Is your Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you, even though they have their own comfortable bed?
Some people are more than happy to let their dogs into their own bed. But, not everyone agrees that allowing your dog into your bed is a good idea.
Your Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you can help you to sleep better. But, it can also introduce nasty germs into your sleeping area.
Let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of a Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you, as well as how to prevent it if you’re not keen.
Labradoodle Sleeping in Bed – Do Dogs Like to Sleep with Us?
As a dog lover, there’s nothing like taking a good nap with a snuggle Labradoodle at your side. But, of course, not everyone is a fan of letting their dog into their bed.
And, with conflicting studies, and a long list of pros and cons, it can be confusing to know if it’s safe to let Labradoodles sleep in bed with you.
Most dog owners consider dogs members of the family. Many even see their Labradoodles as their children!
This is one of the reasons more and more people are scooting over in bed to make room for their pup.
As natural pack animals, dogs enjoy sleeping with their family members, too. Co-sleeping can help your dog feel safe, and provide them with a sense of warmth and comfort.
Labradoodles are family oriented dogs. They bond well with their family members and will love spending as much time with you as possible. This includes at bedtime, if you let them!
But, it’s important to fully consider the pros and cons of a Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you before making the decision.
Pros of a Labradoodle Sleeping in Bed with You
Some of the benefits of letting a Labradoodle sleep in bed with you are related to the breed themselves. Others are more general.
- You won’t need to worry about lots of fur in the bed (as long as your Doodle has fleece or wool type coats).
- Sleeping with your Labradoodle is a great way to improve your bond.
- Studies suggest that sleeping with your dog can help you sleep better, and even aid sleeping disorders.
Let’s take a closer look at these benefits.
A Low Shedding Breed
Many people say Labradoodles are hypoallergenic. In reality, no dog breed is hypoallergenic.
But, Labradoodles with Poodle-like coats may shed less. Their tight curls will also catch any shedding hair and allergy-inducing dander.
This makes Labradoodle dogs the ideal companion for co-sleeping, because you are less likely to wake up with an abundance of dog fur in your bed and on your bedding.
Improving Your Bond
As we mentioned earlier, Labradoodles are very social dogs. They love spending all of their time with their close family.
In fact, they can become quite unhappy if they’re left alone for too long!
So, your Labradoodle will love sleeping in bed with you.
This is a great way to improve the bond between you.
Labradoodles are also highly intelligent.
So, as long as you keep your Labradoodle on a good exercise, mealtime, and sleep schedule, they will be able to flow with your bedtime routine seamlessly.
Helping You Sleep Better
Studies have shown that sleeping with your dog can actually aid sleep.
In fact, different studies published to Sleep Review by Professor Mary W. Rose showed that sleeping with your dog may actually aid in specific sleeping disorders like PTSD, recurring nightmares, insomnia, and more.
This is especially true for dogs who are trained service animals or support animals.
Labradoodles were originally created to be a hypoallergenic service dog. So, they are excellent candidates for training to help you with any sleep issues you’re having.
So, you may find that you sleep more soundly and comfortably alongside your Labradoodle. As long as they are sleeping soundly too!
Cons of a Labradoodle Sleeping in Bed With You
Despite the benefits, there are also downsides to letting your dog in your bed with you. Primarily:
- Higher chance of germs or parasites in your bed.
- Your Labradoodle may keep you awake.
- Labradoodles won’t understand if there are times you don’t want them in the bed!
- They can take up a lot of room.
- Some Labradoodles will shed.
Let’s take a closer look.
Germs in the Bed
Having your Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you may be comforting, but there are associated risks.
Unlike humans, dogs don’t (usually) wear shoes when out and about. So, they’re much more likely to pick up germs and zoonotic parasites on their paws and fur, which they can transfer into your bed.
This puts you at higher risk of potential illnesses, or at least of coming into contact with those germs. It may also mean you end up having to clean your sheets a lot more!
You Can Combat This Issue
There are a few ways to reduce your chances of dealing with potentially dangerous germs if you want to share your bed with your Labradoodle.
Invest in some quality doggy paw wipes or routinely wash your dog’s paws and legs before letting him in your bed.
But, of course, make sure you only use products that are specifically designed for dogs and that are safe to use daily.
Stay away from alcohol-based products. Or products with disinfectants not designed for a dog’s sensitive skin or paws.
You Labradoodle May Keep You Awake
Another issue is that your Labradoodle might keep you awake when they share a bed with you.
