May not seem like an important topic but I'm curious, it turned into a fight over how dare I NOT allow my dog on my bed and clearly I hate my pets in one of the other forums I frequent....

I used to NEVER let dogs on furniture, that was my mother's job, she did the spoiling. However recently my pup was neutered and after one (very loud) night of him banging his satellite dish around when he tried to curl up in his crate I let him out to sleep by my bed where he had less to hit

Well, it was a cold night, the heat didn't work so I invited him up to keep my feet warm and well....I like having him there so occassionally I let him up to sleep there. I did outline rules, he stays at the foot of the bed, only is allowed on when invited, touch my stuffed lobster and suffer the consequences, if I even think "off" he's off, etc.

I know that generally people have great objection to allowing pets to sleep in the bed but apart from certain dogs getting protective or aggressive over their perceived "territory" I don't really know why. A friend of mine insisted my bed will become infested with fleas and ticks but my dog is well groomed with monthly flea protection and I have not once ever found a flea on him and ticks are few, far between, and because I'm paranoid he's checked religiously after each woodland outing.

So honestly, is there really any harm in this? Do you let your dog(s) on your furniture? Why or why not? Anyone have any reasons this is 100% horrible idea?

Used, to when I had crappy furniture..........

Now I don't because I know better, and I did pay a lot for my leather couches . My cats nails are doing more damage to the furniture than the dogs ever will, but I just never started this habit with my current dogs and don't miss a 90lb. dog trying to fit next to me on ONE couch cushion.

So, I spend money on dogs beds and when they wear out, they're not expensive (not leather couch expensive) to replace. I haven't had flea problems since moving to WI seven years ago and the ticks haven't been too bad, but would never hear the end of it if we had them crawling in our bed! My husband would freak out

I think that it depends on the dog & the leadership that you have with them. There are some dogs that you can do this with & have no issues of any kind & others that you will be opening a whole can of worms if you do it. You need to know your dog.

one dog house no big deal, my dogs are allowed on furniture my invitation only. the knuckle heads that talk about becoming infested w/ fleas ticks etc don't know how to take care of a dog therefor their advice is useless.

It's a personal preference. As for the dog becomming territorial, as long as it is a privilege which you can terminate at any time, not a right; there should be no issue. I don't see the problem. If you have a dog that might try to take advantage and become dominant, more work on pack structure and the human being the leader, is the answer.

I agree that it's a personal preference and depends on the dog and your relationship with that dog. It's your house so you have the right to establish the rules. Most of my dogs have been allowed on the furniture with permission. But my GSD Malamute mix was not.

My choice is to NOT let then on the furniture.
My suggestion to you is to stay away from that forum. Their idiots!

 Quote: Bob Scott

My choice is to NOT let then on the furniture.
My suggestion to you is to stay away from that forum. Their idiots!

They sure are!

In general, I'm not a fan of mutts on the furniture - starting with the bed. That noted... If you have dogs that understand commands, etc. And respond to your direction when directed... Your dogs - your rules.

It is when the dog is the one giving commands or ignoring them that I get annoyed.

The expression 'three dog night' had to have some thing to do with a chilly eve.

 Quote: Mike Arnold

... The expression 'three dog night' had to have some thing to do with a chilly eve.

I've heard that it did, and that the phrase started with sled-dog drivers.

I'm with the majority. My house, my rules. (If I had a dog who was constantly testing the ladder to top-dog position, he probably would not be on any furniture, but I don't.)