Should I allow my dog on the couch or bed?
My wife was originally: "absolutely no dog is ever allowed in the bed", and she only reluctantly agreed to allow her on the couch. But that was, of course, before we met our puppy!  |
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| We, too, started off with the notion of the 'no dog on the couch' rule. This changed to 'well, she can have the love-seat' to 'aw, forget it'. The dogs are allowed on our sofas, but don't spend a lot of time there. As far as the bed, it really depends on the temperature. Only when it is very cool Asterisk will sleep at my feet. She likes to use my ankles as her pillow and mold herself to my legs. When it gets too warm for her, she will hop off the bed and camp out on the floor. Wendel never sleeps on the bed, he likes the cool linoleum outside my bedroom. It's only Josh and I and our pets. We let the dogs go anywhere they please except our storage room and the cat's safety room. |
Originally my BF said "okay, you can get a dog, but it CAN'T be allowed on the furniture." I agreed with him, just so I could get a puppy. I'd have agreed to anything to have a OES pup. Well we got 2 pups, and within a very short time, WHO do I see on the couch, cuddling with both pups? The BF.  I think its important to have rules and boundaries. Being on the couch or the bed is fine, as long as they know the command to get down when you want them down. We even have a command that means "go get on the couch". This is helpful for when the doorbell rings. The mailman or pizza delivery guy isn't overwhelmed if my dogs are barking from their place on the couch. But if we have friends over and are watching a movie? They often invite my dogs to the couch to sit with them, rather than make them get off.  As for the bed? They didn't have access to the bedroom for over a year. That was "cat territory". When we moved, I was determined to make all the pets learn to get along. So now the dogs don't sleep on the bed, they will sit there if there are cats up there. They are fascinated by the cats, and want to get as close as possible. Also, I've been sick alot this year, and the dogs both want to be as close as possible to me when I'm unwell. And that often means being in the bed. I have to say, its a tremendous comfort to have them both there!  |
Our dogs are allowed on pretty much any furniture that would be appropriate for a person to sit on My feeling is, this is their house too, and while I totally reserve the right to tell them to get down if they are being a pain (for instance, fussing at each other over who gets to sit closest to me ) I have no problem sharing my couch/chair/bed with my dogs. This might be different if I had more than 2. I have an aunt who has 8 dogs (3 sheepies, 3 westies and 2 havanese) and in her house all of the dogs on the couch at once would be a bit much!  I don't really get the "dogs should stay off the furniture to maintain pack status" thing. My dogs understand that Im in charge, regardless of where they are sitting! I do think its important though, that they know that when you say "off!"...that's it. There's going to be times you don't want them there, like, say, when you're balancing a tray of nachos to eat while watching a movie. . |
| Ours are allowed on the furniture, but all know the we (humans) are still the boss. They need to graciously move over or get down if we want to sit/lay down and they are in the way. Chewie (OES) is actually the only one not on the furniture - he finds it too hot. He will get up with me to snuggle a bit, but after that he pants and hops down. But, we do have our bedroom as a dog free zone. With 2 people and a regular full sized bed, it would insane to have all the dogs competing for space as well. The doorway is gated (or door shut) and only the cat gets to sleep in there. Here is a typical evening at our house....  |
| i think you need more couches, Dawn Kristine |
| Wow, Dawn ! Talk about some cuddle puddles!! |
| I'm curious as to how many of us on here have actually chosen our furniture with the dogs in mind. We chose to re-upholster an existing couch when we couldn't find a new one that we liked big enough for two adults and two sheepdogs. I can remember my parents (who had Norwegian Elkhounds at that time) taking a "swatch" of their dogs hair with them to the furniture store to get a "match" . |
ravenmoonart wrote: I can remember my parents (who had Norwegian Elkhounds at that time) taking a "swatch" of their dogs hair with them to the furniture store to get a "match" What a clever idea... I never thought of that before! |
* Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: ravenmoonart wrote: I can remember my parents (who had Norwegian Elkhounds at that time) taking a "swatch" of their dogs hair with them to the furniture store to get a "match" What a clever idea... I never thought of that before! We wound up with everything taupe, as I recall Now, my folks have black labs, and all their furniture is red...I think they are going for "contrast" at this point! |
Mad Dog wrote: i think you need more couches, Dawn Kristine LOL - right..... I had been sitting at the table (background, that's why Chewie was there - he was next to me) and I looked out over the room. I told Chewie to stay and sneaked my camera and took the picture! Even Tipup the cat is snuggled in  |
ravenmoonart wrote: * Capt. Obvious Danger wrote: ravenmoonart wrote: I can remember my parents (who had Norwegian Elkhounds at that time) taking a "swatch" of their dogs hair with them to the furniture store to get a "match" What a clever idea... I never thought of that before! We wound up with everything taupe, as I recall Now, my folks have black labs, and all their furniture is red...I think they are going for "contrast" at this point! Love it - interior design at it's best! My couches are old and super comfy (obviously well appreciated!). I hate hair and dirty couches, so those are fitted covers and pillow covers. I vacuum almost daily (for sure every other day) and wash the couch and pillow covers often. It is my happy compromize between cleanliness and my pets! And yes Laurel, the colors of them were totally chosen with the dogs in mind! |
oh gosh dawn now that is lounging it!  |
| I LOVE the couch picture I was trying to figure out if that was a fur-kid or a stuffy. How sweet that the kitty gets in there too . "When we get them (Em & Darb), they wont be allowed on the furniture!" Yeah, all common sense can go out the window.Ours willingly move when asked, too... will leave the bedroom or kitchen if we say "out", get over to the other bed (we have a king and queen ) if we say "over". When I go to bed, I tap anyone in my place and they'll move over to the other bed. http://oesusa.com/WhereAmISupposedToSleep.jpg With Bumble, I have to whisper "stand". Yup, we're nuts. And yup, you'd better keep the dogs clean and bug & worm free (ewww). I like leather furniture best if dogs are going to be allowed on it. It just seems easiest for me to keep clean. I wouldn't share close space with dogs that- 1. Don't respect me. 2. Are quick to react with their teeth or if they have a big startle reflex. 3. Might start a fight with each other or I'll find myself in the middle of it. 4. Are possessive over or resource guards a human or toy. Meesha is not allowed to come in the bedroom at night. She respects us but is quick to use her teeth and resource guards... with other dogs only. So her "crate" where she sleeps for the night, is my workroom which is next to the kitchen... it has a Dutch door so it's not isolating. She doesn't like dogs invading her space. During the day she has free-run of the house. Life like this is definitely not for everyone. It all depends on what you want, what limits you want to set and the temperament and limits of the dog. Most dogs have teeth so dogs could bite. |
| All three of my dogs go on the bed and couches. When I'm sitting on the couch I usually have one of the Aussies laying next to me. Violet likes to lay on a couch by herself, but she seems to prefer the cold tiled floors. When we all go to bed at night usually the two Aussies will each come up and sleep or take turns. Violet will usually sleep on the carpet in the bedroom or go and sleep in the bathroom. We do leave our bedroom door open so all three of the dogs have the run of the house 24/7. We bath our dogs weekly and run a brush through them daily so to keep the animal stuff down. I also try and vacuum daily as well. The three girls are not distructive at all. The cat, on the other hand, is a whole different story, but she is 15 and old so I just cring and clean up after her. If they are going to be allowed on the couches just really try and keep ahead of their nails. Good luck! |
| Oscar was never allowed on the couches or beds. Neither was our first sheepdog, Quincy. The ONLY reason we don't allow pups on the furniture is because I saw how much damage my SIL's sheepdog had done to her sofa and bed. Her OES, Murphy, liked to dig and scratch at the upholstery/bedding before plopping down. He destroyed her stuff, and she didn't want to replace it because she knew he'd wreck new stuff just as easily. Also, both dogs had grown up to be BIG boys, at 115 lbs. That's like sharing with another human!!! Honestly, neither dog ever cared to be up on the furniture......too flipping hot. Oscar much prefers the cold tile or granite to carpeting, even in the winter when shaved, so I can't imagine he would enjoy a bed. Also, I'm very happy that Oscar remains on the floor during tick and flea season. I don't have to worry about finding them in MY bed.  (When we dog sat for our neighbor's Lhasa/Shi Tzu mix, we had no trouble letting her up on the furniture. She was all of 10 lbs and a non-shedder, so we weren't worried about possible destruction of property. )Laurie and Oscar. |
