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?

My dog got weirdon the sofa and territorial (sp) so he has his bed and we know who is allowed where and no dog hair so it is win win really. I am sure your dog is quite happy sitting in his bed or lying on the floor.

My sisters dog is allowed up but he is also allowed to jump all over visitors it is irritating and chaotic when you are trying to get a seat.

Yes of course you're being highly unreasonable.

Unreasonable that this post has been up for hours and I haven't seen a single photo of your gorgeous massive dog

But seriously, I see your point. Your dog, your house, your furniture. You do you!

Oh! Alright!!!

Just seen your picture Samphire

What a stunningly gorgeous dog!

I have three lovely dogs (four if you count my DD's who lives here), but it is a great sorrow to me that I can't have every dog in the world.

If I could, yours would be at the top of the list . . .

Your choice but it is a bit mean in my opinion. Just throw a blanket on the sofa. Not as bad as people who have dogs but keep them outside 90% of the time though. Don’t get me started on them.

This is my rat dog. I let her on my sofa and she sleeps in my bed

My lurcher has never been allowed on our decent sofa or any human beds. Having said that, I'd say he's pretty spoilt as we put our old sofa in the spare bedroom for him and he pretty much has a dog bed in every room and the car!

Those ears!

Mega- she's lovely! A little rattweiler!

I let my dog up on one sofa but not the other as it’s new. He’s clever and knows which one he can go on. I don’t think yabu really OP like you say you cuddle him on the floor.

You are correct. YANBU. Your friend is a twat.

And I say that as a dog-owner whose (small) dog does get up on the couch. But as a child I lived with dogs who never did. All equally loved and thought highly of.

Samphire that's a lovely dog. I wish mine would get on the sofa. He's currently half on my lap and half draped over arm of the chair. He's small but absurdly heavy. And needy, the only dog I've had that's allowed on the furniture. You're definitely not cruel.

@adaline I have a beagle too! And a staffy. Why do beagles take up much more room???

Jeeezzz. Someone better call the RSPCA on me quick then. Ddog has her own chair... in the kitchen! She’s not allowed on the sofa and actually she’s shut out from the living room because she pays far too much interest in all the kids toys. She also always wants to sit on top of the children when they’re watching TV which pisses then off. She’s not allowed on the bed either. She has her own. She’s a very happy, if slightly neurotic pooch.

Of course YANBU.

Your friend on the other hand is rude.

I always allowed my last dog, he was a Collie who kept himself in pristine condition and only ever sat in one spot.
My current dog is a Shih Tzu who tries bringing food, shoes, toys and anything it can find and lie on the top of the couch against the wall, and seems as immovable as Everest.

I have two Newfies, they are not allowed in the sitting room let alone on the sofas! They have plenty of space in and outside and even have their own bedroom. They dont go upstairs, we have a bungalow.

My beautiful greyhound ( rip) was allowed on the sofa. As she got older I took the legs off so that she could step on to it. That was because I loved her and wanted her to be comfy in her old age.

However- if I ever get a new dog, it won't be allowed on. Dogs need a comfy safe place to sleep, but that place does not have to be the sofa.
I, on the other hand, do NOT need the extra work of cleaning the sofa, or the extra bill of having to replace.
I genuinely adore dogs, but this notion that it's abuse to impose limits is ridiculous. Seriously.

And "furbabies" / " furkids" makes me irrationally angry.

I have two mutts and they're not allowed on the couch or upstairs.

Having said that, I come downstairs regularly at 5am to find oldboy1 up on the couch, but I leave him to it because he's old and we think he's on his last legs. He's not allowed upstairs anymore because he keeps falling down so we have a baby gate.

I also live in a country where it's very common to have dogs outside - as long as they have shelter, warmth and food then they are happy. They're dogs, not people.

@Kayleidogyn ahh a tan and white too - same as ours!

I belong to a facebook group called Sighthounds on Sofas which is all about .............................sighthounds on sofas!

I spend a lot of time washing throws and defurring furniture but I live on my own and am fairly antisocial as far as humans are concerned. Each to their own however and I would never criticise someone for having furniture boundaries. Your friend is weird.

We had greyhounds and wolfhounds growing up and they had their beds or the floor. Not cruel at all - why do other people think it's ok to try and make you feel bad in your own home?
Zoladog used to be allowed on the bed ( sofa went her way ages ago) but when she started growling at DH when he came to bed, she was banished back to her bed. It is very comfy, in our bedroom and by the radiator, so lovely and warm. She gives me her special " And you can fuck off bitch!" look every night without fail! Not bothered!

@adaline mine is supposed to be tricolour as he has a bit of black mixed with the tan on his back, but def much more tan! Yours is gorgeous!!! I love beagles.

Anyone who uses the phrase 'poor fur baby' needs to be forced to eat their own socks IMO.

Our dog doesn’t go on the sofa or on any furniture. We’re very soft in other ways. My mother used to be like your friend. I’d tell her not to allow her dog on my sofa and I’d turn my back and she’d have her up there in the wink of an eye. My twenty something DCs are the same. It really irritates me. Some dog lovers are as bad as small children.