‘Why does my dog sleep on top of me and not on my partner or kids?’ – A friend (who had recently bought a 6-week old female Golden Retriever puppy) wondered one day over our weekly phone call.

‘She just likes you and you provide her with warmth and comfort’, I said.

‘What if she is missing her parent and siblings? May be we bought her a little too early than we ought to have’- countered my friend.

Yes, it is possible that puppies sleep on their humans when they miss their littermates.

However, even adult dogs tend to sleep atop their humans. So, this unique dog sleeping position isn’t just a puppy thing.

Let us find out reasons why a dog might sleep on top of their dog owner.

Also Read: Why Does my Dog Sleep on my Head

Why Does My Dog Sleep on Top of Me? 6 Main Reasons

Here are the main reasons why dogs sleep on their owners:

1. It is in their nature

If you observe puppies in their litters, you might have seen them all huddled together. My friend was right in that sense. Pups need their littermates for warmth, comfort, and security.

That is why dog behaviorists recommend leaving the puppy with its dam and siblings at least for 8-10 weeks. In this period, they not only get their pack’s security; they also learn a lot in the process.

2. Dogs are pack animal

Your adult dog or puppy will sleep on your body because it considers you to be its pack member. Your pet might even consider you the alpha and if you are the one who is training and feeding it, it might look up to you with reverence and respect.

Chances are that it also finds your energy levels and personalities matching which is why it has bonded with you and not your partner or kids.

3. For safety and security

There is a feeling of mutual security and safety when a dog huddles close with its dog owner. It feels protected and safe and also feels that it is protecting them in return.

4. Some dogs are just possessive

Dogs often ‘choose’ one person in the family to bond with. Don’t get me wrong: they will be affectionate and fond of all members of the family. However, they will choose this one person to bond with strongly because of matching personalities and energy levels.

So when it comes to this individual, the dog might be very possessive of them. That is why it will sleep on that individual as if to show: ‘this is my human!’

5. For warmth

Dogs also seek warmth. If you have a small dog breed like Chihuahua or Shih tzu, then it is highly likely that it feels cold. They have lower body fat in their bodies. So your dog might snuggle with you for body heat.

6. Separation anxiety

Some anxious dogs simply need to touch their human ‘parents’ because of separation anxiety. If you work outside of your home, chances are you are gone all day leaving the dog all alone for hours. Your dog might develop the anxiety of being alone and away from you due to this reason and might sleep huddled with you for the same reason- fear of being alone.

7. Rescued dogs

Often times, rescued dogs are immensely grateful for being given a home and a safe place to rest. If a dog has moved from one foster home to another, then too it will be immensely grateful to have a permanent abode.

Such dogs will also love to sleep on the person or at the owner’s feet – especially the one who has rescued it from harsh conditions of a shelter.

Do all Dogs Have a Favorite Person?

It is said that a dog always has ‘one master. We must understand here that dogs do not think like humans do.

So, they won’t hesitate in showing ‘allegiance’ to one person. Sure, your dog will love everyone in its ‘pack’ or family but it will reserve that love and respect only for one person in the household. It will have affinity to just one person in its pack.

Often, the ‘master’ that the pet chooses might not even take the sole responsibility of the dog in question. Still the dog might want to sleep next to that individual or always yearn for that person’s attention.

If you are the object of your dog’s affection, you can strengthen the bond by taking responsibility in providing it a safe, secure, environment.

If you aren’t your dog’s ‘chosen one’, do not try to analyze its behavior like you’d do with humans. Never punish, reject, or neglect the dog just because it hasn’t chosen you. Dogs and humans are entirely different species and the way they act is bound to be different as well.

Why Does my Dog Touch Me While Sleeping?

There are several reasons why dogs love to touch their pet parents while sleeping:

1. A sense of belonging

A dog that is relaxed and comfortable will feel like it belongs in the family. Due to this feeling of belongingness, your dog might touch you as it feels you belong to it. The pack mentality is very much prevalent in dogs. Even wild dog and their wolf ancestor touch each other while sleeping. This makes them feel safe and protected.

2. Relieves stress

The power of touch is stress-relieving. Just like humans benefit from massages due to enhanced endorphin production, your dog also feels less-stresses when it touches you. This promotes better sleep and healing.

3. Helps them connect with you emotionally

Dogs and humans have co-existed for centuries now. The mutually beneficial relationship is due to a deep connection and when your dog touches you, the connection is not just physical. Your pet also relates to you on an emotional level. It is a way of sharing your energy with each other.

4. It becomes a habit

For many dogs, cuddling with their humans becomes a daily sleeping habit. It becomes an important part of the routine in addition to feeding, walking, etc.  All dogs thrive on routine. It is vital for their health and well-being.  Touching is a way of communication for your pet as it gathers important information from it.

