Do you have a Dachshund and don’t know if it’s OK to let him sleep in your bed? Are you wondering what the pros and cons are and how to make it safe? Here’s everything you need to know about letting your Dachshund sleep in your bed.
Should I Let My Dachshund Sleep In My Bed? Your Dachshund can sleep in your bed but you need to make it safe. Add a ramp so your Dachshund can get on and off without hurting their back and keep them clean. If they suffer with behavioural issues, it’s better for them to sleep on a dog bed on the floor nearby.
Read on to find out the pros and cons of your Dachshund sleeping in your bed and what you need to think about if you do decide to let them under the covers!
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This article is based on research and personal experience as a Dachshund owner of 10+ years. I’m not a Vet, qualified dog trainer or dog behaviourist.
What Are The Pros Of Letting Your Dachshund Sleep In Your Bed?
The pros of letting your Dachshund sleep in your bed are:
Your Dachshund puppy will sleep more soundly
When your Dachshund is still a puppy and everything is new, nights can be quite long, lonely and frightening.
He might cry and cry and cry, which is obviously heartbreaking for you and can really affect your sleep too.
Your Dachshund will probably settle down and sleep more soundly if you let him sleep in or on the bed with you.
It’s comforting to have your Dachshund with you!
A lot of people find it relaxing to have their Dachshund snoozing in the bed next to them.
If you tend to get stressed or anxious at bedtime, having your Dachshund with you can help you relax and nod off more quickly.
You might feel safer with your Dachshund nearby
Even though they’re small and cute, Dachshunds are also very good watch dogs. They bark at the slightest sound and love to protect you. This isn’t always a good thing but it’s useful for security!
If you live alone or feel a bit on edge at night, having your Dachshund right next to you can help you feel safer.
Your Dachshund keeps you nice and warm
If you get chilly at night, you’ll have a little sausage-shaped hot water bottle to cuddle up to!
Your Dachshund may sleep better
Some Dachshunds sleep better in bed with their humans because they like being higher up and close to you at all times.
They’re incredibly loyal and needy dogs. So it makes them feel settled and safe to be right next to you through the night.
Some people just can’t sleep without their Dachshund
For some people, there’s no question as to whether or not they’d let their Dachshund sleep in bed with them.
Their Dachshunds are their companions that spend every minute of the day with them, so of course they’d let them sleep in the same bed!
It can make your bond even tighter and gives you the joy of waking up to a happy sausage snoot in your face every day.
What Are The Cons Of Letting Your Dachshund Sleep In Your Bed?
The cons of letting your Dachshund sleep in your bed are:
It could make your Dachshund’s behavioural issues worse
If your Dachshund already has behavioural issues like separation anxiety, aggression or possessive tendencies, letting him sleep in your bed could make the situation worse.
He could get even more clingy or needy, or he may become possessive of the bed (and aggressive towards you because he thinks the bed is his).
Saying that, if your Dachshund hasn’t behaved that way or exhibited these kinds of behaviours in the past, then letting him sleep in your bed shouldn’t cause these issues.
Your Dachshund could hurt himself
Unfortunately, Dachshunds have very fragile backs that are prone to injury. So, if your Dachshund tries to jump on or off the bed on his own, he could potentially damage his back.
Repetitive jumping could even increase your Dachshund’s risk of getting Intervertebral Disc Disease (IVDD) so should be avoided where possible.
Your bed may smell doggy or get dirty
Luckily, Dachshunds aren’t particularly smelly dogs, but you’ll probably still notice your bedding getting grubby more quickly and needing to be washed more often.
Some people think having a Dachshund in your bed is unhygienic, but it’s pretty much the same as cuddling your dog on the sofa.
It all comes down to personal preference and how you want to live.
Your Dachshund may bring fleas or ticks into the bed
If your Dachshund has picked up any fleas or ticks while out walking, then these could end up in your bed if that’s where he sleeps.
Not a pleasant thought, but one that’s easily rectified with regular grooming, parasite treatments and bed washing.
Your Dachshund may be a space invader!
Dachshunds might be small, but they sure know how to take up space in the bed!
They’re also stubborn, so even if you tell your Dachshund that he’s only allowed in a certain spot on the bed, he’ll curl up exactly where he wants!
