- Not a substitute for professional veterinary help.
Welcoming a puppy into your life is exciting, but it comes with many decisions—like whether or not your new furry friend should share your bed. Is it too soon? Will it ruin their training? Where should your puppy sleep on their first night? If you’re torn between cuddles and crate time, you’re in the right place!
In this article, we’ll explore:
- the pros and cons of letting your puppy sleep with you
- the best age to start if you do decide to let your puppy sleep with you
- the signs that your pup is ready for nighttime snuggles in your space
We’ll also tackle some common questions to help you make an informed decision. To guide us, we’ve consulted Certified Professional Dog Trainer Lorena Patti (MS, BS, KPA-CTP, CPDT-KA, VSPDT), owner of Waggers Dog Works. She offers a balanced take on finding the right sleep arrangement for you and your pup.
Should You Let Your Puppy in Your Bed?
First things first—can you let your puppy sleep with you? Generally speaking, it might be best to hold off on letting your puppy sleep with you for the first few months, which will help them adjust to their new environment and help with crate and potty training.
After that, Patti says it ultimately comes down to whatever works best for you and your new furry friend. For example, uninterrupted sleep and personal space is extremely important to some pet parents, so sharing a bed with a growing puppy might not be the most comfortable idea.
But others may prioritize bonding time with their new puppy, and studies show that having a pet near you can be calming and help you sleep.
“Take a good, realistic view of your sleeping arrangements and habits before deciding if you want to let your puppy sleep with you,” says Patti.
The pros of letting your puppy sleep with you
Let’s be honest—it’s hard to resist waking up to a wagging tail and puppy dog eyes. There are many potential benefits to sharing your bed with your puppy, including:
- It provides comfort and security. Having physical contact with your puppy has been known to release dopamine and oxytocin, strengthening your emotional bond and building trust between the two of you.
- It might improve your sleep quality. The warmth and companionship of your puppy might be soothing for you and lead to a better night’s rest.
- It can ease your puppy’s anxiety. A puppy’s first few nights in their new home can be overwhelming. “With young puppies, allowing them to sleep with you might help them transition smoothly from sleeping in a puppy pile with their littermates,” says Patti.
The cons of letting your puppy sleep with you
While sharing your bed with your puppy can be cozy, some pet parents find that it comes with drawbacks. Some common concerns include:
- It can disrupt your sleep. Puppies are naturally restless and may move around or wake up frequently during the night. This can make it difficult to get a restful night’s sleep.
- It can affect you or your partner’s allergies. “If you’re sensitive to pet hair, sleeping in close quarters can exacerbate symptoms,” adds Patti.
- It can negatively impact crate training. If you’re crate training your new puppy, letting them sleep in bed with you might make it harder for them to get used to spending time alone in their crate.
- It can affect their potty training. Accidents happen, so if your puppy has your whole bed and/or bedroom to roam in at night, you run the risk of them using your space (and your sheets) as a potty pad.
Rules for Sleeping With Your Puppy
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It’s important to make sure your puppy is ready—physically and emotionally—before letting them sleep with you. nortonrsx via iStock
If you decide to let your puppy sleep with you, it’s important to do so in a way that maintains their safety and supports their training.
So, at what age is it safe for your puppy to sleep with you? Generally, it’s best to wait until your puppy is at least four to six months old before allowing them to sleep in your bed.
Your puppy’s first few months in your home are crucial for establishing a routine, which usually includes crate training, potty training, and socialization. Letting your puppy sleep in your bed too early while trying to crate and potty train them might create confusing inconsistency.
To keep your puppy’s training consistent, you might want to consider limiting bed-sharing to specific times or situations once they’re old enough. For example, you might allow your puppy to sleep with you on weekends or during special occasions, but ensure they continue to use their crate or designated sleeping area during the week.
This balanced approach will help with crate training and reassure your puppy that the crate is a safe and comfortable space. But it will still allow you to bond and sleep together when appropriate.
It might also be safer for your puppy to sleep in their own confined space when they’re little. “If you have a very young and small puppy, you want to make sure that they won’t be accidentally smothered as you sleep,” adds Patti.
How To Tell If Your Puppy Is Ready To Sleep With You
So, how do you know if your puppy is ready to graduate from their crate or designated sleeping area to your cozy bed? Every dog is different, but there are a few things to keep in mind before your puppy joins you for snooze time.
Consider your puppy’s potty training progress
Ideally, your puppy should be close to fully potty trained before you allow them to sleep in bed with you. Puppies who are fully potty and crate trained are less likely to have nighttime mishaps.
If they’re consistently making it through the night without accidents—or they’re at least letting you know when they need to go out at night—that’s a big sign they’re ready for the bed upgrade.
Consider your puppy’s energy level
Pay attention to your puppy’s behavior. Are they calm at bedtime, or do they tend to become restless? If they get a case of the midnight zoomies, you might want to wait until they’re a bit older to invite them to sleep with you.
“Assess your puppy to see if they settle in to sleep and are calm throughout the night before inviting them to sleep on the bed,” says Patti. “You can also give it a ‘test run’ by taking an afternoon nap with them to see if they settle down when on the bed.”
They’re past the chewing phase
Puppies who have outgrown their teething phase (typically by nine months old when all of their baby teeth are gone) are less likely to gnaw on your blankets and pillows during the night. By waiting until your puppy has outgrown this behavior, you and your pup will be able to rest peacefully without the risk of waking up to shredded sheets.
Common Questions About Letting Your Puppy Sleep in Your Bed
Bringing a new puppy into your life comes with plenty of questions, especially when it comes to bedtime. Don’t worry, we’ve got you covered!
Here are answers to some of the most common questions pet parents have about sleeping arrangements with their puppy.
Will it ruin my puppy’s training if I let them sleep in my bed?
Letting your puppy sleep in your bed won’t necessarily ruin their training, but it’s important to be consistent. “It depends on what you are trying to train at that point in your dog’s development,” explains Patti.
For example, if your puppy is still being crate-trained or house-trained, allowing them to sleep in your bed too early can create confusion. It’s best to establish a solid foundation of crate and potty training before introducing them to bed-sharing.
Is it unhealthy to let my puppy sleep in my bed?
Letting your puppy sleep in your bed isn’t inherently unhealthy, but just like humans, puppies can track in dirt, allergens, and other debris that might affect your sleep quality or cleanliness.
“As long as the puppy is up to date on vaccinations and flea/tick/heartworm treatments, you should be okay,” says Patti. “Of course, if your pup has traipsed through the woods with you and enjoyed a mud bath on the way, you’ll want to make sure that they’re clean and inspected for any ticks before you let them on your bed.”
Where should a puppy sleep on their first night?
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Soft bedding and a toy that has your scent on it will comfort your puppy through the night. 21csm via iStock
“The safest place for a puppy to sleep is either in a puppy playpen or in a crate, where you can make sure they’re safe while you are asleep,” advises Patti.
“The playpen or crate should ideally be in the same room as you, so they can hear you, smell you, and know they’re not alone. With all my dogs, when they first came home as young puppies, I set up a sleeping pallet on the floor next to their crates, and I slept with my fingers in the crate, touching them.”
What is the best puppy-friendly bedding?
When choosing bedding for your puppy, look for options that are durable, washable, and comfortable. “Try to find something made of strong material that the puppy isn’t likely to chew through (and swallow pieces of),” adds Patti.
Crate mats or beds with removable, machine-washable covers are ideal, as puppies are prone to accidents. Adding a blanket that smells like you or a heartbeat toy can also help your puppy feel more secure in their sleeping space.
