Nothing is sweeter than your tiny dog curling up close to you so you can hear every sigh, snort and snore as you fall asleep. But it’s hard to truly enjoy it when you’re worried about rolling over and crushing your pup in your sleep, or if you’re concerned that she’ll get trapped under the covers and won’t be able to find her way up for air.
At first, I wanted Matilda to sleep in a crate for these very reasons, but she had other plans. Now that she’s three years old, she has spent most nights sleeping with me. We both learned how to safely sleep together without any risk of danger.
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Teach Your Pup To Sleep By Your Chest
When Matilda was a puppy, she always crawled to the bottom of the covers, by my legs, to find the warmest spots. Small dogs love warm, cozy places and will tunnel to the depths of your duvet to find the best spot.
Simply bring your dog up by your chest, and cover her with the blanket so she’s still able to burrow.
That’s all you have to do. Eventually, she’ll choose to sleep in the correct spot to avoid being woken up and moved.
Create A Safe Space
Your dog can break their leg if they fall off the bed. If your bed is against a wall, you can encourage your dog to stay close to the wall, not the edge.
But if you’re a heavy sleeper, being close to the wall could mean that your dog does not have a means to escape if you roll to close to her. You may want to leave the edge of the bed available, and have some soft doggy steps, some pillows or blankets at the side of the bed for your dog to land on.
You can also keep a blanket or dog bed on top of your bed so your dog always lays in the same spot, rather than randomly roaming around your bed.
Instinctive Check-Ins
When you first start sleeping with your dog, it’s necessary to check on her. Reach out a hand to touch her head, or lift the covers so you can see where she’s sleeping.
If you do this enough, eventually you’ll develop an instinct, asking yourself, “where is my dog?” before you get into bed, every few minutes if you’re hanging out in bed on your phone, and before you drift off to sleep.
You’ll soon start to notice your dog’s sleeping habits. Though you may encourage her to sleep by your chest, her favorite spot might be behind your legs or on, around or under your butt – yes, dogs love sleeping on butts – and that might work out well for you if you find that you don’t have to worry about accidentally kicking her. 
Your Personal Sleeping Style
Some people believe that the way you sleep indicates your personality. If you sleep like a starfish, you’re outgoing, if you sleep in the fetal position, you’re introverted.
Well, your sleeping style also indicates whether you can safely sleep with a small dog.
The fetal position is great because you can curl around your pup like a mama dog.
Sleeping on your back means your dog can curl up at your neck or sleep on your chest.
After a few months, or even sooner, you and your dog can match your sleeping styles. Your dog becomes like an extra body part. They’ll generally sleep in the same spot, and you’ll always know where they are. Something will feel “off” if they’re not in their spot.
She also uses her pet copywriting business to make sure the best pet products and services get found online through catchy copy and fun, informative blog posts. She also provides product description writing services for ecommerce companies.
As a dog mom to Matilda and Cow, she spends most of her days taking long walks and practicing new tricks, and most nights trying to make the best of a very modest portion of her bed.
You'll also find her baking bread and making homemade pizza, laughing, painting and shopping.
Definitely, I am crazy about dogs. I love my little dog so much and feel comfortable sleeping with him. I like the way my dog curl up close to me. I find your post interesting, actually, coz you have the same habit as mine. It’s so cool to know you and your blog. Keep everything going on! Thanks so much!
Our little Yorkie, Winston, sleeps with us every night. I smiled when I read what you said about instinctively reaching for him asking, “Where’s my dog?” Although he travels with us most everywhere we go, when he’s not with me I panic when I wake up in a strange place and can’t feel him beside me.
The reason your dog wants to be in the bed with you is he wants to be close to you., his human, his single biggest bond or single biggest attachment. And it’s important that he’s close to you. My first dog that I really bonded to, his name is Hoochie, he always slept in my bed. He was especially bonded to me, he was just adopted at the age of six months.
Our Yorkie loves to sleep in the bed with us. Thank you for these tips it will help to keep our little one safe!
Hello Lindsey,
I’ve always been a little afraid. Just like you at first, I thought I was going to kill my crushed puppy.
The opportunities I’ve let him sleep with me so far are rare. But with these tips I will strive to improve and create a safer environment.
I am sure that the insistence is only a proof of love, because he wants to be closer to me.
Thanks for sharing these tips!
Thanks for the tips! I have struggles finding the correct spot and position for my dog when we sleep. This article really helps.
I find sleeping with the cute puppies are so cute. However proper positioning may one of the factors of making them sleep comfortably.
I really wanted my dog beside me at night but what worries me the most is that I might accidentally crumple it but I’ll try these tips, this could be of help to me. Thanks!
My dog is so hyperactive, everytime i bring her to my bed she always sneaked out once i fell asleep. Very naughty!
My poodie can’t sleep without me by her side so we are always getting sleep together.
I have been sleeping with my 7lb toy poodle for 5 years with no issues. Two nights ago he jumped on my chest to tell me he had to go to the bathroom. I thought I was having a nightmare and kicked him off the bed. He went flying and thankfully no broken bones. I am crushed and now afraid that this will happen again. Trying to decide if I should retrain him to sleep in his crate. I appreciate any suggestions.