Should I let my dog sleep in my bed?
Everyone has seen dog beds sold in pet stores
across the country. Thousands of different types of dog beds exist, each
with their own unique style. For many dog owners, these beds are a
necessity. They provide a single place for their dog to sleep that is simply
theirs for them to lay down on as they wish.
But other dog owners are a little more skeptical of
these beds and their usefulness. The reasoning is that since the dog can
easily sleep on their bed, what need do they have for an additional bed that
is only for their dog? But the truth is that there are actual behavioral
problems that can occur from allowing your dog to sleep on your bed, which
is why dog beds are more than just a luxury item.
What Behavioral Problems?
In dog packs, every dog has its place. There is the
leader (alpha) dog, the beta dog, and all the way down the line until the
very last (often weakest and youngest) dog.
For some owners, this is seen more of an optional
choice. Many owners like to pamper their dogs like members of the family,
and give their dogs an opportunity to do whatever they like around the
house. But for dogs, this hierarchy is a way of life. Dogs NEED to know
their place in the pack, and if they do not know, they can become stressed,
agitated, and sometimes aggressive as they try to assume a higher place
within the hierarchy.
It is in their genetic code to know where they
stand, and it is safer, healthier, and easier if your dog recognizes that it
is submissive to you and all of the members of your family. Only by doing so
can you reduce unwanted behaviors.
And so it is with that in mind that having a dog
sleep on your bed is frowned upon. No one gets to sleep in the pack leader’s
bed but the pack leader – because the pack leader gets what the pack leader
wants. If you start allowing your dog to sleep in your bed, it may start to
assume that it has more control, and with that control it may start to act
out and lose its place. That leads to bad behaviors and a more difficult
pet.
Solving this Problem
To solve this problem you simply need to give your
dog a dog bed – a place that it can call its own. The dog bed gives your dog
that one bit of space that it needs to lay down (a place both comfortable
and nearby) while still keeping your dog off of your bed to make sure you
keep up your dominance.
Dog beds are soft enough that your dog will not
complain about its comfort level – and for those worried that their dogs
feel as though they are not receiving the royal treatment, try laying down
on some of these dog beds and you will find they are arguably more
comfortable than your own.
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