What's allowed in your household?

[mastercaster]

Do your dog(s) get the run of the household? So far I haven't let my 4 month old griff get up on any furniture/beds in the house and I only let her stay in the downstairs living area but not in the hallway where I keep all my shoes, gym gear, etc. I've heard is said that an owner may have a closer bond with his hunting dog if he allows the dog to sit with him on the couch but I've also heard it said that if you do,,,, or let the dog sleep on the bed, that the dog puts himself on equal footing with you. I don't know what to believe.

When I had my brittanies I didn't let them on the couches but it was mostly because they shed a lot of hair. The WPG don't,,,,,, so that's why I'm wondering about letting her sit up on the couch and what the pros and cons are if you do.

a) Are there certain rooms your dogs can't go in?
b) Can your dog sit on the couch or lay on your bed?

[chinooker]

My lab sleeps on my bed, puts his head in my lap at the dinner table, lays on the couch beside me. He also listens better than any dog I have ever had. Whatever you allow him to do is up to you but be consistent, and above all else be his master. As long as the dog knows you are pack leader and knows his place it doesn't matter what you do or don't allow him to do.

[Mishka]

My dog has the run of the house and he is allowed up on the couch and bed. To each his own and I understand not letting the dog on furniture because of dirt and hair. - Totally understand that. But those that say the dog will think they have equal status if it lies with you on the couch is nonsense. - If that's the case, then the dog already thinks he is of equal status, getting on the furniture is not the problem. My only caveat, is don't intentionally move for your dog and if your dog is in the way, then move him.

[Fella]

My dog falls asleep between my wife and I on the couch when we watch movies, sleeps in our room but we don't let her on the bed, and she's not allowed in our room during the day. She also is required to lay down while we eat dinner. Great dog, is a little stubborn (might be the german shepherd) but pretty obedient for the most part.

[325]

Our dog lives a better life than 90% of children in the ��

[Big Lew]

This lab is the first of many dogs I've owned that "WE'VE" let in the house.(wife insisted)
He's allowed up on the living room furniture provided we've put a 'throw' or blanket
over them first. He's also allowed up on our bed if we first cover the bedding with
a thick flannel sheet. At night, he sleeps on his own bed in the corner of our bedroom
or on the mat by my side of our bed. I firmly believe this constant daily intimate interaction
has greatly enhanced his trust, bond, and 2-way communication with us that wouldn't
be the case if he was kept in an outside kennel. People will, and do laugh when I tell them
he has learned to go into the bathroom to have his butt wiped after doing his 'duty' outside
so that there's no possibility of leaving unpleasant reminders on the furniture or rugs.
He has learned to pull my socks off, fetch my slippers, pick up and bring to me whatever I
point to, bring a rolled up towel from a special magazine rack to be used as a bib before he
shares a treat with me (he slobbers too much), ask to go out or to come in, for permission
to go up on the bed, helps carry in the groceries, mail, and newspaper, all which he likely
wouldn't have learned if he was an outside dog. It's a 2-way street though as he gives so
much joy and companionship, taking the place of grandchildren we won't have.
Additionally, I don't believe that allowing him into our house, with all it's privileges, has
negatively effected his retriever training....if anything it's allowed for better communication
between him and me when out in the field. My first lab was kept in a large dog run, never
allowed in a house, and was the best retriever I've owned....but he had literally 100's of hours
of training compared to my current lab.

[Moe.JKU]

We have a 12 week old retriever right now and hes not allowed in one room, but thats because there is a grand piano in that room. He is aloud on the couch, but sleeps on the ground. like 325 said the dog probably lives better than most.

[Iron Glove]

Our dogs, and the damn cat, sleep with us, sit on the couch with us, basically they are part of the family.
We both like cuddly pets, other folks might feel differently.
I'm looking at getting a nice, new recliner for me that will be easier on my aging back. First consideration is how it fits me, second consideration is how the fabric will hold up to the mutts.
One advantage I've found with having the mutts on or in the bed is when the Wife gets back from her frequent mini vacations to Vancouver and finds red / blonde hairs in the bed, I can always claim they are from the dogs. I try to avoid brunettes when she's away. :wink:
It's up to you, you'll find arguments on both sides of it, as per norm, reality is likely somewhere in the middle.

