I know this is what they say; but i don't get it, it makes no sense to me. I've had a dog who knew I was the alpha male, yet I allowed him to sleep on the bed with me. I think the key is that he knew I allowed him to sleep on the bed with me; it was not his decision, but mine.
F171615, would you then control which nights (or day) your dog would sleep with you? or was it implied that the dog could sleep there every night? I guess what I'm curious about is how you would let the dog know that you are still the alpha male when it comes to letting it sleep on your bed.
@ Frisbee: I was still in control of the situation, that's what it means to be alpha male. You can allow your dog to sleep on the bed with you and still maintain control. If the dog were to become pushy by demanding space, or snappy by growling - then you've obviously lost control. You can reward your dog without letting the spoils go to his head. If the dog starts to feel he's in control, then of course you need to do something about that. As long as the dog is well behaved, I can't think of why he can't sleep on the bed with you if that's what you want.
@F171615 - It definitely depends on the dog and the situation. There are dogs that could care less (probably tend to be submissive in nature), but there are dogs that will walk all over you if you allow them to sleep in your bed, eat before you do, etc.
In your case, I'm guessing he/she already knew his/her position in the "pack," so it's not an issue, but try raising an alpha husky. It's no joke, for the first year, they'll test your status as alpha. I was tested many times in the first year, and my girlfriend is still getting tested. I can call him inside with one command. It takes her about five to ten minutes to get him inside. A friend of mine also had a husky, which was an alpha. If he pissed the husky off, the husky would return the favor by pissing on his bed. And yes, the dog slept in his bed.
Most of the time, it occurs in breeds that are more pack/social oriented. These dogs, although not related to wolves, have the same mentality. Who eats first, who sleeps higher (elevation), etc. influence the "pecking" order.
I always wondered how dogs can control their bladder if you allow them to sleep in the bed. I know I have to get up to use the restroom during the night (sometimes more than once)
That's straight dirty from a hygienic point of view and I don't get it. It's one thing to let them sleep in the same room at the foot of the bed, but if you are spooning with them and all then that's just weird. You lie with dogs, you come up with fleas.
I was still in control of the situation, that's what it means to be alpha male. You can allow your dog to sleep on the bed with you and still maintain control. If the dog were to become pushy by demanding space, or snappy by growling - then you've obviously lost control. You can reward your dog without letting the spoils go to his head. If the dog starts to feel he's in control, then of course you need to do something about that. As long as the dog is well behaved, I can't think of why he can't sleep on the bed with you if that's what you want.
In your case, I'm guessing he/she already knew his/her position in the "pack," so it's not an issue, but try raising an alpha husky. It's no joke, for the first year, they'll test your status as alpha. I was tested many times in the first year, and my girlfriend is still getting tested. I can call him inside with one command. It takes her about five to ten minutes to get him inside. A friend of mine also had a husky, which was an alpha. If he pissed the husky off, the husky would return the favor by pissing on his bed. And yes, the dog slept in his bed.
Most of the time, it occurs in breeds that are more pack/social oriented. These dogs, although not related to wolves, have the same mentality. Who eats first, who sleeps higher (elevation), etc. influence the "pecking" order.
Hope this helps shed some light.
And i'm curious how the pet deals with having to go to the rest room. Do they come back all wet?