Is it Okay to Let Your / My Dogs Sleep on Your Bed?

I only had a dog staying with me about 15 years ago and only then for about 6 months, in that time the dog slept on the floor, not on the bed, my wife at that time would not allow the dog on the bed.

Since my wife died just over 4 years ago, as you know Cindy I have had a cat, my ginger cat Oscar died about a year ago but like the cat I now have, given to me by my sister, 10 months ago, despite having a double bed, both cats have slept in another room, this is because the cats was in the habit of licking my face in the middle of the night,

Regards

Alan

P.S. I forgot to mention that, since I'm retired, both my dog and I like to sleep in some mornings. She usually awakens first, then she wakes me. She likes a tummy rub first thing, so after she "mumbles" at me to get me awake, she turns on her back and holds her paws up so I'll know it's time for the tummy rub. If I'm slow about it, she "grumbles" until I comply. I remember (even though it was decades ago) what it was like when my children were toddlers and would climb into bed with us early in the morning. They were soft, warm, cuddly and playful. My dog is much the same! I think this is why so many people with dogs refer to themselves as "parents." It's like having a sweet toddler around all the time.

Jaye

My dog sleeps beside me every night with her head resting on her own pillow. When I stop reading and turn out the lamp on my bedside table, she backs up to me (I sleep on my side facing the outside of the mattress), and we both go to sleep. I do not subscribe to the "necessity of dominance" theory touted by the dog whisperer and other so-called experts, especially since I read the book THE GENIUS OF DOGS by scientist Brian Hare, a real expert who disproved that theory.

Besides, my dog's "personal" hygiene equals my own. She has routine baths, I ensure she doesn't have fleas or other parasites, plus she sees her "doctor" regularly, gets her teeth brushed and--don't laugh (well, go ahead if you really must)--I use baby wipes to clean her butt after she goes outside on leash to potty. She's clean, doesn't smell and harbors nothing harmful to me. I even wipe off her feet when we come back indoors because pollen makes both of us sneeze.

I waited until I was 61 years old to get my first pet, not knowing the joys of sharing one's life with a loyal and loving dog. She's made the past eight years better for being here. She's my protector and friend. No way will I make her sleep on the floor! (So, PHOOEY! Dr. Cavanaugh!)

Voted Up++

Jaye

My Boston Terrier not only sleeps on the bed, but has to be under the covers even in the heat of the Florida summers. She does make for a good legwarmer, though, in the cooler months!

Thank you for your response to my comment mistyhorizon2003. I do love my four legged friends very much, you got that right. Yeah, my pet sitter told me that deal about the above your head position vs below your head when dogs share your cozy bed with you. I don't how true that is either but my pet sitters pets all mind her very well. I was actually very impressed. She also said that letting your dog walk in front of you is another thing we do that's giving him/her the leader role. Dogs should walk next to us only. My thought is as long as my dogs not pulling me down the street on "their walk", and I'm clearly the one in control of which way we go and when it's time to go home. They can walk in front of me all they want. After all it's a walk for them and I'm just the tour guide and coordinator. My pet sitter also noticed that my dogs bump/butt my arm which she said is them telling me to rub their heads/pay attention to them over the other dogs when I'm returning home after being gone all day long without my four legged friends which is not that often at my house. And I've had to work on my dogs rushing the front door as I'm trying to get in after a long hard day at work. I was told to ignore my dogs jumping all over me and go put my things away and greet members in my household, kick off my shoes and only when I'm comfortable and sitting down should I then call them and give them my undivided attention for a good 5 to 10 minutes. What was your welcome home greeting like when you did have your dogs? How'd you handle them jumping on you in their excitement that you were finally home? Ahhhhhhhh, I think another great article created by you on that subject is about to be born???

