[puppylove21]

(Sorry if Im getting annoying with all my questions)

However...

Just wondering where the dog owners on this site let their dogs sleep during the night time? I can't make up my mind where my 4 month old jack russell cross chihuaha puppy should sleep! Lol

Its either by herself in the living room or in my bed with me. She seems good in both places. Half the time I want her in bed beside me (I find it comforting having her there next to me, as many people do), but the other half of the time I want my bed to myself, and time away from everyone even my puppy.

Any points to consider?

[bekah876]

I have always let my dogs sleep with me. Usually they curl up at the bottom of the bed and I never even know they are their. I like the security of it, even though if anyone broke it my dogs would only lick them to death. Right now I am dogless and I miss a little dog in the bed with me or laying on the couch with me. My cat is just not the same. Maybe your dog will be able to sleep both places and be okay with it. Some nights she can sleep in your bed and some nights on the couch. My parents chihuahua does this, he sleeps wherever he falls.

[danielnoahsmommy]

I am torn with this subject. First off dogs are pack animals and they want nothing more than to share your space with you. Therefore I believe even if you choose for your dog not to sleep in your bed at least let them stay in your room.

On the bed is another story. I have been moved out of my bed by my two large labs who have chosen to take my spot on the bed next to my husband. He can sleep with them, at this point I love the ability to stretch out in my own med and not be kept up by my husband or the dogs snoring.

[jillianleab]

I've never let my dog on the bed. We used to keep her out of the bedroom and she slept in the hallway right in the doorway. Later I moved her bed into the bedroom, and she sleeps there every night. I've never been a fan of dogs in the bed, personally, and I think (could be wrong) it helps to show the dog who the boss is.

[labman]

I can't imagine not shutting some of the Lab puppies we have had in a crate any time nobody can watch them. We now have the fourth of a run of real sweethearts, but she still sleeps in her crate. After she is trained, the service dog school she belongs to, will send her to her working home with a crate.

For dogs that aren't destructive, I see letting them sleep with you as a matter of personal taste. The exception to that is if you are having leadership problems. In that case, the dog in the bed must go. See Establishing and Keeping Alpha Position

We have continued to leave Aster on a tie down at night as she was before she retired as a dog guide. Even well behaved dogs benefit from the enforced inactivity of a crate or tie down slowing the body, and allowing them to go longer without relieving themselves.

A few years ago, when there was a bunch of publicity about training horses to guide the blind, our one visually impaired friend said ''I can't imagine cuddling up with one.'' The president of the dog guide school said ''Please don't send me anymore clipping about them. I already have plenty.''

Old saying, ''Those the sleep with dogs, rise up with fleas.'' Of course that was before we had all the effective, modern products.

[shygrneyzs]

My son's dog sleeps in the bedrooom, on the floor.

[bushg]

My babies sleep with their mommy every night and on the rare chance I am not at home they sleep with their choice of dad, sister or two brothers. This is a rare treat for my family as the dogs know who spoils them and are totally devoted to me... I would dare a robber to step foot in my house 9 pounds and 12 pounds of holy terror! I don't need ADT

[labman]

Small dogs don't know they aren't a wolf.

A tie down is a short length of chain one end fastened down, and a snap at the other. The dog guide school sends the dog home with a large screw eye and a 3' chain with a snap at either end. The dorm rooms at the school have eye bolts near the bed. I have made up 2 of the chains myself. We have 3 reasonable sized screw eyes mounted in our kitchen and family room. They can be useful when we have a bunch of rowdy visitors. Occasionally dogs do better on them than in crates.