The bed that is no matter what we do or where we start him on the bed he pushes himself up to the head. He literally ends up with his head on my pillow. Is this a sign of dominance or pack structure issues?

Its becoming a problem for me because I am getting woken up constantly. Or my husband just gets shoved over til he has no room. We have a cal king, but usually by early morning our little one crawls into bed with us and it ends up being my husband scrunched, capone sprawled out taking up about 1/3 of the bed and then me and rielynn scrunched on the otherside.

I do realize I can kick him off the bed, we did for a while til the hd diagnosis than we both felt guilty and let him back up. So some kind of change is going to have to be made either way before I end up losing it from lack of sleep. But just curious if this was a cute little quirk of his or something more?

Here he is in all his glory...and yes my husband is really sleeping with him like that lol

that little space over there where his legs are...yep that's where I'm SUPPOSED to be sleeping lol last night I got woken up to him growling and running/kicking in his sleep. Must of got something good in that dream.

Dogs don't understand pity or guilt. They see an advantage. It sounds like you do have a pack structure problem in that you are losing sleep and the dog is taking the premium spot. He should have his own bed and if you can't get him to accept that, then I would say you are definitely dealing with a pack structure problem.

i agree with jenny here. It really seems like there is a pack structure issue but more importantly, what scares me is the fact that when you push him down he works himself back up to where he wants and then you throw a litte one in the mix. when you look at a pack structre of dogs if there is a dog in the wrong spot the lead dog will let them know about it. What if the dog wants into a spot where the baby is? This is just me but that really makes me nervous. I have three boys, 1 of which sneaks in everynight so i know that battle. my dogs NEVER sleep in the bed with us or on the couch with us. those our MY areas not theirs. hope this makes sence and helps.

I would say that this is not a serious pack structure issue - yet.

If you're worried about his HD, buy him a really thick padded bed (or make one), getting on and off of the bed will probably impact his hips worse than a night on the floor.

Then prepare for a sleepless night, every time he gets on the bed - stand up and say 'off' use his collar or whatever to move him onto his bed. Don't say anything else. If he gets up again do exactly the same. It will take a few days until he agrees totlly but he will get the idea.

When he's been sleeping on the floor for a considerable time you could consider inviting him onto the bed and then telling him to get off when you want to sleep etc.

Even my cats know the 'off' command - I can't stand animals pushing me around in my own bed. They're usually allowed on when I'm reading etc. but if I turn the light off they vacate before they are told to.

Yep, I agree. Get a big squishy ortho bed for him. There's nothing worse than paws wedged in ribcages! Sometimes its hard to sleep in bed with other humans (husband) let alone human + canine! Its important that three of you are sleeping comfortably! Although your husband doesn't look very inconvenienced. Is he going to help train the dog to stay off if you both agree that its best?

My italian greyhound was a bed dog from the beginning, but even she would assume this posture with the outstretched legs, very annoying. I taught her the command "no feet" which meant that her feet must always be directed away from me.
Because your guy is so huge, he's probably going to have to have a separate bed.
Good luck!

 Quote: kristi molina

I do realize I can kick him off the bed, we did for a while til the hd diagnosis than we both felt guilty and let him back up.

Capone has no idea WHY he is allowed back up on the bed. He just knows he has been given a promotion in the pack structure department without having had to work for it.

Get him a nice, thick, therapeutic type of dog bed which will support his weight but but be comfortable (I personally wouldn't go too "squishy" for this guy) and kick him off your bed. (nicely). Train a "go to bed" command or place - make it fun and positive, but also make it very clear that no more dogs on bed.

Don't feel guilty about it. Don't be apologetic or angry. Just "this is the way we do this now" attitude.

I know this bed may seem spendy, but it sure might solve your problem, check this out:
http://www.drsfostersmith.com/product/prod_display.cfm?c=3307+1+7310&pcatid=7310

This looks like a good one for support and looks just like Capone would love this bed. It might be worth saving for.

Reminds me of the old joke; Doc, it hurts when I do this -- and the Doc says, well don't do that.

Ya know somethings a dog does is only because we let them. Any behavior that is reinforced is more likely to occur again.

DFrost

Reminds me of the old joke; Doc, it hurts when I do this -- and the Doc says, well don't do that.