Furniture (including beds) is your doodle allowed? Yes....No....Sometimes?

[Tricia, Shiloh, Fenway & Tessie]

We have always allowed the dogs to get on the furniture....the beds weren't really an issue since they sleep in their crates....but they jump up there when visiting the bedroom. However....I'm feeling like I may want to change the rules...anyone want to share their experience with this.....why you do or don't allow it....is it sometimes ok and is it confusing to them to allow it by invitation? Lately I have just felt like they jump up whenever they please, wherever they please....on top of whoever they please...and I might be getting cranky about it. I know that is a training issue....but besides the training aspect....I want to know the philosphy of why you do or don't let them.

[Jeannine]

Hello Tricia,

Thalie follow Gamine all the time so the rules apply for both of them.
They are welcome to go lay down beside us on the couch WHEN we are there. Sometime they try to go by themselves and it is a no no and they know it!
As for the bed it is a huge NO NO!. The ONLY time that are invited to jump on the bed is to wake up Dad and only for a few minutes. Imagines two relatively big dogs in the queen bed with two (relatively) humans... it is too much for me.

The third night after Thalie arrived home, she got to sleep on her big cushion beside our bed. She did fine. The fourth, in the middle of the night she decided to come and join us! It was not a good idea! The next night she learn that it was a «No miss Thalie», in you own bed and after a few time getting the "get down now» she got the message! It is a lot better that way, believe me!.
I receive this from one of my brother-in-law this morning and I thought you would enjoy it.

For pet lovers only

Dear Dogs and Cats,

The dishes with the paw print are yours and contain your food. The other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note, placing a paw print in the middle of my plate of food does not stake a claim for it becoming your food and dish, nor do I find that aesthetically pleasing in the slightest.

The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.

I cannot buy anything bigger than a king sized bed. I am very sorry about this. Do not think I will continue sleeping on the couch to ensure your comfort. Dogs and cats can actually curl up in a ball when they sleep. It is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other stretched out to the fullest extent possible. I also know that sticking tails straight out and having tongues hanging out the other end to maximize space is nothing but sarcasm.

For the last time, there is not a secret exit from the bathroom. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it is not necessary to claw, whine, meow, try to turn the knob or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. I must exit through the same door I entered. Also, I have been using the bathroom for years — canine or feline attendance is not required.

The proper order is kiss me, then go smell the other dog or cat's butt. I cannot stress this enough!

To pacify you, my dear pets, I have posted the following message on our front door:

To All Non-Pet Owners Who Visit & Like to Complain About Our Pets:

1. They live here. You don't.

2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture. (That's why they call it 'fur'-niture.)

3. I like my pets a lot better than I like most people.

4. To you, it's an animal. To me, he/she is an adopted son/daughter who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and doesn't speak clearly.

Remember: In many ways, dogs and cats are better than kids because they:

1. Eat less.

2. Don't ask for money all the time.

3. Are easier to train.

4. Normally come when called.

5. Never ask to drive the car.

6. Don't hang out with drug-using friends.

7. Don't smoke or drink.

8. Don't have to buy the latest fashions.

9. Don't want to wear your clothes.

10. Don't need a 'gazillion' dollars for college.

And finally,

11. If they get pregnant, you can sell their children.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

LOL I love this!

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

That's awesome, I might put a copy of the last part by the front door.

[Jeannine]

Don't forget the bottom of you fridge's door too!

[Eileen Ross and Cody]

So True!

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

A certain couch yes. Other couches and chairs thorughout the house no. Beds definitely no. I never have nor will allow pets on human beds. Just the way I do things.

[GBK]

My two do not abuse their priviledges when it comes to furniture and the bed. They don't lay on the furniture or bed when we are not home, that is their preference. Buddy has claimed one side of the couch and will sometimes come over to my side for a little cuddle. Kona has started to prefer one of the lazyboy chairs and she is welcome to that also. They do not shed and do not push people around if they are sitting in their spots. As for the bed, they are on and off during the night and are not allowed in the bedroom while we are gone. Sometimes they go to bed before us, then we have to shuffle them around :)

[Kathy Spyker]

Lilly was allowed on the sofa until she was about 6 mon. old. She had started to shed alot more so I had to start telling her "NO get down" it only took a day or 2 for her to stay down. As far as the bed goes, I don't think you get a good nights sleep with a dog in your bed. (I can't) so she has her bed right beside mine and is fine with that.

[Adina P]

Rosco responds the same way when I give him those rare moments on furniture. We have to have a conversation about it for about 10 minutes at first where I have to convince him that "really, HE, CAN come up on the bed!"

[Linda,Yankee & Finn]

Yankee is allowed on any furniture in the house. He rarely goes on the couch in the TV room, he prefers the leather couch in the living room. That is his favourite spot.

I usually watch TV in the basement and he will lay beside me or on my lap. I love that. When he gets too warm, he goes to the cement part of the floor to sleep.

He is allowed in my bed. He comes and goes during the night, again going to the bathroom tile floor when he's too warm. I don't have a problem with it. He doesn't make a mess and there's lots of room for him. He doesn't bother me at night. When he first comes into bed, he lays his whole body against my back. Keeps me warm in the winter.

I know they are pets but he is spoiled as all of our previous pets have been. Things may get more difficult when doodle #2 arrives. We'll worry about it then.

[sandy b]

Max sleeps in a crate however when I take him out in the morning he will get in bed with us for about an hour give or take. He is allowed on the furniture but NO treats. He doesn't spend a lot of time on the furniture - he is such a little hot body, he's usually on the wood floor where it's cooler.

[Adina P]

We have a 'no furniture' rule at our house and only break it on RARE exception and only when they are clean (had a bath recently). For me it is a personal preference:

It's personal preference and my reasons include:

--sometimes they step in poop and I don't want it on my couch!
--sometimes they have stinky butts and dingleberries - I don't want that rubbing on where I put my head to nap!
--sometimes they are muddy
--I don't want guests clobbered. Since many of my friends aren't crazy dog people like me, they need a safe place to sit where dogs won't get in their face.
--I want them to know my couches and my bed are mine and not a playground

Rosco has NEVER EVER cared or begged to join us on any furniture. Thule we had trouble with. She was possibly allowed on furniture in her first home...we don't know for sure. So it took a long time of "OFF" and "NO" and taking her off the couch. We would still find black Thule hair on our cream microfiber couch on some days when we'd get home. And when our love seat was against our main living room window we'd see Thule on there as we arrived home. It turns out she used it to SEE out the window more than nap on. At times we'd put luggage there too, or those folding tray tables, etc. Anything to keep her OFF and make her lose the bad habit.

When I have invited Rosco up on the bed...he's always been thoroughly confused. Not sure I'm being serious...not sure he is capable of jumping up that high...not sure what to do when he's up there...LOL. But I have had him up for brief snuggling on a few rare occasions =) Even Thule, once after a bath, was invited to sleep on the bed when Clark was away...but I got no sleep and eventually kicked her off the bed at 4am as she took up the WHOLE center section.