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As dog owners, we love it when our furry friends want to be with us. Cuddling up on the couch at the end of a long day with our dogs is a great way to relax and unwind. Sometimes, your pup has other ideas and decides you’ll make a great pillow. It may seem they’d rather lie on top of you than on the couch. While it can be cute, this behavior may occasionally be associated with underlying anxiety or other behavioral concerns that should be evaluated if accompanied by additional signs of distress or problematic behavior.
In this article, we’ll explain the origin of a dog’s desire to sleep on their owner’s head and give four possible reasons your dog might be using you as furniture. In the end, we’ll discuss how you can train your dog to replace this behavior with something less intrusive.
The 4 Reasons Your Dog Sleeps On Your Head
1. Comfort and Security
Dogs often prefer to sleep close to the people they trust. Being near you can help your dog feel comfortable and secure, especially when they’re resting or sleeping. Since your head is close to your scent and body heat, it may be an especially appealing spot for your pup to settle down. Unlike much of the rest of your body, your head is also less likely to be covered by blankets or pajamas, making it easier for your dog to snuggle up close.
Some dogs simply feel more relaxed when they’re in physical contact with their owners. If your dog chooses to sleep on your head, it can be a sign that they enjoy being close to you and feel safe in your presence.
2. Separation Anxiety
A common cause of sleeping near or on top of your head is separation anxiety. If your dog is attached to you, they might get nervous when they’re removed from your presence, even by just a few feet.
In extreme cases, dogs with separation anxiety will follow their owners around the house and will whine and bark if they’re left in a room by themselves. If you suspect your dog has separation anxiety, you need to take steps to help them overcome it so they can live a normal, happy dog life.
A complete guide on handling separation anxiety is beyond the scope of this article, but the general plan is to gradually increase the amount of time you and your dog spend apart. Rewarding your dog when they don’t react to you leaving is a great way to train them to associate leaving with a positive experience.
3. Affection
Dogs have many ways of showing affection, and sleeping close to their owners is one of them. If your dog chooses to sleep on your head, they may simply enjoy being as close to you as possible.
Dogs often form strong bonds with their families and seek out opportunities for physical contact. While every dog expresses affection differently, some pups are happiest when they’re curled up right next to their favorite person.
4. Your Dog Was (Inadvertently) Trained To
Most dogs are fast learners and can pick up on our habits quickly. Reinforcement training is often used with treats, but toys and attention are also valuable enough rewards that your dog could learn some behaviors by accident.
Consider the following scenario. Your dog hops on the bed, slinks over to your head, and plops down. If you respond by scratching their head and giving them a pet, they will learn to associate the behavior of sleeping near your head with the positive experience of getting pets. Over time, this behavior becomes ingrained, and you’re left scratching your head, wondering what happened.
How to Break the Habit of Dogs Sleeping On Your Head
The simplest way to get your dog to sleep off your head and in a more suitable place is to train them by positively reinforcing the desired behavior. A good start is to notice when your dog lies down where you want them to sleep and reward them with a treat or their favorite toy. You can artificially create this situation by leading them to the spot, or you can wait and react when they go there by chance.
One thing you don’t want to do is use punishment or aversive training methods. It is essential to recognize that sleeping on your head is usually nothing more than normal dog behavior, and using methods such as yelling at your dog or forcibly removing them could create additional behavioral problems and damage trust.
If you suspect that separation anxiety is the cause, you’ll need to address that underlying problem directly. The general approach for treating separation anxiety is to gradually help your dog become comfortable with being alone while creating positive associations with your departures. Start by reviewing parts of your leaving routine and rewarding the dog with treats when they remain calm. Some owners find it helpful to use an automatic treat dispenser or pet camera that can deliver treats remotely while they’re away. Eventually, your dog will learn that your leaving predicts positive experiences and become more comfortable with being separated from you.
Conclusion
Dogs often sleep close to their owners because they feel comfortable, secure, or strongly bonded to them. Your dog might be sleeping on your head for a variety of reasons, including affection, comfort, learned behavior, or, in some cases, separation anxiety. While separation anxiety can contribute to this behavior in some dogs, many dogs that sleep on their owners’ heads are simply seeking closeness or a comfortable place to rest. If separation anxiety is involved, addressing the underlying issue can help reduce the behavior over time.
The most important factor to remember when training your dog to change their behavior is to have patience. Dogs don’t have the same attention spans we do, and it can be stressful when they sense your frustration. Train in short sessions and take several fun breaks to play or go for a walk; you and your furry companion will be happier.
Related Reads:
- Â Why Does My Australian Shepherd Sit on Me So Often?
- How Many Hours Does a Dog Sleep? The Answer is Fascinating!
Featured Image Credit: Rasulov, Shutterstock
