Dogs on the bed!!
I seem to have been discussing this issue for decades. From the very first days of being a trainer/behaviourist, this is a subject that has caused more problems than I care to remember.
It has been the cause of so much strife, I have seen engagements ended, marriages collapse and families divided. And why? No thought as to the consequences.
First, let’s get one thing out of the way. If you and yours are happy, have considered the ramifications and are willing to deal with the issues then that’s ok but for anyone thinking of allowing the dog on or in the bed this is for you.
The problems
- Our pets unfortunately are subject to parasites and it doesn’t matter how well your dog is protected there is no guarantee that one of those unwanted little blighters doesn’t manage to cling on long enough to pay a visit to your bed. Now you will quite rightly point out that the same could happen in any room in the house and you would be correct, however, having an unwanted flea or something else having a good hop around elsewhere is not the same as one of the little devils tunnelling down between the sheets to that really warm spot where your feet lay unless of course your feet on your partner’s back to keep them warm!!
- One of the problems that few younger people think about is old age. When you are in your teens, 20s, etc you don’t give a thought to what you will be like in your 60s, 70s and beyond. The only experience is if you have aged grandparents and even then very few people actually give a thought to the ailments that can affect the elderly. It is the same with dogs. With very old dogs incontinence can be a problem and you definitely don’t want it in your bed!! Furthermore, if your dog has spent a lifetime sleeping on your bed then your beloved pet is going to find it rather hard if you suddenly decide that you can’t allow it to continue.
- Dogs snore and dream. Dogs with flat faces, everything from a pug to a boxer are notorious for snoring and as for dreaming, I can assure you that I have personal experience as Chloe our very geriatric dog is a five-star exponent of the art of dreaming and believe me if we even had her in the bedroom none of us would get a wink of sleep.
- There you are, soundly asleep, it’s been a brutally hard day whether a nightmare day with the children causing problems or a dreadful day at the office and all you want is a good night’s sleep and what happens, just as you have nodded off your pampered pet finds it has an itch.
This, therefore, needs an exuberant scratch, you wake up, can’t get back to sleep and to add insult to injury your delightful canine goes into a deep contented sleep immediately and proceeds to develop a loud thunderous snore. - This is not a nice subject but as most dog owners know a dog has two anal glands, these are two tiny sacs on either side of the rectum. They have no use in the modern pet but were originally designed to mark territory. Generally, they empty by themselves as the dog defecates, however, they can get blocked and require the assistance of a veterinary surgeon. Failing this the dog rubs its bottom on the ground. You don’t want that to happen on your sheets.
- Now we come to the clincher. Imagine the scene, you have settled down between the sheets. You are snuggled down with your partner, amorous feelings come to the fore, passions are aroused, and close to the moment of ecstasy, Fido decides to break wind! He releases a sonorous blast. Let’s be honest the moment is dead!! You will end up either laughing yourselves silly which is great or be very cross and lose your sense of humour completely. To Fido what has occurred is just a normal, natural function and without being too graphic a silent but deadly one with the resultant sulphur fumes will also not improve the romantic mood.
- It might be a good idea to read “dogs in the bedroom“
Ironically, it is usually people who live alone who are convinced that because of their single status having a dog on the bed is ok. They believe this means that as they have no partner and therefore no harm can be done.
In these circumstances, the pet has an elevated importance. Understandable, but how many times has a single person, very contented with their situation, have met a suitable partner after years alone and the behaviour or status of a pet has become an almost insurmountable problem.
The idea of this article is to deter people from creating problems for the future, please don’t fall into the same trap as the poor unfortunate folks that have gone before.
Finally, if you haven’t started please don’t allow your dog on and definitely not in the bed.
If you have I suggest you very carefully and very slowly discontinue, at least the point where Fido sleeps on the floor.
“Your dog is the ultimate acolyte, he believes you are the very image of God.”
Donald Friedman