Dogs on beds

There was a great birthday card I sent more than once - a Punch cartoon IIRC - woman showing a guest their room - bed strewn with half a dozen dogs. ‘It’s gone a little chilly so I’ve put an extra dog on your bed.’ ?

People in the north used to keep whippets for many reasons ( hunting, racing etc) but I believe one reason was they slept with the children and kept them warm ( they are heat seeking missiles). I would never have allowed my spaniels on or in the bed and I don’t think they would have wanted to be there anyway but whippets assume that beds and duvets were created specifically for them. They’re so clean and un smelly and, once they’re asleep they usually won’t move for 12 hours.

I have a lovely little dog who is great company, especially as I live alone. We spend most of our time together and I chat away to her. I rescued her and from the first night she stayed on her own bed and has done so ever since. I'm glad though as I prefer her to stay off my bed, I've all white bedding for a start. My sister's little dog shares her bed and heads up a couple of hours before her. Its your dog and your rules so you do as you please, she's lucky to have a caring owner like you Neen

I haven’t owned a dog since my AC were small and have never had a cat. Our dog slept in his basket in the kitchen which is a warm and spacious room. He never came upstairs or went on chairs or sofas. Nevertheless he was a happy and much loved dog. I like to keep my furniture and carpets as nice as possible and wouldn’t want the expense of buying new ones. We used to have our DSs dog sometimes but had to stop. It was lovely having him with us but he kept coming upstairs and jumping on the beds.

Whoops, also random photo too… ?

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202109/medium-939067-1aa799d0-6e92-4add-a85a-bd69967bf592.jpeg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202109/medium-122030-a3d066a4-b3f4-45a5-85d7-5af2178bd21e.jpeg

Neen is your dog a Saluki or Saluki cross? Hounds are often referred to as ‘Velcro’ dogs for good reason. My lovely boy is allowed on top of our bed for the last hour or so before we get up. Yes, it’s probably not very hygienic but our house, our rules. Your dog is lovely, this is my boy…

We let our first Lab share our bed as a puppy. As he grew bigger though, there wasn't room for us all, so he decided it would be best if we slept elsewhere. We had to spoil his vision of the future and put him in a bed outside. He soon adapted and we have since then not let any of the others on our bed. Nothing to do with germs and hygiene. As I have said before, children living with pets have a better developed immune system. Each to their own I think, not anyone else's business.

Neen. It's your dog, your bed and your decision. It's neither hurting or affecting anyone else. It's something you do and you and your dog enjoy being close. Personally, it's not for me, I practise good sleep hygiene and the only critters who might share my bed are spiders who have an uncanny knack of crawling into my bed after the lights go out.

When I had dogs they were never allowed upstairs but one would go and hide under the bed on fireworks night.

Your dog, your house, your rules. Having said that I would never feel comfortable with any animal in my bed (except, maybe some years ago, a few male human ones I can think of!)
Dirty paws and shedding hair are not welcome, no matter how loved the pet may be, and none of them have ever complained.

Neen although I don’t share your view I would not have criticised you as your friend did.

Our dog spends some time on our bed but not in it. He sleeps in his own bed in the hallway next to our bedroom from 11.pm and usually re-joins us between 5 & 7.am. If it's hot he'll lie on the floor at the foot of the bed and if it's cold he's in the middle of us & we're on the outside edges ? When we got our first dog many years ago I was scared of dogs & I said she couldn't get on our bed at all, but she quickly won me over & that didn't last long. For me the magic cuddles of a snuggly doggy that loves you just can't be beaten.

Neen, You are not alone in treating your dog like this but that doesn't make it right. Treat your dog as a dog, not a spoiled child.

I love my 2 little Jack Russel terriers in bed with me. Would not have it any other way.
No harm done to anyone.
I just have a bit more bed changing to do .

Stick with what you are doing. You and your dog obviously enjoy your lives together.

I don't have children but my dogs are definitely not child substitutes. One's dogs always pleased to see us, never get cross with us and don't yell at us.

Our first dog didn’t want to come on the bed with us but our affectionate Fieldspaniel loves a cuddle. He sleeps on the landing and our bedroom door is open. He’s allowed on the bed after 6am and he’s like an alarm clock, promptly nudging me at 6 on the dot asking to come up

Agree Atqui - not in hotel beds please.

My dogs both used to sleep on my bed, to me dogs are part of the family. Never understood dogs not being allowed home comforts.

She's gorgeous Neen and I think you should do what you want-it's nobody else's business.

Esspee

You are not the only one OP. Nowadays there are untold numbers of dog owners who turn their pets into child substitutes for their own gratification.
I love dogs. Dogs who are allowed to be dogs. Ones who walk to heel because they wish to obey their owner. Who are respected for all their wonderful qualities and treated appropriately which most certainly does not include taking them into your bed.

Oh, Esspee, that's rather harsh.

Child substitutes? Not at all.

How are dogs being allowed to be dogs if you expect them to walk to heel because they obey their owner?

Keep up the good work, Neen. The love of a dog is a wonderful part of many people's lives.

Not everyone gets it

She777

My dog passed away last Tuesday. She slept on or bed every night, she was my confidante, I auditioned for X Factor to her and she told me not to bother, she was my whole world. I think each to their own if you want to have your pet as a member of the family you should and don’t let anyone else tell you how to live your life.

Sorry to read about your loss She777. It breaks our hearts when we lose them doesn’t it?

Your relationship with your dog sounds lovely Neen and mutually loving and happy. It doesn’t matter what anyone else things. Our two (small) dogs sleep on our bed too. Before them, I had two largish dogs and they slept with me too. Enjoy her!

Thank you everyone . I think I just took it to heart as the friend and I have known eachother a long time. I decided to say sod it ( not actually verbally ), and she still sleeps on the bed and we are still best of friends ( the dog and I that is ha )

Shielall, your doggies are so cute xxx