Where Should a Dog Sleep?

There are many opinions about where dogs can or should sleep, from those who say their place is in a kennel in the yard to those who share their bed with their dog from day one.

If this is your first time having a dog, you're probably wondering where they should sleep. That's why at Soyunperro.com we're going to explain your options and the benefits of each. Shall we begin?

Is it good to sleep with our dog, or should they have their own bed?

Plenty of people share a bed with their dog from day one, and to be honest, it's something to be envied. Watching them sleep and knowing they're by your side at all times is a beautiful thing — however, it does come with a few downsides.

• Hair in the bed: Most dogs shed constantly, so our bed will undoubtedly end up covered in fur. It's true they go through two big shedding seasons a year, but they shed a fair amount the rest of the year too (except for a few non-shedding breeds).
• Noise and movement: If you're someone who needs absolute silence to sleep, remember that dogs wake up often, lick themselves, move around, shift position in bed, and sometimes bark and run while they sleep. Dogs dream too, after all.
• Mess: It's impossible to keep a dog clean all day, every day. Dogs are dogs, and as such they play, roll around in the grass, get into puddles and streams, and so on. So we need to accept that they'll never be spotless.
• Parasites: Fleas and ticks are the best-known external parasites, but we shouldn't forget about mites either. We can use flea collars and spot-on treatments, but remember they never offer 100% protection.

Now that you know the main downsides, you might prefer to get them their own bed, even if it's right next to yours if you still want to sleep close to them.

Tips for choosing a good dog bed

Plenty of stores sell dog beds, from vet clinics to online shops and even the colloquially named "discount stores." All of them offer visually appealing beds that can even match your home's decor.

However, we shouldn't focus only on looks, since that's actually the least important aspect of a bed. Here are the values we should look for in our dog's bed:

• Size: The bed should be big enough for our dog to fit fully stretched out. Dogs don't always sleep curled up, which is why it's important to buy one a bit bigger than they need.
• Firmness: Forget completely about rigid or overly firm beds. Dogs need plush, comfortable beds where they can rest peacefully.
• Materials: Avoid completely any beds made of fragile materials like thin fabrics, ones that are plastic-coated (they don't breathe), or ones that give off a strong smell due to their materials or dyes. Make sure it's washable.

There are many different types of dog beds, from igloo styles to mattress beds or even elevated hammock-style ones. Depending on your dog's traits, such as size, age, and needs, we should lean toward one type or another.

Where to put our dog's bed?

Although it might seem like a minor detail, choosing a good spot is essential for our dog to rest peacefully. If we choose to sleep alongside them, we can place their bed next to ours and have a second bed in the living room for them to rest on while we watch TV, for example.

But if we choose to put their bed somewhere else in the house, we should keep these considerations in mind.

1. Choose a cool spot if you live somewhere warm, or a mild spot if you live in a cold city. Remember never to place their bed next to a radiator.
2. You should place their bed somewhere quiet, where they can have privacy without much noise or foot traffic. Somewhere they can take good naps without being disturbed.
3. Avoid spots with drafts, since they could get chilled (yes, dogs catch colds too).
4. If it's cold, you can place a blanket under their bed so the cold from the floor doesn't come through, so they'll sleep warmer and calmer.

My dog refuses to sleep in their bed. What do I do?

You may have chosen the wrong spot for their bed, and they want to sleep closer to you. Try moving their bed next to yours at night, and you'll see them sleep more calmly and happily.

Or maybe the type of bed you bought isn't to their liking — if it has a strong smell or isn't comfortable, it's normal for them not to want to sleep in it.

On the other hand, if it's summer and it's very hot, it's normal for the dog to prefer sleeping on the floor, since they'll be cooler there. Although interestingly, the moment we're not paying attention, they'll try to climb onto the sofa or our bed — this means their bed isn't comfortable enough for them.

Where should a puppy sleep on the first day?

We should be aware that on the first day our puppy will sleep very little and cry quite a bit, so we probably won't get much sleep either. Put yourself in their shoes for a moment — they're going through a huge trauma, having just been separated from their family.

The ideal approach is to place their bed next to ours, so they feel our company and calm down. Leave a soft light on so they don't wake up in complete darkness, and also follow these tips that will help them sleep better:

• If possible, rub a clean cloth against their mother and place it in their bed at night, so the puppy recognizes her scent and feels calmer.
• Place a warm water bottle next to them, so they feel the warmth and think it's their mother (careful, use a water bottle made for humans, one that won't break).
• Place a ticking clock in a blanket and leave it next to their bed — they'll think it's their mother's heartbeat.
• Make sure they've had dinner and relieved themselves before going to bed.

As the days go by, they'll get used to sleeping in their new bed, and little by little you'll be able to move their bed to its final spot, once they've gained confidence.

Is it better for a dog to sleep outside?

Plenty of people have a large yard and prefer their dog to sleep outside, so they can also act as guardians in case someone tries to enter the home. However, dogs are social animals, and they prefer to sleep indoors and, if possible, next to us.

So if we choose to have our dog sleep outside, first we should choose a good doghouse that protects them from rain, cold, and heat. Their doghouse should be located right next to our home, so they feel more comfortable and secure.

We should never leave a puppy who's just arrived home outside — they're extremely sensitive and could even die from not knowing where to sleep and getting too cold or too hot. It's from around six months of age that we can start teaching them to sleep outside.

Now that you know all the secrets about where dogs should sleep best, where will yours sleep?