Kids and Dogs – Should They Share A Bed?

Having kids and dogs share a bed can seem like a good idea to some. They may think that the dog and child will have a stronger bond or that the child will sleep easier knowing that they are safe with the dog close by. However, the truth is having children share their bed with any pet can cause a number of problems.

Sleeping on furniture is one of the things that can lead to an over protective or “bossy” dog. Dogs think and operate in terms of territory. The more territory you give them the more they feel they own and need to protect. This sense of ownership can lead to aggressive behavior and disobedience.

When it comes to a child’s bed, this is particularly worrisome. Another reason why you may want to reconsider a child-dog sleeping arrangement is for sanitary reasons. Dogs are not the cleanest of animals, they shed and drool and can even discrete spray from over active anal glands. Sleeping with a dog that may have any of these characteristics can lead to your child developing dog allergies and is a worry as far as dog germs are concerned. If your child does tend to sleep better while in close proximity to your dog then maybe all you need to do is provide your dog with his own bed or crate and place it in or right outside your child’s room. This will give your dog the sense of territory that comes naturally as well as supplying your child with the needed sense of security and safety.

The easiest way to prevent any difficulties when it comes to sleeping arrangements for kids and dogs is to never allow it start in the first place. While your dog is a puppy, train them to know which places in your home are theirs, which are communal properties and which are for human family members only. That way, there’ll never be a question as to “who’s boss”.