Dog in the bed?

Question

How do you feel about letting a dog sleep in the bed? My fiance and I recently started letting our 7 month old GSD sleep in our bed with us and our cat. We have a king sized bed, so there's plenty of room, but do you think this is unwise? Anyone know of potential behavioral problems from letting your dog sleep with you?
He was crate trained, so before this he slept in his crate every night. He still sleeps there (by choice) occasionally and for naps during the day.

Answer 1

This won't cause any behavioral problems, other than the fact that once he starts sleeping there, that's it. You'll never convince him to NOT sleep in the bed in the future.
Dogs love to sleep with/near their humans. Its the whole pack instinct thing.

Answer 2

Ignorance is a bliss. There are very real problems that will come up when you allow a dog to sleep on the bed. The dog is a pack animal who likes to know where he stands in the pack. In his natural environment, in the wild, the Alpha dog, (you) gets to sleep in his choice of place. The rest of the pack sleeps in other places. At no time does the dog get to sleep in the Alpha dog's place, that would cause problems in the pack hierachy. When you allow your dog on the bed you are putting him in the same position in the pack as you, the supposed Alpha. If that dog has any dominance issues they will show up sooner or later. Even if they don't have any dominance problems, dogs will still be confused about their position in the pack. That confusion will show when the dog refuses to follow commands or develops other negative behaviors. Do not allow a dog to sleep on the bed, the create is the best place for them.

Answer 3

Hiya,
I have never had a dog that hasn't slept with me in my bed! lol- and for awhile i only had a twin size, with a GSD! i would find my self on the floor some nights!My mom even took a pic of me fast asleep on the floor, and drake, my gsd stretched out across my bed!lol! There was never any behavioral problems that i have came across in my 12.9 year-lol!We just recently got Jezabell, and its so different having a smaller dog in the bed, o and i have a queen size, so it kinda makes a difference!lol! But i have never been found of crate training, and i like to have my babies right next to me! But just a warning: ONCE YOU LET HIM SLEEP ON THE BED-HE WILL NEVER QUIT! lol! and I'm sure he has some growing to do! i hope my answer helps! g♥♥d Luck!

Answer 4

Its an individual choice but there are several negative things that could happen. The dog might think he is your equal and not a lower pack member and from this he could start getting cheeky and not respecting his place so to avoid this, keep up with the training and not let him develop other bad habits like feeding him from the table, begging, running away or over greeting guests... things like that.

From a health standpoint, its not the best to let a dog get into your personal space/bed if he ever picks up fleas or ticks from outside you could get them in your mattress and then you'll have problems. Also you can pick up parasites, espescially if you sleep naked. And then there is fecal content... lets face it, dogs don't "wipe" after pooping and that will just get on your bed.

Answer 5

My 7 month old boxer has slept in my bed with me or my son since we brought him home. He sleeps on the couch ocasionally but loves the bed most. When my boyfriend is there he keeps a close eye on him and make sure you have something to occupy the dog if you want to use the bed to play in yourself..

Answer 6

We let our dog sleep with us for awhile then he got way to big. It was really hard to break him of the habit, so make sure you are in it for the long run. My dog will still sleep on our bed if we leave him alone in the house. Also, our dog thought that it was okay to sleep on the couch or anywhere else he wanted since we let him sleep on our bed.

Answer 7

The only behavioral problems with this are one he will always want to sleep in you bed with you at night and two he will think that it is OK to get on all of your future but if you dont mind hair on your couch than is shouldnt cause too much trouble.

Answer 8

There is nothing wrong with letting your animals sleep in the bed with you. If they become territorial or aggressive, like growling, biting, or refusing to move when you try to get them off the bed or if you and your fiance are cuddling, then that is a problem b/c your dog thinks he is in control. You have to remain the dominant one. My boyfriend and I do not let our dog sleep in the bed with us. She is allowed on the furniture or in the bed only if we give her permission and she has never jumped up without it. We bought her a huge dog bed that we put at the foot of our bed where she likes to sleep and we will cuddle with her while we are watching tv at night, but as soon as we tell her "down" she gets down and curls up in her bed to sleep. If you and your fiance are fine with the dog sleeping in the bed, and he behaves, then there is nothing wrong with it at all.

Answer 9

I have 3 Italian Greyhounds that sleep with us every night and a Boxer which has been known to sneak up onto to the bed during the night as well. Nothing wrong with it at all. Besides, they keep your really warm in the winter. :)

Answer 10

Every night at my place is a "Three Dog Night". With their temperature being 101 degrees it means I don't to set the heater as high as I would without them. Not to mention I love my dogs and they can do pretty much what ever they want.