The great debate!
Forget politics. We’re talking about something much more important.
Do you let your dog recline on your furniture and sleep on your bed or not?
We all love our dogs to bits, yet this is a dilemma that divides us! Some of us don’t understand why you wouldn’t embrace your dog in every part of your home, just like the two legged members of your family.
For others, they would never contemplate inviting their dog to join them on the bed or other furniture, even though they worship them!
Maybe you have partner wars in your home, with the two of you having different views on this hot topic.
Let’s look at both sides, with some advice and observations that might sway you one way or another!
Team Yes… Hop on, Harry! Or Team No… Get down, Archie!
Of course we want our dogs to be happy in their environment, and most dogs love to curl up on anything that’s soft and cosy, especially if it’s their human’s favourite spots.
Contrary to popular belief, allowing your dog on the furniture will not make them think they’re in charge, making them feel dominant or territorial.
However, it’s always important to be consistent in your messaging and to nip in the bud any negative behaviours.
For example, if your dog growls or snaps at you when you try and sit down next to them, or doesn’t jump up when you try and take their place, you should immediately remove them.
Your dog shouldn’t get priority over you, when it comes to relaxing on your sofa or in your own bed. Don’t let them ‘hog’ the space! Teach them to move over and make room for you.
It’s all about training. Depending on your personal preferences, you might choose to give your dog temporary or permanent access to some or all of your furniture. It doesn’t have to be all or nothing, you just have to be clear when you’re training them that they know where they stand or, more appropriately, sit!
Some dog owners train their dogs to only use their furniture when they are invited. Whether they follow this rule when you are out, only they know…
Training tips
Your dog should know that being allowed on your furniture is a privilege, not a right, and a treat they need to earn.
They should have their own special spot on the furniture, and know the ‘off’ command and the ‘go to your place’ command.
When you are training them, before they can jump on the furniture you should command them to sit. When they have obeyed this command, you should then pat the sofa or bed, allowing them up.
Whatever rules you choose to implement, make sure that all family members know the rules and stick to them religiously. Your dog will get confused if you’re not consistent.
Bedtime
More and more people are choosing to share their beds with their dogs for various reasons.
You may not like leaving your dog downstairs when everyone else is cosy upstairs.
A protective dog sleeping in the same room as you can make you feel safe.
Some dog owners also say that their dog’s rhythmic breathing is a soothing sleep aid that gets them off to sleep more quickly and calmly.
They’re a cosy hot water bottle in the winter.
Be mindful, though, that your dog needs a good night’s sleep just as much as you do. If they seem irritable during the day or suffer other issues with their temperament, their sleep might be being disturbed by your nocturnal tossing and turning.
Another thing to consider is if you’re prone to allergies. Many dog owners with mild allergies aren’t affected by pet dander during the day, but having a pet-free environment at night gives you the nightly respite that could have a positive effect on your long-term health.
As much as you love your dog, if you’re also sharing your bed with a human companion you obviously want them to feel loved too and not pushed out. Hopefully, you will both enjoy sharing a bed with your dog, and they will bring you even closer, and not literally come between you!
Health and hygiene
Many people prefer to keep their dogs off their furniture because of the dirt, hair and detritus.
We have to think about more than the cosmetic impact too.
There is a risk of parasitic infections and fungal infections being transmitted from animals to humans, which could be an issue if you are sharing spaces but, if you keep your dog healthy, the risk is very, very low so don’t be alarmed.
Whether you allow your dog to hop up on your furniture or not, every dog should have an overall wellness check up at the vets every 6-12 months. As well as keeping their vaccinations up to date, this will hopefully keep them free of fleas, and any parasites will be detected and treated.
Other ways to minimise the dirt and germs your dog may spread in your home include regular grooming, which not only keeps them clean but can also help to reduce shedding, and wiping their paws and spot cleaning them whenever you return home together.
Trimming their claws will reduce the damage they might do to your furniture too.
So, have you switched teams? Or are you sticking with your original views?
Whatever your stance, what we all have in common is loving, enjoying and cherishing our beloved dogs!
This article is brought to you by Cherish Studios, passionate dog lovers sharing helpful tips and advice with our fellow dog lovers. For medical advice, please speak to a trained vet.
Contact Cherish Studios
Experience that incredible feeling you get every time you look at your gorgeous dog, by capturing them in the most beautiful photograph that you can display on your wall and enjoy each and every day.
Our studio is in Crouch End, north London, which is where the magic happens.
Take a deeper look at our work on this website, or find us on Instagram at @cherishstudioslondon.
You can also call us on 0207 155 9725 or email our founder, Paul Toeman. We would love the opportunity to listen to your ideas and give you both a photographic experience you’ll want to cherish forever.
Love – you feel it, we photograph it, you cherish it. Forever.
