Puppy In Bed

AnnieTS · Posted: Sat May 03, 2008 11:20 pm Post subject: Puppy In Bed

I was curious to get a view from all those seasoned weim owners. I just got my girl a couple weeks ago. I am a huge dog lover and allow her to sleep on my bed. During the day, I kennel her from time to time. However, is it acceptable to allow her on my bed at night? I have another 6 year old who has always slept with me too. In regards to not wanting her there when she gets bigger, this isn't really an issue as I am a single, 25 year old female who is anti-social by nature. Embarassed

However, is this setting up a bad ritual? She makes it through the WHOLE night without needing to potty too, which really impressed me.
Just curious what you all think.

THANKS!

Welches · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:28 am Post subject:

The only thing you have to be careful when letting your dog sleep in bed is that it can establish your dog as being the alpha. Same with letting them on the couch. Ours our only allowed on the bed when we tell them to. In other words, we are the alpha telling them when they can and cannot do things.

DoubleTrouble · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:19 pm Post subject:

I recommend crating her for awhile. It will get her more used to the crate and teach her that it is YOUR bed that she is just invited to sleep in it sometimes. You could also teach her on and off. That would help with being alpha.

ange165 · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:21 pm Post subject:

I agree with welches. I have never allowed dogs on furniture or in beds, because dogs will always view those who are in a higher position as the alpha. Plus we never really like the doggy smell that stuck to the sheets after they have been up on there!! Smile

ZaneTheBrain · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 10:29 pm Post subject:

Based on the survey that someone put up, it seems like most of the people on this site allow their dogs in their beds, but I wouldn't ever allow it, especially not a new puppy. I love my nice clean bed, and I don't like scratchy dog paws and shedding fur in it!

You need consistency to potty train your dog, plus it's probably not very safe. I got Zane at 4 months old, and even then he was the master of destruction and would eat ANYTHING! He ate my clothes and shoes, but he tried to eat metal hangers, electrical cords, an eyeliner pencil, ....you name it. All it took was for me to turn my head for a second, and he'd even do it while he looked me in the eye to get my attention. I can only imagine what he could destroy overnight while I slept! And if you've read the past posts on this forum, just when you think your dog is different or not destructive....they prove you wrong!

I know you want your puppy close to you but I say crate train her until she's older and then consider it.

nickyj · Posted: Sun May 04, 2008 11:13 pm Post subject:

It's good to hear I'm not the only one who lets there dog up "under invite". She's very quickly got the hang of that and rarely abuses the privilege.

AnnieTS · Posted: Mon May 05, 2008 9:52 am Post subject:

Hmm...this is good to know...thank you for all the feedback. Now she has taken to climbing onto my pillow above my head-- not sure if she is old enough to think alpha/non alpha but it had me wondering. Maybe she wants to be higher than me or maybe she just likes to fluffy down pillow. I will try her in the crate tonight-- see how she does.

THANKS

Welches · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 1:40 pm Post subject:

Banshee13 · Posted: Wed May 07, 2008 9:02 pm Post subject:

We found that it was easy to keep our puppies under control if we let them sleep in the bed with us. I guess it is really "by invite" because they aren't allowed in our bedroom until it is time for bed and we all go in together. Then they are sort of "confined" to the bed until it's time to get up. We don't allow them to roam around our bedroom at ALL. We crate them all day while we are at work and we wanted the "snuggle" time with them at night. But we really find we can keep our "eye" on them. They don't jump off the bed in the middle of the night--and if they do, it wakes us up and we tell them to get back up on the bed. They were able to make it throught the night without having to go out every couple of hours for a pee once we started letting them sleep with us. And also, my weim does not shed! Our Cur does, but Banshee doesn't. Nor does she have that "dog" smell, but she does, however, have some PUNKY FEET! Confused

Anyway, it's a personal decision and you will decide what's best for you (and your baby). Good luck!

Peri

nicwithcandy · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 9:50 am Post subject:

I think its all a matter of preference and opinion. Both of my dogs sleep with me and Im fine with it. It doesn't affect their behavior and I don't mind it. But I will say, if you start it, you will have a hard time breaking the habit.

svolk · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:04 am Post subject:

Our dogs sleep on their own dog beds which are on the floor in the bedroom. This is mainly because there's not enough room for everyone in the bed Laughing

But before we all go to bed we allow the dogs in the bed for 10-20 minutes of snuggle time and when we tell them that it's time for them to go to their own beds they both willingly go to them. The short time in the bed is now a ritual and everyone enjoys it.

We do allow our dogs on the furniture too and have never had problems with that.

weim2mom · Posted: Thu May 08, 2008 10:18 am Post subject:

Our dogs are also on the floor in their own beds.

We let Chevy sleep with us, but when we got Hemi it was too much dog for a queen size bed with two people in there too!

My hubby really didn't like the idea of them in the bed to begin with, where I loved it. We are both allergic to the dogs, so it's best that they stay off. Hemi is getting too smart though...

As soon as Joey shuts the door to leave in the morning, hemi will do a quick 'is daddy gone?' check, and jump in with me... he knows I'll snuggle with him Wink

.

Schatze · Posted: Fri May 23, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject:

Just remember what ever you do be prepared to do it when your pup is 50 + pounds. Schatze sleeps with me at night and always has. Whatever you decide do it sooner rather than later so as to create routine. The pup probably doesn't understand if she gets to sleep there once in a while. She certainly won't understand if all of a sudden when she is big you put her out. She'll be so sad...