Why Does My Dog Sleep In Another Room?

dog sleeping in another room

Dogs have become important parts of our lives, and some people even refer to them as their “fur babies.”  Dogs are amazing companion animals, and can quickly become an important part of the family.  For many people, part of this companionship involves a dog that will sleep in the same room as them.  But, your furry friend could have other plans for their bedtime routines!  If you’re upset that you can’t cuddle your dog all night, you might be asking yourself;

Why does my dog sleep in another room?

Your dog might choose to sleep in another room for a variety of reasons.  At night your dog is looking for comfort, a good temperature, safety, and quiet.  They might choose a different room because it has more space, is cooler, and has a more comfortable bed for them.

If you want your dog to spend the night sleeping in your room, you have options.  Step one is to figure out why they don’t want to sleep with you.  Step two is to make your room more comfortable and inviting for them!

Keep reading to find out more about why your dog sleeps in another room, and how to bring them back into yours!

What Makes A Good Sleeping Area For A Dog?

Let’s talk about what makes a good sleeping area for a dog.

Dogs can choose bizarre places to take naps and sleep.  One week, your dog might decide to nap and sleep in thier bed in the living room, the next week, they could choose the tile on the bathroom floor! It’s no surprise that dogs change the places they like to sleep as other things change around them.

Dogs can spend up to 20 hours of their day sleeping.  Of course, they would want to nap and sleep in a good spot!  If you feel like your dog is picking some eccentric spots to sleep and changing thier sleeping hours, check out our article on when to worry about your dog’s sleep by clicking here.

So, what factors make a sleeping spot “good” for a dog?  We certainly wouldn’t want to sleep on the cold hard tile!

A Comfortable Surface To Sleep On

One of the most important things for a good sleeping area for a dog is a comfortable surface to sleep on.

I know what you’re thinking, then why does my dog sleep on tile?  That’s not comfortable!

Well, not to us, but some dogs (especially older dogs) might find the hardness of the ground comforting to old joints.  In the same way that you might prefer a stiff mattress to a soft one, some dogs might want to sleep on the floor instead of on a dog bed!

Even so, many dogs will also choose a sleeping spot based on the comfort of their “bed” in that area.  Whether its the couch, a blanket, or an actual dog bed, you can bet that many dogs like to get super comfortable when sleeping.

The key here is to figure out what your dog sees as comfortable.  My dog for exam[ple loves to lie in between the pillows at the top of my made bed.  He sort of sinks into them.  When he can’t sleep there, I can usually find him sleeping in the same spot on the spare bed!  He has a dog bed but chooses the most comfortable surface for himself.

A Good Temperature

Another important factor for picking the right sleeping area is the temperature outside, in the house, and in the room!

Dogs are very aware of changes in temperature, weather, and pressure!   In the wild, dogs needed to be able to adjust and adapt to bad weather.   Dogs tend to be more active on moderate days and sleepier on excessively hot and cold days.  Many dogs even sleep all day when it rains!  Because our furry friends have such a strong connection between temperature and sleep, they will go to great lengths to find a comfortable spot to sleep.

In the winter, dogs will often choose cozier and warmer places to sleep.  They might cuddle close to you on the couch or even sleep under the covers with you.  During summer, you might notice that your dog sleeps further and further away from you and your body heat.

A good place to rest for a dog is somewhere where they can stay at a nice comfortable temperature.  Think Goldilocks; not too hot, hot too cold.

A Safe Space

Safety is an instinct that most pet dogs still have a strong sense of.  You will notice that many dogs like to sleep with their heads facing the door, or with their backs against a wall or corner.  That’s because dogs sleep better when they feel safe.

Additionally, your dog might pick their sleeping area not only for their safety but also for your family’s safety.  Many dogs were bred to be guardian dogs.  These dogs still have the instant to protect their flocks or families.  Protective dogs like this might want to sleep near a vulnerable family member, just so they can keep an eye on them.

Essentially, many of our furry friends take their safety and their family’s safety seriously and want to sleep in a spot where they can be alerted of any disturbances quickly!

A Spacious (Or Not) Area

The last thing that can make a dog feel comfortable or uncomfortable in a sleeping area is the amount of space in that area.

We have two very different sides of the spectrum here.  Some dogs love their personal space and some dogs love to be close to their owners.  Odds are, you know which one your dog is.

If your dog likes to sleep stretched out, they will probably look for a spacious sleeping area.  These kinds of dogs don’t really like to lie too close to their humans and feel most relaxed when they have breathing room.

If you have a velcro dog, your dog is probably looking for a small and confined sleeping space.  Whether this means in bed with you or in the corner of the small bathroom, they don’t want to feel like there is too much open space around them.  Usually smaller breed dogs will have this tendency.

Depending on your dog’s breed and personality, they will choose to either be crowded or spacious with their sleeping arrangements.

Does This All Apply For Puppies?

If you have a puppy, the rules above might not apply!

Puppies play hard and they sleep hard.  Puppies seem to have a miraculous talent of falling asleep almost anywhere!  Unlike adult dogs, puppies are not as concerned for their safety or their own personal space. This incredible video shows 11 hours of footage of puppies sleeping in the dirt!

I don’t expect you to watch the whole thing, but you get the point!  Puppies really can sleep anywhere for any amount of time!  Puppies do usually need to be kept warmer while sleeping, so will tend to sleep close to their owners, other pets in the house, or just in piles of blankets!

If you have a puppy, it could be harder to figure out their sleeping patterns, and you might just need to be patient.

