Should I Let My Border Collie Sleep With Me?

Border Collies are known for their intelligence, athleticism, and loyalty. They are also known for their high energy levels and need for regular exercise.

But when it comes to sleeping in particular, one of the main questions owners have is “should I let my Border Collie sleep with me?“.

Is it a good idea long-term? Would you be spoiling your dog? 

Well, the answer is not straightforward as it seems, (although ultimately it should be up to you) and there are pros and cons worth considering.

Understanding your dog’s sleep needs is crucial to making an informed decision. Like all dogs, Border Collies need a lot of sleep to function at their best, and in this article, we’ll be looking at some things to consider, before sharing beds with your pup.

Understanding Border Collie’s Sleep Needs

Before we answer the question outright, let’s go over some of the basics.

As a Border Collie owner, it’s important to understand your dog’s sleep needs, that’s a given.

Just like humans, dogs require a certain amount of sleep to maintain their physical and mental health.

In fact, the amount of sleep a Border Collie needs can vary depending on their age, activity level, and overall health.

According to PetWah, a Border Collie dog needs between 8-10 hours of sleep per day, but can go as high as 12 hours depending on the occasion and puppies may sleep even longer.

As they grow older and become more active, they may also require less sleep, but it’s still important to make sure they get enough rest.

It’s also important to establish a consistent sleep routine for your Border Collie.

This means creating a comfortable and quiet sleeping area for them, and sticking to a regular sleep schedule which can help regulate their sleep patterns and ensure they get the rest they need.

Additionally, it’s important to pay attention to any changes in your Border Collie’s sleep patterns.

Overall, understanding your Border Collie’s sleep needs is an important part of being a responsible pet owner.

By providing them with a comfortable sleeping area and ensuring they get enough rest, you can help keep them healthy and happy.

Knowing this information, let’s now look at answering the question:

Should I Let My Border Collie Sleep With Me?

The answer to this question is: It depends.

As we mentioned above, there are both pros and cons to sleeping with your dog, and you’ll have to weigh the pros and cons individually, to come up with your own conclusions and make a decision.

Let’s now look at the pros and cons of sleeping with your Border Collie.

Pros of Letting Your Border Collie Sleep With You

If you’re considering letting your Border Collie sleep with you, there are a few benefits to keep in mind.

Here are some of the pros of letting your furry friend snuggle up with you at night.

Bonding and Emotional Comfort

Border Collies are known for their loyalty and affectionate nature.

Allowing your dog to sleep with you can strengthen the bond between you and your pet.

It can also provide emotional comfort for both you and your furry friend.

Snuggling up with your Border Collie can help reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness.

Temperature Regulation

Border Collies have a thick double coat that helps regulate their body temperature.

However, they can still get cold during the night, especially during the winter months, so sleeping with your Border Collie can help keep them warm and comfortable.

Additionally, if you tend to keep your bedroom on the cooler side, your furry friend can provide extra warmth.

Nighttime Security

Border Collies are natural protectors and can provide a sense of security at night.

If you’re worried about intruders or just want to feel safer, having your Border Collie sleep with you can help ease your mind.

They will alert you to any unusual sounds or movements, ensuring that you feel safe and secure throughout the night.

Overall, there are several benefits to letting your Border Collie sleep with you. I

t can strengthen the bond between you and your pet, provide emotional comfort, regulate body temperature, and increase nighttime security.

Cons of Letting Your Border Collie Sleep With You

Potential Allergies

Allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you may lead to potential allergies.

Dogs can carry allergens in their fur, saliva, and urine.

If you or someone in your household has allergies, it may not be a good idea to let your dog sleep in your bed.

Ideally, this is something you’d have gone over before you got your dog (especially if you’re prone to get allergies), but might come up if you bring people over. 

Sleep Disturbance

Dogs can be active sleepers, which means they may move around, scratch, or even bark during the night, especially as they grow older and even if they’ve spent the whole day running around.

This can cause sleep disturbance and affect the quality of your sleep.

If you are a light sleeper or have trouble sleeping, allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you may not be the best idea.

It’s important to prioritize your own sleep and consider whether or not your dog’s presence will affect it.

Dependency Issues

Allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you may create dependency issues.

Dogs are pack animals and thrive on social interaction, so if your dog becomes too dependent on you, it may lead to separation anxiety when you are not around.

This can cause destructive behavior, excessive barking, and even aggression, so it’s important to establish boundaries and teach your dog to be independent.

In conclusion, while there may be benefits to letting your Border Collie sleep with you, there are also potential risks to consider.

At the end of the day, the choice is up to you.