| Getting on the furniture at our house is "by invitation only". Our Winston and Maggie were both allowed in bed but then Winston passed away and Maggie got too old to get up unassisted. Then Nelson came along and we decided that if Maggie couldn't jump up then Nelson didn't need to be on the bed. Now he doesn't even show any interest in it since his favorite place is on the cold stone floor of the sunroom. We have a sofa and loveseat that we don't even sit on much less the dogs. We just like our big chairs better. Nelson has already broken the frames of a couple La-Z-Boy's by being a flying lapdog. Sometimes I let the dogs up on the basement sofa but they don't stay there long. Whether you decide to allow dogs on the furniture is totally a personal choice but be sure they get down on command instead of claiming it as their own. You have to be the one in charge. |
| When we are home, Heart and Pearl will get on the couch for some special cuddles. They will also watch TV when we are gone from their designated spots on each couch. As much as I try, I cannot get Coz on the couch !!!!  I have leather couches in a bone color and I love them!!! I rarely find hair on them and no scratches either!!!! No one is allowed on the bed..but they are all on the floor CLOSE to the bed.... |
Well... originally it wasn't a big deal. Then it became a strict no way!!! Now Yuki is allowed again  ...Yuki is "acting" old and she sits on the tile all day. She won't sit on her dog beds no matter what kind they are. I even have mats in the kitchen for chefs (gel - good for back/feet) and she avoids them. SO... I rather her be on the couch than on the tile all day. She rarely has interest on even being on it though. Definitely no to the bed but again, we don't think it's appropriate for Yuki's legs to jump off. Plus, with kids coming in... there's just no room and I've become less willing to curl up in a ball ...the more kids we have. Kinda feel like I deserve to lay with my legs out if I want to!!So in the end, I think you can decide to let them or not ...and they just adapt. Mine know they're either allowed to......... or not as weird as it sounds. lol |
The first week we had our Bailee we hired a Trainer to come to the house for a little one on one training. Her RULES were emphatic, "NEVER LET THE DOG ON THE BED!", "EVER!!!!"  Rule #2 was a little more compasionate. Bailee is allowed up on the sofa "only when invited" and then she instructed us to ensure we put a towel on the seat and ensure he sat there. It actually works quite well. A lot of folks "humanize" their furry friends (or should that be hairy friends) and our trainer was adamant about not doing that. Of course now that he has the roam of the house we have noticed an occasional pillow on the floor downstairs in our family room. |
| Chaunce is allowed on the furniture, and the bed. In fact the only commands he faithfully obey's, is let's go watch TV on the bed or let's take a nap |
| First couple of generations of dogs was NO furniture...and even NO house. As the years have gone by, those rules have relaxed and crumbled. DH and I have our recliners, the dogs have the couch and oversized club chair and ottoman. Blankets and sheets cover them and most recently I've removed the cushions from the couch and replaced it with a 4 inch think foam pad. jack was not happy but has had to adjust to the less plush couch. If company comes the blankets and sheets are torn off and the cushions replaced. Beds......MO still sleeps with DH, my bed is higher and only MO can get up there now...she'll come wake me up, but the others must be content with the floor or the couch in the bedroom. tuff. I've been in many dog houses that keep their upholstery covered with blankets etc. |
| Mine arent allowed on the bed (technically) as there's just not enough room for 6'1" DH, me and a dalmo, OES and cat. If they get into the bedroom they do jump up but know they have to get down when told. The OES only stays for a little while, like Chewie she gets way to hot and bails out for the cool floor boards. The dalmo would love to stay but one time when we tried it he wiggled between us and pushed until he had the whole bed and we were falling of the edges, not good for a restful night. Also he started to get possesive of the bed and barked at me one night when I told him to get down. So that was it, NO MORE bed privledges. Tiggy (OES) I would allow as she gets off when asked with no fuss but she doesnt want to stay so its just easier to have a no dogs on the bed rule. However it gets bent for the odd snuggle. See my photo album |
