May I have your views on letting dog to sleep with it's owner on the bed?

Question

That's the only way we can get a full night of rest, without him barking. Is it sanitary? if we do that how often do we give the dog a bath? we gave him one every 2 days, because he demand to sleep with us, is that too often?
He's a Yorkie

Answer 1

I wipe my dogs paws with doggy wipes because she is a outdoorsy dog and gets mucky and brush her coat through before bed just go get the mud, grass seeds and dust out. I love her sleeping in my bed because she's well behaved so I can trust her to respect that I want her to be calm. She sleeps on my feet ontop of the covers and then when I wake up she comes and sits next to my head untill I get up. She's a pomeranian and I have a queen size so there's plently of room and I don't have to worry about squishing her.
Because of her breed, a lap dog, I don't worry about dominance issues as companionship is what they were bred for.
I think people that don't live with dogs don't understand the bond an owner has with them, unless they're used simply for protection or agricultural work. It's quite easy to say "nope, it's disgusting, there are germs" when you don't have a dog to love.

Answer 2

That's way too many baths! I wouldn't bathe him more than once a month, otherwise you'll dry out the natural oils in his skin and that can become a big problem. This is all personal preference here, I like my dogs on the bed, but if you're not comfortable with it that maybe have a small crate with a nice soft pillow in it at the end of the bed for him to sleep on. He may whine the first few nights, but if you grin and bear it for a little while he'll settle and sleep just fine. It's sanitary to have a dog on the bed, as long as he hasn't rolled in something yucky. :)

Answer 3

The hygiene or cleanliness of dogs sleeping on beds isn't a problem. Even babies who live with pets have better immune systems than those who do not. There is such a thing as using too many antibacterial products.

You may be developing problems though with a dog who barks incessantly until allowed on the bed. That dog has trained you and may try other types of obnoxious behaviors. He may even develop separation anxiety if he always has to be with you to feel safe or satisfied.

I would get him to sleep in a crate or in a bed in the same room even if he barks and whines. Teach him to hush, praise him when he does and keep at it until he stops. When he no longer barks and whines then invite him back on the bed if you like so the two things are no longer connected. It needs to be your decision to let him on the bed because that is what you prefer, not because you give up due to his barking.

If the washing works for him then it shouldn't be a problem although once every 1-2 weeks is probably enough unless he gets really dirty. It is a myth (and a dirty one) that dogs shouldn't be bathed more than a few times a year. It leads to dirty dogs who get banished to the outside or garage because they, amazingly enough, smell terrible and feel greasy.

People blame dogs for being dirty and then douse them with all kind of toxic chemicals for fleas, spritz them with perfume or make them sleep on beds full of things like cedar. I don't know why people think dogs clean themselves because they obviously can't.

Answer 4

I personally don't think there is anything wrong with that. I have a rat terrier/chihuahua that sleeps with me under my comforter every night at the bottom. Once in a while, she will curl up beside me. It gives me a feeling of security and warmth. Watch, however how many times you give her a bath. Bathing them to much will dry out their skin. I, just recently went to PetSmart and bought expensive shampoo and bathed her so she would smell good, and it also helped a great deal with the flea problem. My dog has been sleeping with me since she was 7 weeks old. I, do however wash my sheets on my bed at least twice a week. There is nothing wrong with that. It also tells me how much you care about him. It shows compassion and love and I respect you for that.

Answer 5

You should not bathe a dog more than 1 to 2 times at most per month. It dries out their skin. I think letting the dog sleep in bed with you is a personal preference. I don't let mine, although I think about it sometimes cause she's so cute. I cuddle with her on the couch, but my bed is off limits to her. He barks because he knows if he does it long enough you'll give in and he'll get to sleep with you.

Answer 6

Do NOT bath your dog that often because you are washing away all of the essential oils on his skin and it will cause severe irritation. Once a month is how often you can/should bath your dog and make sure you use a good-quality dog shampoo from the pet store.
My dogs sleep in the bed with my fiance and I and we bath them once a month. Unless your dog rolls around in the dirt- there is no reason to bath him more than once a month.
Just wash your sheets twice a week and it's fine.

Also, you need to train your dog. We invite the dogs to sleep in our bed but if we want them to sleep on their own dog beds- we tell them to get in there beds.

Answer 7

It's up to the individual owner and it's my belief that it should be a privilege, not a right and he should only come up if invited. If you don't really want him on the bed, then you should crate him in your room and put up with a couple bad nights while he adjusts.

Every two days will probably dry out his skin. Why not throw a sheet on top of the bed and have him sleep on that? You can remove the sheet each morning and wash every day or two.

We have big dogs and there would be no room for us in the bed. So they have their own in our room and they are happy as can be.

Answer 8

I know u are precise Himei and ask about dogs, I dont have one now but when I did I didnt let the dog sleep in my bed coz they have too many bodily secretions. And everyone is correct about not washing your dog so often. If u insist on giving him frequent baths use baby shampoo and give the dog maybe 500iu vitamin E each day in his food. Now my cat is a diffrent story, even thought she covers my bed in hair , she is balck my comforter is white, I love her so much I cant stand it if shes not there.If I dont let her she will sit outside my door all night waiting me and it breaks my heart. You also have to think abot your husband too, and I dont have to consider someone else, I guess your husband dont like but maybe I am wrong, and I bet u do like : ) Some of the people are correct in that you have to give your dog some discipline because he will apply his learned behavior to everything he does if it gets what he wants, like you talk about the walking in before. He has to know who is boss

Answer 9

If you keep giving the dog a bath every two days, it will have such bad itchy skin its scratching will keep you up all night.

There's nothing wrong with having the dog on the bed. It doesn't need a bath very often unless it gets muddy, because dogs don't perspire. A bath every 6 weeks should be more than enough as long as you keep him brushed.

Answer 10

Unless he is rolling in something nasty while outside, your dog does not need to be bathed often. Every two days is very often for a dog. I have three dogs and one sleeps in the bed and she gets a bath about every 3 weeks. My dogs are basically indoor dogs that get outdoor exercise but aren't getting dirty. If and when they do, they get rinsed off and/or bathed between when their regular bath would be.
If you have no problem with your dog sleeping on the bed then there is nothing wrong with it. If your dog is regularly groomed and wormed, it's safe and sanitary.
Some people prefer for dogs to have their own bed. If your dog gets used to that, it will likely be what the dog will prefer. Two of ours are used to their own beds and one likes to sleep on our bed.