what are your thoughts about having your dog sleep on your bed? I've tried to be strong, honest I have! But now and again I must admit I do let her sleep on my bed. She is a little monkey at the moment, 'going deaf' when we go out on walks and I was just wondering if I could be making leadership problems for myself by letting her sleep on the bed.

Hiya
I know it is quite a contraversial subject, In theory, sleeping on owners beds is not advisable as it allows the dog a level of dominance and teritory..but...it is very hard to resist.

Some people let the dog sleep on the bed, in it with them
some people let it sleep in their room but not in their bed
some people let it sleep upstairs but not in the room
some people let it upstairs, but not to sleep
some people dont let it upstairs at all

All people vary. Behaviourists (and people who are concerned for health) wouldnt advise it, it is unhealthy in some ways and does assert dominance..but as far as Im concerned, I love to spoil them. Very silly I know but I just feel they have a short life as it is, so I want to make it a good one for them. I dont invite her onto the bed, but in the mornings, millie is allowed up just before we get up as a special treat.
So long as they know who is boss....and dont confuse them by allowing them up one minute...but not the next, that will just be very strange for them

Steph and (spoilt) millie
x

Gus is a Staffordshire Bull terrier and he sleeps on my bed and he hasnt a dominant bone in his body .
I think it just depends on the individual dog .

my girl isn't an agressive or dominant dog but she is a little so and so about coming back when called at the moment and I don't want to make things worse. On the other hand she is so cuddly and I love to hear her snoring!

Buster comes on our bed every morning when my husband goes to work, around 6.00am, we have a lovely cuddle - can't have him on during the night as he's a big lump and I can't pull the duvet up! Not dominant at all, excessive licker and a bit of a sod when we're out - back to being on the lead - but apart from that he's lovely!

I have never had a problem with dominance toward people and my dogs have always slept in my bedroom. I would, however, not let a dog that is exhibiting dominant behaviour sleep on the bed. Misbehaviour or SDS (sudden deafness syndrome) is not the same as dominance.

Stacey

Every morning same thing, sounds like a stampede...they charge up to bed... me and better half left and right of the bed, the other three... two down the bottom of the bed noses poking out of the duvet... one up the top end, head on pillow snoring...bliss. Never any dominance problems.

so I guess that as long as you don't have a dog with exisiting dominance problems then the odd night having a treat and sleeping on the bed is not going to do any harm. I'm glad about that cos she is just like a teddy bear.

Yes, basically, as long as your dog doesnt show any dominant tendencies I dont think it is a real problem. Like the others that posted on here after me, their dogs are clearly very sweet non dominant dogs, so wouldnt think that any problem would arise from it.
enjoy the warm doggy smell ...and the kicks in the ribs:)

and the kicks in the ribs

ooooh...if only it was just the ribs :o :D

:D :D

OK - all those 'domaince' theorists - where does the pack leader sleep??? - Under the pile of nice warm under dogs bodies............. Or on a cold outcrop?

Ruby sleeps on the setee downstairs over night, but when my hubby goes to work early in the morning she always comes in bed with me for half an hour for a cuddle and a snooze, head on pillow, quilt over her, the works! :D

If I am upstairs on the computer she sleeps on the bed sometimes, but over night she is always downstairs, this way she gets the best of both worlds and we get a decent nights kip :)

And I must confess, I do love my morning doggie cuddle :)

Helen