Little Dogs Sleeping On Beds

[bertie]

A friend has recently adopted a chihuahua & he has been sleeping on her stepdad's bed, who adores him. However, the stepdad is concerned with rolling over & crushing the little fellow & was going to get a crate to house him in at night.

Is this a concern for those of you with the smaller breeds?

[moosepup]

I know a lot of people here think it's dangerous but Moose slept on my bed pretty much from day 1 and I didn't squish him. I can see now how easily it can happen but I don't more around much in my sleep so . I wouldn't really recommend it for tiny puppies and don't think I'll do it with my next one.

Another thing to be concerned about is a small breed puppy falling between the sheet and the end of the mattress if it sleeps under the covers. This happened to my sister with our other dog Zoe once. She was fine but it was a worry because it took us awhile to find her and she could've been hurt.

Edited February 27, 2010 by moosepup

[bertie]

Thank you moosepup

[WoofnHoof]

I can't remember if I did it when my chi was a pup but I probably did, probably not the greatest idea with youngsters but after a while they are pretty good at getting out of the way, I don't know of anyone whose squashed their pup but that doesn't mean it hasn't happened.

[moosepup]

Yeah Moose was/is pretty quick at getting out of the way. I'm a light sleeper anyway so I couldn't imagine being able to squish him without either of us noticing.

[Maxiewolf]

Dogs in general seem to be pretty in tune to your movements.... so as sound asleep as they might seem when you move even the slightest... they seem to get it. I think it would come from the 'dogpile' that is puppy hood hehe. Never 'squished' my mini dachshunds and I am not a still sleeper.

[Erny]

If her step dad is uncomfortable/concerned about it, then crate train. Won't hurt the Chi to learn independent sleeping habits and the step dad will be able to sleep soundly without feeling he needs to be sub-consciously aware of the dog being there.

Edited February 27, 2010 by Erny

[W Sibs]

this is pup first night home. i'm a light sleeper and Charlie seems to always adjust how he sleeps when i move. but after a few months, Charlie perfer to sleep on his bed. only comes up for our morning cuddles or when he is sick and sooky... LOL

if your stepdad is uncomfortable and worried about squishing his pup, it's best if he crate trains it.

[bertie]

Thank you everyone

That is a gorgeous pic, charleswentworth

[Her Majesty Dogmad]

I don't mind my dogs sleeping on the bed but I've got a tiled floor and a couple of times, the dogs have fallen off. They've been OK but it is frightening and they could potentially hurt themselves.

I have crates for a couple of them anyway because they go out and bark at possums otherwise.

[Dame Aussie]

My mums two Chi x's have always slept in our beds. Never had an injury, I agree that they seem to move with you.

[Shelby]

I would be worried about injuries to joints. It is a quite a long way for a chi to be jumping down off from a bed. At least if he has his own crate to sleep in, there is also no chance of him being stepped on during the night. I know my girl sometimes sleeps on the floor right where I put my feet to get out of bed and have nearly stepped on her a few times.

[thornliegirl]

Chester learnt pretty quick that if he didn't move when we did, he'd get squished

I think he prefers sleeping on the bed with us because it reminds him of being part of a pack (where they'd all sleep together...).

I only get concerned about his joints i.e. when he gets up and gets off the bed.... so we're getting him a ramp

[PRADA68]

My two little ones have slept in the bed from day one. All have done fine and get out of the way when I am rolling no squashed doggies yet. Not for everyone but I love them in the bed at night great hot water bottles in the middle of winter!!

[honeychild]

My chis sleep in the bed with me, and i've never squashed them, but I don't let them jump off, they have a step by the bed to get down as it is too high for them. Thats probably the main issue for me

[moosepup]

Slightly OT but...

I don't worry about Moose jumping off my bed because it's pretty low but he does like to jump off the back of the couch (which is fairly high) to get to the door if someone comes home. How do I stop that??