Usually that’s snuggled up right next to you or nestled between you and your partner!
It can get too hot with your Dachshund in the bed
While it’s lovely having a warm Dachshund sleeping next to you in winter, this isn’t so great in the summer months.
It can get very hot for both you and your Dachshund when you’re sleeping in the same bed!
Your Dachshund may disturb your sleep
Apparently, dogs aren’t as disturbing to sleep with as humans or cats. But, if you’re a light sleeper, your Dachshund may still disrupt your sleep.
This can happen when your Dachshund moves around a lot or wants to go out in the night – or when he wakes up at 5am every morning!
Sleeping with your Dachshund could trigger pet allergies
Your bed will have your Dachshund’s dog hair and dander all over it. This isn’t good for your health if you have allergies and could be a trigger.
You could accidentally roll onto your Dachshund
Dachshunds love to burrow under blankets. So if he’s in your bed then there’s a risk you could roll onto him in the night or kick him by accident.
This could potentially hurt him or make him jump.
Alone time with a partner is more difficult
If your Dachshund is used to always being in the bed when you’re in there, this can make it super awkward when you and a partner want some alone time!
What If You Want Your Dachshund To Sleep In Your bed?
If you want to let your Dachshund sleep in your bed with you, this is what you need to do:
Install a ramp for your Dachshund
A ramp will help your Dachshund get on and off your bed safely, without injuring his back. You’ll need to train him to use it, but he’ll soon get the hang of things.
If you can’t use a ramp for whatever reason, train your Dachshund to wait for you to lift him on and off the bed.
Do regular separation training with your Dachshund
Make an extra effort to work with your Dachshund on separation training so that sleeping in your bed doesn’t make him extra clingy or needy.
Make sure your Dachshund knows you’re the alpha
Your Dachshund needs to know the bed is yours, not his. You can help him understand this by only letting him on the bed when you initiate it.
Look out for signs that he’s getting possessive too. You’ll obviously need to nip that in the bud before it turns into possession-related aggression.
In general, it’s good to do regular training with your Dachshund to show him you’re the alpha!
Wash your bedding regularly
Even if you don’t think your sheets are that dirty, remember that your Dachshund will lose dog hair and dander in the bed.
Washing the bed is especially important if you have allergies. Keeping the sheets clean will hopefully help stop any allergies from being triggered.
Keep your Dachshund clean
Wash your Dachshund thoroughly if he gets dirty outdoors. You’ll need to bathe him more regularly than you would if he wasn’t sleeping in your bed.
Most Dachshunds only need a bath about once every 2-3 months. However, if he sleeps in your bed you’ll need to do it much more often.
You’ll also need to bathe him if he gets smelly or dirty while out in the garden or on walks.
Check your Dachshund for parasites regularly
If your Dachshund has been walking in long grass, check him over for fleas and ticks before you let him onto the bed.
Make sure you treat your Dachshund if you find any. You’ll need to give him a flea or tick treatment from the vet, and carefully remove (or have removed by the vet) any parasites you find in his coat.
Give your Dachshund his own spot in the bed
To stop your Dachshund encroaching on your space in the bed, try giving him a designated spot at the end or side of the bed.
Be consistent with this so your Dachshund knows where he’s supposed to sleep and where you want him to sleep.
Although, you may find your Dachshund has his own ideas about where he’s going to sleep, so there might not be much you can do about it!
Make your Dachshund’s bed cosy
You may be happy to give up your bed space for your Dachshund, but maybe you don’t want to be share your duvet too.
Although, you might have to if he’s sleeping in the middle of you and your partner!
Get your Dachshund his own cosy blankets that he can burrow into. That way you should both sleep happily and soundly from dusk till dawn!
So, there you have it! Most Dachshunds can sleep in bed with their owners but you do need to make a few adjustments to make it safe. Add a ramp so your Dachshund can get on and off the bed without straining his fragile back. Check him over for fleas and ticks regularly and keep him clean. If you have a Dachshund that suffers with separation anxiety or has any other behavioural issues, it may not be the best idea to let him sleep in your bed. In that case, pop a dog bed on the floor nearby and create a little more space between you – but not too much!
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