Should you sleep with your dog?
Hope Saidel
There's a moment of truth for every dog owner. It's the end of the evening and you're ready to go to bed. Rover is sitting and looking at you with those big brown eyes, head cocked to the side, cuter than any animal has a right to be. Do you let Bowser sleep with you?
There's no right or wrong answer to this question. The real question is - is letting Fifi sleep in your bed right for you? And truthful answers to a few questions will let you reach the right decision for you and your dog.
First: Pixie is an adorable, 15-pound Mastiff puppy. But will there even be room for both of you in bed when she's a full-grown, 120 pound dog? Her legs don't bend the way yours do - picture her, as an adult, taking the space of a five-foot square. Possibly not the best choice for a sleeping companion in your twin bed.
Next: Does Bruiser snore? Or shed? Or drool? Much as you may love him, there are times when he's been rolling in something that you really may not want on your sheets. And giving a dog a bath every night before bed-time isn't really a viable evening ritual.
Third: A dog's normal body temperature is somewhere around 102 degrees Fahrenheit. Which can be warm, wonderful and cozy on a cold winter night - especially when you're trying to keep that thermostat low and the energy bills under control. It actually sounds delightfully snuggly this time of year. But picture those same 102 degrees in August. Will you really be able to look at that shaggy face and say "Not tonight, dear, it's too hot out!" Muttly isn't going to understand and may think he's done something wrong.
There are trainers out there who claim that dogs should never sleep with you, that it undermines your authority as the leader of your family "pack." The most important concepts in training are patience, decisiveness, and consistency. Decide what the rules are for your dog. Stick to them. As long as Sparky knows what's expected, she's happy.
Yes, Trinket would probably prefer to sleep in bed with you. He may even decide that your pillow is the best place to be, with the blanket pulled up to his chin. But he doesn't get to decide that. You do. If it's what you want, it's what you and Duke should do. If it's not, teach your dog where his bed is and reward him for staying in it. Be strong. The more work you put into training Hooch now, the longer you'll be able to enjoy your well-trained dog.
About the author: Hope Saidel is the co-owner of GollyGear, a bricks-and-mortar and online small dog shop featuring fun, affordable and practical products for small dogs. She has trained and competed in Obedience with small dogs for over a decade and is on the Board of Directors of the North Shore Dog Training Club.
The latest information and news on Dog Care Advice :
Flatfoot 56 will add to their consistently non stop tour schedule with a national trek of dates supporting Street Dogs
Gone to the dogs (Bradenton Herald)
TED MASE - Ian Gustafson, 8, of Lakewood Ranch, stands on the dog ladder while a dog comes by for a bite of his donut during the Honor Sanctuary celebration at Adventure Park in Lakewood Ranch on Sunday. The event had free dog baths, nail clipping and treats for the dogs and owners.
Stray dogs close down schools, colleges in Orissa town (New Kerala)
Bhubaneswar, Sep 8 : All educational institutions including schools and colleges are closed for three days starting Monday in an Orissa town after stray dogs went on a rampage and attacked dozens of its residents, police said.
Where are the dogs? (Paris Beacon)
?What happened to my dogs?? that is the question Paris resident Deanna Kennedy has been asking for almost two weeks now. Kennedy was greeted at her door by members of the Edgar County Sheriff?s Department Aug. 23 for complaints on her two large dogs running loose.
Hospital Manager, Therapy Dogs Die in Car Accident (KEPR Pasco)
Casper had recovered bodies in search and rescue operations. Both dogs were trained to help disabled people and provide psychotherapy.
Jeff Aquatic Center goes to the dogs for second annual Pooch Plunge (The Even...
This is the second year for the Pooch Plunge. Last year, about 40 dogs showed, according to Sara Kraft, aquatics director. She said the first year went good, except for one thing.
TV ad connects cancer, hot dogs (The Monterey County Herald)
CHICAGO ? A new TV commercial shows kids eating hot dogs in a school cafeteria and one little boy's haunting lament: "I was dumbfounded when the doctor told me I have late-stage colon cancer.
Dogs make good listeners for Fort Pierce readers (Fort Pierce Tribune)
A popular St. Lucie County reading program brings dogs and young readers together for therapeutic sessions.
These Dogs have bite (The Hunstville Item)
Prior to the start of the 2008 campaign, many of the New Waverly Bulldogs were talking playoffs. While this may not seem bold given the recent successes for New Waverly, consider where the Dogs were just two seasons ago when they totaled one victory.
Corn dogs inspected by robots? That's progress, says Bar-S CFO (BizJournals)
There are perhaps few things that seem less innovative and cutting-edge than an old-fashioned corn dog. It's just a hot dog with some batter on a stick, right?