A Losing Battle

[Heidi & Milton]

Last week Milt came home from daycare with a slight limp.  Our goldendoodle was playing a little too rough with the big boys.  After that, Milt tried to milk that injury for all it was worth.  He thought it entitled him to additional rest in extra comfy spots, like:

The Couch Incident #1

The Couch Incident #2

Relaxing in the recliner

Lounging on the bed

The Milt freely climbs up onto our living furniture, averting his eyes throughout, while we are in the room or quietly sneaks off to hop on the bed, despite owning his very own dog bed.  These repeat incidents (a solid four this weekend alone) are probably due to the fact that Momma laughs and runs for her camera, while Daddy drags the boy off with a firm, "No."

Why do we resist the Milt so much?  At this point, I really don't know.  I'd love to have him all snuggly next to me on the couch or in bed, but the amount of dirt that boy drags around is unbelievable.  It is simply entrenched into his fur and soaked deep down into his paws.  By week's end, his fur has gone from a pearly white to a light blonde and finally sinks into a dull brown color.

I think we fear Milton would ruin or break our "stuff," especially once his full weight is reached.  Dog owners, if this is not the case, let me know because I now prefer sitting on the floor with my Milt, and it's not too comfortable.

To read more about Milton the Goldendoodle, visit www.goldilocksandherdoodle.com

[Sharon & Monty]

I always had furniture/bed rules for my golden retriever and lab.  If I still had one of those, it would still be no furniture as they both shed like crazy, having all that fur in my bed would have put me over the edge.   Monty shed a teeny tiny bit. and little by little he gained access to couch and bed and one other chair. 

[Michele, Biscuit & Mo]

Yup, I love how many of us had the "no furniture" rule (and I emphasis the word, "HAD").  I've got two doods sleeping with me and I buy the cheapest duvet covers I can find to put on top of the bedspread.  I used to be very anal about how my bed was made and looked.  Now?  Screw it.  I much prefer the joy of snuggle time with the pups.  :)

[Becka]

LOL--In the first three pictures, Milt seems to be uncertain of his place--but by the bottom photo, you can see that he has rightfully claimed the bed as his own :). I have no real advice to offer--Sadie wasn't allowed on furniture until she was completely housebroken; she is still not allowed on the "good" furniture in the living room and she doesn't actually seem all that interested in trying to test that rule.

[Bonnie and Kona]

All I can say is, "Good luck with that no furniture rule." There is something about a doodle that prompts full on couch and bed cuddling. Now that Milt has stepped over that boundary, I'm pretty sure he is going to win this one. ;o)

[Elizabeth, Bailey & Bruin]

Oh just give in to that sweet doodle face and live happily ever after with The Milt at your side...on the couch...and on the bed lol

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

Oh, just give it up, LOL. He's been on the couch and the bed. There is no going back. We started with "no dogs on the bed" policy when we got Monty. Now I can't wait till he hops on the bed every morning after my DH leaves for work. Auggie still sleeps in his crate, but I do bring him upstairs for a few minutes of morning cuddle time. With Monty, he prefers sleeping on his bed or the cool bathroom tiles. Our bed is just too warm for him. Hope it will be the same with Auggie since even a king size bed can feel crowded in a hurry with two dogs.

[Sue & Lily Grace]

All my dogs have had furniture and bed privileges. Lily Grace will have the same. Love the pressure of a dog laying by your side.

[Joanna, Zoe & Bender]

We don't let the pups on the bed but they are allowed on the couch.  We have leather couches so we just wipe it down if the pups are dirty.  omg the MILT is too cute!  

[Julie, Izzie & Max]

I had the no furniture policy but quickly gave up on that. I have a cover for the sofa now that is washable.  Our two doodles also sleep on the bed.  I had a nice ivory colored quilt on the bed but after many washings, it had started to come apart.  I bought a similar new one but I keep an ivory colored sheet over it and wash it regularly.  That is working so far.  I only take it off if I have company and want the whole house to look nice. 

[Adrianne Matzkin]

I have 3 doodles on the bed. I purchased a new, inexpensive comforter since our white down comforter was now brown in their spots. Of course I purchased a white one that I just had to have. I know, dumb move so I now have a thin blanket on top of it where they sleep. Whatever color it turns it is filled with so much love and snuggles that I just don't care. If I have to buy another one then I will but I will never turn them away.

Sometimes we have more doodles stay with us. We have had 5 sleeping with us. Never too many!