Where should my dog sleep at night?
This question draws so many strong opinions and, in my experience, there isn’t a “one-size-fits-all” answer. What works for one family may not work for another. Your dog’s perfect sleeping spot will depend on you and your dog’s needs.
What are some options?
Your bed
Benefits:
· Great bonding experience.
· Lots of cuddling.
· For some, it allows a better night’s sleep.
Potential downsides:
· Big dogs (like mine) can take up a lot of room. You may find yourself smashed into a small corner of the bed.
· Dog hair can trigger allergies.
· For light sleepers, it can be harder to get a good night’s sleep as dogs tend to shift positions during the night.
Dog crates/Playpen/Xpen
Benefits:
· You don’t have to worry about where your dog is or what he may get into.
· Can be very helpful if you have a puppy who is potty training. Since puppies naturally want to keep their sleeping area clean, they are less likely to have accidents in their crates. They can learn to wake you up when needing to go out.
Potential downsides:
· Some dogs simply don’t like being confined in crates and may have difficulty settling in one. For these dogs, a playpen/Xpen may be better.
A dog bed
There are many types of dog beds to choose from. Experiment to find what type your dog finds the most comfortable.
Benefits:
· Your dog has his own space to sleep soundly at night.
· You can take his bed when you travel so he may feel more comfortable away from home.
· It also can be used for naps/quiet times during the day.
Potential downsides:
· This may not work well if you have a dog that’s not reliably potty trained or has a tendency to get into things during the night.
To summarize
As long as both you and your dog are happy and comfortable, any one of these options (or a hybrid approach) can be the perfect spot for a good night’s sleep. Keep in mind that your dog’s ideal sleeping location may change over his lifetime. Do what works!