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Registered: Jun 2003

posted 07-31-2003 02:24 PM         

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Hi!

I've read that you should never let your dog sleep in bed with you because it gives them the impression that they are on the same level in the pack as you are. So, the idea is that dogs who sleep in your bed can easily develop dominance issues.

What do you think?

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From:Blackwell, Oklahoma, United States
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-31-2003 02:27 PM         

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personally, i dont agree... my bf's dog has been sleeping with him for almost 2 1/2 yrs and she shows respect and shows submission all the time.

[This message has been edited by DachieLover1984 (edited 07-31-2003).]

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posted 07-31-2003 02:28 PM         

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this is true. I have learned from my lab, who sleeps on our bed. and basicly can what ever else he wants I tries to be dominate of me and my husband and I cant even get witin 2 feet of each other and he comes between us. And I mean anytime. If I am on the floor he tries to dominate me.
Honeybear

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From:mcminnville tn usa
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 07-31-2003 02:32 PM            

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well, it really depends on the breed i think. i have a miniature schnauzer, and he sleeps with me, and he has never acted that he is on the same level. But! i have a friend with a Yorkie, and he thinks that he is Alpha of the pack all the time. But you can teach your dog that even though they get to be on the bed, you control their rights to do so.

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From:Harrisburg,PA USA
Registered: Feb 2003

posted 07-31-2003 03:02 PM            

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I dont think it is so much the breed as the individual dog and how you handle the dog. I have 2 rottweilers. Abby sleeps with us every night and is aloud on furniture and is one of the most submissive dogs you can meet, but she was this way from the day I rescued her. Daisy on the other hand has a very dominant personality. So she is not allowed on the furniture except in her room which is the same thing as a crate to her. She is allowed to sleep on the bed in there but is not allowed on any other furniture and does not sleep with us in bed. But we did not allow her to do this because of her attitude. So it all goes on the individual dog. How they react to things and what type of personality they have. YOu can always stop the dog from coming to bed with you. As far as whether dogs can become dominant by sleeping with you. It is more the fact of the dog being allowed on the furniture. If a dog is higher he thinks he is higher, ie why a dog acts up more if you are looking up to them. But it all depends on how the dog is personality wise.

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posted 07-31-2003 04:52 PM         

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I think you are right rottymommy, my female is really the alpha dog and my lab trys to be sometimes, but he doesnt know how to go about it. I notice he trys it more often now that we have had more male dogs visiting our house, after they have left. He has the run of the house and the furniture. I am glad to here I am not the only one who has a 100# dog that sleeps with them (and a 50# dog and a cat!)
Honeybear

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From:NY, USA
Registered: Oct 2002

posted 07-31-2003 05:55 PM            

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My aussie x sleeps with me and I've never had an issue. If I want her to move I just say "Move." and she moves down to the bottom of the bed with no problem.

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From:Cypress, TX, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-01-2003 05:13 AM            

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I don't think so. I have always let my pets hop up, but if they take up too much room or keep me up, then down theygo

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posted 08-01-2003 09:11 AM         

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It really depends on the individual dog... Goo's been sleeping in my bed since I was 10 yrs old, never a problem, aside from the fact that I had to get her her own pillow so she'd keep her "puddles" off mine

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From:NY, USA
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posted 08-01-2003 07:25 PM            

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That is such a cute picture! My dog likes to sleep under the blankets too.

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From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 08-01-2003 07:41 PM         

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My min poodle has had issue with dominance. It was a hard road but it is just about nipped in the bud. The one thing she will do is when she may be laying snuggly happy next to me and see's my husband coming to bed she will get up and sprawl right over his side. It is rather funny. She used to growl at him when he asked he to move. She would even growl if he looked at her as he was coming to bed. She is much better. I trie not to intervene becuase he needs to be a little more confronting with her but if won't move I tell her and up she comes. Its very much a universal problem. Other thing would be to make your dog do something for you like sit and shake before he eat. Just to show whos boss and he does not eat with out listening. Show them who is boss.

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From:Sacramento, CA, USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-01-2003 11:58 PM            

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I sleep with at least one dog and a couple of cats. It just kind of depends. The dog that sleeps with me all the time is very submissive and needs the reassurance. My puppy who is trying to be an alpha needs to know that I'm on top--period! I'm very consistent with this. I set the boundaries and make sure he tows the line all the time. Sleeping with me is allowed but that's because I allow it. Good socialization with other dogs while he's young helps too. A six month old puppy who thinks he's the world's top alpha will get an attitude adjustment by the older dogs at the park.

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posted 08-02-2003 10:33 AM         

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I had no idea so many people let their dogs into bed! It's a real relief because I figure after my puppy is grown up and no longer needs to be crated at night I'll let her into bed if she wants. I know the kids would love to have the dog in bed at night (only they'd fight over who gets her).

Raising a puppy is just like raising kids. There's the way they tell you to do things in books and then there is the practical, everyday kind of approach of doing what works for each dog/kid.

PS - loved that picture of Goo!!!!!

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From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 08-02-2003 03:54 PM         

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Dogs are pack animals and they see us as their pack. Packs sleep together. Some people don't like it that way so they have them sleep in their doggy bed.

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From:Conrad, MT USA
Registered: Jul 2003

posted 08-02-2003 05:07 PM         

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My dogs have always been welcome to sleep in my bed if they choose. None of them have ever had a problem. I even gave up all my "down" products when trying to pin down different things my boxer, Gracie, might be allergic. Lucky for me it wasn't down! Both Gracie and Gretyl, by Boston, are pretty obiedient. Gracie always; Gretyl most of the time

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posted 08-03-2003 07:06 PM         

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Rotty said it best "It depends on the individual dog!"
Some dogs will see sleeping oin the bed as another way to assert their power. Kind of like, this is my spot and don't you dare ask me to move.
Some dogs will see sleeping on the bed as a special thing between them and the owner and accept their position on the bed. Kind of like, this is quality time with Mom and Dad and I need to respect my place in the pack in order to keep it.
There really is NO set rule for a dog sleeping on the bed. Use your own judgement
My dog sleeps with us and has her favorite spot right by me. She was taught from the begining that sleeping on the bed was a special bonding time and that she is expected to behave accordingly. If I ask her to move, so I can get out, she does. No growling, whinning, etc.,

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From:Pennsylvania
Registered: Aug 2003

posted 08-05-2003 08:15 AM         

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I somewhat agree. I used to havea Yorky who was very dominant. She was like that when we got her though. She would sleep in my bed and if I would try to move her she would try and sometimes did bite me. I now have a pit/lab mix. When we got him we let him sleep in our bed and he started becoming very bad.. we took him to training, the trainer told us to not let him in our bed. After we stopped letting him in the bed, he started to listen more, did better in training, and I think he started to realize that he is not the boss.

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