To think I'm not 'cruel' to my dog because he's not allowed on the sofa?

[HarrySnotter]

I love my dog. I absolutely adore him and he's a massive part of our family life. He comes lots of places with us, we holiday in this country so that he can come too, he gets two long walks every single day (we live rurally) sometimes more. He has a very happy life, I think, and is very loving and much loved.

He's not allowed on the sofa, he never has been (he has his own furry bed). It's not a massive issue as he was trained from a pup not to jump up on it. We've just bought a new suite and the same rules apply but as it's new he seems to be chancing his paw a bit and made a couple of attempts to jump up. He's told to get down and does so. My friend was here last night when this happened and she was 'horrified' (her words) that he's 'not thought highly enough' to be allowed on the sofa. If I'm watching telly at night, I normally sit on the floor and he lies next to me or with his head on my knee etc (he's massive). He's not allowed on there because he's huge, sheds bucket loads and I don't want the furnishings to smell of dog.

I think she's being a twat. AIBU?

Our dog has access all areas but knows to get down, go to its bed or whatever when told. He'll get into his bed without being asked when he sees we're about to eat as he knows he has to keep away then. Maybe we're too soft but he's part of the family and is no trouble. He likes snuggling up. The problem comes when we go to stay in a cottage with the 'downstairs only/not on furniture rule' which we understand and respect but the dog has a rude awakening!

Our dog wasn't allowed on the sofa, but I'm sure she was pissed off because the cat was!

She did stick to the rules when we were there, but more than once (having gone out and come back v quickly for something I'd forgotten) I'd find that she'd nipped up on to the sofa as soon as she thought it was safe.
She was evidently brighter than we'd imagined!

Not unreasonable at all. I love animals and we have a yellow lab who we all adore. However she is not even allowed in the lounge room at all. Despite being brushed every day, she sheds like crazy and I've enough cleaning to do already with 2 children without having to use the hair roller on the couch every day.

There's nothing wrong with either decision, it's whatever works for your family.

Mine doesn't really shed much and gets a hose down or wipe down before he gets back from all his walks, so he doesn't bring mud or anything into the house. He sleeps on our bed and cuddles on the sofa with us during the day, but he know the "off" command gets off when he's told to. He also has to stay on the floor when visitors are around unless he's invited up by someone.

The only time it's an issue is when the dog growls/guards the sofa or bed and thinks it takes priority over humans. Mine is currently wrapped up in a blanket next to me fast asleep after a wet and muddy walk and a bath, but if someone popped over and wanted to sit down, he'd immediately get off and go to the floor.

BTW DIY dog beds made from tires are an absolute win if you get a good sized one and fill with blankets / bedding to make it that bit more enticing.

Most car tyre centres let you have old and used ones free but if you have a larger dog and can get hold of a tractor tyres and that kind of size, they make really comfy beds because the sides are raised and its gives that added sense of snug and comfort.

This regularly occurs at our house.....

We are in the process of applying to adopt a dog. I have said on my application that we dont allow pets on furniture (or upstairs). I dont think this makes us terrible potential adopters.

They can still be an important part of the family but dogs are dogs.

Ignore your friend. Your dog is loved and has a good life.

My DLurcher sometimes allows me on the sofa (or to sit on a little bit of it that he isn't lying on).
He also allows me to wash the sofa covers very frequently due to muddy paws.
YANBU.
I wish DDog was better trained.

It's up to the individual, Mine are both asleep on the sofa on blankets at the moment.

My dog sleeps where she likes, sofa, chairs, on me. But she's only small and doesn't shed hair so no problem. I might feel differently if she was massive like OP's dog.

@mogtheexcellent Not at all if anything it will show you have rules, boundaries and routine that overall make for a much happier dog :)

Dogs be like "Eeeeeehhh fookin 'ell that's grand!"

Nope, not allowed on the sofa or upstairs here either, or in the kitchen apart from to be fed and for his water. And he has a lovely bed but is picky about the kind of bed he wants so whenever he needs a new bed we take him to the shop so he can choose it for himself. .

Ignore your friend. Your dogs sound as if they're happy and well treated.

Parly We call that the fart position. Ddog generally assumes it on a Tuesday evening, right next to me, while we have our gaming night, so all my team hears over Discord is my desperate cries of 'Dear god, what has he eaten this time and why does he do this to me?!' as my eyes water, my nose stings, and the whole group wipes because I can't see the screen and accidentally bring all the monsters on top of our heads

YANBU, my dog isn't allowed on the couch either. My dog likes to roll in shit when she goes out for walks....enough sad

said rather

I do not see why you have pets and then not allow them on furniture TBH.

What a ridiculous statement

My dog is not allowed on the sofa or the bed - he is also large, hairy and smelly (retriever) and it really isn't very nice to have him on the furniture. I often sit on the floor with him for a cuddle.

She’s definitely a mumsnetter if she used the word ‘horrified’ in reference to this complete non-event.

YANBU of course!

It's bad for large breeds to be jumping on and off sofas anyway! Not good for their hips.

My dog behaves aggressively when he's on the sofa, he went through a stage where he sat up beside my dh on the sofa and growled at anyone who went near them. He's not been allowed on the sofa for at least 2 years and it solved the aggression problem almost completely. He's not particularly fond of young children and now takes himself of to his cage when there are visitors. He was taken out of a shelter at a very young age and enforcing the no sofa rule has allowed him to remain as a much loved member of the family.

Waves to ilovemylurcher....

My dog is amazing, i love him to bits,

He is not allowed on sofas or beds (except ds's bed, where he usually sleeps)
He has his own bed in 2 rooms, and there is one armchair in the lounge which we let him on, with his blanket on, but not when the blanket isn't on it.
He also likes to sleep on the kid's beanbags.

Totally normla to me, I don't want my sofa covered in dog hair (and there is a lot of doghair) and the wet dog smell is bad enough without the sofa smelling too.