in and feel comfortable. This will give them their own space that they can retreat to when they need some alone time.
- Give your dog plenty of exercise during the day so that he or she is tired at night and less likely to be on alert all night long.
- If your dog is still having trouble settling down at night, talk to your veterinarian about possible anxiety medication that can help ease your dog’s nerves.
Another reason why your dog may like to sleep between you and your husband is because they feel safe there.
Dogs are very intuitive creatures and they can sense when we’re feeling stressed or anxious. If you and your husband are arguing, your dog may want to be in the middle to diffuse the tension.
Your Dog is Anxious
Anxiety can be caused by many things, such as loud noises, changes in routine, or even something as simple as being left alone for too long. If you think your dog may be anxious, talk to your veterinarian about possible solutions, such as medication or behavior modification training.
Your Dog is Jealous
Another possibility is that your dog is jealous and wants to be in the middle so he can keep an eye on both of you.
Dogs are very territorial creatures and it’s not uncommon for them to get jealous when they see us spending time with someone else, even if that someone else is our husband.
Miss your company
Dogs are sociable, and they need human interaction in order to be happy. If you’re gone all day, it’s only natural that your dog would want to be close to you at night.
There are a few things you can do to ease your dog’s separation anxiety:
You’re pregnant
If you’re pregnant, your dog may be trying to protect you and your unborn child by sleeping in the middle of the bed.
Dogs have a strong sense of smell and they can tell when a woman is pregnant even before she knows it herself. [2]
As your pregnancy progresses, your dog will become more protective of you and may even start sleeping in front of the door to keep strangers from coming in.
Your Dog was allowed to sleep with you
Your Dog is cold
If your dog is cold, he may sleep in the middle of the bed to be closer to your body heat.
Dogs are susceptible to cold weather just like we are, and they will often seek out warmth when they’re cold.
If you think your dog is cold, put a blanket on them or turn up the heat. You can also buy them a dog sweater or coat to help keep them warm.
Not having their own bed
Your pet may not have its own bed and he’s trying to sleep in the middle of the bed.
Consider giving them a bed of their own or making one out of an old blanket or towel if your dog doesn’t have one.
Your dog will appreciate having a place of their own to sleep and it will keep them from taking over your bed.
Tips on what to do if your dog sleeps between you and your husband
Pick a spot for them in the bed
Because they don’t have their own bed, your dog may be resting between you and your spouse. Try giving your pet its own spot to sleep in. You could put your dog’s bed next to your bed, or you could just have a spot on the floor for your dog there.
If your dog doesn’t have their own space in the bed, they may feel like they need to protect you both by sleeping in between you.
Another option is to train your pet to sleep in their own bed from the start. This may take some time and patience, but it will be worth it in the end. You can start by putting their bed next to yours and gradually move it further away until it’s in its own room.
Set boundaries
Setting boundaries is one of the most effective things you can do to prevent your dog from sleeping between you and your spouse. If you have a bed for your dog, make sure they sleep in it and not on yours. If you don’t have a bed for them, put a blanket down on the floor next to yours and train them to sleep there. You may need to use some positive reinforcement like treats or verbal praise to get them used to it, but eventually they’ll understand that’s their spot.
Another way to set boundaries is by establishing rules about where they are allowed to be when we’re in bed. For example, you might say “off” or “down” when they try to jump up on the bed, and make sure they only get on when invited. This way, they’ll learn that they’re not allowed to just come and go as they please and that sleeping between you is not an option.
Give them their own sleeping space
The quickest solution is to provide your pet with their own bed or sleeping space. Dogs are social creatures and love being close to their family, but they also need their own space. If you have a small apartment, this might mean getting a dog crate or investing in a dog house for your backyard. If you have the space, setting up a Doggy Den in your home is the perfect way to give your pooch their own little space that’s still close to the action.
Another solution is to create an “invisible boundary” using baby gates or exercise pens. This way, your dog can still see and be close to you and your husband, but they won’t be able to physically get between the two of you. [3]
FAQ
Why does my dog sleep next to my husband?
There are a few reasons your dog may want to sleep next to your husband. Maybe he feels more comfortable there, or perhaps he enjoys the extra warmth. It’s also possible that your dog is trying to protect you from your husband!
Here are a few common reasons why dogs sleep next to their humans:
- To feel safe and secure: If your home is full of loud noises or chaotic energy, it’s no wonder your dog would want to curl up next to the person who makes him feel the most safe and secure.
- For warmth: Dogs are mostly fur, which means they don’t have a lot of insulation to keep them warm. Sleeping next to a human (or another animal) is a great way for your dog to stay warm on cold nights.
- As part of their pack: In the wild, dogs live in packs with other canines. When they sleep, they often pile on top of each other to create a giant canine cuddle puddle.
- To protect you: It’s instinctual for dogs to want to protect their pack. If your dog perceives your husband as a threat, he may sleep next to you to keep an eye on him and make sure he doesn’t hurt you. [4]
Why does my dog sleep next to my husband and not me?
One reason your dog may sleep next to your husband and not you is because they feel more secure when they’re close to someone they see as a strong leader. If your dog perceives your husband as the alpha in the relationship, they’ll naturally want to stay close to him.
Another possibility is that your dog simply enjoys the physical warmth of your husband’s body.
Finally, it’s possible that your dog is just trying to stay out of your way! If you tend to move around a lot in your sleep, or if you have a habit of accidentally kicking them during the night, it makes sense that they would prefer to sleep next to someone who is more static. [5]
Useful Video: Why Does Your Dog SLEEP With YOU? – 6 Most Common Reasons
Conclusion
If your dog is sleeping between you and your husband, it’s likely because they feel comfortable and safe there. While it may be annoying at times, this behavior is usually harmless. If you’re concerned about your dog’s health or behavior, talk to your veterinarian or a certified animal behaviorist.
With a little patience and training, you can get your dog to sleep in their own bed – and keep the peace in your marriage! Thanks for reading.
References:
- https://www.mypetchild.com/dogs/behaviors/sleep-between-wife-husband/
- https://dogsandclogs.com/why-does-my-dog-sleep-between-me-and-my-husband/
- https://petdogowner.com/why-does-my-dog-sleep-between-me-and-my-husband-or-wife/
- https://notabully.org/why-does-my-dog-sleep-with-me-and-not-my-partner/
- https://www.ipetcompanion.com/dog-sleeps-on-me-and-not-husband/