Feedback from show #139, broadcast Friday August 19, 2005 

Does Your Dog Sleep On The Bed?

This was the question we posed when we aired this segment - we thought we'd get a handful of replies but were overwhelmed at your response - it seems the answer is a resounding 'YES'  - even though Dr Harry doesn't like it at all and Steve Austin says only if you have complete control over your dog and it doesn't cause dominance issue... so to everyone who wrote to us - thank you, we really appreciated your e-mails - the original story remains here as a download

LISTENER E-MAILS
Un-edited - un-formatted - not checked for spelling or grammar

Hi there I will admit that I let my dog sleep on the bed. Since my husband 
died she misses him as I do, so we both find the company great, although she 
is a bed hog, and sleeps across the bed and she is a rather big 
dog...standard poodle. She barks if she hears something outside, and damn 
well wakes me up in the process.
In the mornings she gets out of bed after me, about 30 mins or so later.
In the summer she sleeps on the floor beside my bed. Bye Pam
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have 3 dogs and 2 of them sleep with me and I'm not ashamed to say so 
1silky terrier and 1 australian shepherd I like them to be as warm as me and 
comfortable I love to cuddle up with them on a cold night the only reason 
the other does not is because he and my silky dont get along so safer to 
have him in his run my dogs are also my kids so they should be able to sleep 
comfortable as well - Veronica
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No Kiki does not sleep on our bed! She's a spoilt little bunny most of the
time but I do draw the line there. I don't think that's a healthy scenario.
She has her own bed downstairs next to our side door so she can go out to
the courtyard to the loo if she wishes. We pen her in so she stays there as
well. If I'm reading or something in the bedroom she's allowed to sit with me but
not stay. Luv Maria x
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Well, I have 3 dogs. One sleeps at the foot of the bed, one sleeps in a
basket near the head of the bed, where I can reach down and touch her, and
one sleeps on the bed, under the covers with me. They can all choose
exactly where they sleep and those are the choices they make. They are a
part of my family, I spend as much time with them as I am able, and to me
this includes bed time. My favourite time of the day is waking up, and if I
don't have to rush off to work, being able to lie in and have an early
morning cuddle with my pooches. - Zoe
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello Brian, Kaye, Steve and Dr Harry.
Yes we occasionally allow a Neapolitan Mastiff to have a daytime snooze on
the bed with one or both of us - but that is all that is safe or sensible
with this breed.

Whilst we are aware that many people do allow their dogs to sleep in their
bed first time owners in particular of our breed should not allow this.
Neapolitan Mastiffs are a very "alpha" animal and seem to keep a score board
of "wins" in the dominance game - once they have their own predetermined
number of points - they are the boss and you are not.

Even cute little 10 week puppies keep score. Whilst I am putting this in a "fun" manner please be aware that it is serious and that major behaviourable problems can result for owners allowing Neapolitan Mastiffs "the priveledge of the bedroom. It is particularly
worrying if there are other family members - particularly children as the
dog will decide it is before them in the pack.

85kg of fully grown Neapolitan Male is no laughing matter and some have been
known to physically "eject" husbands from bedrooms.

Our suggestion to any Neapolitan Mastiff owner wishing a bedtime companion
is not to allow a Neapolitan on to the bed until mentally mature and then
only for short visits. PS Neapolitans do snore - very loudly.
Regards Nancy 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I don't think these sleeping positions affect the "control" I have over my 3
dogs, in fact they are all equally badly behaved:)
Zoe
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi, yes, absolutely, she sleeps on the bed. Actually, she very kindly lets me share the bed with her, on most occasions, and she often sleeps with her head on my shoulder - I love it!!! And so does she. 
Also, she LOVES pillows and is a bit of a pillow hog, so sometimes she shares mine too. 
I wouldn't have it any other way and happily admit it!!! Cheers Pip
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No - I don't allow my dog to sleep on my bed. She came to be as a 6 3/4 
year old (Rhodesian Ridgeback) with issues (avoidance motivated aggression) 
and really needed to have a leader she could believe in and rely on, so 
she'd defer to my choices and not elect to take things into her own 'paws', 
so to speak. Leadership and a behaviour modification program has vastly 
improved/resolved the aggression. So not to in any way upset her "improved" 
belief system and behaviour, I remain consistent with the guidelines I have 
set. Thanks � Judi
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Brian, Kaye, Steve and Dr Harry,
I let my 4 dogs sleep on my bed (we have a double) because I looooooooove
them and that's where they feel most secure and comfortable. And as I live
on my own and am a female they make me feel secure, warm and I use one of
them to lean my leg on! I do however, have to change the sheets frequently,
but I don't mind this as I have six different sets to choose from and love
that I get to use them all so frequently!!

I have no problems controlling my dogs and I believe it makes the bond
between us stronger - since I can remember I've always had 2 dogs that have
slept on my bed, it's only in the last few years I've understood about
dominance and pack leadership. My dogs know I'm the pack leader and show no
signs of challenging me, but if they did, off the bed they'd go!