Do Dogs Know When Their Humans are Sleeping?

A dog has a powerful sense of smell. When a human sleeps, s/he emits peculiar smells of sweat and carbon dioxide. Dogs can easily sniff them and know that their human is asleep.

Moreover, in deep REM sleep, the eyes make rapid movements which enable a dog to accurately sense that their human is asleep.

Additionally, a dog will gladly curl up next to its human and it is its way of showing love and affection. Also, the dog’s instinct of loyalty and protection get stronger when their human is asleep. This is one of the reasons why dogs wake up frequently at night to check on the perimeter.

Also Read: Do Dogs Know When Their Humans are Sleeping

Should a Dog Sleep in the Same Room as You?

This is an entirely personal decision. Some experts recommend against letting a dog sleep in the same bed or even in the same room. This is because of the fact that dogs often disturb their pet owner sleep.

An old dog or senior dog might wake up frequently due to aches and pains. It might be better if the dog has its own orthopedic dog bed.

Similarly, a young puppy might whimper or wake up because it misses its dam and littermates.

Therefore, it is advisable to crate the young dog. Crate training can also reduce potty accidents and can help in potty training. Crates also provide dogs with a safe, secure, and a den-like atmosphere to rest in.

Should You Allow Your Dog to Sleep in your Bed?

There are a few reasons why you should not allow your dog in bed.

1. Parasites

Dogs could carry germs and parasites on their bodies. Sleeping in your bed could put you at a risk to these parasites and could even make you sick. There are some people who definitely must not sleep with their dog in the same bed. These are immune-compromised individuals, elderly people, and also people with pet allergies.

2. Could lead to behavioral issues in dogs

Many dogs take on a dominant role when they are allowed in bed from puppyhood. They start thinking they are ‘alphas’ and may even demand to be fed first. Dogs that enter through doorways before you or remain sprawled on the floor in your path are all signs of dominance and passive aggression.

3. Allergies

As mentioned in the earlier section, a dog could carry dander, dust mites, pollen, grass, and other allergens. It could track these in your bed and could aggravate pet allergies in humans.

Is it Cruel to Crate a Dog?

Many people feel that they are being cruel to their young puppy by crating it. The way the pup howls and yelps also makes one think that the process may be cruel.

However, crate training isn’t cruel at all. In fact, it is a way of providing your dog with a secure environment. It mimics the den-like area in the wild.

Of course, that does not mean that you crate your puppy for outrageous periods of time. Introduce your puppy to the crate in a positive manner. You can also carry out potty training simultaneously.

• A crate works as a resting area for your pup. This useful tool helps your pup rest from noisy households with kids and other pets.
• Make sure the crate is of good quality, chew-proof, and safe. It should be large enough for your pet to sleep but not too large that it would be used as a toilet. If you buy a larger crate for an adult dog keeping in mind your pet’s growing needs, section off a part of it using boxes or barriers.
• Allow your pet to empty its bladder before you crate it.

When done right, crate training can provide an excellent tool in your dog’s upbringing and training.

Should I Pet My Dog When Sleeping?

When a dog is a deep REM sleep state, it is best not to pet it. This can make dogs very grumpy and they can easily startle.

Many dog bites occur because a sleeping dog has been rudely awakened from its REM sleep state. Therefore, you must teach your kids not to disturb your dog when it is sleeping soundly.

This is also where crate training can help. It provides your pet a quiet ‘room’ of its own to rest.

You can also gently massage and stroke your dog’s stomach and give it belly rub while it is just laying down and about to fall asleep but not in deep sleep.

If you have to awaken your pet for some reason, quietly call its name instead of shaking it awake.

FAQs on Why Does my Dog Sleep on Top of Me?

1. Do male dogs prefer female owners?

Dogs do not really think the way humans think. So, a dog won’t think of the gender of the person before bonding with that person. Having said that; many groomers and veterinarian nurses are females and a dog might like them for their comforting and soothing voice. For this reason, male dogs might bond with the female owner.

2. Why does my dog suddenly want to sleep alone?

If a dog that has always loved cuddling suddenly shows a preference for sleeping alone, then it could indicate an illness or depression. Have a vet examine your furry friend.

Conclusion – Why Does my Dog Sleep on Top of Me?

Dogs love cuddling with their humans because touching them makes them feel safe, comfortable, secure, and warm.

A dog might sleep on top of you out of possessiveness and also to protect you. It might even sleep on you due to separation anxiety at being left home alone all day.

We hope this guide helps you decode your dog’s sleeping habit.