Big Paws Only Dog Forums
BPO General Forum => General Board for Big Dogs with Big Paws => : Blair May 14, 2006, 08:29:35 PM
-
........
-
With my old dog, Rufus, he basically had the run of all the furniture in the house and allowed me space on couches, beds, etc ... sometimes ;D
When I got new living room furniture, I decided I wanted to keep it cleaner and so didn't allow him on it. He was still allowed on the old couch, which got moved to the basement. He caught on really quickly and didn't seem too put out by it.
Good luck!
-
We had the rule of no dogs on the couch when we got our sectional about 2 yrs ago. It lasted a couple months until my husband went out of state for the first time and I slept on the couch...well since the dogs slept with me they slept on the couch...well they've been allowed on ever since. But when we started the rule...the dogs adapted pretty well to it.
-
You know, I never thought I'd say it, but I myself am pretty dern close to banning the dogs from the couch. They abused their rights and they ate the couch. Yep. It is completely destroyed. :( Granted, it was a thrift-store couch and it didn't cost more than $60, and lasted over a year, but... a hole in every cushion and stuffing all over the living room at least once a day... I don't think so!!!
So we are buying a new couch and I am thinking... no dogs allowed. They will be bummed, but that will be a perfect time to buy cushy cozy new beds for them. ;D I read that a great way of keeping dogs from wanting to be on the couch is to use a carpet protector turned upside down. You know, those clear plastic sheets with the little spikes sticking out one side? Put that sucker on the couch and see if they don't choose the doggie beds instead!! ;) :D
Sorry if I sound cynical but I am mad at my furkids at the moment! :D Not too mad, it's my fault for leaving them unattended. ::)
So if you are mean, I am even meaner! :D ;)
-
Since mine have never been allowed on the couches, I can't say really one way or another. But I don't think it is mean. Keiko hair is hard to get out of any kind of cloth material. But I never realized how hard short hair is to get out of anything, until I got Gunther. He now has his own designated sheets that go on the spare bed when no one is visiting. The hair just won't come out!! God forbid if he was on the couches. I would be covered in hair from head to toe, instead of just shoulders to ankles. :D ;D
-
I understand why you would allow the little dog on the couches, but I really think that is a recipe for disaster. Dogs don't see it the same way we do. If you let the little dog on the sofa, and not the others, they will be confused and feel like the little dog has new seniority over them. We don't allow our dog on any human furniture because it is one way we let him know that he isn't equal to us, but I would NEVER allow one animal to have such an important privalege and not allow it for the others. If they used to all be allowed on the sofa, then the little dog didn't have a 'safe' place then (because they were all allowed), so the little dog shouldn't need that now, any more than s/he needed it then.
This is obviously just my opinion, but I feel strongly that either all of them should be allowed, or none of them.
;D
-
I cant be too bad of a dog owner as I have 4 very well behaved dogs :)
You specifically asked for opinions as to whether this was a bad idea the post was even titled, 'is it mean'. I never said you were a bad owner, I never meant to imply or hint that I thought that. I have read many of your posts and have a lot of respect for you, and I think you are a neat person and a wonderful furmom. I do think it is a bad idea to have one dog allowed on a sofa and not another. That is my opinion, not based on personal feelings about you as an owner, based on knowing my dog and how badly he would respond to that kind of thing.
It actually never entered my mind that you would favor Smudge over the others in general, this just seemed like a situation where the dogs would feel that way.
I am genuinely sorry that I offended you, I didn't intend to at all.
;)
-
It is my job, being Smudge's owner, to protect him from getting hurt. And when Zeus and Grey get rough he has no where to go but on the couch since he can no longer go under the couch. Im not offended just thought I needed to explain to why Smdge is allowed on the couch. I couldnt live with myself if any of my big guys hurt Smudge, as I wouldnt blame them but blame myself for not protecting him as I should being his owner. Smudge would rather be with the other dogs then on the couch by him self. So far he only goes up there when things get rough. Here is a picture I just took, now Smudge could be sleeping on the nice new comfortable sofa, but instead he is sleeping on the floor with the others.
In your initial post, I wasn't aware that Smudge had previously had a hidey place under the sofa and that was now gone. I have to say I laughed really hard when I saw that picture of all of them sprawled out on the floor. They look very very happy and um....spoiled (my dog is spoiled ROTTEN so I really hope you read that as the compliment it was!) All of them with their beds right in the middle of the room, its obvious that you love, protect, and care for all your dogs.
My dog is just SO aware of where he is in relation to everything else. When we dogsit, he gets an attitude if the other dog is allowed to do ANYTHING that he doesn't get to do. I think he would have a baby if someone else was allowed on the furniture and he wasn't.
I agree that Smudge is vulnerable to getting hurt accidentally by the other dogs, they are so much bigger than him.
-
I agree that allowing Smudge on the furniture while others are not allowed does, in a canine world, give him privelage over the others. Now, whether this causes problems in the future, I don't know, I am not familiar with the pack order in your home.
I have a huge leather sectional bought specifically to fit the dogs and humans all together. Of course I LOVE to snuggle with my boys. The leather has held up beautifully, and is very easy to keep clean.
-
Harley is only allowed on the couch when my husband isn't home. We have a black leather couch and it cleans up well. It is starting to show wear at the seams (not Harley's fault) and I am worried about getting a new couch and whether I will allow Harley on it, but as so many have said I love having my boy sitting next to me.
But as far as mean mothers go I think I hold the title Poor Harley isn't allowed upstairs where we all sleep I think it is the meanest thing but DH made the rule - it cuts down on the dog hair. Also, Harley was quite a rambunctious puppy and killed quite a few beanie babies that he took from my daughters room so he was put on the main floor of the house. He handles it OK but I feel bad for him. I actually don't spend much time upstairs because I hate leaving him.
-
Couple of thoughts:
In dog psychology, whoever's sitting highest is the alpha. So, even if a chihuahua is climing to the back of the sofa, he's technically "above" the other dogs.
It's not mean to give dogs limits (or kids, or people in general for that matter). I think dogs (or kids, or people in general) are happy as long as the rules are consistent.
A cardboard box strategically located (in lieu of a well-built crate) would work as a hiding place for a small dog in a family of giants.
-
I don't think it's mean at all....Dogs like children need rules & bounderies...I t makes them feel safe & secure...In saying that...lol...M y dogs are allowed on the couch in their room only...I furnish that room in early garage sale...lol...s o nothing expensive is ruined...You've all seen how dirty Pippin likes to get & what a delacacy Rosie thinks recliners are! :D ...I wouldn't allow Smudge on the couch if the other dogs aren't though...That could cause problems...Giv e him a nice safe place where the bigger dogs can't fit if that's possible. :)
-
Hello, In my household I have had it where only one dog was allowed on the couch and the other wasn't. Never had any problems. Just have to make sure that you are extremely consistent. The first 2 weeks might be tough, but after they know that you are not going cave in you should be fine.
BTW the dog that was allowed on the couch was getting up there in age and had earned his couch rights. BUT he still had to respect the rules ( only sleep in one spot that had a blanket, and he had to get off when I told him)
-
Hello, In my household I have had it where only one dog was allowed on the couch and the other wasn't. Never had any problems. Just have to make sure that you are extremely consistent. The first 2 weeks might be tough, but after they know that you are not going cave in you should be fine.
I have really strong opinions on this, based on everything I've learned about how dogs see pack status. I just think its unfair to the do who isn't allowed the same privalege. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree!!!
:)
-
I have really strong opinions on this, based on everything I've learned about how dogs see pack status. I just think its unfair to the do who isn't allowed the same privalege. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree!!!
:)
...to the dog*
-
I have really strong opinions on this, based on everything I've learned about how dogs see pack status. I just think its unfair to the do who isn't allowed the same privalege. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree!!!
:)
...to the dog*
Dogs don't "see" things as fair & unfair but they do understand the natural order of things in their doggy world...When we allow "lower status" dogs "higher" dog status it throws off the natural order of the heirachy...Thi s only causes confusion & unrest for the dogs....Throug h my research, observation & training this is what I have observed & believe. :)
-
Smudge is alpha over the other dogs and so was my other chihuahua...So Im not allowing a lower status dog on the sofa.
-
I think we need to just end this on some agree and some disagree.Â
I agree on that....sorry I ever brought this up. Im done now!!
-
I think we need to just end this on some agree and some disagree.Â
I agree on that....sorry I ever brought this up. Im done now!!
((((Blair)))))...You know your doggers better than anyone...I, for one, was only trying to help & answer your question & then was replying specifically to the post before my 2nd post...You're a good dogger mommy!...I've always held you in the highest regard that way! :-* Just so you understand my position!...I like ya' you silly goose! :) :-* :)
-
I would like to apologize because I feel like I was offensive, without meaning to be. I just really like all of you, and sometimes I think I step out of line when I'm really just passionate about something. Blair I know you are a great dog-mom and I hope we can still have fun banter back and forth with eachother. I respect you whether that came through or not.
Ronda
-
All I want to do is protect Smudge and this is the only way I can think of. I never mentioned this before because I felt like an awful owner but either Zeus or Grey accidently killed Diesel.The vet think he got hurt earlier in the day and passed away from the injury later on in the day, and I had no clue he was injuried cause he didnt act like it :( And Diesel was never allowed on the couch cause I was afraid he would fall off and hurt himself, cause of all his problems and being deformed. So now I am overly protective with Smudge and want to protect him from the big boys unlike I did with Diesel :'(
-
((((((((((((((((Blair)))))))))))))))))))))))) I felt sick to my stomache when I just read that. There are no words for how terribly sorry I am that you went through that. That is just awful.
Ronda :'(
-
All I want to do is protect Smudge and this is the only way I can think of. I never mentioned this before because I felt like an awful owner but either Zeus or Grey accidently killed Diesel.The vet think he got hurt earlier in the day and passed away from the injury later on in the day, and I had no clue he was injuried cause he didnt act like it :( And Diesel was never allowed on the couch cause I was afraid he would fall off and hurt himself, cause of all his problems and being deformed. So now I am overly protective with Smudge and want to protect him from the big boys like I didnt with Diesel :'(
((((((Oh Blair))))))...You poor thing!...What a burden for you to carry! :'( Please know I think you are one of the best doggy mom's I know!...My heart goes out to you my friend...Now I underatand why you were so upset!...Again, you know your dogs best & you care to your soul...It just shows even more why you started this thread because you care deeply about all your K-9 friends...God bless you & yours Blair. :)
-
Oh Blair.... sweetie - you are an awesome doggy mom - you have four beautiful, amazing boys - they are so loved and they all love you so much! Try not to be so hard on yourself! What happened to your beloved Diesel was an accident - it was heart-breaking - but it wasn't your fault! It breaks my heart that you've been carrying that burden since Diesel's passing.
As for allowing Smudge on the couch.... I agree with Tina. You have to do what you feel is best for you, your pups, and your family.
-
Blair, honey, you cannot possibly blame yourself for what happened. An accident is an accident.
You're a smart lady, do what you think is right and then work though or make minor adjustments if something doesn't go quite right.
I think sometimes we get carried away because we love our babies SO much, and we want everything to be perfect, for you and everyone else.
HUGS!
E
-
Blair.....Some people, as you know, are very passionate about the opinions. Just remember you have to do what's right for your household. In my house Tater is allowed on the couch and Willow is not. Not because that is how the "pack" dynamics worked, but due to Tater needing a refuge from Willow and her large butt and she's just too darned big and would take up the whole couch and no one would be able to sit there. Anyway, keep up the great job that you do with your babies.
Debbie