“My dog quit sleeping with me!” This is probably both confusing and sad for you. After all, you love your dog so much and they always seemed to enjoy sleeping with you before, so what’s happening now? What is going on that’s made your dog not want to sleep with you anymore?

Well, while I’m sure it’s very disappointing for you, the good news is that this is actually a pretty common thing to be happening with dogs. And that means that no matter where they are choosing to sleep now — alone, with someone else, etc. — there’s a good explanation, which we’ll fill you in on in this article. You’ll also find out how to get your dog to sleep with you. Keep reading!

How to Get Your Dog to Sleep With You

To get your dog to sleep with you, make it an enticing thing for them. Get into bed and bring something your dog enjoys, like a chew toy, a blanket they like, or a treat that won’t make a mess. Have them get into bed with you, then give it to them along with praise and pets. Continue softly petting them for a while if they stay with you.

Your dog should quickly begin to make positive associations with being in bed with you. It may take some time and patience, but before long this should become their preferred spot to sleep. You’ll still, however, need to handle what was making your dog not want to sleep with you in the first place, though.

Regardless of whether they chose to sleep elsewhere due to dominance or separation anxiety, the problem can be traced back to one thing: your dog does not respect your role in the home as pack leader. Either you weren’t making them feel safe, or they just plain didn’t respect your commands.

But you can quickly put a stop to these behaviors, along all the other negatives that come along with separation anxiety or dominance, by proving to them that you are in charge. That you are their pack leader — and a capable and effective one at that. Do that, and your dog will not only sleep with you, but they’ll actually want to do so.

“Perfect, but how exactly do I do that?”

Well, there’s an excellent free video series that’s on just this subject — how to be your dog’s pack leader — by a renowned trainer named Dan that you should check out. In it, he’ll teach you everything you need to know in ways that are very easy to understand and teach to your own dog, and he gets right to the point so that you’ll start seeing results in no time.

Start watching Dan’s free training series now by clicking here. And no worries about having to be mean, because he only uses 100% humane and loving training methods at all times — you’ll never even have to raise your voice to your beloved four-legged friend!

Why Does My Dog Suddenly Not Want to Sleep With Me Anymore?

If your dog suddenly does not want to sleep with you anymore, then there are a few possible explanations. It could be just as simple as something about your sleeping area has changed. Did you get new sheets? Are you keeping things hotter or colder than you used to? Maybe your dog just doesn’t like sleeping with you anymore and would rather sleep by your bed instead.

It’s also possible that they aren’t feeling well if your dog suddenly stops sleeping with you. While some get closer during these times, others want space. Your dog may choose to suddenly sleep under the bed if they feel sick, for example. Look for signs like a loss of energy or interest in their usual activities, going to the bathroom more (or less), or not wanting to eat. If things don’t seem right, consider taking your dog to the vet.

Finally, your dog could be feeling dominant. Remember that dogs are pack animals, having descended from wolves. Your dog could be feeling that they’re the head of the pack, and responsible for keeping everyone safe. They would then possibly want some more space so that they can keep a better eye on things.

Watch out for other signs of dominant behavior from your dog, as this is not something you want to encourage. Are they getting aggressive with other people or dogs? Do they refuse to listen to your commands? If you’ve noticed these, your dog feels dominant over you and you need to address things through behavioral training before it gets any worse. We went over how to do so in the first section.

Why Does My Dog Want to Sleep With Someone Else?

Your dog wants to sleep with someone else because they’ve likely developed more of a bond with that person. Maybe this person makes your dog feel safer, or maybe your dog feels the need to protect them. Is this person sick, or have they been spending more time with your dog? All of these might make your dog want to sleep with someone else.

Look for other signs from your dog to determine exactly what’s going on. If your dog is the timid type and has been clinging to this person, then your dog has separation anxiety and they’ve decided that this is the person who will protect them. If they are clinging to this person but also being very protective of them, then your dog feels dominant and feels the need to keep them safe.

It’s normal for dogs to form strong bonds with certain members of “their pack,” but you can’t let separation anxiety or dominance issues continue. Left unchecked, they will develop into much more serious problems that will be tougher to handle. Go back to the first section for more on how to deal with these.

My Dog Stopped Sleeping With Me, Are They Sick?

If your dog stopped sleeping with you, it’s possible they are sick. While many dogs will want to be closer with you when they don’t feel well, it’s not uncommon for others to want space. Pay attention to the other things your dog has been doing to make a better determination.

Has your dog been eating and drinking normally? Are they going to the bathroom more (or less)? When they do go, are they having trouble, or experiencing diarrhea? Have their energy levels and interest in playtime dropped? These would all be signs your dog is not feeling well. If you’ve seen any of them, or things just don’t seem right, take them to the vet for a check-up.

The sooner you get started, the sooner you’ll have your dog sleeping in your bed again, so I’ll let you get to things. Good luck with everything, and thank you for reading “My Dog Quit Sleeping With Me, What’s Happening?”