The news that sleeping with dogs can help you sleep better will be welcomed by dog lovers.
As previously suggested, sleeping with your dog may not necessarily result in poorer quality sleep, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Should you loosen the rules and allow your dog to sit on the furniture now that we’re allowed to sleep with our dogs too?
Should You Let Your Dog on the Furniture?
Listen to the Podcast This is a commonly asked question for us and like most things in dog training, there is no, “one-size-fits-all” answer. Black and white is a rarity in the dog training world, so we try not to choose definitive sides on most issues. Really, we like to examine each individual situation and assess the dogs level of respect and understanding for the rules of the house.
Some people advise against letting dogs use the furniture. We won’t get into the discussion about out-of-date dominance theories in this post, but this goes back to the old dominance theories that if dogs are elevated, they may perceive themselves as pack leaders and attempt to rule the world. Let’s just say that as we’ve developed and learned more about how dogs think and process information, these theories have been disproved. The truth is that whether you let your dog climb up on furniture should depend on their understanding of household rules at the time and your own preferences.
No two dogs should have the same rules. Instead, rules should be applied based on the requirements of that relationship, with each dog being evaluated individually. Lets break it down into two broad categories.
There is really no reason not to let your dog on your furniture if they are well-behaved, don’t exhibit any behavioral issues, and you are satisfied with their level of obedience training. If you find yourself in this wonderful situation, you can base your choice on how much you care about dog hair in the bed or drool and other potential messes on the couch. Giving them access to the furniture won’t make them less eager to live out their lives as polite dogs.
The only qualification I would make is that you should always be able to ask your dog to leave the couch or bed for any reason. Privileges should be immediately revoked if you encounter any resistance that manifests as aggression, and you should speak with a trained dog behaviorist for assistance if necessary.
It’s acceptable to give your dog access to just one piece of furniture. You might decide that your dog can use the couch but not the bed. If you choose, they may use the couch but not the love seat. If you have a wonderful dog who doesn’t bother you, you are free to make any decisions you want. Spend some time explaining your expectations to your dog so that they can understand you. Clear, consistent information is required during the adjustment period, which includes supervision.
The boundaries you set for your dog should be much clearer than those mentioned above if it is not yet the most obedient member of the family. Setting clear boundaries for the dog will teach them to look to you for information and guidance rather than risking behavioral problems by letting them on the furniture. You can improve your daily management by restricting access to resources like food, toys, and furniture. When the family is unwinding, the dog should have a clearly defined area where they are permitted to be. Try to designate a space for the dog and make a concerted effort to reinforce their polite behavior there. Random reinforcement and a “go-and-lie-down” command will be very helpful for the dogs understanding, and a dog bed or crate is ideal for this.
If you want to let your dog sit on the couch or other furniture, there is one more thing I urge you to think about. I always insist on invitation only in my home; do you want it to be up to you or the dog? That stemmed from a need to manage a multi-dog household. My dogs are only permitted on the furniture upon invitation, preventing them from jostling for status positions. When I have visitors over, this rule also comes in very handy. My visitors might or might not be dog lovers who desire a contented child in their lap (LOL – though, they typically do). My dogs understand that they can only climb up on the furniture when I or a visitor invite them to.
The choice is ultimately yours, so I hope that gives you comfort knowing that there isn’t a clear right or wrong in this situation. Hopefully, this information will assist you in making an informed decision based on good information and not stale beliefs if you want to snuggle with your dog on the couch in the appropriate situations.
Hello, I’m Shannon Viljasoo, and in 1999 I joined the McCann team while teaching my wonderful and spirited Rottweiler Quincey how to listen well. I enjoy writing about dogs and dog training for the McCann blog as the Director of Online Training and Content for McCann Professional Dog Trainers. I currently live with two Tollers, Reggie and Ned, and I enjoy assisting people in creating the ideal bond with their four-legged family members.
Don’t miss out on our professional training methods if you can’t come to us. Learn from the professionals online.