If your Labradoodle isn’t on a proper schedule, this is very likely.
Dogs that aren’t properly exercised and fed, dogs who are anxious, very high energy, or dogs that have problems holding their bladder can be problematic when it comes to sound sleep.
Plus, some Labradoodles snore, bark, and move in their sleep.
Sleeping with an active Labradoodle can be just as disruptive as sleeping next to a human that snores or talks in their sleep at night!
No Time for Privacy
If your Labradoodle is used to sleeping in your bed, you may have trouble getting them to sleep elsewhere on nights where you might not want a dog around.
Or nights where you just want some privacy.
Labradoodles won’t necessarily understand that there are times they shouldn’t be in your room.
And, trying to get them to sleep alone in their own bed on random nights could lead to some pretty vocal objections.
Taking Up Space
Labradoodles are large dogs. And, this means they can also be bed hogs.
This doesn’t bode well for couples in the bed, or owners with smaller sleeping spaces.
So, be prepared to lose a significant amount of your sleeping area if you’re going to offer it to your Labradoodle.
Some Labradoodles Shed
A final point to bear in mind is that Labradoodles are mixed breed dogs. So, there’s a chance they won’t inherit the Poodle’s low shedding coat.
Labradoodles with the Labrador parent’s straight hair coat will shed a lot. And this means they’ll shed their fur when they are your bed.
The risk of this coat type is higher when your Labradoodle puppy is a first generation mix (one Lab parent and one Poodle parent).
But, the risk is lower if you have a third or lower generation mix.
Either way, it’s something to consider on an individual basis.
Stopping a Labradoodle from Sleeping in Bed with You
If you aren’t keen on sharing your bed with your Labradoodle, the best thing to do is to not let it happen in the first place.
Prevention is the best way to stop bad habits from forming.
So, keep the door to your bedroom closed.
Or, use a baby gate in your doorway. This may seem a little frustrating, but it will be the best way to stop your Labradoodle from using your bed.
You can also make sure that you have somewhere safe and comfy for your Labradoodle to sleep instead. Like a bed in the kitchen, or a crate as their own little den.
Tips of Staying Healthy With Your Labradoodle Sleeping in Bed
Transmittable parasites and diseases are some of the biggest concerns for people when it comes to a Labradoodle sleeping in bed with their owners.
But, as we mentioned above, there are ways around these issues.
Invest in quality paw wipes to disinfect your dog’s paws. Wipe his feet clean after walks and backyard play time each day.
Check your Labradoodle regularly for parasites like fleas and ticks. You don’t want him sleeping in bed with you if he’s got these!
You might also want to invest in a special blanket for your dog. This way, you can designate a spot on the bed that’s all his.
Labradoodles are intelligent dogs that take well to training. So, it should be a breeze teaching your Doodle where they’re allowed to sleep on your bed.
Labradoodle Sleeping in Bed With Me
If you want your Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you, there’s no major reason why you shouldn’t move forward with it.
Of course, it’s important to consider the pros and cons, as well as your dog’s unique personality.
Implement a schedule first, so your Labradoodle understands what bedtime means. And, teach your dog solid cues and boundaries so they will listen when it’s time to get down.
If you’re still on the fence about your Labradoodle sleeping in bed with you, you can always speak to your trusted veterinarian on the safety of sleeping with your dog.
References and Resources
- Patel, S. (et al), ‘The Effects of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment’, Mayo Clinic Proceedings (2017)
- Smith, B. (et al), ‘An Exploratory Study of Human-Dog Co-Sleeping Using Actigraphy: Do Dogs Disrupt Their Owner’s Sleep?’, Anthrozoos (2018)
- Thompson, K. & Smith, B. ‘Should We Let Sleeping Dogs Lie… With Us? Synthesizing the Literature and Setting the Agenda for Research on Human-Animal Co-Sleeping Practices’, Humanimalia: A Journal of Human/Animal Interface Studies (2014)
- Overgaauw, P. (et al), ‘Zoonotic Parasites in Fecal Samples and Fur from Dogs and Cats in the Netherlands‘, Veterinary Parasitology (2009)
- Roy, S. ‘Mental Health, Narcolepsy, Obstructive Sleep Apnea, REM Parasomnias, Sleep Treatments, Dogs and their Promising Roles in Sleep Disorders Therapy’, Sleep Review (2015)