I love my dog but!?

Question

… she will not let me sleep. My boyfriend insists that she sleep in the bed with us. That’s was how he was raised, animals are part of the family they are in the house…in the bed etc. I have been working really hard to get used to her; however the bed is too small for the three of us. She gets up and walks around on the bed and plops herself on my legs (she is a 50lbs bulldog, I am 110 lbs). She snores louder than my boyfriend! I am just not getting any sleep. I love her, but not in the bed. How do I get this message to him, so he understands that? Our dog means a lot to him.

Answer 1

Try comprimising with him. Let him know that it's not ok for you to be suffering because of this. A dog is a dog, not a human, so it doesnt need to sleep with you. Go with your boyfriend to pick the dog out some really uber comfortable dog bed- so your boyfriend sees that the bulldog will be comfy. A dog is still a member of your family in this way- after all, members of your family all sleep in seperate beds as well!

Answer 2

You really need to tell him that you cannot sleep in a bed with a dog. If he can't accept that, then he's likely not the right person, as there will be bigger issues than that to make concessions over in the long run. If he's the great guy you know him to be then you should be able to talk this out and your health and well-bing should be important to him. You are not asking the dog to go, but simply where not to be. I love my pets dearly, but I do not sleep with my dogs. Actually, dog books/info I read when I first got my dog said that sleeping with the dog was not a good idea, and can lead to some dominance issues, as the one on top is the boss and it is likely lying on you, so she may think, at that time she's boss. If she decides to challenge this, you could get bitten. (I can't think of the source at this min.--sorry.)

Answer 3

Can't you explain it to your boyfriend like you just did in this message? He's got to understand that you can and do love this dog but you can't sleep with her.

You are being totally reasonable here and the dog could still sleep in the room on her own bed. If he doesn't get it, perhaps you have a decision to make about your relationship. You can't go through your life sleep deprived!

Answer 4

I'm the same way. Your boyfriend should make the sacrifice. My dog is actually 100+ pounds though. I wanted my dog sleeping in the bed with my boyfriend and me... my boyfriend did not like it at all because my dog also laid on his leg. Anyways, needless to say... my boyfriend's happiness is far more important to me than whether my dog sleeps on the floor or in our bed. My boyfriend just told me how he felt about it and said he likes Kipper (my dog) but doesn't think he should sleep in our bed. I was fine with it, I saw his point of view, and even though my boyfriend is currently in a different country, my dog still does not sleep in the same bed as me. There's sacrifices you need to make for your lover, and your boyfriend should be glad it's one as small as that. Buy the dog a nice dog bed and put it next to your bed... there's no reason you should be losing sleep over this.

Answer 5

Well it sounds like it's your boyfriend that won't let you sleep ...not the dog...

Tell your boyfriend that for your safety and the safety of the dog...either HE or SHE will need to find a new place to sleep...it's his choice.
I grew up with dogs in our bed too...but once we got the third dog...there were just too many of us...my dogs now sleep in crates on either side of our bed... (we turned their crates into nightstands) so the doggies are still in the same room with us and are still loved and are still part of the family...but they aren't sleeping on my face and drooling on my pillow.

Regardless of how "he was raised"...relationships are about compromise...and it's not like you're telling him to put the dog in a dog house out back...it isn't too much to go buy her a super comfy dog bed and put her bed in the corner of your room...She'll probably ...actually be happier and more comfortable that way.

Answer 6

besides getting a larger bed, which we actually did as we have 3-4 labs sleeping in bed with us every night. You could get a pet bed that is higher so that he can feel like the pup is in bed with him and you can get some sleep. Or if you must go to another bed in another bed.

Answer 7

If I were in your place, I'd throw them both out if he can't differentiate people from canines and treat accordingly. He may have been raised like that, but . . . tough sheeiiitttttttttttttttttttttttttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! How does sexual intimacy occur with a 50 lb. bulldog in bed with you?? Wouldn't happen in my bed. I'd get a different lover, and no dogs allowed. But then, I'm a pretty stern and assertive individual. I think I have that right, over dogs anyway. God Bless you.

Answer 8

Tell him exactly that!! You understand his love for the dog and why he would want it to sleep on the bed, but explain your side of it! and come up with an answer the both of you like.
Like a dog bed on his side, on the floor, so he can be close to the dog without it being on the bed!!

Answer 9

I applaud his efforts at the family bed concept but even the authors of that book state a large bed is necessary. People who don't sleep well become very irritable. People who don't sleep at all become homicidal. Let him make the choice.

Answer 10

How about making her her very own pet bed. Something special, and not just a store bought bed or pillow. Get him involved if you can. Let him know that the laying on your legs is causing you pain, and that if it continues you will have to see your doc about the pain. Let him know that she is special, but if he loves you, he won't stand idly around while you are being hurt.