| OH and Laurel, my sofas are all dark leather. That way I can wipe them with a cloth and leather cleaner. NO vacuuming required except for under the cushions. |
| I'd have to say we've never had the 'not on the bed or couch' rule in this house. These guys can get on either one, yet without a lot of effort in training-- they've learned when is the right time to get on and when they better high tail it off fast. Neither one fusses when told to get down. They just move. It's actually gotten to where I don't have to say anything at all... just a little tap tap on the rump and off they go. And they also figured out == when someone's got a bowl of popcorn (or nachos ) they better not even think of getting on the couch. We have a leather couch so a wipe down is really easy. Baloo will get on the couch and snuggle. He likes that but he's never, ever even as a pup been fond of the bed. He will lay on the bed about 10 mins MAYBE and then hop down to get to a cooler spot. Lily will stay on the bed as long as you will let her- even moving around you if you move to get comfortable. For our house it's just never been an issue or a talking point. This is just how we like it (as far as furniture -vs- no furniture). And as I mentioned, I'm not sure how since we didn't really "train" for getting down or moving, or what have you... it's just like they figured it out and listen when we did say move or down. But now it's just a lil bump on the pump and off they go OR a pat on the cusion and they'll hop up. |
I have a flip side to the story. We are in a constant battle with Ru over who is in charge  if he gets on the furniture, he's not getting off until he wants to. Doesn't leave much space on our small 2 seater for me & Greg! Rufus is such a pain when he's on the sofa- he bats at our faces if we stop stroking him and then starts barking So... he's banned from the sofa (and was banned fromm the bed a while ago) which is making him a better behaved dog all round. I say, if your dog is well balanced, go ahead and let them snuggle with you. |
| So it seems that we shouldn't need to feel like terrible parents allowing her on the couch or bed. So far, at almost 7 months, she has shown zero territoriality or entitlement about it, we just push her off and she doesn't complain. And to be honest, she doesn't come up very often or for long, probably too hot, she prefers to sleep on the colder floor right near the bed. |
| Sounds like Inca gets a raw deal from me we have always imposed no dog on the furniture, and she isn't even allowed upstairs let alone on the bed She really doesn't seem to care so I don't feel too bad! I did have a strict no cats in the bedroom rule, which I managed to enforce until we got Inca 3 years ago.. then I felt so bad for them I let them sleep on the bed with us - and they've stayed ever since so who knows what will happen when we pick the new puppy up tomorrow - I keep joking that Inca will end up sleeping in the bedroom too! |
| Well, I have a different view on this. We pamper and love our dog (Tibetan terrier-25 lbs) so much that we believe our house belongs to him. He can have access to anyone's bed and on all the sofas. The only place he isn't allowed is the kitchen -because he may eat a piece of green chilli that has accidentally fallen down and because we have the gas stove there-which is dangerous. ....AND he isn't allowed in the bathrooms (except when he needs to have a bath-that's when he gets into the bathroom without being told and hops on the plastic chair on which we give him a bath). When Lucky falls asleep in the living room in the night, my dad carries him like a baby and puts him on my bed (and my dad was the one who used to say that a dog should be kept outside the house and never inside). |
Quote: Sounds like Inca gets a raw deal from me we have always imposed no dog on the furniture, and she isn't even allowed upstairs let alone on the bed Nah... dogs adapt. And if they've never been allowed on the furniture or bed, they don't miss it. It's supposed to be about what we as individuals want and expect from our dogs and the individual dog's temperament. Quote: When Lucky falls asleep in the living room in the night, my dad carries him like a baby and puts him on my bed (and my dad was the one who used to say that a dog should be kept outside the house and never inside). That is soooo sweet Dad's can adapt too |
Baba wrote: I would like to hear some people's thoughts on allowing their dog(s) on the couch and/or bed. Patch has never been a furniture/bed dog - when younger she would jump up on the bed licking me to get up, but she much prefers the wood floor and uses her bed as a pillow. |
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