So, now we know why dogs choose to sleep in certain areas, so let’s figure out why your dog isn’t sleeping with you!

Why Do Dogs Stay In Other Rooms At Night?

It might seem like your dog is being rude to you when they don’t sleep with you at night.  I love when my dog chooses to spend the night with me in my bedroom.  But, sometimes the conditions just aren’t right for him and he chooses to go somewhere else, and usually, I know why!

1. The Other Room Has A More Comfortable Bed

Your furry friend might choose to sleep in another room because this room has a more comfortable bed.

Do you have a dog bed in your room?  If not, you might want to look at purchasing one!  A dog bed is a great way to entice your dog to sleep in your room.  It’s a space that is all their own, but still in the same room as you.  Even though you find your bed comfortable, your dog might think it’s too soft or too hard!

2. They’re Protecting Someone

Do you have a family?  If so, your dog might be sleeping in another room because they feel like they need to keep that family member safe!

Not all dog breeds are protective.  But, many breeds, like Pitbulls, are extremely protective and defensive of their owners.  If you have a guard dog and they choose to sleep in your kid’s room, congratulations!  This could mean that your dog has chosen to do their best to protect your child.  Although it’s a little sad that your dog isn’t protecting you, this could explain why your dog doesn’t sleep in your room with you.

3. Your Bedroom Is Too Hot

If you’re feeling warm throughout the night, imagine how your fur-covered dog feels!

Many dogs run warm because of their thick weather resistant coats.  Thier fur has evolved to protect them from the elements!  Now, it can just be something that causes them to heat up quickly.  Your dog might choose to sleep in another room because your room is too hot.  Your bedroom is bound to be a bit warmer than the rest of the house because of your body heat.  Although they love you, your pup wants to find the best temperature in the house for a good night’s sleep!

4. You Move Too Much or Make Too Much Noise

Are you a restless sleeper?  You could be causing your pup to lose valuable z’s!

If you make a lot of noise in the night (snorers, I’m talking to you) or move around a lot, your dog isn’t going to feel comfortable and they may choose to sleep in another room or just sleep closer to your partner who doesn’t move as much.  Snoring might keep them awake and alert.  Kicking and movement in the bed might make them feel like they’re going to fall off of the edge.  Your dog might start the night sleeping in your room but could move to another room because they can’t sleep with the noise!

5. They Need Space

The last reason why your dog might sleep in another room is that they just need space.

Your bedroom probably isn’t the biggest room in the house.  If you have a big dog they might just need more space to stretch out!  If you find that your dog is constantly relocating to a larger room, like the living room, it might mean they just feel crowded.

Hopefully, you are starting to have a better idea of why your dog sleeps in another room!  Next, we are going to look at some rooms in detail.  If your dog always chooses to sleep in the same room, keep reading!

Why Does Your Dog Sleep In The Kitchen?

If your doggie always chooses to sleep in the kitchen, there’s probably a reason!

Compare your kitchen to your bedroom.  Your kitchen probably has hard floors.  If so I would imagine that your dog is sleeping in the kitchen for comfort and to cool down.  Your dog might be an older dog who prefers to sleep on a hard surface.  The cooling effect of the tile or linoleum might help them keep a normal body temperature.  If your kitchen is large and open, your dog might also be looking for a large area to spread out in overnight.

Why Does Your Dog Sleep In The Living Room?

If your pup spends the night in the living room, our guess if they’re looking for comfort and acting as a protector.

Your living room is probably close to the entryway of your house.  Certain breeds of dogs might want to sleep near the front door so that they can be on alert for intruders.  Additionally, your living room probably has the best couches and rugs in the house.  If your dog is sleeping on your couches, they might want a softer and cozier sleeping area than they already have in your bedroom.

Why Does Your Dog Sleep In The Bathroom?

The bathroom is a surprisingly common sleeping place for many dogs!

Often, dogs that like to be in mall places will choose to sleep or just hang out in bathrooms.  The smallness of the room feels safe to them, sort of like a den for a pack of wolves in the wild.  Your bathroom is probably one of the coolest rooms in your house and so a dog sleeping here could also be looking to regulate their body temperature.

Why Does Your Dog Sleep In Another Bedroom?

Is your dog leaving your room at night to sleep in… another bedroom?

If so, don’t take it personally!  Your dog might choose another bedroom for a variety of reasons!  If your dog chooses a kid’s bedroom, they might be acting protectively.  If they choose to sleep in a spare bedroom, they could be looking for some space and for a comfier bed.

How to Get Your Dog To Sleep In Your Room

If you’re sad about your dog sleeping in another room, there are some things you can do to encourage them to stay or even encourage them to cuddle.

Because dogs like to be comfortable, figure out how your dog likes to sleep.  Do they like a soft or a hard surface?  If they like a nice fluffy place to sleep, make sure to provide them with a cozy dog bed in your room!  If you think your dog might be too hot in your room, you can try leaving a window or a fan on overnight to provide them with fresh air.

If your dog doesn’t like to be in your room, try to figure out why!  Did you ever tell them they weren’t allowed to be on your bed?  If so, they might be afraid of being punished in your room!  Make your room a place of positive feelings for them by providing them with treats and toys in this space.

Final Thoughts

Dogs like to be comfortable when they sleep!  This means they need to feel like they have the right amount of space (or closeness to you).  They shouldn’t be too hot or too cold.  Even when dogs sleep they might be positioning themselves in a way to feel safer or to feel more protective.  If you want your pup to cuddle up with you at night, make your space as dog friendly as possible and think about what might be preventing them from spending the night with you.

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