Do you let your dog(s) on your bed?

There's definately a school of thought that believes as your mom does. I am not of that school. I don't really think my dogs think they're dominant just because sometimes they get to be on the comfy bed. I taught them "off" so when it is time for them to go, they go. But I wouldn't want to have dogs that I couldn't cuddle in bed with. It's one of the most wonderful things about having big dogs: spoonability. 
 
Conrad loves our bed. He's a big dog and we live in a small house so it is one of the only places that is both comfortable and allows him to really stretch out (when we're not in it). But when we say "off" he jumps up and gets off. We also taught him that if we're in bed, he has to wait next to the bed for an invite before he comes up.  He also knows "go lay down" and "go home" so if he's sitting next to the bed at 2 AM and giving me the shark eye about wanting to come up, I just mumble "go home" and he goes and lays down in his crate instead.
 
It took a little training to get him to understand "the drill" for bed priviledges, but on cold winter Sunday mornings with the newspaper and my dogs and DH all snuggling in bed, it is so worth it.

Shadow gets on the bed and the couch. And I am still leader. He gets out of my way.

Currently, we've got a new canine pack member to integrate into our family and routine, so no one is on the bed but us humans.  But prior to the arrival our new pup, we would on special occasions allow them up.  Our female is so thankful for that treat...she carries on by whining, talking, and giving kisses.  They never get up there without being invited first.

Ours are allowed on the bed as well, but also only when invited. This makes the bed a privelege. They also get down when asked - two big boys in bed with us isn't always very comfortable for sleeping! []

I never let mine on the bed[][]



hmmm, what are those reallly cute furry beasts doing on my bed?? hmmm, definitly something to think about when I have time. LOL, usually only sport (brown one) sleeps with me because charlie-girl (black/white) likes to lay where it's cooler in the kitchen

Yeah, I've heard of that but frankly, I don't believe it.  Our dogs sleep with us and they KNOW who's boss... that would be my husband but I'm second in command!  []

My dog doesn't sleep on my bed because I have a very high bed - but if she did it would not be a problem because she is not assertive or dominant.  And I think that is the determning factor - if our dog growls at you if you move on the bed - then it should not be there - if it won't get off the bed when you tell it to do so - it should not be there. If you are a fair, honest, in charge dog person with a nicely mannered dog - no problem other than hairy blankets!!!![]

Yup! Im actually trying to get her outta the habbit of whinning until she gets her way! She will wine until I let her in bed... and it is sort of hard not to give in because at 3-4 am, you dont want to deal with a whinny puppy!

As far as the dominance thing is concerned,,,,I think most dogs dont see it as a dominance issue but the few that do you simply stop letting them on the bed and deal with their issues. If either of my dogs refused to move when I told them to or tried to bite me when I went to move them or get into bed that would be the last time they ever got bed privledges with me. But both my dogs will get off and stay off when I tell them to so I dont really see it as being a problem.

There need to be boundaries between dogs and people, or else the dog gets all spoiled and confused. I don't think the bed is particularly dangerous in terms of "dominance"... I don't think the dogs see it this way and my own dog does sleep in my bed.

But I do think that these kinds of rules do work for some humans, and that's okay. If people need to be reminded that their dogs need boundaries by not allowing them to sleep in bed or whatever, then I suppose that's better than having a dog with no boundaries. Do what works for you, and do set boundaries... but I think the bed is a pretty arbitrary boundary if the dog is not actively guarding it.

My mom told me not to allow Jazz on my bed because it will make her think that she is the leader or the dominant one. What do you think about this? Is she right? Is allowing her on my bed not a very good thing to do?

There is something to this.  I am the leader and the dogs give way to me.  Amongst themself there is a ranking.  One of my male dogs does not allow the other male dog to go on the bed.  I have also heard something like this about parrots.  You are not suppose to have them on your shoulder because the bird thinks it has equal status.  Now thats bologna!  Whether the bird was on my shoulder, in my hand, or on my knee, the african grey parrot still bit me.

LOL Barngirl![]


i allow it as long as i invite them.they must also leave the bed if i say the word..

as far as at night,i have my boy Kovu who likes to curl up at my feet at night..

  My girl Kiara wont stay on bed..too warm maybe..

 Kuruk likes the bed,but he isnt normally in with me at night..

I appreciate all of your input. She isn't guarding the bed, she just wants up there 24/7. I think it's really okay, but sometimes she gets a little crazy-even at night she'll be up crawling all over me, licking me and sometimes nipping me. I am going to get a crate for her to sleep in at night- so she has her own little domain..  She really is good. We're just getting to know each other though.. She just climbed over me now and is on the bed.

The thing that gets me is when she starts biting me and nipping me while on the bed. At that point she is being willful and bullheaded don't you think? Any way to stop this beheavior? I say off immediately and she still tries to bite me. She isn't drawing blood, and I know that puppies nip, but I can't have her doing this around my sisters kids. Any suggestions? She thinks it is some kind of game..

I am one that doesn't let a dog on the bed or furniture.  A) I do think there is something to that "leaders sleep in higher places arguement" and B) I don't want dog smell or hair in my bed or on my furniture!  That's a personal thing, I know, but I just don't want it where I sleep.  Kato sheds like crazy no matter what, he's had ticks, and the whole thing just skeeves me!  JMO.