My dogs sleep in the cupboard.. is that bad?

[PrammieMammy]

I have three small cavalier king charles spaniels. Two are average cavalier sized, one is much smaller than the other pair.

I adopted the male one last year,after his owners didn't want him, and they told me he slept in a cage/crate at night. But my dogs didn't, they had a big bed in the hall.

So I cleared my large, walk in cupboard out. It is big, I used to use my PC in there before i cleaned it out. Aside from my PC, computer desk, chair, we kept 2 suitcases, a hoover, a buggy, a few boxes of baby clothes, a rug and some off cuts of lino, as well as all our bed linen and towels up on the shelves - so you get the ides, it is big.

I lined it with one of those fluffy rugs for the bottom of a crate, and put two beds up the back, a bucket filled with all their toys, and a water dish.

I never close the door on them or anything, except at night, when they have the full use of a flap, and only because Chester (adopted dog) is up all night trying to find somewhere to settle himself if i don't. He was used to sleeping in a small crate before i got him though, so i think the closed door comforts him.

Anyway, my point in this is, today, a contractor was in my house because we are getting new central heating, and he said it wasn't fair making them sleep in the cupboard, only one of them was actually in there, other pair were asleep on the sofa.. I'd never thought of it like that before, because it is large, and they are small. It is safe, they have a light, a flap, lots of water, toys, blankets.. and i never ever force them in it.. they just go there.

At the moment, i have one on my knee, and the other pair are snoring, loudly, in their cupboard.. But i am wondering if i should move them.
Hoping one of you fine folks will have some advise!

That was longer than i intended, sorry.

I think you have probably had the bad luck to meet someone who has no understanding of dog psychology. You have given them a place opf their own where they can feel secure.

They can get in and out when they please so you are not making them sleep in the cuboard. They are happy to because that is where their bed. You will upset them more if you move them.

The central heating guy should mind his own imo.

Sounds fine to me. My dog sleeps in her crate at night and I do shut it up. She would destroy everything if I didnt. She loves her crate though and uses it throughout the day to sleep in when she wants to escape from dd

Sounds like the three of them have a lush pad!

I'd say its fine. Its nice for them to have somewhere to go. Same as a crate but more space for three of them.

As long as they have adequate ventilation and they're only shut in there at night to sleep, I don't see the problem. You obviously care about your dogs, as long as they seem happy with the arrangement I'd ignore that man.

They are fine! My dogs actively seek out small spaces to sleep-at the moment two of them are squashed under my computer table (and one of those is a German Shepherd). Purely by choice you understand!

Thank you all.
It hadn't even crossed my mind before about it being unfair on them. I just felt quite guilty, and still feel strange about what he said.

MeandEva, lol at escaping from dd, i bet that is why they like it so much!

If they are happy thats all that matters. If you were shutting them in the cupboard against their will then that would be a different matter.

Imagine they like their own space tbh... now if you were going and sitting in the cupboard with them then I would think maybe they wouldn't like the interruption to their pack space

Typical man with an opinion on everything..and typical man being always wrong as well lol

My 16 wk old Springer sleeps in his crate at night and often snuggles up in there in the daytime when the door is left open. My friend, who happens to be a big dog lover was horrified at the fact I had a puppy crate ! Her opinions were purely based on ignorance and she has since conceded that it is a good idea IF used correctly.
Our pup feels safe in there, it's his sanctuary away from noise and children but my friend thought it was a tool for punishment or that we were going to lock him up in there for hours on end.

So, I wouldn't take any notice of your contractor chap. Sounds like your dogs have the 'King' of the crates all to themselves. And, if they are happy, that's all that matters.
Dogs naturally like to find hidey places, under the table, under your legs etc.

Put it down to ignorance and forget about his comments

Sounds like a home made dog crate / den; precisely what dogs would have in the wild ....

Well, adapted obviously - but you get the idea!

That's PRECISELY what dogs like!

your dogs take themselves in and sleep comfortably in their own little bedroom. They are clearly happy with the set up you have.

Sounds fine to me. I have a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel. At night he sleeps in the utility room on his cushion or (flowery ) beanbag, but during the day he usually naps either under an armchair or squeezed behind the sofa. He loves small gaps and closed-in nooks and will squash himself anywhere small.

Phew, so i'm not an evil dog mum then! They spent 2 day
They stayed at my mums when the men were in working, so they had no cause to comment!
Flowery, i looked at your photos, he is lovely! How old is he? Still has a cute puppy face. Our boy is ruby too.

If he's happy and comfy, then a cupboard should not be a problem. Really, don't worry about it. If your dog was unhappy, he wouldn't sleep there!

Our mog likes to sleep on DD2s bed. Until the Family worker said something about it being unhygenic (fur, and poo inbetween her claws ) Mog still sleeps there! DD2 is also happy with this arrangement. Mog will not smother DD2 (she's 11 FGS) in her sleep, nor does she shove her arse in peoples faces...so no problem.

You are not an evil dog mum! Your dog sounds very happy. And he's picked the cupboard cos it's nice and quiet, makes him feel safe and he can rest easy away from the hustle and bustle of kids and family life. Ignore such negativity.