Am I being too strict about letting our dog sleep in bed with us?

Question

We have a 4.5 lb female chihuahau. My fiance works from 3am to 9am every day and when he gets home he takes a 1-3 hour nap. When we first got her (about 8 months ago) we had the argument "is she allowed in bed with us at night?". Well I said no (because I don't like to sleep with hardly anything at all on and it'd be gross, or we might roll over on her because she's so small, or she might fall off of the bed and get hurt) and he said yes she can (but had no argument). So we compromised that when he comes home from work and takes his daily nap, she can sleep with him. Or if I decide to take a nap during the day I can sleep with her. Am I being too strict? I think it's a good compromise...what do you think?

Answer 1

whateva makes you both happy. just make sure you dog isnt getting in trouble thugh as you may be confusing her with when she can and can not be on the bed. my dogs love the bed but are not allowed on it when i go to sleep. they now automatically get off when i go to bed and jump into their own beds. just make a routine with your dog and stick with it.

Answer 2

Wow, that sounds like a lot for a dog to understand! I don't like to contradict myself when training my dogs. In other words, if she is allowed on the bed, so be it. If not, then don't let her up at any time.

I have a female who has a urinary problem. When she gets into a really deep sleep, she tends to tinkle a bit. Naturally, if I allowed her on the bed then I'd be changing my blankets daily. Instead, I make a really big deal out of her special sleeping space. I put a super soft blanket in her doggie bed that she loves to "arrange" before she lays down. This has worked wonderfully and there have only been a few time in the past 3 years that I've found her on the bed when I wake up in the morning.

Personally, she's such a tiny dog - I'd make a special place on the bed for her to sleep and leave it at that. But that's just me :)

Answer 3

awwwwwwwwwww :'(

i would let my dog sleep on my bed if he ever wanted to (stupid dog likes it in the freezing cold and he'll growl if i try to let him inside the house for the night)

Answer 4

Just tell him it;s either you or the dog. I love my dog too but I am ot gonna let her sleep in bed with me. The bottom line is if you feel uncomfortable then he should take that into consideration and maybe let the dog sleep on floor on his side of the bed. Good luck.  

Answer 5

Yes you are... It's just a little thing. It would be a different story if it was a 200 lb dog but it is a small dog.    

Answer 6

Hi the little on would be so small, and to have it in your bed at night would not be good, as they like to sleep next to you and if you roll over could squash it.    when you have a nap it would be ok and they know when it's time for the little sleep they are very clever and will melt your heart enjoy your little friend ok make them a bed next to yours and have a few toys in there   so when you go to bed at night say bed time and put her in the bed you have both made the right decision on your little girl    

Answer 7

The dog should have her own bed or sleeping place. And not be in your bed. During a nap ok maybe. But not when it's time to sleep. Check out animal planet's show "it's me or the dog"

Answer 8

Try this argument:  when you let your dog sleep on the bed, you are jeopardizing your status as "alpha dog."   For a dog to be well-settled and happy, it must know where it stands in its "pack."  She will be easier to train, less inclined toward aggressiveness (or that common chihuahua snappiness), and generally more secure if you firmly establish your alpha position.

Some other ways to show that you are alpha:  

Always go through doors first, without letting the dog push past you.

Have her sit and wait for a moment before feeding her.

Teach her a few commands (even cute tricks will do) and have her perform them for you at various times throughout the day.

If that wasn't quite the answer you were looking for, then no, I don't think that's too strict.  I think all of your concerns are valid ones, and naptime poses fewer risks, making it a more acceptable time.

Answer 9

It is your bed.  It should be your rules, not the dog's.  She will get over it!

Answer 10

Are you confusing your little dog?  How is she supposed to know when it is ok or not ok to sleep in the bed.  I agree she should have her own bed to use as she wishes.  If it really bothers you having her in the bed teach her to use her own.  I personally would have her in the be with me and my husband.

Answer 11

It is a personal preference.  I happen to like having my dogs in bed with me regardless of what I wear to bed.  On a normal night, there are 2 - 4 dogs sharing my bed.  They are also small dogs and I have never had a problem with rolling over on one.  But as I said, it is a personal preference.  If the arrangement that you have is working for you, then that is what you should continue with doing.