[Grumpa Joe]

13 month old Elkhound, love her to death but she has a specific area of the house that she is allowed to be in, the Family Room and the Kitchen. Not allowed on the furniture, if you know how much Elkies shed you'll understand why. Don't wear dark clothes to my house and not expect to use the lint roller after.. I often sit on the floor in front of the couch and she comes and lays next to me, puts her head on my leg and I pet her or play with her there. While we eat dinner she either lays next to my chair or goes to her dog bed. We don't like the begging at the table routine. In the morning and evening I take care of her needs before my own, feeding her or letting her out to take care of business. We have a great relationship.

[srupp]

This lab is the first of many dogs I've owned that "WE'VE" let in the house.(wife insisted)
He's allowed up on the living room furniture provided we've put a 'throw' or blanket
over them first. He's also allowed up on our bed if we first cover the bedding with
a thick flannel sheet. At night, he sleeps on his own bed in the corner of our bedroom
or on the mat by my side of our bed. I firmly believe this constant daily intimate interaction
has greatly enhanced his trust, bond, and 2-way communication with us that wouldn't
be the case if he was kept in an outside kennel. People will, and do laugh when I tell them
he has learned to go into the bathroom to have his butt wiped after doing his 'duty' outside
so that there's no possibility of leaving unpleasant reminders on the furniture or rugs.
He has learned to pull my socks off, fetch my slippers, pick up and bring to me whatever I
point to, bring a rolled up towel from a special magazine rack to be used as a bib before he
shares a treat with me (he slobbers too much), ask to go out or to come in, for permission
to go up on the bed, helps carry in the groceries, mail, and newspaper, all which he likely
wouldn't have learned if he was an outside dog. It's a 2-way street though as he gives so
much joy and companionship, taking the place of grandchildren we won't have.
Additionally, I don't believe that allowing him into our house, with all it's privileges, has
negatively effected his retriever training....if anything it's allowed for better communication
between him and me when out in the field. My first lab was kept in a large dog run, never
allowed in a house, and was the best retriever I've owned....but he had literally 100's of hours
of training compared to my current lab.

Great article, appreciated your thoughts and obvious love for you companion.
Thank you for sharing.
EBONIES Dad

[416]

Whatever you allow him to do is up to you but be consistent, and above all else be his master. As long as the dog knows you are pack leader and knows his place it doesn't matter what you do or don't allow him to do.

Good advice......they understand the hierarchy of the pack and respond well as long as rules are defined and consistent.

[russm]

Our French bulldog does what he wants basically, our English bulldog sleeps in a crate in the bedroom and is aloud on a blanket on the end of the couch, since I'm working nights right now when the wife leaves she'll let the English in bed with me but since she's still a pup they get locked in the kitchen when I leave for work.

[swampthing]

Dog, just like kids have an easier life these days! I was raised in a family where dogs lived outside. Foo Foo dogs were allowed in the house though. My full size dogs have always lived outside up until the last two. When we got our lab, the wife said its going to be an inside dog or she would rather we didn't get one! I caved and now our lab and Airedale have the run of the house, couch, bed n all! Our kids are grown and gone and I do lots of out of town work so I guess its nice for the wife to have the company and entertainment of the hounds.

[Surrey Boy]

Animals only come in to my house when they're dead. Anything that runs on hasoline or diesel stays outside or in the garage.

[Downtown]

The "inside" Dog is a big but totally affectionate Doberman. He can go anywhere in the House and he does so frequently on his own as he is part of the Security envelope. As gentle as he is, he is not allowed on any couch, Chair or whatever. When we sit down for Lunch or Dinner he automatically retires to his place and wont move of it until encouraged to do so.
Early in the AM he is allowed on the end of the Bed but after about 10 minutes he goes back to his own Doggy Bed.
The "outside" Dog a German Hunting Terrier, when here at my home he is kept in a well build Kennel with concrete flooring so he cant dig himself out. His home is a rather comfortable insulated Dog House and of course he is allowed in part of the fenced Backyard when I am working in the Shop.

