Who lets their dog sleep in their bed?! Is it OK?

For most dog owners, their dog is not just a 'pet'. So it's no surprise that a recent survey by Great Australian Dog revealed that 65% of dogs sleep in their owner's bedrooms & 56% of those sleep under the covers!

So is it ok? Passionate dog owners are divided on this issue, and it can spark serious debate. Some owners would not dream of letting their dogs sleep anywhere else but on their beds, whilst others are repulsed at the thought of sharing their bed with a canine (despite how much they love them).

The truth is, this is not a new concept. Humans have been sleeping alongside their animals for warmth for millennia. The difference is, that the practice in today's age is not about keeping warm but treating your pooch as you would any other cherished family member.

Although sleeping with your dog may seem fun, you should also know many dogs and particularly Greyhounds, are susceptible to what is called ‘sleep startle’ or ‘sleep aggression’. Essentially, they get a fright from being touched, a sound etc, wake up quickly, then growl and may even accidentally bite you as a result without knowing what they are doing as they are in a state of confusion.

The exceptionally famous saying ‘let sleeping dogs lie’ is actually derived from this phenomenon. Unfortunately, the simple truth is Greyhounds are unable to learn to not get ‘sleep startle’.

Now on the positive side of this discussion, despite the common belief that allowing your dog to sleep in your bed will confuse them when it comes to who is boss, this is simply a myth. HOWEVER (and sorry to be a kill joy), from a vet perspective we can’t recommend sleeping with your dog is a good idea because there is a risk that your dog suffers ‘sleep startle’ and accidently bites you. The other concern is hygiene, the reality is dogs pick up dirt, fleas and bacteria and will bring that to bed with you!

Like all good things in life the best approach is probably to find a good balance so; if you’d like the company of your dog without losing space on your bed, dogs make great roomies. Simply put their bed on your floor to enjoy their company all night long!