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Should I Allow My Dog on the Bed?

Training Tips

Is it OK for my dog to be in bed with me?

We were at a new client in Cherokee County last Wednesday working on separation anxiety and chasing the cat.  As we were about to leave, our client paused and said she had one more question for us.  “I hear all these different things about having my dog on the bed with me.  Is this s good thing or a bad thing?

As professional dog trainers, we have been asked this question many times.  The funny thing is that there are so many divergent answers with so many strange reasons for those answers.  The bottom line is it is up to you.  If you don’t want him on the bed, you will have a standing rule that he is not allowed on the bed.  Every time he attempts to get on the bed, you will correct him and guide him off.  (Our only exception is if he is showing too much dominance, aggression, or still has potty issues.  If these circumstances are in play, we recommend keeping him off the bed.)

If you would like to have him on the bed with you, please understand the following points:

  • If your dog nips or growls when you ask him to move or get off the bed, his bed privileges are revoked.  You can train this “out of him” by:
    • Make sure he has a leash on him when you have him on the bed.
    • If you want him off the bed, you must first stand up and get out of bed.
    • Grab the end of the leash and give him the command “DOWN”.
    • If he doesn’t jump off, tug the leash slightly until he gets off.
    • Tell him “Good Puppy” for obeying you.
  • Bathe him more often than usual.  You don’t want your bed to get a “doggie smell”.
  • Never play rough with him while you and he are in bed.   This will simply cause him to believe he can play rough with you on the bed at any time.
  • Check him for ticks and fleas.  You don’t need these in your bed.
  • Never eat in the bed with your dog.  Since you and he are at the same level, this could send the wrong message to him that the food is for both of you.

Again, it is up to you if you want to invite your dog on your bed with you.  We have four dogs and three of them sleep on the bed with us.  Our fourth dog is too old to get on the bed, so he sleeps on the floor by my side.

Please call us at (770) 718-7704 it you are in need of any dog training help.  We have a lot of good dog training advice at Best Dog Trainers Cherokee County Georgia.  Find all our phone numbers, text addresses and email contacts at Dog Training Help Center Cherokee County Georgia.