We dearly love our 2 dogs BUT we made a huge mistake right from the get-go with our cockapoo, Casey Jones. 

We allowed him to sleep on our bed!! No, wait, my husband allowed him to sleep on the bed.  I would give him the boot by telling him to get down and my husband would gently pat his side of the bed inviting him back up where he would remain for the rest of the night.  It was all very funny at the time but it has turned into anything but funny with the end result being sleep deprivation.

Rather than remaining in one spot he migrates to all parts of the bed throughout the night.  I have woken up to find him lying right beside me with his head on my pillow snoring gently.  I have woken up to find him pressed against my legs so I can’t move.  I have woken up cold and shivering with no covers because he has plunked himself down in a way as to steal the covers.  I have woken up practically falling off the side of the bed because he has taken all the room.  It’s been 11 years and these wake-up sessions, resulting in sleep deprivation, have been happening at all hours of the night.

Kick him off and make him sleep somewhere else you say?  Can you teach old dogs new tricks?  We are long past the stage of wanting to go through with the hassle of having him bark, cry and scratch doors while he re-learns a new habit so in the end it is our own fault if we are suffering.  Dog lovers will understand this lame excuse.

Despite the obvious dog-rearing errors in allowing him on the pillow while I am left clinging to the edge and allowing him to take positions of authority by sprawling out and  taking up our space as well as destroying our own standing as pack leader, my point is the sleep deprivation.

This is one of the biggest problems with people not getting enough sleep.  Even having your dog in your bedroom can keep you awake at night.  Dogs will:

• Snore;
• Get up and shake;
• Moan;
• Whimper;
• Have nightmares;
• Wander around the room.

If you get a new pet NEVER let them sleep with you during the night on your bed.  As comforting as it may seem at first it can become detrimental to your health in the form of sleep deprivation.

If you already have this problem, then ensure you do not allow your dog to challenge you for positions of authority.  If he is stretched out in luxury, in your space, then demote him right on back to the foot of the bed or if you are brave and have the patience then right off the bed onto the floor.

Our pet sleeping in our bed with us during the night is only one of many reasons for sleep deprivation.  Sometimes it can be very beneficial to have a little help with an herbal formula.  Fido might not need it but sometimes we do.

Tags: awake at night, not getting enough sleep, sleep deprivation