[Dogmama517116]

I have 2 dogs a 7 year old cockapoo and a 4 year old teddybear. They've both been attached to my hip since day 1. Dont like when I go places without them even if my husband is still at home. Dont like it when I walk ahead of them when my husband has them on leashes. They want to be with me. This past year we had a first kid. Baby girl is 8 months old now and we have been trading taking nighttime duty every other night so we can both still get sleep. The dogs still get special treats and time with me. We even still do a baby less adventure once a week. But when we go to bed sometimes I'm on the couch sometimes I'm in bed. Both with or without baby. But my dogs no longer sleep with me. They will hang out for an hour then leave and sleep with my husband. I would understand if they just didnt want to deal with the baby waking up but they will still sleep with my husband when hes got the baby for the night and shes more likely to wake up when shes with him. I dont get it. They're still obsessed with being with me but they wont sleep with me overnight. Now my younger dog usually follows the older ones lead so I know why she eventually leaves but i can figure out why my oldest leaves when weve got a crazy connection from when it was just the two of us. What could be going on?

 

[DaySleepers]

So this is happening whether you're in bed and your husband's on the couch, or vice versa? Because if they're just going to the bedroom to sleep with him, it's possible it's simply that they see that space as where they sleep, and can't settle as well outside the bedroom. If it's happening regardless of where either of your are sleeping, maybe you're more likely to disturb them somehow - I know I move around a lot more in my sleep than my wife does. It could be something really hard to pin down, like maybe you smell different due to post-baby body changes or the stress of being a new parent, and your husband smells more 'normal' and that's comforting to them during a time of a lot of change and stress in the household.

Either way, I wouldn't see it as a personal slight. You clearly have a strong bond with them, and dogs often have preferences that we can't really explain. It doesn't mean they love you any less, just that everyone's adjusting to the new routines and family member in their own ways.

 

[3GSD4IPO]

They are dogs, not children. Dogs will change sleeping locations and often for no particular reason that we can see.

Don't worry about it. They are dogs doing what dogs do best and they are still good dogs.

 

[hueymilam]

Our 1 year old ACD ALWAYS wanted to sleep in our bed when he was younger. I think some dogs just find their independence, as some days we can’t coax him into bed, or he will be like a human and after 10 minutes, he gives us a look like “I think I’ve given you enough time” and goes to his bed.

 

[K9luv]

My pup is only 6 months old, but he doesn't like sleeping in the bed. It's just the two of us, my husband and I, but when we put him with us, he says hi and cuddles for two minutes, then he wants to go back to the living room where he has many places to lie down. He doesn't even like it if I pet him when he's just lain down somewhere, he'll get up and move a few feet away. He's a very loving pup and quite attached to me still, but he just prefers to sleep independantly. Another odd thing, we allow him on the sofas, but he rarely settles there unless it's really late and we are watching TV.

When we first got him, I slept on the couch too so I could hear if he wanted out during the night, now it doesn't matter if I'm on the couch or in bed, he sleeps where he is comfy.

My first pup used to put himself to bed upstairs when he was tired even if we had company over hanging in the basement partying. Some dogs are just more independant then others, doesn't mean they are less loving or meaning to cause you any concern. Just being dogs and their own.

I agree, if your husband is sleeping in the bed while you are on the sofa, they probably are just used to sleeping in the bed and it has nothing to do with who is sleeping there.