Dogs have long been human companions, but they still manage to surprise us with their behavior. For example, many people can't explain why their pets, regardless of their size, insist on sleeping on their legs, stomachs, or even heads. Experts believe there are several reasons why dogs sleep directly on their owners.
Main reasons
From a dog's perspective, it's hard to imagine a better place to sleep than on top of their beloved owner. This behavior is driven by instinct. Dogs are pack animals, and when settling down for the night, they have always preferred to stay as close to each other as possible. It's warmer and safer this way.
Having become domesticated, some haven't abandoned their wild habits. Cold or feelings of insecurity can make them sleep on their owner. Observations have shown that dogs more actively seek out their owner's company if there's a "stimuli" in the house: a child, noisy guests, or a new pet.
The company of its owner calms a dog. It feels especially good when it's not only warm and protected, but also when it hears the sound of its owner's heartbeat. Moreover, being with a person reconnects it with its puppyhood, when people often picked it up to pet, soothe, and protect it.
Dogs are also considered a kind of "doctors." They can not only diagnose illnesses early but also begin to "treat" them, acting like a biological heating pad. Therefore, if your pet persistently rests on your liver or stomach, or even crawls directly to your head, it's time to see a doctor.
Sleeping nearby: pros and cons
Not all owners are happy when their pet climbs into their arms. However, this situation has several advantages:
- Sleeping together really is warmer.
- A dog's presence in bed has a calming effect not only on the dog itself but also on its owner: it takes up a space that, for some reason, has become vacant. Humans, after all, are paired animals, and sleeping next to someone is natural for them.
- Cynologists describe cases where a dog, lying on its owner overnight, actually helped cure even the most difficult illnesses.
Of course, there are also disadvantages:
- Hygiene. A dog that tends to sleep on its owner will need to be washed and brushed more often.
- Parasites. Humans can become infected with the same helminths through close contact. Therefore, you'll need to monitor your pet's health more closely.
- Discomfort. The dog does not understand that it can be heavy and cause certain inconvenience to the owner, sprawled on his stomach.
- Difficulties in personal life. Not every partner will appreciate a furry “third person” who appears in bed at the most inopportune moment.
How to stop a dog from sleeping on its owner
The best advice that can be given to new dog owners is that you should not train your dog to climb on your owner's bed at all. If the moment has passed, be patient. It's difficult to wean an adult dog off "hands" without causing harm.
To do this, first set up a comfortable bed for her and practice the "stay" command. Next, firmly but gently direct her there each time she tries to climb onto your owner. If she obeys the command, approach her and praise her so she doesn't feel excluded.
It's best to close the bedroom at night. Of course, the dog will be homesick and might whine at the door. In this case, you need to gently but firmly send it back to its place. After a few days, it will have to accept this rule.
According to statistics, most dog owners allow their pets to sleep close together, believing that it makes them feel better. There's some truth to this. However, sleeping separately isn't particularly harmful if done wisely. So the choice is entirely up to the owner.
