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Why Does My Puppy Sleep on My Neck?

A puppy might nap on his owner’s neck regularly if he’s seeking warmth, affection, attention, or safety. It’s a sign that he’s comfortable with someone and enjoys their company.

So, why does my puppy sleep on my neck, and should I let him? It all depends on the kind of relationship you share, but in most cases, it’s harmless.

Young woman is lying and sleeping with poodle dog in bed.

3 Reasons Why Puppies Sleep on Humans’ Necks

Some people think that when a puppy sleeps on his owner’s neck, it’s a show of dominance or territorial marking.

However, when dogs want to mark something as theirs, they’re more likely to pee on it. So, it’s probably safe to assume that this isn’t the situation you’re dealing with here.

Instead, puppy napping on your neck is usually due to one of those reasons, or a combination of them:

1. Warmth

People often forget how much heat their bodies produce. This extra boost of warmth can tempt a cold puppy to sleep next to you.

So, if you’re in bed, your neck might be the obvious spot for the pup. It’s not too bony and just the right size for him.

Add to that the rise of your breathing, the echo of your heartbeats, and the gentle vibrations when you speak. The result is a very soothing environment for the sleepy little fellow.

2. Affection

Happy woman is having fun with her Jack Russell terrier dog

Dogs, even at a young age, can be extremely affectionate towards their favorite people. That means the puppy could be just trying to show you his love.

It’s also important to note that dogs can sense the sadness in their owners. When you think about it like that, it’s not out of the question that the pup is actually consoling you.

Meanwhile, if the pup is playful and not really asleep, he might be seeking attention. He could even try to touch or lick your face if you don’t respond to him laying on your neck.

3. Protection

While the puppy’s sleeping on your neck might not be an act of dominance, it could relate to protection. Being this close to you could help create a sense of safety.

Whose safety? Well, it could go either way.

It could mean he’s trying to guard his human by dozing off next to him. This way, he can easily be alert in moments if you need his protection.

Alternatively, you could decipher it as the pup finding shelter in you. This meaning is especially closer if he sees you as the pack leader.

Either way, it’s a heart-warming notion!

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Is It Okay to Let Puppies Sleep on Your Neck?

There isn’t a universal answer for whether it’s acceptable to let a puppy sleep on your neck. It’s all a matter of preference and context.

Many pet owners won’t mind it. Instead, they might even enjoy and encourage this kind of display of affection from their furry friends.

On the other hand, some dog parents will see it as an unacceptable overstepping of boundaries.

For instance, you might want to nip this behavior in the bud if:

  • You have babies around the house and don’t want the puppy replicating this with them.
  • You don’t enjoy the sensation of having a pup dozing off on your neck.
  • You want to reduce clingy patterns early on with the dog’s training.
  • You’re thinking about the logistics once your pup grows into a full-sized adult.

How to Stop a Puppy From Sleeping on Your Neck

Suppose you’ve decided that this sleeping situation isn’t your cup of tea. In that case, you might be looking for a way to keep your puppy from napping on your neck.

However, the key here is doing it right to avoid rejecting or hurting the pup’s trust in you.

Here are a few tips that can help you out of this pickle:

1. Don’t Reward the Behavior

The first thing to do with a puppy sleeping on you for attention is not to engage with him. This can be pretty challenging when he’s trying to reach out to your face.

Yet, it’s important to show him that this is not the way to get your focus.

To do this, you can ignore his behavior, redirect him to something else, and reward him if he responds well.

Soon, he’ll get the message and find other acceptable routes of demanding attention.

2. Provide Comfortable Alternatives

A closeup of Yorkshire Terrier puppy sleeping with blanket

To successfully redirect your pup away from your neck, you need to have an equally comfortable sleeping spot.

If your pup doesn’t already have one, try getting a small bed. He doesn’t really need it, but it can be tempting.

The most important part here is to create warm bedding for your dog.

The exact temperature requirements depend on each breed and its cold acclimation. However, you can use a blanket or adjust the thermostat if you need to.

This way, he won’t have to seek out your body heat.

Keeping the setup next to you at first can also make the transition easier since the puppy will still feel safe.

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3. Establish a Routine

While the pattern of luring your dog to his own bed with treats can be successful, it’s not very sustainable.

That’s why you’ll need to gradually phase out the treats and leave only the verbal affirmation.

You can still choose to reward the puppy with treats periodically. However, the goal is to get your dog to find his bed away from your neck on his own.

Having a solid routine can help ease the pup into what he needs to do. So, try to keep things predictable till he gets the hang of it.

4. Find Other Ways to Show Affection

After a while, your pup won’t get his dose of love cuddling your throat. By then, you’ll need to show him that you still care for him in other ways.

For instance, if he enjoys chin scratches, give them to him regularly throughout the day. You can also take him out for some physical exercise daily.

This way, he won’t be desperate for affection. Plus, he’ll most likely be too tired to even care about where he takes a nap.