Sue, Fudge, Bob, Murphy & Dolly
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes, our dog sleeps on the bed (actually in it on cooler nights). It's just
a habit that we haven't (or don't want to) break.
Roger and Linda
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi, I don't let the dogs sleep on the bed ... they are too huge and leave no 
room. On a Sunday I lie down a blanket on the bed and they are allowed up for the 
first cup of tea in bed. Thanks Julie
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No, she is the size of a small horse. I let the cat sleep on the bed though.
Melody & Rob
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Sure does!!!! My malamute sleeps on the end and my newest addition a 14 week old dalmatian puppy sleeps with his head on the pillow next to me!! what can i say they rule the roost
Kelli-Anne
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes! I let my two terriers sleep with me.
They are like beautiful bed-warmers, in winter, tucked in around my back &
legs. I don't see any "Pack order" problem with this, as they must always adjust
themselves to MY body position. And they love it as much as I do.
Oh, so comfy! They NEVER shift me from my own comfy place.
They would never, cause they are well-trained & very happy with me.
On the other hand, if I had a Rottweiler, Or an Akita, Or a Pit Bull Terrier?
I wonder if it would be so easy? � Moyna
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi there: A couple of reasons why our dog sleeps on our bed, she is a black solar 
powered dog and when the sun goes down she gets cold.
When our first grandson was born, she slept beside his bassinet, then beside 
his cot, and if she is not on our bed she is beside his bed, our dog is part 
of our family.

We used to have an afghan who would be on the bottom of our bed every 
morning, and when we had people stay over they were amazed that he would be 
on the bottom of their bed, They reckoned he used to keep their feet warm. 
One time our friend was making the bed and the afghan, promptly walked in 
jumped up on the bed and pulled the doona back as dogs do and went to sleep, 
yes our friends do still visit, and they always remember this dog.

Oh one about cats, we had visitors staying one night and our young cat was 
in the family way, well blood curdling cries at 3 am in the morning as she 
had crawled into bed with them and had three kittens, they weren't 
impressed, but it sure cracked up everyone.
Hope this puts a smile on your face - Kind Regards - Lyn
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Our dog sleeps with us as a treat. If he's bad, then he's not allowed on
the bed, but if he's good or not feeling well, he is. If he's not
feeling well, I get paranoid and like to feel him breathing next to me
...He is starting to get old now, and I like to spoil him a bit!
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Every morning when the alarm goes off, he's allowed up on the bed for a
tummy tickle. If the alarm doesn't go off (eg weekends) then he circles
the bed until we call him up! But he won't come up unless we call him.

In the next month we're getting a puppy, and will be crate-training the
puppy. To keep the group dynamics stable, we'll be letting the old dog
on the bed, but never the puppy (hopefully this will be a help in
letting the old dog adjust to the puppy and not feel threatened).
Kind Regards, Karyn 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Both our dogs sleep on/in the bed. There are no heirarchical issues. There is no problem with this if the balance of relationship is right - Ros

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I let my dog sleep on the bed.... I live on my own and it seems silly to
have a big ol' bed to myself whilst she sleeps on the floor. People don't
admit to it? Really? - Michelle

We have a double bed, in it sleeps, myself, my wife, and our two dogs. At
the bottom of the bed we have a blanket box and next to that we have small
suitcase. This is so the dogs can jump on and off the bed as they please.

The dogs actually sleep right next to my wife. It is fight to see who gets
closer to her, I'm only the husband so, I'm left out in the cold. The two
dogs,cuddle and snuggle into her. When I die I want to come back as one of
her dogs, so I can get head scratches, cuddles and tummy rubs.

Regards Jason
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes we have our dogs on our bed every night. One staffy, and four little
Chihuahua's. They know we are boss. I don't see any difference in them
sleeping on our bed. They don't think they are higher than us in the
pecking order. They love being in bed with us, and they are far warmer when
it gets on the cold side. If it cools down during the night, the little
dogs dive under the blankets. My staffy gets up close to us to get our body
heat. They also like us to be together when we go to bed. I think they
think they have us where they want us at night. We are both together and
they are very content with this.

Besides I love feeling their warms little bodies against us. To me it is a
sense of security and comfort just knowing they are there with us at night
time. If they want to go to the loo at all, which is only on rare occasion.
They will either give us a good lick on our face to wake us up, or they
stomp up and down on us until we wake up to take them outside. They are
well behaved and obedient for us. We love them dearly. They are kept
clean, and the house also. It does not worry me to tell people that our
dogs sleep with us. Some people who are not doggy people look at you with
almost disgust as if to say "how could you have dogs sleeping with you and
on the bed at that too". Well they are our kids.
Cheers, Ann
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No I dont have any problems except they hog the blankets LOL sometimes the 
Aussie gets up on top of my pillow and curls around my head but I beleive 
that there is nothing wrong with them being on the bed ther clean and 
healthy.Thanks for the supercoat pack I do use supercoat the green bag and 
supercoat baked bones for a treat - Veronica
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

No Daisy doesn't sleep on my bed....she sleeps between the sheets IN my bed 
curled into the small of my back or my lap (depending which way I'm facing 
at the time!) and Champers my cat is on the other side!!!.it's not a 
'feeling safe" thing it's just that I belong to them and they want to share 
their bed with me!!!...In fact when we need to shift positions we all turn 
over together..maybe it's because Daisy and Champers (currently the most 
handsome desexed male in my life!!) were rescued and I'm a surrogate heroine 
to them..who knows..who cares!!..the current situation suits all of us and 
is not about to change, not for me anyway!!!...regards Elly Hill on the Gold 
Coast. Elly
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes I do let my dog sleep on my bed at the moment as he has a broken left front leg with pins in it and I dont want to leave him alone incase he hurts himself ( he is a 10 month old german sheppard and very heavy now) � Patrick
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi folks - My husband and I absolutely love your show, and we listen every week in
Townsville. Yes, we let our two small dogs sleep on the bed. In Townsville, the
bedroom is air conditioned most of the year, and I like to have my dogs
close by at night, as they are not used to sleeping outdoors. And then
in winter, when we have the doona on, well, they are better than a hot
water bottle. I also love feeling their weight against me as we all
sleep.

Initially I encouraged it was because then I knew where they were at
night - not causing mischief, or roaming around. I could also respond
better, if they did get restless and needed to go outside at night. I
could get up to let them out, and then we would all go back to bed. 

I love our dogs sleeping on the bed. They sleep at the foot end, it's
like they know their place. The bed is the family "nest". We have done
this for almost three years. I have not noticed any issues arising from
our sleeping arrangements, so my husband and I are both happy for it to
continue. Lately, though, the dogs seem to occassionally prefer sleeping under the
bed. It's their choice, as we haven't forced them off the bed.

By the way, my husband and I still have our cuddles too. The dogs have
never been a problem when mummy and daddy want the bed to themselves.
They just look at us, sigh, and get out of the way. And may hop back on
when it's all quietened down!

And no, we don't have any kids. Or intend to. So we recognise that
they are our substitute "fur kids", and we are fine with that.
All the best, and keep up the great work. Sue and Sonnie
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have 2 Border Collies and they don't sleep on the bed, however they do sleep in the bedroom in crates. Cheers! Eric
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Kaye and crew,
I didn't mind my german shepherd sleeping at the end of my bed when I was 
alone and had a stalker wandering around my house! She was my protector as I 
travelled around alot and she always came with me knowing when to be 
friendly and when a warning was warranted, however Peter and I have a Jack 
Russell who sleeps in her own bed until Pete starts snoring then figures 
it's safe to jump up and if she's very still and quiet, maybe we won't 
notice! Cheers, Kerry and Pete
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes I let my dog AND cat sleep on my bed. I do it because it is good company 
and it's comforting to hear their snoring in the quiet. I don't believe it 
has affected my control over them and i think the relationships with them 
becomes stronger, closer. � Joy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Pet Talk Radio
Yes, I must admit to letting my dog Basil sleep on the bed with me. And the reasons.
1. Because I am too lazy to train him to sleep anywhere else
2. Because I sleep on my own in a Queen Size Bed and it was better than sleeping with
a Polar Bear soft toy that I bought from SeaWorld 3 years ago after my marriage split up.
3. Because I can't have any children and he is my child substitute.
4. He came from the RSPCA Dog Shelter where I was working as a volunteer. He was a stray who came in with his mother and his estimated age was one year, he was thin and quite timid. I thought he deserved a bit of spoiling after probably what had been a pretty ordinary start to life. - Oh Boy, did he see me coming or what?! He must think he's ended up in heaven. Cheers - Karen.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yep. I have a Malamute and a Husky. They do a swapover in the middle of the 
night. The Husky curls up in a ball and you wouldn't know he's there, 
but the Malamute is a bit of a bed hog. If she starts steal too much 
real estate, she gets booted off. � Jodi
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes they do at times, when Hubby gets up to go to work 3 German Shepherds 
jump in, sometimes in the night we wake up to have 3 GSD's and 1 Siamese cat 
on the bed, or they go into the spare room where there is a qb and get up 
together, they all have a pet futon each in our bedroom. There is not much 
room for 3 GSD's and 2 humans you know. - Cheers Wendy
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Brian, Yes, both Keera and Clayton as well as my cat Misha sleep in bed with me. Not much room left for me,lol, but it's nice and warm this time of the year. They all get under the blanket as well. Misha often curls up against Clayton and he does tolerate that for a short while before he moves up and gets on the spare pillow . He snores like a trooper too,lol. Not too nice when his nose is right next to my ear. When I had Rottweilers, they never were allowed on the bed with me as they were just too big. I find it very comforting to have a little dog curled up against me at night. I love them all to bits. - Regards, Robbie
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yep they sure do, believe me me betweem my partner, her body pillow a shiz 
zue,chichuahua and myself in a double bed you fight for evey inch of bed or 
you get none. The BIG question WHY?? Well I have often deeply pondered this 
question. The answer is" I DO NOT KNOW, IT JUST HAPPENED AND HAPPENS EVERY 
NIGHT NOW. When Nikki had a sleepover at the neighbours and in spite of many 
"if that dog thinks he is sleeping in our bed he had better think again" 
WELL guess who had think again and guess who carried Nikki home in case he 
walked on a prickle, Mr Neighbour. Cheers Di
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes I have the dogs sleep on the bed and when they get hot, they jump off.
I love cuddling up to the Fluffy Collie Rough that i own. Fiona
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I have three Blue heeler dogs Bob, Ben (born deaf) and Anzac (5 owners & 
tied up most of his life to a brick)

All my dog are house trained and attend Obedience training but they are all 
part of my family.

My husband and myself did sleep together but with three dogs on a bed 
someone had to go ?
so we took a vote and we all now sleep in the spare room and my husband has 
a room to himself, this suits us as he sleeps like a log, and I only need 
about 4 hours sleep.
Bob prefers his bed on the floor, Anzac curls up at my head and Ben cuddles 
up where he can feel he is near me.

Where these dogs are they stay all night, Ben will roll over on his back and 
push me closed to the wall {It's a Queen size bed} and they are impossible 
to move unless you utter the magic word "BICKIE " this does not work for Ben 
being deaf, so I have found it easier to just get out of bed, they have the 
top half I have the bottom half .
They wake me if they want to go outside and they stay beside me every minute 
of the day.
My life without them just wouldn't be a life
My name is Judy Small and I live in Mulgrave I had to get a permit to keep 
three dogs but they are all much loved and I don't care if you say my name.
Judy - P.S. I will email you a photo
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course my dog sleeps on the bed. At the moment we are having discussions
about her also stealing my pillow. She gets most of a queen size bed, at
least half the blankets, now she wants my pillow.
She woke me recently about 3am trying to bury a bone in the pillow, whilst I
was asleep on it. The discussions are perfectly amiable, and she does what
she wants.
She also has a bed at the foot of the bed and another in the sitting room,
where she also sleeps on the sofa should she want. She can take her pick.
It may sound as though she is spoilt, but it is not so. A badly maltreated
dog until a year ago she is not a dominant bitch, not an aggressive bone in
her body ... still very scared of most humans (not me) and all dogs. 
Beautifully behaved, and like most gun dogs, a very soft mouth .. she sticks
to me like glue, her recalls from a distance are text book perfect and I
believe that the closer she is to me, the more of a bond is created and the
happier she will be to work with me and be with me.

She gets a Kong when I go to work ... cheese, meat, carrot, kibble (wet),
all frozen overnight, otherwise she gets bored (and I have yet to teach her
to read). A small tin of fish and a raw egg at least once a week, veggies,
the odd piece of toast with Vegemite and the occasional bit of pizza, some
kibble if I am running late, raw meat, a chicken carcase every two or three
days, drumsticks for dessert (if not tiramisu) after she's eaten dinner with
Missing Link, omega 3 and kelp .. and a little bit of tasty cheese to help
it go down. 

Yes. I have a fair idea of what she eats ... [can definitely do without the
odd piece of cat poo found on walks) and no, she doesn't beg at the table
(or anywhere else) ... though I wouldn't entirely trust her with a piece of
steak at nose level on the table if I went out to answer the phone, but that
would be totally my fault. - Cheers Gael
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

hello gang - no my dog does not sleep on my bed but does sleep on the carpet next to my bed then wanders back to the cushion in the lounge room thank you � charnel
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Both my Aussie Bulldogs Buddy & Pumpkin sleep on our bed & have never slept a night outside. They sleep more so with me when my husband is not home at night for my own security. They are up on the bed every weekend seeing we can all sleep in & then play together + have lots of cuddles! Its all about the love for us thats the reason! � Renee
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I know all that stuff about dogs being on the bed. I do admit that they are both allowed on my bed before bedtime, but have their own beds which I insist they stay on at other times. I will admit because of all the trouble I have had, I do get more rest now that their beds are in my bedroom. (walk in wardobe). I am just sad that my little dog (who is blind)is terrorised by the border collie (who is a top dog)for no reason.I have to say I love them both. Leonie
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
The reason why I let my 2 boxers sleep on the bed is beacuse I love the feeling of them snuggled in to me. We dont get enough time with our dogs as it is, so this is a good time for a snuggle cuddle! Regards Donna Maree
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi to Pet Talk Radio,
We have two very adorable shelties - Bobby and Meg and much to my husbands disapproval they sleep on our bed. Meg cuddles up to my legs every night especially when its cold and Bobby comes up mainly for a cuddle and a scratch. When my hubby is away I like them to sleep on the bed just to feel a bit safe but i don't mind if they are there every night cause I love them heaps. Kay
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Yes Mr Foo does sleep on our bed when he wants too, we find he is about 50% his own bed (which is beside ours) and 50% ours. When we first go to bed he likes to have a bit of a snuggle then early in the morning he comes up for another snuggle, he likes to sleep next to my husband. As to why we let him, well just cause he is cute, he is only little so he doesn't take up much room, he is an in door dog and doesn't have a doggy smell. I have been told it can confuse the "Pecking" order but we don't have any behaviour problems with him. Cheers Kirsten. 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello, I'm 29 years old and have always slept with my dogs, they keep me warm in the winter nights, I also feel safer with my dogs close, they are my babies and I love them. Soraya
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi, yes - I have to admit that my 6 year old maltese poodle does sleep on the bed and it started when I went away for three weeks and my husband gave into him. What does that tell you Dr Harry? However, I confess that I quite enjoy it. We have had this little dog for 2 years having got him from a 'poodle rescue centre' and we live on a yacht so life is a bit different for him and we have been working with a dog whose background is uncertain. 
Have lots of questions I could ask but will save those for another time. Cheers Elizabeth 
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes my Dog does sleep on my bed. I admit it. We had a break in earlier this year and weapons where left on each of the beds from large knives to an axe. My Dog sleeps on the bed so that I feel safe enough to sleep, plus he is warm and cuddley. Thank you.- Thanks Belinda
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Pet Talk...we admit our border collie and our maltese cross sleep on our
queen size bed despite them having very comfie beds of their own. It is
quite difficult some nights to actually find space for us humans! Sid
snores in my ear all night and Tess (the collie) lies with her four legs in
the air waiting for us to scratch her tummy. It's not a safety issue for
us...it's just that we are too soft to turf them out! One night we had both
the dogs, the cat and a dwarf rabbit in with us. They seem to disappear
when the bed has to be made or the sheets have to be hung out though.
Cheers, Fran
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

G'day Pet Talk Radio
My dogs have always slept on my bed and I've never been ashamed to admit it. My friends shake their head at me when I say 'I'd much rather sleep with a dog than a man any day !!!' .. only joking !!!

I have owned dogs since I was 10 years old and I am now 54 years old so they have been a very important part of my life for 44 years. My parents loved dogs as well and our dogs were always treated as special members of the family and allowed the run of the inside of the house and sat on the couch with us watching tv until we went to bed. My parents would only allow my dog to sleep on the bed with me when I was sick or upset but our family dog always had a bed inside the house. When I moved out of home my dog always slept on the bed with me.

I have owned a variety of dogs but they have all been very gentle natured and loving dogs. In the last 20 years my destiny has led me to own a long-haired Daschund named Benmore and 4 English Setters named Jessie, Bandit, Beau and Hobson. These 2 breeds are 'house' dogs. A quote from the American English Setter Assn is 'To this dog, love and affection are as necessary as food'. These 2 breeds are not aggressive and thrive on being loved and being treated as a special member of the family. The more you allow this, the more they love you. Just because you allow them to sleep on the bed, does not affect your position as the 'mum' of the pack. In fact, I feel they bond even closer to you. Benmore ruled us all with an iron paw and he would have done this irrespective of whether or not he slept on the bed.

I challenge a lot of the dog training philosophies because I feel they are not relevant to every breed of dog, nor to every human-dog relationship. I raise my dogs to have manners, just the same as children, so they are well behaved socially. My boys have always been 'dags' and Jessie was a grand lady. I have never had any problems because I have allowed my dogs to sleep on my bed. If you choose to sleep with English Setters, no matter how large a bed you buy, you will end up sleeping on the very edge with your English Setters snuggled up against you. You will never feel alone.
Bye Susan
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I purchased a Maltese x Shit-zu 3 years ago which I have allowed to sleep 
on my bed. Mainly because I had always had larger outside dogs beforehand 
and was at the time single.

My reason mainly being because she was only small and didnt malt everywhere 
and they are great guard dogs. My problem now is that I have just purchased a mini poodle and now in a position where I have a partner and now cant handle having 2 dogs on the bed.

I am trying to get the poodle to sleep on her own bed on the floor but she 
wants to sleep with my other dog. I know it is unfair to my maltese x shit-zu who has been allowed to sleep with me for the past 3 years to try and get used to a bed on the floor but 
is it too late to make her do that. They are both keeping us awake now. 
Should I persist with training both of them on their own bed
Any suggestions? � Michelle
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

We have 2 dogs a jack russial 6 months,and a skily terrier she about
6 years old.the puppy sleeps at the top of the bed with us.In the middle between
us And the terrier sleeps at the end of the bed on the doona � Michelle
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

G'day all you good people at Pet Talk Radio
In answer to your question, Our dog does not sleep on the bed with us. Athough when I was just a lad and my bed was on the veranda a greyhound we owned would jump uninvited on to my bed, It is very cold in Tamworth, until one day he was so heavy that I could hardly breath. That was the last time he jumped on the bed. I found a way to stop him but can not remember what the method used was.

Another time a cat got on the bed went under the blankets and at some time during the night decided to bight my feet. I was so startled because I thought it was a snake, there were plenty of them there. My immediate action was to bundle all the blankets together and began punching the living daylights out of the "SNAKE." I saw the funny side when the cay came bounding out from under the blankets and never again got on the bed.
So I hope this naswers your question, "does your gog sleep on your bed?"
Regards Cedric
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes my girl does sleep with me in particular when it is very cold here in canberra she gets under the covers and cuddles into my back until she is warm and then moves over to her side of the bed and has a habit of sleeping in when I get up early, head on the pillow and sometimes paws out of the covers just like a little person. I know this is not good but as she is all I have she rules me and the house but I would not have it any other way. 
Regards Elly and Bear
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yes my dog sleeps with me I wake up in the morning & she is there so
there is no harm done - Regards Sharon
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Of course my darling dogs sleep on the bed ... I should say that they used to and one will again at some point in the future ...I have two wonderful golden retrievers - one of whom is now 15 and nearly 3/4. She has reached a point where she can't get up on the bed any more and she has also had a couple of 'wet the bed' turns. So now she has her doona, pillows and blankets (plastic lined) set up in the laundry (with the door open so she can still see us in the bedroom). 
My other baby is nearly 4. She also slept on the bed until the older dog had to move into the laundry. The younger dog now sleeps in the laundry as well as I don't want the older one to be all by herself. Unless I can find the fountain of youth for my older dog I know that we will lose her at some point. When that happens the younger dog will resume sleeping on the bed as she so rightly should. 
Regards � Kerrie
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Brian, Kaye, Steve and Dr Harry,
When my husband is home our girls - 2 boxers, stay outside but when he 
travels for work (which is often) the girls stay inside on the bed with me. I feel safer and 
I sleep better knowing they are safe as well.
It's alot warmer in winter also! My parents corgi sleeps with them and she usually drives my Dad out by taking up all the room. He says "for such a little dog, she takes up as much room as a Great Dane". Cheers, Mel
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi there,
While I have watched Dr Harry on the TV I have still to listen to your 
programne. Have faithfully downloaded it each week but have had too many 
business meetings but am looking forward to catching up! Yes our dogs do get on the bed. We have two cocker spaniels but both of them prefer to sleep in their baskets at night and will only get up to say good night and perhaps scrounge to see if we have left one banquet on the bed for 
them! Whereupon they both go off to their respective corners/baskets where 
they spend the night. During the day they are usually to be found where we 
are or in their baskets depending how cold it is. Not really an issue in our 
household. Regards Gail
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi,I have to admit that yes, my son - woops, I mean dog sleeps on our bed most nights. Archer is an 18 month old Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever. 
When we picked up Archer at 8 weeks old, we started out with the best of intentions, making him sleep on his own bed in the lounge room with a baby gate blocking the hallway to the rest of the house and a doggy door to the backyard. We've never had a problem with separation anxiety or whining for company and he's always seemed happy enough with his bedroom. The deal was, if I got up early when Archer was a puppy to take him out to the toilet etc. My partner, Steve had to take him out at night and put him to bed (in his own bed). I go to bed before Steve and Archer usually follows for a bedtime cuddle. 

Steve started letting Archer stay on our bed occasionally and as much as I thought he should be in his own bed, I figured a couple of nights wouldn't hurt. And it didn't.
But, this year, Steve has had to travel a bit for work, so when he's away, Archer has free run of the house at night for my safety (he gives a good warning bark) and of course chooses to sleep on our bed with his head on Steve's pillow. When Steve comes home he misses Archer so lets him stay with us. So, now Archer sleeps more with us than on his own bed. 
Every morning at the same time he comes up to the top of the bed and lies across me as if to say 'wake up mum, the suns out'. We will make Archer sleep in his own bed a bit more, but I will miss those morning kisses. Only a dog owner would understand! � Cheers Anna
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi there,
Well I must admit, yes, we do allow Chloe to sleep on our bed. Lance and I
were married when I was 39 and he was 43 and decided not to have any
children. Then along came Chloe (weimerana)and we just love her like she
was our child. We did not allow her to sleep in the bedroom at first, but
she got up to too much mischief so we allowed her in the bedroom, then my
husband got real soft and had her sleeping on the bed with us (which I
didn't mind at all). I guess I do feel safer with her there too because she
is a great watch dog. Regards 

hi, yes occasionally i let my dog sleep on my bed mainly when my partner is
away because he is not allowed to when my partner is here. I enjoy him being on the bed for security and he keeps me warm!!!

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello All No! No dogs on my bed - I'm in the pet bed business so all my pets have
their choice of many comfy beds! Cheers, Roslyn

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Brian & Kaye,
My little Bichon Frise 'Cloe' (who doesn't know she is a dog, she 
thinks she is a small Human). During the day Cloe loves to sleep in her 'Designer Bed'..... (which 
cost me a small fortune). Though I do notice that if I'm away from the house for any length of 
time that she tends to sleep on my bed.

At night when I go to bed, Cloe drags herself out of her 'Designer 
Bed' and jumps up onto my bed and cuddles in against my legs. By 
morning she is normally lying against my back.
Before my Husband passed away last year,(who Cloe loved and grieved 
for also), she would sleep between us at the bottom of the bed (as 
though she didn't want to show favouritism to either one).

I rise very early, obviously much too early for Cloe who looks at me 
as if to say 'don't disturb me, I'm still asleep' & rolls over & 
promptly goes back to sleep, and doesn't get off my bed until I have 
showered and have breakfast organised. Then 'Madam Cloe' decides it's 
time to rise & shine ..... 'It's Toast Time'!

Actually it's 'Life According to Cloe' in my house, ... or, .... is 
it my house ???
I sometimes think Cloe allows me to live in 'Her House'.

I know that Dr. Harry & Steve Austin would 'shudder' (to say the 
least), at Cloe's 'Free Spirit attitude'.
As far as Cloe is concerned Dog Training is for Dogs ..... NOT for Cloe.

Cloe is my greatest companion and has been such a comfort to me since 
my Husband's death from Cancer.
I know I would not have coped as well without Cloe in my life. She 
is always there waiting to give 'cuddles & kisses' when she knows I 
need them, and that is very often.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Yep! Our dogs Roxy the boxer X and Link the 45kg rottie/staffie X sleep on
our Queen bed - though they're almost never invited.

Whenever my partner Glenn leaves the house, even to take the rubbish out,
they sneak on the bed and lie like statues until he comes back through the
door (unless we shut the bedroom door in the first place).

At times when I've been sick and my partner has left me sleeping while he's
gone to work, I've woken up with the quilt trapping me because Roxy the
boxer X has formed herself into a loaf, snuggling my left side, while Link
has somehow stealthed his way onto my right. I can't move!

Both dogs will generally sleep in the loungeroom on their beds, plus we have
a 'dog lounge' for them in the bedroom ... but they will take any
opportunity to snuggle into our space. We'll occasionally let them come onto
the bed on weekends just to let them know we love spending quiet time with
them.

We also call Roxy Miss Haversham because she will poke her head through the
veil-like curtain above her dog lounge in our bedroom to check out any front
of house action. She custom-tore the curtain once when a dog walked past and
now it resembles a veil. She looks very much like the tormented bride!

Cheers, Amelia
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Brian, Kaye, Steve & Dr Harry,
Yes my Dog sleeps with me in my bed, snuggled up right next to me. This is 
my 5th Mini Daschund I have had over the past 40 or so years and each one 
has been my bedmate. My Husband of 32 years, Steve, wasnt too keen at 
first, however he has accepted it and in fact the second last one he 
encouraged it. I have set up a luggage bag next to my bed to assist her in 
getting up on the bed as she even sleeps there while I am at work. My 
latest Daschund is Bindii who is just four months young and has learnt very 
quickly where bed is, even before she is fully toilet trained, no she dosn't 
wee on my bed though. During the day she makes herself very confortable 
along with my 14 year old Cat, Miscka, who also sleeps on the bed. My grown 
children are a bit dissapointed with me for letting Bindii sleep with me as 
they think I should start this one not to, but I'm afraid I'm hooked, in 
fact from about 14 years of age I used to sneak my little dog with me 
against my mothers wishes, so I'm not about to change now.

Regards, Lorraine
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

hi - i don't let my siberian huskys (2) sleep on my bed :( but they are allowed
to sleep on the flore becide me and when i go camping they sleep in the
tent with me usually using my leg or matress as a pillow and usually
giving me a good lick at 2am to be let out of the tent to see what was
making that noise. i have just camped at the canberra sled dog race and
that was an experiance imagin camping along side 200+ dogs in one area,
and all where quiet all night even with kangaroos around (but the wake up
call at 5am is interesting, my arlarm was klaning food bowls and excited
howls as they get their brecky)

the reasion i sleep with my dogs whill camping is to keep them safe (and
keep me safe) from other dogs, people, and to prevent and possable
escaping and chasing other animals.

at home the reasion i don't allow them to sleep on my bed is they tend to
take up all the room, and i cant get comfy!! also have you tried to sleep
with 2 huskys whill they blow their coat!!! dog hair dosn't tast nice and
it ends up every where, one sighn of being addicted to sled dogs is - you
think dog hear is a food group. it gets every whear. i also feall that
being the human/alfa i need to have the most comfy spot and the dogs just
have to deal with it. marianne
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Brian & Kaye
Yes my new dog, Rudi, sleeps on my bed if he wants to although recently
he has been taken to sleeping on his own couch in my room - see 3rd
photo. As you can see from the 2nd photo, dogs can be a great comfort
in bed, especially if you are sick which Robert is.

My recently departed Zachariah slept in my bed with me but he had a
funny ritual. He would not come in the room until I was undressed and
in bed. I don't think he liked the thoutht of seeing his Mum with no
clothes on. As soon as he heard me get into bed he would be there, but
as he was 48 kilos I had to make sure he did not get on the duvet
otherwise I would freeze all night - so most of the time he slept under
it with me with his head on his own pillow. I must admit I didn't get a
good night's sleep though with him snoring in my ear, but it was very
comforting. The 1st photo is of Zachariah taken 4 days before he passed
away - he and I were sleeping in the lounge together as he was pretty
sick and I wanted him to get outside quickly if necessary. He doesn't
look too sick there though does he? 

On another subject, you may wish to look into health insurance for
animals and make sure people read the small print as I had a few shocks
with Pet Secure. You will recall, Zachariah, and how much I spent on
vet's fees with him. My local vet phoned me on Easter Sunday this year
and gave us the devasting news that Zachariah had cancer and advised he
would contact the Oncologist Specialist and make an appointment for him
straight away. We saw the Oncologist on the Wednesday and started
chemotherapy there and then. The initial cost was over $1,200. I put in
a claim to Pet Secure who advised me that, unless it was an emergency,
any claims over $500 would not be processed without prior written
approval by them before any treatment could commence. Obviously it was
an emergency.

Then to add insult to injury when Zachariah passed away 6 weeks later I
cancelled his policy only to be told that, as I had opted to pay the
premium monthly (and not annually)and the fact that I had claimed on
this year's policy, I had to keep paying monthly premiums until February
2006. So we are still paying $32.00 a month for an animal that isn't
here anymore.

I think people should be warned to read the fine print before taking out
insurance of this kind.

Kind regards to you both - Betty
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Dr Harry, Brian Kaye and Steve
Yes, I'm afraid I used to allow my two toy poodles sleep on our bed - but the reason???? When I had to go into hospital overnight, my husband put them on the bed so as they would be quiet, and he could get to sleep - it was a separation thing, and I was the major highlight of their life. My husband has never (still today) had an understanding of how to train dogs, nor children for that matter.

Allowing the dogs to be on the bed was creating a dominance in one of my dogs, and the other was just happy to be there, and did not change at all. But, we had to do something about it.

Anyway after living through12 months of having a rather crowded bed, I decided to bring in the help of the Bark Busters to help with the problem.

Apart from looking at the overall problem, we invested in 2 Kennel Cabs - put some lovely bedding in for them, and they have loved their beds from the first night. I love my dogs dearly, but I do need my sleep as well. No without saying, the dogs have their own bit of privacy as well. So the Kennel Cabs have been a great investment. They come in handy on many occasions, for instance if you have little children who are scared of the dogs.....and my dogs love to bark at little ones - so the dogs are happy and we are happy - all round a very sound and great investment.

You may use my name on the radio, I'm not worried about that at all.

I love your TV programs Dr Harry, and I've listened to the playbacks of this one - just love your very informative shows. Thank you. Sharyn
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Dear Brian and Kaye
Thank you very much for reading my email and for the
Supercoat Doggy Bag for my beautiful Sabreena. I am tempted to send you a
picture of her, so you can see how lovely she really is. I get stopped on my
walks with her as so many tell what a nice dog she is, and she knows it as
well. Hopefully this pic will come through.
Bye Pam....

i can admit i do sleep with both my little dogs one is a shitzu and the 
other a terrier there is no need to hide it... Fatimah
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hi Guys,
I don't allow my georgous 2 1/2 year old Blue Heeler sleep with us but my husband and I are such heavy sleepers we don't actually feel our little late night visitor sneaking up onto the bed. Somewhere between 1 and 2 am she gets up onto the bed at the very bottom and lies down very carefully. By morning Paul and I are right over on the left side and Ruby is stretched out on the right. When we wake up she comes up to greet us with such enthusiasm and affection that it is almost impossible to chastise her. Also I don't see the point in giving her a serve if she has been there half the night, the right thing to do would be to kick her off when she first gets up. 
We lost our 16 year old Bluey Indi about 2 months ago, both dogs slept on their mats on the floor and were quite happy to do so. Since Indi passed on Ruby has been sneaking up onto our bed. 
She is a very well mannered dog and is obedient in everything else as we have been training her since she was a baby but this is something we are stumped with. 
Any suggestions would be welcome
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Brian, Kaye, Steve and Dr Harry
Our dog, Dash is a greyhound and does not sleep with us in the bed, rather she has her own bean bag that she sleeps in beside the bed. Occasionally she jumps up on the bed for a cuddle and a play but then goes back to her own bed and blanket. I think she feels we take up too much room on the bed for her to sleep. Lucky for us. Dash has been known to get on our bed when she is being baby sat over night by our niece. When our niece attempts to get her to go on her own bed, Dash growls and barks at her. No doubt she feels that she is protecting her owners. Would I let Dash sleep on our, absolutely. Why, why not. After all she is a part of our family. Dash knows her position in our family and has never over stepped that mark. For a greyhound, she is very affectionate and we would not be without her. Deion
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Hello - 
Yup I have to admit when I had a dog I let him sleep in bed with me to my husbands dismay. I've always had cats as well who sleep in bed with me, it's the best to keep warm on a cold night! The purring puts me to sleep!
Michelle
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


Dear All, 
Well, yes, I do allow dogs to sleep on my/our bed when,
1) I have one dog only in the household when the other 2 have gone on a sleepover to our daughter's home
2) I am the only one in the bed and I feel lonely, the Jack Russell and the Mini-Foxie sleep with me
3) Every morning when my husband exits the bed, there is no better sound than when our two smaller dogs come belting up the stairs having been let out from their usual sleeping quarters in the family room with the larger kelpie cross - and here they first lick around my mouth and then behind my ears! (Just learnt about this today from your terrific show, but that's what they do, truly.)

I agree totally with you in principal that they should not sleep on our bed, but on special occasions - why not? I would not allow the larger dog who is the number one dog sleep there. She doesn't appear to want to anyway.

Generally, I would say, they are pretty well-behaved and obedient dogs.

Thanks for the great show. I love it.
Marion
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++


We have a Maltese poodle, and we love him on our bed! My partner and I
sometimes argue as to who's turn it is to cuddle him before we go to bed!
We don't have any kids and we consider our "Ciccio" very much part of our
family, he is our 'four-legged' child. Maltese poodles do not have an
undercoat, as they are not designed to be outdoor dogs, therefore they do
not shed any hair. (if anything, I lose more hair than my dog!) Therefore
we don't have a problem with him sharing our bed with us! Although I must
say, even though we have a king size bed, sometimes in the middle of the
night when I am balancing off the edge of the bed, I wonder who the bed
belongs to!! I could not resist but to attach a pic of "Ciccio" and you will
understand why we cannot resist cuddling him to death!

Regards, Marcia
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

I let both of my dogs sleep on my bed. They are just so spoilt! It is a treat for them and I hate making them sleep outside when it is freezing. It is just adorable hearing them snore and rolling over. They have all the space in the world when they sleep with their "mum"! I have heard of people building ramps for their older dogs to get onto their bed. 
They know they are loved. Thanks for your emails. They are great! Well done all of you. Gwen
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

pooches in bed? Yes, "Tashi"") sleeps on "our" bed - and after nearly a year of living together, he is now telling me when to go to bed. Waking me up is quite another thing - and he has been working on that since his arrival! Clearly his previous human family were early risers and he used to jump up and down around 4.30am. Its taken him time to change his ambitions to around 8am, but even that isnt always successful. Most recent technique is to chew a dog biscuit over my face and let the crumbs do the waking up! best wishes, Beris"