Is there any reason why I shouldn't let Orwell sleep with me in my bed?

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Is there some sort of behavioral consequence that I'm not aware of that will result from him sleeping with me? My intuition says there isn't and it's just like a pack sleeping together and he will still regard me as alpha (which I would like to maintain because as my trainer puts it, "He'll always run for higher office," like her miniature poodle). I just want to make sure that this is okay and I'm not missing something.

The reason I ask is because the past two nights I've been transitioning him to sleep in my room from the laundry room. The first night was not fun-- not terrible, but could have been way better. He got up every hour to say hi to my guinea pig and whined a bit. Last night after he couldn't settle down on his own as quick as I would have liked him too (I was tired from the previous night, lol), I invited him on the bed. He wasn't sure why, so I had to wrestle with him a bit to get him to lay down and after that something clicked for him and finally knew that I was trying to sleep, so he should sleep too. I didn't invite him the first night because I knew he liked to sleep on the tile floor in the laundry room (he wouldn't use his bed). And my yellow lab, Bonny, preferred to sleep in her bed beside my bed, so I haven't dealt with this before. 

I don't mind him being on my bed, because I surround myself with pillows to help me feel more surrounded and secure in my bed anyway. He was a great sleeping partner last night except for when my fish had a short midnight squabble (they don't normally do this, but of all the nights...) in their tank and he barked and growled feeling the need to protect me, lol. He never left the bed, but kept close watch in the dark for about an hour before he decided that it was completely safe again and went back to sleep. I figure it will just take him time to get used to the new sounds. He's been in my room multiple times before, but he's more aware of things now and it doesn't help that he is super tall. 

Anyway... just wanted to make sure that I didn't do something that I might regret later.

[Carrie king]

We had our late Chester in a kennel for the first year or so, but we live in AZ so it gets really hot. I could tell he was kind of extra hot being in the corner. So we let him up on the bed. It didnt change anything, in terms of him listening, or asserting himself. I think it is okay if they have already accepted your authority. And as long as they dont get territorial on the bed. My toy poodle has to be in her kennel, she gets growly & uptight on the bed. So I guess it just depends on the dog :)

[Kaitee and Orwell]

Thank you all for your responses. I am definitely not worried about this any more. I also think that Orwell's preferences were made clear last night. 

Night #2: I was able to stay up a bit at my computer while he laid beside me on the ground. When I got into bed, he knew it was sleepy time and climbed into bed with me. We both slept longer and harder than the night before. I think we both got used to each other's sleeping movements. When I woke up briefly in the middle of the night (he didn't wake me, sometimes I just wake up), I found him in his super relaxed position. He was up against my leg, on his back, with his feet up in the air. 

This is definitely going to work. 

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

My dogs sleep with us as they choose.  Our Springer is always at the foot on my side, Ned gets on and off during the night ranging from my side to my dh's feet. Clancy chooses never to sleep on the bed. 

[Three Doodle Life]

All of our dogs sleep on the bed. It's a challenge making sure we all have room but I still like having them all there. Our new doodle is sleeping in a crate on a table next to the bed until he's potty trained. :-)

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I could not find pictures of your new doodle. He needs to be properly introduced, please. (:

[Three Doodle Life]

He's chocolate brown and I'm having a hard time getting a clear picture of him. LOL! I've read all the posts about them being difficult to photograph and they aren't kidding. I managed to get this one in the full sun yesterday. :)

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

This question may generate a lot of discussion.  My dogs have always slept with me, either on the bed or the floor or their bed as they wish.  I have never had a dog that had serious thoughts about becoming the pack leader because he slept on the bed.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

Our two both started sleeping with us from the time they were puppies. No accidents ever. They sleep at our feet and when they are in the way or hog the covers, I have no problem to tell them "Off" and they jump right off. My DH however would sleep in 3 ft of bed space before telling them to get off. (He's 6'3" tall)  

They have a doggie bed on the floor that they take turns going to during the night and the tile floors in the summertime, so they have options too. 

We love having them in bed with us and when they do jump off during the night, we sometimes will look around the room for them because we miss them. THey also are great foot warmers in the winter!!!  

[Kaitee and Orwell]

I am SO looking forward to sleeping with him in the winter. I have trouble keeping my body warm, so he will be a tremendous help. 

As they say... these are real life teddy bears, lol.

[Gracie, Jade, & Barkley]

Hehehe. This sounds like a fun house to be at! I can just imagine all the newness Orwell is experiencing!

We start out with Gracie in our bed, but she only stays a little while and then she jumps up and we say do you want to go to your room?

She then jumps off of the bed and goes to her crate (in another room). I guess she prefers it. Really it's ok with me too - because we have a queen bed and she is standard size. There's not much left with two adults and an 8 month old doodle! We haven't figured out how to keep her content in our room yet.

[Deb Reed]

I let Annie sleep in my bed.  She's been sleeping there since about 3-4 months old.  She sleeps through the night and I love waking up to her in the AM.  I don't find any problems with her behavior due to allowing her in the bed.

[Jen W]

Are you kidding me? This is the best part of having a dog.