I have two dogs... a Jack Russell and a Rottweiler... the Jack sleeps on the bed every night but the Rotti cannot... he is just two big! I do love having my dog on the bed... he is a little heating pad and very cuddly :)

I will let my dog sleep on the bed, but he sits and waits at the foot of the bed until I say he can get up, then he's not allowed near my pillows or under the covers. I would only let dogs with a certain temperament sleep on my bed though.

My two small dogs sleep in my bed under my covers. my medium size dog sleeps on her plush bed pad next to the bed unless my hubby isn't in bed and it's cold outside. I've heard that the place your dog sleeps in your bed is the key thing. If your dog sleeps above you say up on your pillow, they see themselves as the leader. So that making your dog sleep at your feet is much better for keeping your dog in line. Personally I think it's not a good idea to leave a dog outside to sleep at night. For many reasons and attacks by other animals and chance to get very sick are just two good reasons to bring them into your house, or garage at night.

Nice hub, mistyhorizon2003. I don't have a dog anymore but I suppose many of the same arguments can be used for cats. My cat puts me to bed every night, settling on the covers at the outer edge of the bed after I climb under the blankets... I read for a while and he lays on a spare book (he learns by osmosis, I believe, while I have to read everything) and will stay until the light is turned out. I think dogs AND cats provide such therapeutic value to our lives that they should both be allowed to nap with us, so long as they are clean and cuddly! I enjoyed the "Sleeping With Greyhounds" vid - funny stuff :)

Nice hub - the pack theory is outdated, erroneous information - far too many people still believe this is a reason not to let dogs sleep on the bed, but as a professional dog trainer and registered nurse I would have to say the only reason to not let your dogs sleep on the bed is that they take up too much space and disrupt your sleep! As long as they are clean, cleanliness should not be a problem! Dogs provide much more therapeutic benefit than risk to our health and I believe that this is purely a personal decision but should be made on fact, not fiction. Thanks for laying this all out so nicely in a well-written hub!

Nice hub! I tend to treat my dogs and cats more like children; they're allowed in the house, have their own beds, and lots of toys. However, I will say that I weaned my puppy from sleeping on my bed. ~ Learned the importance to set a few boundaries. :)

"Dogs should sleep outside" - is this a stereotype? I can't see a reason why a dog shouldn't sleep with you.

A very good hub, Misty :)

Wonderful hub! My fur babies, one German Shepherd and two cats sleep with me. It would seem inhumane somehow not to allow them to. I see them as a vital and beautiful part of my family, and snuggling with them at night is an extension of that participation in the family. I feel that we all are comforted by it. Thank you for a lovely, sweet hub. It is always inspiring to meet other people who love animals. Bless you!

i have a 4 month old puppy. i try having him sleep next to me but he prefers the floor lol unless its nice and cool then he'll cuddle xD but he does help me wake up in the mornings :) which is good cuz i am not a morning person xD

I really enjoyed reading this thank you, Now to be honest if I owned small dogs I would have no objection to them sleeping on the bed however I have rather large dogs and if I let them on the bed well I would have to sleep on the floor!

They do sleep in the bedroom, right next to my bed, some mornings I can't find a space to get out of bed. I like them to be upstairs with me, they are apart of the family, for security and I love the big monsters.

Truly a great hub, voted up.

We have always let our dogs sleep on the bed with us. We have a German Shepherd / Elkhound mix now and he cuddles right up with us. He waits impatiently until we call him up. Once he thinks we are sleeping he sneaks off the bed and sleeps at the top of the stairs. Both so he can see both floors, upstairs and downstairs and it's right under an open window with a great breeze. He also chills out in the recliner on our lap whenever he can.

I however do not allow my dogs to lick my face - which isn't because I don't love them or think they are dirty... I just don't like it. So Kaydo has improvised and nuzzles with his nose. It's all about compromise.

A good hub. I liked the way you have presented both the sides of the subject matter. Actually, after reading the hub and all its comments I felt myself a misfit here. I have no pets because I am not at all fond of pets so there is no question of having pets on my bed. Well, I liked the hub as you have addressed the finer aspects of the topic very well. Voted up and interesting!

