Why can’t my dog sleep without me? Is it a sign that something’s wrong with your four-legged friend and if so, what do you need to be doing about it? Or is it just because they’re only a puppy and a bit clingy right now, but they’ll grow out of it later?

Don’t worry, because this is a common issue to be having with your dog regardless of their age, so there are plenty of well-known causes for everything that’s going on with them — and also solutions. So keep reading, because in this article we’ll answer everything you need to know about the question why won’t my dog go to sleep without me, and tell you how to stop the behavior!

How Do I Get My Dog to Sleep Without Me?

To get your dog to sleep without you, start by making them a safe spot that’s near your bed. Put their bed or crate next to your bed so that they’ll have a warm, comfy spot to lay where they can still see you. Have them get on their bed, then give them a treat along with pets and praise. It may take some time, but they’ll begin to view laying here — rather than on your bed — as the best choice.

These steps will get your dog to sleep without you, but it’s important to remember that the underlying behavioral issue (separation anxiety) that was causing all of this to begin with will still be present. And until you address that, any positive changes you see are only going to be temporary.

“Well, how do I make these changes stick?”

You address your dog’s issues at their root by developing their intelligence, that’s how! When they’re truly given the mental stimulation they need — in a loving, fun, instructional way — all their behavioral problems will quickly become a thing of the past.

To make this happen, you’ll play 21 “brain” games with your dog all developed by Adrienne, a CPDT-KA certified dog trainer whose work has been featured in USA Today and Every Dog magazine. See her incredible results in this video with a dog named Maggie (scroll down).

Adrienne’s training games will end all your dog’s bad behavior while also teaching them to sit, lie down, stay, heel, drop, and walk by your side. It’s all very simple and will be an absolute blast for you both. She explains how her system works here, go take a look!

Why Won’t My Dog Sleep Without Me?

Your dog won’t sleep without you for a few possible reasons. One reason could be that they’re still a puppy and they haven’t quite grown out of the clingy stage just yet. They see you as their protector, and someone who makes them feel safe and secure — so they might get a bit too attached to you.

Other dogs won’t sleep without being by your side because they feel like they need to protect you. They are experiencing a type of separation anxiety where they don’t trust you to protect yourself, so they get very stressed and anxious when you’re not around — and will do whatever it takes to ensure that doesn’t happen.

Another reason could be because your dog feels like they don’t have a safe, secure den of their own to sleep in (remember that dogs are descended from wolves) — so instead they just want to go where you are, like on or by your bed! This often happens with dogs who feel stressed in general, especially if they had a traumatic experience in the past.

Regardless of their age or the exact cause, the fact that your dog won’t sleep without you is something that needs to be addressed. It’s a clear sign of a behavioral issue that left unchecked will only grow into further (and more serious) problems. Go back to the first section for more on how to deal with this.

Does It Mean My Dog Is Sick if They Sleep With Me?

It does not mean your dog is sick if they sleep with you, though it could be a sign if they’re doing it all of a sudden.  Your dog could be looking to you for comfort because they don’t feel good. If you’ve noticed other changes in their behavior, especially those like a difference in eating habits or energy level, consider taking them to the vet just to be safe.

Most likely, however, your dog can’t sleep without you because they have problems handling their stress and anxiety. Being close to you is the only thing that helps them, so they’re unable to stay far away from you — especially during nighttime when things are dark and scary. We’ll have more on handling this in the first section of this article.

Will My Dog Grow Out of Sleeping With Me?

Your dog is unlikely to grow out of needing to sleep with you. While it’s true that dogs will be more clingy in the puppy stage, your dog not wanting to sleep without you is more likely a sign of them getting very stressed and anxious whenever you’re not around. This is a behavioral issue not related to age.

I’m sure you’re eager to get a little space in your bed and put a stop to other behavioral issues as well, so I’ll let you get started on things. Don’t forget to share this article “Why Won’t My Dog Go to Sleep Without Me” in case you need to check back at a later date for some reminders. Best of luck with everything!