5 Reasons Why Your Dog Refuses to Sleep on a Bed (Tips you need to know)

Dogs are beautiful, loving, adorable, and playful creatures. But they can sometimes be a little strange too. I mean who chooses to sleep on the floor right next to the bed? Instead of sleeping on the bed itself! More often than not, it’s because something is cooking under the covers. So here are the top 5 reasons why your dog refuses to sleep on a bed.

But before I get into them, you should know that it’s not an uncommon occurrence. So don’t worry about anything here. Just read on to know more.

Most Common 5 Reasons Why Your Dog Refuses to Sleep On a Bed

As a dog lover, I’m sure you’ve come across many hilarious pictures of dogs dozing on the floor right next to the bed. The internet, not very surprisingly, is packed with such photos. Dogs are not dumb creatures. In fact, they’re smarter and more intelligent than you think. So what makes them reject the bed and sleep on the floor?

You obviously cannot get inside the head of your precious pet to read his/her mind. Sometimes I wish we could in order to understand what they really want. And how they really feel. Anyway, my point is that you might not be able to read their mind but you surely can make a few educated guesses.

The best news here is that it’s nothing serious or concern-worthy. Even so, speaking to your vet about it does seem like a wise decision. So if you’re very concerned about your dog not liking his/her bed, just call your vet.

Here are the possible 5 reasons why your dog refuses to sleep on a bed:

#1 Bed isn’t comfortable

If people can have preferences when it comes to mattresses, then why can’t dogs? Personally, I like sleeping on a hard mattress. While some people feel more comfortable on soft, fluffy mattresses. So maybe your dog has personal preferences too. It’s quite much possible!

The chances are your furry companion is not sleeping on his/her bed because the thing is uncomfortable. He/she might not like the feel of the bed at the time of lying down. Too scratchy material, lack of enough padding, something poking into the body, etc. It could be anything!

So how about you give the bed a thorough check? Maybe even lie down on it yourself to get the feel of it.

Even if you’ve got an indestructible dog bed  you can visit https://www.the-hunting-dog.com/indestructible-dog-beds/ for your naughty four-legged friend who simply loves to chew everything, it can get rejected. So at such times, to make the bed feel more comfortable, try layering the top with a soft, cozy dog bed blanket.

#2 Weather is either too cold or too hot

It’s only logical to assume that your dog prefers sleeping on the floor because of the weather. Curling up under or over a blanket when the temperature is rising doesn’t seem like such a comfortable idea. And I’m sure your dog thinks so too. Hot summer days and nights are no fun under the covers.

During the summer season, your dog bed might feel too stuffy. So it’s only natural for your pet to look for a cooler spot. And what’s cooler than the floor for a dog! Dogs often sleep on the floor because it provides relief from heat.

What about if it’s the winter season? Even when it’s cold your dog would prefer sleeping on the floor. And not on his/her bed. But why? Once again, the answer is to stay warm.

Maybe the heater or fireplace is not near the dog bed. Or maybe your dog is following the rays of the sun around your house. So ends up sleeping in a spot where they’re shining the brightest and offering some warmth.

#3 Bed size is not right

Does the size of the dog bed really matter? Yes, yes it does. Anything too big or too small might make your precious pet feel uncomfortable.

Smaller breeds are insecure about large beds. It’s because they anticipate potential threats at the time of lying down and sleeping in a large bed. What you should also know is that small, hairless dogs often feel cold. So if their bed is large, it may make them feel even chillier. Despite the sufficient padding!

As for too small beds, it’s only common sense to believe that the bed doesn’t allow your furry friend to stretch out. No wonder he/she prefers sleeping more freely and comfortably on the floor next to the bed.

For medium and small dogs, you should consider buying nest beds. Such beds are designed with tons of cushioning for warmth. They have a cave-type structure to also make your dog feel protected.

And obviously, for large-sized dogs, a large bed is the most suitable. Don’t be confused about the size, just measure the size of your dog at the time of choosing a bed for him/her.

#4 Dog is used to sleeping on the floor

Creatures of habit; the best way to describe the behavior of dogs. So it’s very likely that he/she is not sleeping on the bed because sleeping on the floor is the most natural response. Maybe your little pooch doesn’t know he/she is supposed to nap on the bed.

In that case, you can teach your dog to choose the bed instead of the floor. And here’s how:

• Is there a spot in your home the dog feels the safest to sleep? If yes, then put the bed in that place.
• Use the common command “Go to bed” for getting your dog into his/her bed.
• Show the bed, say the words, and encourage your pet to get comfortable in the bed.
• If he/she listens, use positive reinforcements like praises and treats.
• Practice this routine a few times daily until it becomes a habit.

#5 Dog’s in pain

Let me begin by reassuring you that the majority of dogs sleeping on the floor aren’t sick. They’re perfectly healthy, which means you may have no cause for worry. However, if the dog suddenly changes his/her behavior and starts to sleep on the floor, then something might be up.

Maybe the location of the bed isn’t right. If the bed is placed on a height, the chances are he/she is finding it difficult to jump into it. Or climb the stairs for reaching the bed.

Joints start to get weaker as dogs grow old. So if that’s what’s happening, then it’s only natural for your dog to not be able to move and jump around as much. Keeping that in mind, for older dogs, it’s best to change the sleeping arrangements.

I would highly advise you to speak to your vet about this. Maybe it’s nothing. But the other side of the coin does pose the possibility that your adorable pet might be in some kind of pain.

Conclusion

To be honest, dogs aren’t concerned about stuff like what kind of bed they’re sleeping in. As long as the sleeping space is comfortable, they don’t really care. So don’t think too much regarding your dog refusing to sleep on his/her bed. Maybe your little furry creature is more comfortable napping on the floor. If he/she feels like moving to the bed, that will happen sooner or later.