I let my dog Angus sleep on my bed with his own bed sheet when my husband is away. But he does not stay for long as he then transfer on the floor. I know that it is not hygenic but I keep him clean. I also feel comfortable and safe when he is in my bedroom sleeping when my husband is not home. Thanks for SHARING. Voted up and useful.

That is very funny - it seems like we sometimes let our animals wrap us around their little claws!

Great hub! It's funny how everyone has different ideas about animals in the bed. Growing up our cats used to sleep on/in our beds. One cat just loved to go under the sheets and crawl to the very end - I used to be afraid she would suffocate but she just loved it. Another cat wanted to sleep on my pillow and clawed my head all night. When I tried to move her she bit me! My dogs that I currently own sleep on the floor under my bed. I don't think they need to sleep on the bed. They are not allowed on furniture and honestly they are perfectly happy. In fact sometimes when I put them on my lap they get too hot and want to sleep on the floor. The funniest thing is my boy dog - who is a woolly mammoth fur ball, has a favourite sleeping spot which is the coldest, hardest place in the house - a cement slab under my sister's bed! Voted up!

Our dogs would sleep on the bed with us but they are to big. Our Springer was crate trained by his other owners so he only wants to be in his crate. Our lab has a pillow he sleeps on but when my husband would leave for work he would get in bed with me. Now he's to old he can't get on the bed and he now sleeps in a chair in our room and we have to help him get on that.

When we had little dogs they always slept with us and our cats do sleep with us.

Enjoyed your hub.

We have always let our dogs (and cats) sleep in bed with us. I see that most people answering these polls of yours agree to a large extent. Thanks for answering my question with such a great hub. That last video was funny! Up votes and will share.

we let our dog sleep in our bed[ REASON WE LOVE OUR DOG AND OUR DOGS CLEAN AND HEALTHY. if you don't want to that's your bis

I sleep with my dog too :) and I believe I am as healthy as anyone else...they said that the benefits of having pets whether you sleep with them or not far outweigh the negatives...I believe so...:)

I have a boxer and a boston terrier. They both sleep with us. We even moved up yo a king size bed so all of us have room. My boston Terrier sleeps by my head and snores, a lot!!!! lol I could not imagine not sleeping with them. I keep them well groomed (i hate smelly dog smell). My dogs make me smile when i wake uo to them. First thing i do in the morning is wake up and snuugle close to them and tell them good morning!!!!!!

Great hub- My husband is allergic to dogs and not a fan of them sleeping on the bed. One of ours will jump on the bed with me and sleep for awhile if not booted out. He gets too hot after awhile and leaves to sleep on the the floor with his nose under the bed. This causes disputes between he and his brother. We have found that keeping them both out of our room keeps them from fighting. They are welcome to sleep with any of the kids.

Yep, all my six fur-angels sleep in my bed! Three dogs and three cats! We all cuddle and snuggle! I've actually noticed they form kind of a circle of energy ~ as long as one is touching one of the others, usually cat~dog~cat~dog, etc. and touching me, we are all happy! When one needs to go out in the middle of the night, everyone goes! 30 seconds later everyone has done their business and back into the bed we climb! I love it! Sheets get washed often and they get groomed constantly! GREAT Hub Misty!! Earth Angel!

I have two dogs, one sleeps on my bed and the other sleeps on my daughter's bed. Both are small and need to snuggle.

