Agree or Disagree?

[Mimi]

Does your pet sleep with you at night? My daughter keeps her dog in a crate at night and at times during the day when she's busy doing other things. On the other hand, I keep my dog, T'ai, with me regardless of what I'm doing and he sleeps at my feet during the night. Dog experts will tell you this makes dogs think they're your equal, and they act out more and tend not to listen or respect you. What experiences have you had with your pets and what's your opinion on the subject? My daughter & I have agreed to disagree! - Mimi.

[Frank]

My Corgi, Amiga, sleeps with me and is always at my side. She is very intelligent and sociable. She certainly knows that Daddy is Daddy and that I am in charge. I have never had a problem with disobedience. Spiritually we are equals!
I live in Mexico, where culturally animals are ANIMALS.... and not really full-fledged family members. Most people here think it is disgusting that my dog sleeps in my bed. But, I don't really care!

When she was a newborn, during that time I did keep her in a crate until she was housebroken. But she liked it in there because she felt safe and like it was her little space ... of course now the whole house and the yards are her personal space, hehe!

[Mimi]

Thanks for the interesting answer. I have two daughters, the youngest thinks it's just gross to let your pet sleep on the bed. My oldest says, "Where else would they sleep?" So it must be just a personal preference. I like that you say "spiritually we are equals" and that you don't care what anyone says about your relationship with your pet. The picture must be Amiga! Very cute.

[Frank]

Thanks ... yes she is now 11 .. the picture above taken at 4 years old. She still looks the same though.

[Margaret Elmendorf]

My dogs sleep in the bedroom with me and the border collie would love to sleep in the bed with me but they take up too much room. And I think the dogs get too hot when they sleep in the bed with you. Some of my cats do sleep with me and it is great. I don't think it makes any difference at all in their behaver. I have cats sleep wih me forever and they were never lacking any respect for me. I do think that can happen though. I believe you need to teach them respect in all the other aspects of the daily life and then there isn't a problem .

[Mimi]

The little dog I have gets cold easily and it's usually me that gets too hot from him snuggling close! I used to have two Rottweilers in the bedroom at night. The larger one was well over a hundred pounds. The only time it was a problem when she wanted to sleep on the bed was when she actually penned me down, which she did a couple of times! Thanks for answering. I enjoyed reading your take on the subject.

[Jenn & Nick]

To every person their own. I used to let my dog Marley sleep in my bed until I got together with my boyfriend Nick. He does not like Marley in the bed for many reasons but the big one is the fact that he often breaks out in hives due to all the dog hair. We have made a compromise and we allow Marley on the couch. Experts often say that you should not allow dogs on the bed or couch because it makes them feel like your equal. This may be true but I don't care. In many ways they are your equal. I see Marley as part of my family so I want him to be near me as much as possible. You do need to set certain barriers and not allow your animal to cross them so they know that you are top dog but where these barriers lay is up to you!

[Luella May]

Bless your heart Jenn. How to cure your boyfriend of those allergic hives? Apple cider vinegar, Natural, not the kind you buy in the supermarket. Mix it with honey. Raw. Not Pure. One tablespoon apple cider vinegar, one tablespoon of honey. If he is diabetic, no honey, of course.

This will rid him of the hives in a matter of months and all other allergies. He will also discover that he is much healthier in oh so many ways. Let me refer you to a site, earthclinic.com

Bless your heart, I am older and have paid my dues, so my Misty would sleep where she chose. Yes, she is my equal and my baby. But I will say she is the best dog and companion in the wor\ld. I could not ask for a better friend.

Hugs,
Luella

[Jenn & Nick]

Luella,
Thank you so much for the advice! I will try that. I am sure Nick will appreciate it as well.
Jenn

[Luella May]

The two pets that sleep with me are my Misty and Maggie. Sometimes Maggie does prefer the guest room which I believe is her room now. As for Rascal, Susie, Sam, and the twins Jack and Hillary, they are totally outside country dogs. Jack and Hillary are the newest ones that I found and still puppies, so they are in the fenced area, or playpen, so to speak.

[AmyMay07]

I crate my puppy during the day when at work but she does sleep with me at night. What can I say I hate sleeping alone. I think it what ever works best for you.

[Rita Wilhelm]

Our dog sleeps in the family room on her pillow bed.

[Jenn & Nick]

When Abby was sleeping over at our house, Marley kept on stealing her big pillow bed. He thought he needed the big bed even though he is a little dog. She was very tolerant of him though.