Doggy Myth Busters 5 – Dog on the sofa

Today another blog in the Mythbusters Dog Behavior series, this time on the subject of ‘Dog on the Sofa’.

Dog on the Sofa – Dominance or Just Cozy?

Another persistent one. According to some people, dogs should not be allowed on the sofa or on the bed, because ‘if they are on the same level as you or even higher, then they control you’.

If this were the case, if dogs actually wanted to be physically higher than us to be in charge, why aren’t the roofs and trees full of dogs? Doesn’t sound logical does it? No, it isn’t.

There’s a simple reason why your dog likes to jump on the sofa or bed with you, and it’s exactly the same reason we like being there: it’s comfortable there. Moreover, that is also where we are, and our dogs like to be close to us. For social contact and fun. Comfort and social contact are two very good reasons to want to be in a certain place, don’t you think?

So it’s up to you to decide what you want in this. With some people, the dogs can lie down anywhere (guilty!), we love being close to the dogs, and so do they. But there may be reasons why you just don’t want to, and that’s fine! Not wanting dog hair on the couch or bed is a perfectly good reason not to allow the dog on the sofa or bed. Insufficient space is another one, and finding it unhygienic is also a good reason. All allowed! But remember that you choose this for yourself. Not because someone else doesn’t allow it ‘because then the dog becomes the boss’.

Is the dog allowed on the couch at your house?