“Wonderful job, everyone! Keep up the good work; we’ll be back.” McCanns is like Harvard University for puppies!”.
If you can answer “yes” to this question, then, great! Your dog sleeping in bed or cat lounging on the sofa isn’t much of an issue! In these cases, Newman suggests not allowing your dog in bed during “trigger situations,” such as when around kids or other pets, or when the doorbell rings, as it may cause your pet to get overbearing in asserting dominance. Instead, if your dog reacts loudly or aggressively, send him down to his own dog bed to induce calmness, obedience and submissiveness.
Allowing your pet to climb up on the furniture enables you to relax in bed with your dog for a quick nap or morning cuddles. But is there a downside to granting our pets this privilege (aside from pet hair, which, let’s face it, covers every square inch of our homes, anyway)? Anthony Newman, CPDT-KA and founder of Calm Energy Dog Training NYC, says that when it comes to allowing your dog on the couch or bed, “The crucial question I always ask is, ‘Can you get your dog off the bed (couch, etc.),” ) when you want to?’”.
A skid-resistant indoor or outdoor option, the Frisco Steel-Framed Elevated Pet Bed gives your dog a place to call his own. The MidWest Quiet Time Ombre Swirl Dog & Cat Bed is an incredibly soft option for a plush bed that will allow your dog or cat to sleep in a bed but not necessarily your bed. However, there might be a bigger problem if you have trouble getting your dog off the bed or couch when you want to. It might be time to restrict the privilege if your dog snaps, bites, or even whines, barks, or jumps back when asked to move. Use every tool at your disposal in these situations, such as leaving a light leash dangling or sending the dog off the bed with a pillow to reduce reactivity. —and train them to lay on their own quiet, submissive, and obedient bed for progressively longer periods of time while being positively reinforced with stuffed KONGs and bully sticks, advises Newman. Use the opportunity for dog training to reward good behavior and demonstrate to your dog the privilege that it is rather than letting him on the couch whenever he wants.
Dog begging is hard to say “no” to, but “before your dog jumps up on the bed, have her go lie down in her own dog bed—for 10 seconds the first day; 30 seconds the second day; 1 minute the third day, etc.,” directs Newman. “I’m all about giving our dogs everything they want, but using those resources as rewards for other kinds of behavior [takes] a bit more work.” The Frisco Quilted Fleece Pet Bed & Crate Mat can be used as a bed on its own or with a dog crate to give your pet a comfortable den and personal space to call his own. When he starts dog begging and wants to jump up onto the couch or bed, send him to his bed for a minute or two before inviting him up into your space. The key to being a responsible dog lover is to start dog training early by teaching your dog that sleeping in your bed or on the couch is a privilege. Even if you’d like to allow your dog in bed, giving your dog a place to call his own will help mitigate his possessiveness over your space.
Keeps Your Dog Off of Furniture
Your dog should have a designated spot to go to when you tell them it’s time to get down when learning the “off” command. Your dog can feel like a member of the family without being on the furniture if you put their bed on the same level as your couch.
FAQ
Is it cruel to not let dog on furniture?
There’s really no reason not to let your dog on your furniture if they are well-behaved, have no behavioral issues, and have received the appropriate amount of obedience training.
Why do dogs like to be on the couch?
The Cause of the Behavior Dogs enjoy being in environments where they feel secure, at home, and loved. They also love to be where their owners are. Dogs are aware that the couch and all other furniture are for human use only and that people value and enjoy those items.
Is it mean to keep dog off couch?
Although there is nothing wrong with letting your dog sit on the couch, if you prefer that they stay off, being consistent and rewarding the desired behavior will help you achieve your goal. Find a trained dog trainer who uses positive reinforcement for more advice and methods.
Why can’t dogs go on couches anymore?
If your older dog no longer enjoys jumping up onto or off of chairs or sofas, it may be a sign of Addison’s disease, arthritis, intervertebral disk disease, pain in the back legs, or another ailment.