Cheers

[moosinaround]

My dog comes in when its too cold outside, but only on her bed in the mud room. I will let guest dogs in the house, but not on any furniture, and not in the living area. My lab is way happier outdoors, in her insulated dog house. All my dogs I have had have been treated this way, and they are all obedient and listen well. moosin

[BTF]

All our dogs were outside dogs, only came in to visit and were restricted to their mat or tile floor. They were all great hunting dogs. Now that we are down to 1 my wife spoils him and he sleeps inside now but still on the mat system and can go anywhere in the house but chooses the outdoors most of the time anyways. He is super obedient and although I don't duck hunt any more I bring him deer hunting all the time including bow hunting and he knows the game so well we sneak into range more often than not. Harvested many deer with him.

[Sinperama]

No shoe. No slipper. No any kind of footwear except socks.
Absolutely no bitches. Sluts are welcome :)

[frankthedog]

English bulldog is allowed on the couch, naps in our bed with me, he has his own bed in the office. He is allowed to go where he wants unless we do not want him to go there.

[steveo]

Mine is allowed in the dining room and kitchen. He is not on the furniture because he isn't allowed in the living room and I don't sleep on his bed so he doesn't sleep on mine. He has a bed in his kennel and a bed outside his kennel, gets kenneled when no one is home and roams in his allowed areas plus outside in fenced yard when we are home.

[Trojans16]

everywhere but the bedroom:D

[Lastcar]

she's not allowed in our room during the day.

Not going to lie...I expected something different as I read "she's not allowed in our room during..." :)

[adriaticum]

My poodle can go anywhere.
Typically when I'm around he only gets on the sofa when I invite him.
When I'm away he is always on the sofa.
He has his own armchair.
He never damaged anything, chewed anything.
I spent time training him what he is allowed and not allowed to do.
Poodles just get it.

[Big Lew]

Despite his size and high energy levels, our lab hasn't damaged anything, knock on wood,
during the 4+ years we've had him, including never chewing on anything but his toys.
We've left him alone for quite awhile in both our house and rv trailer without any problems
what-so-ever. On a few occasions I'm sure he almost burst his bladder holding it until we
let him out because we were held up getting back to him.

[markomoose]

Poochie is allowed in the house.NO FURNITURE/NO CARPET/NO BEDROOM.He is allowed on his bed in the kitchen an big room which is tile.He knows his place and obeys the rules.Good doggy!

[Islandhunters]

She is allowed in every room, couches have blankets over them as the kids are messy :p
shes a small lab, not greasy and only sheds for a few weeks twice a year. She's polite, calm and well mannered, spending more time together can strengthen the bond, as long as the dog is always respectful of your rules and expectations.

[Squamch]

My pitbull Trigger is allowed anywhere he wants in the house. He wont go in the bathroom, since thats where the water is, and you drown in water...unless I'm really sore and having a hot bath, then he sits beside the tub looking concerned and occasionally whining.
He's allowed on the bed if he's invited, same with the couch (on a blanket). We have never caught him inviting himself onto the bed or couch.
Typically he sleeps on his bed on the floor beside my side of the bed.
Cats...do whatever they want. Sleep with us, only place they're not allowed is kitchen counters, and they don't push that. The fluffy cat was a kitten in a crack shack with no heat, so she likes to cuddle under the covers occasionally. I allow it, she's a cool cat.

[Angus]

My lab gets free run of the house, but not permitted on the furniture or bed. He has his own pillow in the living room, and we have a crib mattress beside my side of the bed that he sleeps on at night. They are such social dogs that he just wants to be around us.

For approximately the first two years he would be crated at night and when we left the house. When he had learned what was acceptable behaviour, and he could be trusted not to trash the place, he was then no longer crated.

Gotta say this worked, as he only chewed two items (that were not this toys) when he was a pup.

[Squamch]

Like Angus's dog, Trig was crated for the first couple years. He's eaten one flip flop, and one antique family heirloom made by great great grandma doll. He got a smack from my wife for that one. Three generations of kids in her family had cuddled that doll...
I'm absolutely sure that the crate training helped with curbing the destructive tendencies.
He also cleaned out a litter box. Once. Then he was very, very ill. Now, he won't even look at the litter box, not even if there's fresh kitty truffles in it.

[Iron Glove]

He also cleaned out a litter box. Once. Then he was very, very ill. Now, he won't even look at the litter box, not even if there's fresh kitty truffles in it.

Yummy, cat snausages. :mrgreen: