Recently, you’ve been feeling like the chosen one…
That’s because Fido suddenly started to sleep with you.
However, you have a gut feeling that something’s wrong.
Should you trust it?
Keep reading to find out:
- How temperature is involved behind your dog wanting to sleep with you.
- 9 surprising reasons why your dog wants to sleep with you all of a sudden.
- Whether your dog has depression and how the latter leads to seeking your company.
- And many more…
Why does my dog want to sleep with me all of a sudden?
Your dog wants to sleep with you all of a sudden due to separation anxiety. Sometimes, they’re trying to protect you. Other times, your dog trusts you to defend them, especially since they might be fearful too. Moreover, nesting, illness, and depression can cause this too.
9 reasons why your dog wants to sleep with you all of a sudden
#1: Separation anxiety
This is the culprit for most behavior-related problems in dogs.
How so?
ASPCA talks about separation anxiety as the cause for many dog parents’ complaints.
That’s because this condition causes the following unwanted behaviors:
- Pacing.
- Digging.
- Howling.
- Trying to escape.
- Excessive barking.
- Coprophagia or eating poop.
- Peeing and pooping inside the house.
- Chewing your belongings (socks, blankets, etc.).
Now, your Fido shows most of those when you’re not around.
However, you might notice some consequences. Such as chewed-up blankets.
And once you’re back…
Your pooch has missed you so much, they won’t let you out of their sight.
Even when Fido goes to sleep, they want you near. Hence, they’ll doze off next to you.
“How did they develop sudden separation anxiety?”
Good question.
There are lots of reasons that cause this condition in dogs. Starting with:
Schedule changes
For example:
Most people shifted to a work-from-home set-up due to the pandemic in 2020.
However, since restrictions become less strict…
Many people went back to working in an office.
And for the dogs who are used to having their human around 24/7?
That change is too big and sudden.
So much, that when their dog parents are away, they get so confused.
Then, when their human comes home, they’ll:
- Whine.
- Show overexcitement.
- Follow their human around the house.
Environment changes
This one can mean a lot of things.
From rearranging the furniture to moving to a new neighborhood.
Those types of changes, big or small, affect your fur baby.
Yes, Fido might not hold any opinion on these developments…
However, their mental health can be highly influenced. And negatively too.
Absence or loss of a family member
Say someone in your family has recently moved out.
Or, unfortunately, your household lost a loved one.
Whichever it is between the 2, those can leave your pooch confused.
Plus, dogs grieve, too.
Your dog has no idea what’s happening. All they know is that one person is suddenly gone.
And they don’t want you to leave them too. That’s why Fido wants to be close to you every time.
“How can I help my dog?”
FETCH by WebMD recommends:
- Exercising your pooch.
- Leaving your worn clothes for your dog to indulge in.
- Giving Fido an interactive toy right before you leave to distract them.
Moreover, you have to keep it lowkey. When you leave, don’t say a long goodbye to your pooch.
And once you’re back…
Avoid greeting your equally excited dog with praises and touch.
However, separation anxiety ranges from mild to severe.
That’s why it’s a good idea to speak with your vet on the matter.
Read next: How to Protect Your Dog from Separation Anxiety?
#2: To protect you
Whether your dog is a gigantic one or a teacup-sized pooch…
They have the genes of wolves.
For Siberian Huskies, they noticeably look like wolves.
Anyway, that’s what research tells us.
But the relevance of this to the matter?
Wolves are pack animals. That means your dog is too.
Now, this connection between the canines might’ve been diluted over time…
P.S: It’s been more than a hundred years.
Regardless, domestic dogs still consider being in a pack.
And during these modern times…
Your family is what your dog deems as such.
That’s why your fur baby won’t hesitate to protect you.
Moreover, sleeping is a vulnerable state. Which your dog knows as a predator.
With that, they’ll sleep next to you to ensure you’re safe.
Continue reading: These 13 Signs Show That Your Dog Is Protective Over You
#3: They trust you
In a canine pack…
Everybody has a role.
And they have a pact to protect everyone in the group.
So, as your dog loves you enough to protect you while you sleep…
They’re sure that you’ll do the same for them.
So, they sleep next to you as a sign of trust.
For further reading: Quiz: Does My Dog Trust Me? Test It With These 17 Signs
#4: Nesting
Apart from your dog wanting to sleep with you…
Do they also snuggle up among blankets and pillows?
Recently, have they taken a liking to lie on the couch or your bed?
If so, your dog might be expecting or she thinks she is.
“Whaaaat?”
First of all, nesting is one of the symptoms of a pregnant dog.
However, even a canine without an incoming litter will show this behavior.
It’s when a pooch experiences…
Pseudopregnancy
According to vets, this can begin within 4 to 9 weeks after the recent heat season of a canine.
And it’ll seem like she’s really expecting. However, it’s just her hormones preparing her body for a possible pregnancy.
Moving on to the next question:
“What’s nesting?”
This is caused by a dog’s natural motherly drive.
And they do it to prepare for their litter. Whether it be true or just false pregnancy.
Basically, your canine goes around the house, snuggles, and assesses.
“For what?”
She wants to know the best place to give birth to her litter.
That’s why, according to vets, she’ll show these behaviors:
- Dragging sheets and blankets.
- Carrying and rearranging pillows.
- Stealing and hauling your clothes.
And if you’re wondering where she’ll take them…
It’s likely she’ll put it in a corner somewhere, or a place hidden from traffic.
Moreover, research reveals:
50% of pregnant dogs show an increased need for attention
And that’s another reason why she wants to sleep with you.
Then, she’ll also show other behavioral signs like:
- Anxiety.
- Lack of attention.
- Appetite changes.
- Being easily irritated.
- Sudden and random aggression.
As for the other 50%…
That’s when a pregnant dog wants to be alone. If so, they’ll also show aggression without any hesitation.
#5: They’re sick
Your pooch wanting to sleep next to you is a sweet gesture…
However, it’s unfortunate when the reason behind it is a subtle illness.
Now, your dog seeks your presence because it’s comforting.
And as they can’t tell you whether they’re in pain, mild or severe…
You must be an attentive dog parent.
AKC says these are other signs your dog is sick:
- Vomiting.
- Diarrhea.
- Lethargy.
- Pale gums.
- Aggression.
- Loss of appetite.
- Being less excited.
- Decreased activity.
- Difficulty in standing up.
- Blood in their stool or urine.
- Random weight gain or loss.
- Changes in bathroom schedule.
- Drinking less or more water than usual.
And I highly suggest that you also perform a home check-up on your dog. Follow this helpful video by a veterinarian:
If you notice the signs mentioned…
Immediately take your dog to see the vet.
Any illness is best taken care of at the earliest possible. Especially since most health issues are more curable when it’s new.
#6: You’re ill
If your dog is better than ever, then I have a question for you:
Are you feeling well?
Your pooch would want to sleep with you if you’re ill.
Fido wants to let you know that they’re there for you when you need them.
If it sounds like I’m making it up…
Let’s talk about this study:
It’s about using a dog’s sense of smell to detect a medical condition or emergency.
Now, the canines in this study are called sniffer dogs.
And they’re trained to use their nose to catch different types of cancer like:
- Lung.
- Breast.
- Bladder.
- Ovarian.
- Prostate.
Then, their result reveals a range of 19% to 99% accurate findings.
But here’s the more amazing part:
Dogs are so good, that an experiment with them tops WHO’s malaria diagnosis threshold.
Though, you must know that the sample size is small.
Regardless, it’s impressive how those pups made the discovery through 2 pairs of worn socks.
With all that…
Do you now trust your pup enough to think there might be something wrong health-wise?
Warning: If you’re concerned your dog might seek your closeness due to you being ill, don’t hesitate to schedule a checkup with your physician.
#7: Fear
The Animal Humane Society (AHS) tells us one thing;
All animals feel fear. You and I included.
The difference is the way we show it.
If you and I can communicate through words when we’re frightened…
Your dog, a non-speaker, shows it through many other ways like:
And most of all, wanting to be next to you due to fear. So, they want to sleep with you.
Now, when your dog shows those signs…
Don’t shoo them away.
Instead, look for the possible source of their terror. Watch out for these causes of fear in dogs, according to MSD Vet Manual:
- Visual stimuli (ex. Hats).
- Loud and unfamiliar noises (ex. A car passing by).
And once you identify their source of fear…
Limit their exposure to it.
You can do that by removing the stressor away from your dog.
But what if that’s not possible?
For example, you can’t exactly make the loud thunder go away.
With that, here’s…
What you can do to calm your fearful dog
Don’t encourage their fear
As a loving dog parent, your first instinct is to comfort them. In ways like:
- Petting.
- Hugging.
- Putting them close to you.
Yes, that can work in calming your dog down.
But in the long run, it won’t do you or Fido much good.
Why?
That’s because such actions encourage feeling fearful.
Your pup could see those as a reward. That’s since they count those as extra attention.
Then, they become more scared than usual.
“So what should I do instead?”
Be there and remain calm.
That’s all. Avoid coddling your fur baby during the situation.
Just being there is enough. So, don’t leave them while their stressor is still at it.
Swaddle them
Ever heard of the ThunderShirt?
Oh, it does wonders to a frightened pooch (and a worried dog parent).
That aside…
This product works the same way as a baby’s swaddle.
It provides gentle pressure on your dog’s body. And it feels like a hug. That’s why it’ll be comforting for them to wear.
With that, Fido will start to calm down.
Take your pooch to the vet
If you notice that your canine can be spooked easily by many things, big or small…
It’s time you take them to the vet for an assessment.
Not only can they get a proper diagnosis there…
Your pooch will also receive desensitization.
What’s that, you ask?
Those are sessions where the vet or a trainer will expose your dog to fearful situations.
This will happen in a safe controlled environment. Plus, the doggo will be gradually exposed to stimuli. So that they get used to triggers slowly and overcome their fear.
#8: They’re feeling cold
Whether your pooch has a thin and short coat…
Or a long and heavy set of fur…
They’re going to get cold when the temperature’s low.
What’s more, their body temperature naturally goes down when they’re about to sleep.
Fun fact: That also applies to you. You might notice that you feel colder before you sleep and in the morning. Your body temperature drops 1 or 2 degrees as a way to ensure a good night’s sleep.
That said, your pooch is gonna need some extra source of heat somewhere. Otherwise, they’ll feel too cold and uncomfortable.
Now, by sleeping with you…
Your fur baby can benefit from your body heat as a source of warmth.
#9: Changes that lead to depression
As I mentioned under separation anxiety…
Changes in schedule and household arrangements make your dog anxious.
However, if untreated, anxiety could lead to depression.
And wanting to sleep with you is one of the non-worrying effects of it.
As for those that spell trouble, according to AKC, they’re:
- Lethargy.
- Decreased appetite.
- Less excitement over things they used to love.
However, depression in dogs is still an unfinished topic.
They can’t exactly sit on a couch and talk about how they’re feeling. Plus, why they’re feeling it…
So, there’s no way for us to know the specifics.
Regardless, vets worked on trying to find the causes. What they have to say are:
- Injury.
- Trauma.
- Chronic pain.
- Lack of exercise.
- History of abuse.
- Being socially isolated.
- Lack of mental stimulation.
But don’t let this whole situation bring you down.
Worrying won’t help you and your pooch in this matter.
Instead, take your pupper to the vet.
Moreover…
You must know that dogs are resilient creatures
And with the help of a professional, they can pick themself up.
Plus, instead of putting that energy into panicking…
You can spend more time with your pooch.
Play or walk more. Anything will do as long as you’re there.
#10: Pickiness
If you take a close look at it…
Dogs can be picky, too.
In this specific case, your pooch started to hate the surface they used to sleep on.
It’s just one day, that they woke up, and their dog bed isn’t doing wonders. Neither do the tiled floors.
And when they discovered your bed…
It instantly became their favorite.
That said, your dog doesn’t really want to sleep with you…
Fido just likes to sleep on your bed.
#11: Encouragement
Although it’s not an undesirable behavior for all dog parents…
Your dog suddenly wanting to sleep next to you is weird.
Now, most dog parents get stuck dealing with it because of this:
The behavior sprung from encouragement. Then, the pooch continues to practice it because they get rewarded.
“Huh? How could I’ve enabled it?”
For example:
Your pooch suddenly came up the bed and tuck themself beside you…
Now, you thought it was a sweet gesture at first.
So, you talk to Fido using your baby-talk voice. Then, stroke their body. You even gave them a small hug.
With that, your pooch has taken all those actions as praises.
And that’s when the behavior gets reinforced. According to AKC, when it comes to that, the action will get repeated.