Readers Respond: Do You Let Your Dog on the Bed, Couch or Other Furniture?

Where do you stand on the issue? Do you banish the dog from your bed or cuddle up together? Share your opinions, experience and advice here. Tell Us Why or Why Not

Yes and No

I don't! My husband does. Dogs have their own beds and I don't care for a load of fur.

—Guest Keeta

Of course - they are pack animals!

I sponser a dog through the dog's Trust in England and their dog behavioural expert recently published a 2 page spread in the November edition of their magazine saying that dogs are happiest in the bedroom or on the bed with their owners as they are pack animals. In the next magazine, loads of people had written in saying how much happier their dogs now are! They had taken this advice. I sleep with mine and Hansi (my Labrador cross) loves the bed and always keeps to his side of the double bed - my other dog often jumps down and goes to the single bed in the spare room to spread out! Are they happy!? You bet they are, but they have the freedom to be independent and there is always the sofa and armchair downstairs.

—Guest Yasmin

Yes we do

Our girl is 16 yrs old and has always had a run of the house. Now she is blind and deaf, and she loves being in bed - it's a security blanket for her. The 3 cats and 1 dog all sleep with us. They spoil me (disabled - home 24/7) and I spoil them. They eat, sleep and get a bath when we do (always feel need bath after they have had theirs). The cats even take our dog for her outside jobs and guide her back home. Our babies give us unconditional love and we return it.

—ourmariah

Chance

My Peekapoo can lay on whatever her little heart desires. She is family and I want her comfortable and happy. Besides, she is so cute!

—Guest Doris

DO YOU LET YOUR DOG ON THE FURNITURE.

Yes, WE let her use & (she lets us) use (min. schnauzer) the couch, bed and whatever. She is a member of our family. Kids can, so why not her. She can rule the house when we are gone. Yes, we love her. She is better than family, forgives, forgets and loves all the time!! That's a great family member!! Now if she could have dinner ready...

—Guest gale GEORGE

no pups on the couch

I would always like to know the couch is for company ( as Archie used to say) My dog is my best friend, has a wonderful bed of his own and is very happy to sit on the floor when company arrived. He is lavishly praised for his good behavior and no one fights for the best seat in the house.

—Guest telluride Adventure

hortma

absolutely, if they don't prefer their bed. I like my dogs to feel equal- I still get to make the final decision if it's important.

—chunkycrone

Our Dog(s) are part of the family

As soon as the dog comes home (I have never had a puppy) they were all rescues. They are invited onto the couch with me. I remember Winston being so shocked! But he quickly took me up on it. Oh, how I miss him he died a few years ago of heart failure. Our Cavilier know's she belongs on everyone's lap!

—joekathbia

my boys share my furniture

They keep me protected, I know where and what they are doing. I grew up with my dog sleeping with me.

—Guest Daisie

Both sleep with me

I have a pomeranian and a cat that was adopted by Chiquitina my dog. Both sleep in my bed or on my couch or any place they want.

—Edil

They both are my boys

Bonding, as already mentioned, is a very important aspect of dog training. I allow both golden retrievers to cuddle up on the couch or bed. They understand that I still am the "top dog" and I still allow them on the couch or bed. I love it. I love both of my boys as if they were human. They mean the world to me and I mean the world to them- mutual admiration society. I love both of them very very deeply - very deeply. I hope to see them in heaven one day also. I hope to have an eternal relationship with both of them. No convincing me otherwise - none! Tomas

—2Retrievers

Hot water bottles

When I got divorced I had a 50kg X-labrador chow that shared my bed. This was rather comforting to have "someone" sleep next to me. This dog has passed on and my new cocker spaniel has taken to sleeping on our bed (I remarried). Only problem is I am normally lying at an angle, get hot and bothered sometimes, and sometimes have snoring in stereo. But I love the bonding it brings and have a permanent hot bottle or bed-warmer in winter. My aunty has warned me of letting the dogs sleep on my bed. Not sure if she means disease, allergies or what. I think I might wash my bedding more than anyone else in my neighbourhood. My husband has asthma and lives with the dogs sleeping in our room or on the bed. Each one to their own.

—Cassha

Dog on Bed, Couch or other furniture

Yes! My dog is allowed on the bed, couch and her favorite spot is my husband's recliner. My dog knows that if we (people) want the spot she is in, she needs to move and give up the prime real estate. Dogs are pack animals and they sleep as a pack to keep warm and protection. Although this is not needed since my dog at 42 pounds lives inside, we still want her to feel like part of a pack. We also have 2 cats. My dog knows the cats are higher in the pecking order of the pack. My dogs accepts the cats as part of her pack.

—Guest Eva

great granny mollie

yes our dogs are allowed on our furniture and beds . they are so sweet and kind especially to me , my daughter and her husband. They keep me busy during the day while every one else is at work.we have one blk lab and blue heeler mix,one larege puppy part yellow lab and beargle (strange looking but so adorable) and my one-eyed pug.Her lose of one eye has made her senses kick in. She is my guardian ,shadow and my bed parter. When I don't feel well she is right by my side trying to look after me. I would not take any thing for either of our 4 legged family members. When they are on the furniture I don't have to worry about tripping over them in the floor. We truly love our dogs. great granny mollie in Tx

—Guest mollie

Do You Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Yes I am guilty, My Dog Moe sleeps with me and does snuggle with me on the sofa..Not saying it is the right thing to let him do, sometimes I do wish I hadn't started letting him, especially during when he sheds..

—jeanine303