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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dog on sofa - yes or no vote

270 replies

ZebraSpotts · 01/12/2020 12:27

Hi - just got a 5 month pup, he's a large breed, so lovely. He's settled brilliantly. Started with basics, house rules and clicker training from the get go. So he's actually doing well and being responsive. He's a clever working breed & livestock guardian.
He's got plenty of outdoor space to access, so his world isn't limited to indoors or the floor space.

Anyways, one thing i cant decide - let him on the sofas or is that an absolute no no?

YABU - let that pup on the sofa
YANBU - pups shouldn't be on sofa

OP posts:
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30
lakeswimmer · 01/12/2020 23:07

Of course - what's the point of a pet if you can't snuggle on the sofa with them? Sometimes there's barely room for the humans. They're welcome on our beds too. They're short haired, don't slobber and don't smell so I'm not too bothered by cleanliness considerations.

bluetongue · 02/12/2020 03:41

Mine has always been allowed on the sofa. Then again he’s a whippet so barely even qualifies as dog Grin

sofiaaaaaa · 02/12/2020 03:50

Have a designated dog sofa but keep the others spare for guests or days when you don’t want you clothes to be ruined. Dog hair everywhere isn’t cute.

Rainedere · 02/12/2020 04:32

Don't do it. Mine scratched up my £3k corner unit trying to make herself comfortable.

Gretnacastle · 02/12/2020 04:55

Nope its disgusting and once you lef them it's much harder to stop than just not letting them in the first place. Dogs on sofas are a nightmare for visitors, I can think of two people I no longer visit as the dog will jump up and knock your drink out of you hand of put its stinky arse on your clothes.

Also, those who have said their dogs don't smell - the rest of us have news for you. You just can't smell it.

Dog bed on the floor here that is regularly washed

BiblioX · 02/12/2020 05:25

I always have large breeds. Only allowed on settees by my invitation, a few evenings a week, for a cuddle. I like my dogs knowing they are lower in the pack than me, this is an easy way to reinforce that. They also don’t go upstairs unless I’ve invited them.

Frenchfancy · 02/12/2020 05:26

Some people have a lot of visitors! If We have visitors it is generally for coffee or a meal, so we sit at the table. Our living room is for lounging, not for receiving the queen.

Chottie · 02/12/2020 05:28

No, no, no just no.

pilates · 02/12/2020 05:37

I think it depends on the dog. I have a small non shedding non smelling clean dog. His paws are cleaned regularly and we have a blanket on the sofa so I say yes.

Junkmail · 02/12/2020 10:07

A giant breed? No. Only because of space. My dogs are all small and I let them on the sofa. I want to cuddle with them but I think it’s personal preference. I keep a duvet on the sofa to protect it. It gets washed regularly so I’m not concerned about the furniture being damaged.

YoureAllABunchOfBastards · 02/12/2020 11:45

Never sure if he is comfortable

Getitdonesharpish · 02/12/2020 11:50

Yes yes yes!

Original poster
ZebraSpotts · 02/12/2020 12:28

@momager1

wait! sofas are for humans?? I can rarely fit on ours lol. 2 standard poodles..don't shed, never muddy as they prefer being indoors except for walks on leash and poop breaks in the back garden. 16 yr old Lexi and our 1 year old Gracie. Spoiled rotten. They have us trained well though lol
16yrs old, that's brilliant age 😍
OP posts:
Original poster
ZebraSpotts · 02/12/2020 12:36

@Imarriedaviking

As you can see, mine is never allowed on sofa, or bed! Previous dogs, Border Collies, never showed any interest in leaving their beds near the Aga.
Brilliant!
OP posts:
Original poster
ZebraSpotts · 02/12/2020 12:38

Thanks for the info and opinions to read through - been very useful actually!!

Just a thought from reading some posts....so Will put the under floor heating on, so he can pick a spot thats warmer and cosier on the floor. To help reinforce being off sofa

OP posts:
G5000 · 02/12/2020 12:43

OP has a big working breed with plenty of outdoor access. Not exactly a wipe-clean Chinese Crested who does its business indoors on a mat. Just came back from walk with mine - 90 pounds each, longhaired. They spent their time happily running in muddy fields and rolling around in grass and old leaves. If they used the sofa, nobody else could afterwards.

SomewhereInbetween1 · 02/12/2020 13:20

Absolutely yes! 😁 Honestly there is nothing better than coming home after a long day at work to a cup of tea and a cuddle with my dog on the sofa!

Original poster
ZebraSpotts · 02/12/2020 13:27

@WiddlinDiddlin
Thank you for taking the time to write that comprehensive reply! I've take all the tips and implemented them immediately, he's been here only a few days and straight into his trsining on the basics and house rules, so thanks for your comment that i could action straight away :)

OP posts:
SurreyHillsGirl · 02/12/2020 14:28

Let the dog on the sofa.

I don't know why some people bother having dogs only to treat them as if they are an inconvenience, 'too much fur, they smell too bad' ect ect. Why do you have dogs if you think so little of them that their comfort is such a low priority? Our dogs are part of the family, they are important. I love seeing them happily curled up on the sofa, I wouldn't dream of making them lie on the floor!

Dogs feel the cold and appreciate comfort as much as humans Hmm

Plus...they will only jump up on there when you are out Grin

SurreyHillsGirl · 02/12/2020 14:30

@G5000

OP has a big working breed with plenty of outdoor access. Not exactly a wipe-clean Chinese Crested who does its business indoors on a mat. Just came back from walk with mine - 90 pounds each, longhaired. They spent their time happily running in muddy fields and rolling around in grass and old leaves. If they used the sofa, nobody else could afterwards.
Ours get VERY muddy out on long daily walks, we live rurally so it cannot be avoided, they have a bath after every walk.
WingingItSince1973 · 02/12/2020 15:09

We have 2 small dogs so they do but when we had a huge labrador he had to sit on the floor. Our sofas are leather so easy to clean. Plus our dogs give lovely cuddles xxxx

G5000 · 02/12/2020 18:26

Why do you have dogs if you think so little of them that their comfort is such a low priority?
My dogs have very comfortable beds. Suitable for dogs. Dogs are not furry humans and don't necessarily find all the same things comfortable.

Dogs feel the cold and appreciate comfort as much as humans hmm
Cold? what cold? They don't live outdoors. Although I've also had husky mix breeds who were too hot indoors and preferred to sleep in the snow if possible.

Plus...they will only jump up on there when you are out
No they don't. They also don't sleep in our beds, because it has never occurred to them that this is an option.

whatthehelldowecare · 02/12/2020 18:31

Yes he's allowed on the sofa, but he's tiny and short haired

Zerrin13 · 02/12/2020 18:44

My dog is a courier cross so smallto medium. She moults constantly. She used to have her own sofa with a throw on it and didn't approve of anyone else sitting on it.
She has now taken to sleeping on her own bed on the lounge floor and rarely goes near the sofa. I'm happy for her to be wherever she wants.

MayDayHelp · 02/12/2020 18:47

It’s a definite yes from me. My ddog was great for a cuddle on the sofa (sadly he was PTS a couple of years ago). I overcame the problems of having a dirty dog on the sofa by buying sofas that were the colour of dirty dogs 👍🏻

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