My husband and I have no problem at all with that. My daughter loves to have the dog snuggle up to her. I never had a dog until we got married, so I was not used to it. But, we have had several dogs since then. At first, I thought it was strange, but the dog made me change my mind very fast. Cute face. They can smile you know. They can make you love them. Anyone who tells you dogs cannot smile or show you their emotions is very wrong.

well I do not have dogs but my cat sleeps with em no matter where I am. I love it.

great hub

voted up

debbie

Most of my life I've had big dogs, like German Shepherds, and never would have considered letting them sleep in the bed. The massive gobs of hair they left behind anywhere they lay down would be enough of a discouragement. Now I have little short haired dogs, mini dachshunds and dachshund-pug mix and they do sleep in the bed. My rottweiler is not allowed on the bed, or even the couch. I know it seems unfair. I did buy her a crib mattress, so she does have a bed of her own, and it is in my room.

Not unless there is lightening outside. Lol. Maybe on the floor beside the bed. That would be alright.

My husband prefers that the dogs not sleep on the bed because they smell and because of the dog hair. So, when he goes out of town, I put a sheet over the top blanket and call them up. They love to cuddle - at first anyway. Then they get too hot and eventually get down to sleep on their own dog beds.

I firmly believe that dogs should have certain boundaries - this room is off limits or this piece of furniture is off-limits, this is your toy and this is not your toy, etc. Letting your dog be on the bed may or may not be one of the boundaries you set. So long as you set at least some rules and don't let your dog do whatever he wants whenever he wants, I see nothing wrong with allowing him to sleep in your bed if that is what you want.

This so reminds me of the whole "is it ok for your kids to sleep in your bed" debate. (I'll add babies are stinky and dirty too! Lol). I think that it's fine as long as both 'parents' are not annoyed. My husband does not want my dogs in our bed - I don't mind (they are small indoor dogs and I have them groomed regularly) but I don't because he would not appreciate it. They sometimes sneak in bed and curl up by me and if I wake up - I just pretend I didn't notice:)

I do sleep with my animals. By the time you get 2 adults (my husband is 6'5") and 2 dogs (20 lbs and 45 lbs) and three cats, it gets quite crowded. I have truly considered trying to keep the larger dog off the bed, but she whines too much and no one gets any sleep. I think it is okay for them to sleep with me, and I enjoy reaching out to them during the night, but anymore dogs will be trained to sleep off of the bed. I am having too many pains in my knees and back, and competing with the dogs for space makes it worse.

My dogs will jump up on the bed for about ten minutes when we first go to bed. They are pretty big dogs and there's just not enough room, so we tell them to get down and they do. They seem quite happy having that ten minutes. I've talked to people that think allowing a dog on the bed is allowing the do to rule you. Each to their own opinion.

oh I'm so guilty of this...I know it's fine but making your dogs sleep with you will make you change your bedsheets more often than usual... I like your hub....and it made me feel at ease that I am not alone in this situation.

Great hub misty. My dog sometimes sleeps on my bed, other times she'll sleep on a mattress that I put on the floor. I don't see any problem with dogs sleeping on the bed, it's a sign of trust when they want to be close to you, so you should encourage it. Voted up.

I like the open minded way that you have approached this subject. Everyone is entitled to their point of view,if stroking a dog can lower blood pressure imagine what sleeping with one can do!!

We are a dog family and we had four dogs up until last year when we lost our very first dog. She had slept on our bed for nineteen years up until she could no longer get up and down from the bed, which was her last few weeks and it was strange and heart breaking not to have her keeping the quilt down. She was a small dog.

My daughters Yorkie is kept clean and roughly groomed and sleeps on her bed. I don't have a problem with that as she doesn't molt.

We also have a German Shepherd that isn't allowed on the furniture, but happily sleeps on her rug in the lounge at night and we have a pavement special that sleeps on a cushion by our bed.

All dogs are happy, well they seem it and there isn't any issues of dominance related to where they sleep.

As you have pointed out in your hub, it is a personal matter and I'm with you when you say that dogs are pets and shouldn't be kept outside.

Sorry I've rambled....Voted up and shared for sure!!

Awesome hub! I would let my dog sleep on my bed except he's bigger than I am, so he'd like push both me and my spouse OUT. I like the way you presented both sides. :)