Okay, so, picture this: I’ve always been a dog person, and I finally got my dream dog – a gorgeous German Shepherd named Max. He’s got that classic black and tan coat, super smart eyes, and, well, he’s HUGE. I mean, he’s still a puppy, but he’s already taking up some serious space.
I was all about crate training at first. You know, gotta establish boundaries, teach him where his “den” is, all that good stuff. I got him a big, comfy crate, put in his favorite blanket and some toys, and… he hated it. Whined all night. Every night.
I tried everything. Putting the crate near my bed, giving him a Kong with peanut butter, even playing calming music. Nope. He just wanted to be near me, I guess.
So, one night, out of sheer exhaustion, I let him out. He immediately jumped onto my bed, curled up at the foot, and went straight to sleep. And you know what? So did I. Best sleep I’d had in weeks!
The Great Bed Debate
Now, I know what some people say. “Don’t let your dog sleep in your bed! It’ll create dominance issues!” or “It’s not hygienic!” But honestly, I haven’t seen any of that.
Here’s what I’ve actually noticed:
- Better Sleep: We both sleep better. No more whining, no more getting up to check on him.
- Closer Bond: It’s definitely made us closer. There’s something really comforting about having him nearby.
- Less Shedding (Surprisingly!): He sheds less on the furniture because he spends most of his sleeping time on my bed, which I just wash regularly.
Of course, there are a few things I had to do to make it work:
- Grooming Routine: I brush Max regularly to keep the shedding under control.
- Bedding Changes: I wash my sheets and blankets more often. Like, way more often.
- Setting Boundaries: He knows he’s only allowed on the bed when invited. I don’t want him thinking he can just jump up whenever he wants.
It’s not for everyone, I get that. But for me and Max, sharing the bed has been a surprisingly good thing. It’s created this amazing bond between us, and honestly, I wouldn’t have it any other way. I wake up every morning with a big, furry, snoring lump at my feet, and it just makes me happy.
