Why do Cavaliers sleep on your head?

It’s no secret that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very affectionate dogs. They love to snuggle and cuddle.  But why do Cavaliers also love to sleep on top of us?

Cavaliers are very loyal pets. They love to be around their owners and will follow them anywhere. They are also very protective of their families and will defend them at all costs. They are very intelligent and can learn many tricks. They are great family pets and are often chosen because of their loyalty.

I’ve had many questions from readers asking if it’s normal for a Cavalier dog to sleep on your head. In this article, I’ll explain everything you need to know about this common issue and how to solve it.

Why do Cavaliers sleep on your head?

There are many possible reasons why dogs might sleep on your head. If you’re wondering why your dog sleeps on your head, here are some possible explanations.

Affection

Cavaliers are well known to be a friendly, loyal and affectionate breed that always wants to be close to human contact. Sleeping on their owner’s head is just another way for them to show how much they care about their people.

I suspect that this is the number one reason why it is so common for Cavaliers to sleep on your head at night.  Cavaliers love a cuddle and would spend all day (and night) with you if they could.  Sleeping on top of you is just another way for them to show their affection for you.

Loyalty

Cavaliers are extremely loyal pets. They love being with their owners and will follow their owners everywhere. They are also very protective and will defend their owners at any cost. They are very intelligent animals and can learn many tricks and commands. They are usually chosen as a pet

Protective Instinct

Another common reason why dogs sleep on you is that it helps them protect you from danger. When you’re sleeping, you’re usually unaware of what’s going on around you. Dogs know this and use this knowledge to keep an eye out for potential threats.

It is difficult to know for sure if your Cavalier is sleeping on your head as a way of protecting you.  Although it’s a natural instinct for some dogs, the behavior is more likely to happen when other people are around and not at bedtime.

Dogs are naturally protective of their owners and those that are predisposed to being overprotective will exhibit the behavior when other people are around as they perceive them as a possible threat.

Comfort

Another explanation for why dogs like to lay on top of you is that it’ll keep them warmer and more comfortable. Dogs are naturally attracted to warmth, so they’re likely to choose the spot where they can get the most heat from you. Sleeping on your head keeps them warm and cozy.

Although it may sound strange, your Cavalier sleeping near your head may be because he loves your pillow.  All pets naturally enjoy the comfort of pillows, so if you want to adjust the behavior of sleeping on yours, offer them a pillow at the foot or side of the bed.

Social Status

Dogs live in packs, which means they have a pecking order and an alpha dog who is in charge. Social status in a pack is determined by many complex, interrelated factors, but the most important result of this structure of dominance hierarchy is that dogs are always competing for positions and trying to move up in the pecking order.

Dogs near the top of the pack are fed better than dogs further down. They’re given more mating opportunities, which increases their chances of passing on their genes successfully.

In terms of your Cavalier sleeping on your head, being nearer to you at night could show other members of the pack that they are the top dog.  Sleeping on your head could be a way for your Cavalier to show you who is boss.

Separation Anxiety

A common reason for a dog to want to sleep near or on top of your head is separation anxiety. Given that Cavaliers are such an affectionate breed, they are known to suffer from separation anxiety. Sleeping near your head is not necessarily a sign of anxiety but could be a factor when combined with other signs such as getting stressed when you’re preparing the leave the house, howling when you leave, and general restlessness.

If you suspect that your Cavalier is suffering from separation anxiety, there are other steps you will need to take to overcome this underlying issue. The reason for sleeping on your head at night could be a symptom of anxiety and require additional training and encouragement to help your dog overcome the fear of being apart from you at night.

It’s often a learned behavior

Cavaliers are an intelligent breed and quickly pick up good and bad habits from their owners. If your dog has been sleeping on your bed since he was a puppy, chances are he’s used to the comfort of sleeping next to you and doesn’t want to change.  Why would he?

Regardless of the reason, it‘s important to remember that even if sleeping on your head has been learned over time, with some training and positivity, it can be unlearned.

If you don’t like sleeping with a dog on top of your head, there are several things you can do to prevent the behavior.

Should you stop your Cavalier from sleeping on your head?

It’s ultimately up to you whether or not you should let your dog sleep on your head. If you’ve tried it and your dog seems happy with it, then there‘s no harm in continuing.

If you don’t like sharing your pillow with a pet, there are a few ways you can discourage the behavior.

How to stop your dog from sleeping on your head

If the gentle rattle of your Cavalier’s snoring is becoming too much for you, it might be time to train him to sleep in his own bed.

The key to training your dog to sleep in a more suitable place is to train them by positively reinforcing the behavior you want. One option to get this to happen is to encourage your Cavalier to settle at the foot of the bed when they jump up.  Provide them with positive reinforcement like a treat or their favorite toy when they settle.

Another option is to set up a comfy dog bed close to yours, perhaps with a human pillow or blanket in it.  This will give them some sense of security and a safe place to sleep, which may discourage them from jumping onto the bed (and on your head). Again, use positive reinforcement by giving a treat or praise as he settles off to sleep.

It is never a good idea to use negative reinforcement when training a dog. Wanting to sleep on your head is perfectly normal behavior for a Cavalier so yelling, growing, or forcibly removing them from the bed will not work and could cause other undesired behavior and trust issues.

If all else fails and your persistent Cavalier won’t stop getting up on the bed, you could try ignoring when he jumps up on your head and settles down there.

Final words

In conclusion, sleeping on your head is actually quite common among Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. It’s completely normal behavior for these dogs to curl up on top of your head during the night. There are several reasons why he may have developed this habit.  It could be a sign of affection towards you because they love you so much, a symptom of separation anxiety, or just a behavior they have learned over time.

Cavaliers tend to prefer soft, fluffy beds, which is why they often end up sleeping on your pillow instead of your head. So if you want to keep your dog from doing this, you’ll need to provide him with a comfortable spot to snuggle up in. A nice comfy blanket or pillow will help to ensure that he stays cozy and warm throughout the night.  And help you get a good night’s sleep!