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Agree or Disagree?

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.

Tags: bed, crate, spoiling, training

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Permalink Reply by May Jackson on March 25, 2008 at 5:19am: my 12 dogs can't ALL sleep with me so Buddy, Baxter, Fi-Fi, Amy, and Lu-Lu sleep with me and Jack, Precious, Sadako (a.k.a. the walker), Leon (a.k.a. lazy bones), Quincie, Alex(a.k.a. Mr. Sleep Master), and Austin (a.k.a. Pup-Pup)
sleep in their barn. Cleaned just 10 minutes ago thank you!
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Permalink Reply by Allyn on March 28, 2008 at 10:58am: I have three large dogs and they each have a role in the family. Millie, the Norweigan Elkhound/Chow mix? sleeps in the hallway at the top of the stairs to protect the family. Symba, the Golden Retriever/Chow mix? sleeps on the left of the bed and Clancy the three legged lab sleeps on HER dog bed in the bedroom. There is no attitude, only love.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Yoshi on June 22, 2008 at 5:09pm: It depends on the dog. If I have a dog that is trying the limits and trying to push for an alpha position in the house, no, they will not sleep with me. Why add fuel to the fire. Just like if the dog cannot be trusted to not tear things up, they will not be allowed to have free roam of the house. But if you have a dog that is well behaved and won't get into things in the middle of the night, I see no reason why they can't sleep with you if you want them too. It all depends on the dogs and personal preferences.

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Permalink Reply by Dilly on June 25, 2008 at 3:03pm: I sleep with my dog buffy every night and she listens to me just fine. My dad has a bulmastiff puppy named tigger and he is a total brat and he make tigger sleep in his crate every night! I also have a bullmastiff girl named faith and she also sleeps snuggled up with me at night and she is SUPER well behaved... I think it is the dogs personality that is the problem not wether it sleeps with u or not.... were as with the whole keeping your dogs with u 24/7 i think that it's a good idea, my bff shay had a irish setter that spent a lot of time in its crate and it turned SO rouge that she had to have it put to sleep! So..... I hope yoou like my advice.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Corkey Sue and Sady II on July 4, 2008 at 9:55am: At there age my girls sleep wherever they want. But I think that for puppies it is important to kennel them at night. Not only does it help with house training but in time the dog begins to feel secure in the crate and provides them with a safe place to retreat should they need too. At age four, Sady can just be told to go to bed and she will report to her crate without hesitation. This also makes it easier on them should you ever move or whatever. They have a secure place they know is theirs; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Margaret Elmendorf on July 15, 2008 at 4:41pm: I totally agree with this. I started my border collie in a kennel and she still goes in there when she is nervous about something. It gives them a safe place to be. She stays out all day and night in the house or yard; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Alissa on July 14, 2008 at 4:21pm: I let my kitty sleep in bed with me. It is a pain sometimes when I wake up with a mouth full of fur, but i love her way too much, and she loves my pillow way to much for me to deny her. I, personally, don't like kennels. Even if you don't allow your pet to sleep in bed with you, I don't believe they should be caged in like that. The only situation where I could see it would be if they were very destructive, but then only while they are in the process of obedience training! Yes, sometimes animals are "inconvenient," but that's the responsibility that an owner takes on when they get an animal. Kids can be a pain sometimes as well, but you wouldn't lock a child in their room all day because you were doing chores and they were underfoot!; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Margaret Elmendorf on July 15, 2008 at 4:44pm: I have a 17 year old cat that has always slept with me and I don't know what I am going to do when it is time for her to go to better places. She is my best buddy. And she never bothers me until she wants to get up in the morning and have something to eat.; ▶ Reply to This