Other Health Considerations

Allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you can have both benefits and potential risks.

While it can provide an extra layer of comfort and security for your furry companion, there are several health considerations to keep in mind.

One of the biggest concerns is the risk of zoonotic diseases, which can be transmitted from animals to humans.

Dogs can carry a variety of bacteria, viruses, and parasites that can cause illnesses in people, including:

• Salmonella.
• Ringworm
• and MRSA

While the risk of transmission is generally low, it’s important to practice good hygiene and wash your hands frequently, especially after handling your pet or cleaning up after them.

Another health consideration, as we mentioned before, is the potential for allergies.

If you or someone in your household is allergic to dogs, having them sleep in your bed can exacerbate symptoms.

This can lead to difficulty breathing, sneezing, and itchy eyes, among other symptoms. If you suspect that you or someone in your household has a dog allergy, it’s important you know beforehand.

Giving Your Dog Its Own Space

Finally, allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you can also impact their quality of sleep. While dogs are social animals and enjoy being close to their owners, they also need their own space to rest and recharge.

If your dog is constantly waking up throughout the night or has trouble settling down, it may be a sign that they need their own sleeping area.

Providing your pet with a comfortable crate can help ensure that they get the rest they need to stay healthy and happy.

Overall, while there are potential risks associated with letting your Border Collie sleep in your bed, there are also benefits to consider.

By being aware of the potential health considerations and taking steps to minimize risk, you can make an informed decision about whether or not to allow your furry friend into your sleeping space.

Behavioral Considerations

Allowing your Border Collie to sleep with you can have both positive and negative effects on their behavior specifically.

This ties a bit with what we had mentioned before.

A few considerations to keep in mind are:

• Separation Anxiety: Border Collies are known for being highly attached to their owners. Allowing your dog to sleep with you can reinforce this attachment and increase the likelihood of separation anxiety when you are away from home. If your dog already struggles with separation anxiety, it may be best to avoid letting them sleep in your bed.
• Dominance Issues: Allowing your dog to sleep in your bed can also lead to dominance issues. If your dog starts to think of themselves as an equal to you, they may become more disobedient and difficult to train.
• Sleep Quality: Border Collies require a lot of sleep to function at their best. If your dog is constantly waking up throughout the night to move around or get comfortable in your bed, they may not be getting the quality sleep they need. This could lead to behavioral issues like irritability or hyperactivity.
• Hygiene: Dogs can carry dirt, bacteria, and parasites in their fur and on their paws. Allowing your dog to sleep in your bed can increase the risk of these things transferring to you. It’s important to keep your dog clean and groomed if they sleep in your bed.

Alternative Sleeping Arrangements

While some pet owners enjoy the company of their furry friends in bed, it’s not always the best option for everyone.

And if you’re leaning on the “I don’t want my Border Collie to sleep in my bed” side of things…know that there are plenty of alternative sleeping arrangements that can keep both you and your Border Collie happy.

One popular option is to provide your pup with their own comfortable sleeping space nearby. This could be a cozy dog bed in your bedroom or a separate room altogether.

Make sure to choose a bed that is the appropriate size for your dog and provides enough support for their joints.

Some dogs also prefer to have a blanket or toy nearby for added comfort.

Another alternative is to crate train your Border Collie.

This involves teaching them to sleep in a crate, which can provide a safe and secure sleeping space for your pup.

Crates can also be useful for house training and keeping your dog out of trouble when you are not home. Make sure to choose a crate that is the appropriate size for your dog and provide comfortable bedding too.

If you prefer to keep your Border Collie in a separate room at night, consider installing a baby gate or using a doggy door to provide them with access to a designated sleeping area.

This can give your pup some independence while also keeping them contained and safe.

By providing them with a comfortable and safe sleeping space, you can ensure that both you and your furry friend get a good night’s rest regardless of configuration.

Conclusion

In conclusion, whether or not to let your Border Collie sleep with you is a personal decision that should be based on your lifestyle and preferences as well as your dog’s needs and behavior.

While there are pros and cons to letting your furry friend sleep in your bed, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide what works best for you and your pet.

Some of the benefits of letting your Border Collie sleep with you include bonding, warmth, and comfort.

However, there are also potential downsides such as hygiene issues, allergies, and behavior problems. Therefore, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons carefully and take steps to mitigate any risks.

If you do decide to let your Border Collie sleep with you, there are some things you can do to make the experience safer and more enjoyable for both of you.

On the flip side, if you don’t want your dog in the same bed as you, investing in a high-quality dog bed, crate, or doggy door can be a great solution that won’t leave your dog isolated but can still get the job done.