Have you crossed the line? - Page 2

I have SAR K9 and Schutzhunds. All of them are allowed on furniture. Pretty much have free roam of the house, once they prove they can handle that freedom. They are NEVER allowed in the kitchen when I am cooking or when food is out. They have mats they lie on to watch the goings on. They are allowed on the bed, when invited. They do NOT sleep in the bedroom at all. I have two who are allowed the availability to lie on top of me when I am on the sofa. That is only when we are having our one on one time and we are playing. My dogs appear to know the difference between play and work. I am only able to do this because I have established myself as the leader. I will play with puppies on the floor, but not the adults as I value my hair entirely too much to allow the dogs to take big mouthfuls and run away. At night the dogs are put away, and I rotate one dog out each night to "roam and wander" the house.
 

the only place i don't allow boss to go is my kids room.....he had a bad habit of stealing toys...lol....

also they sometimes get a little to rough with their horse-play in there, and i don't allow them to play like that with the dog--much less play like that alone with the dog....

i don't usually get below boss's level or play wrestle with him..but my cousin does, even tho i tell her not to (shes hard-headed)...i save my play for tug...

he is allowed on the couch..and he sits with me on the couch usually with his head on my lap...as he's getting older , i can lay on the floor now without him laying ACROSS me or stepping on me....has learned to just lay beside me..

I absolutely go on my dogs' ground level to play with them (with a toy, I do not condone tugging on me!). Puppies especially. I find it to be wonderful bonding.  I have often let them on the bed or couch with me, by invitation only, and they will get off on command also.

I agree with Puputz. I certainly dont think affection or play in this manner allows your dog to think they are "dominant". That mentality is created through a lot more than a snuggle on the couch.

Never had a problem with my dogs on the floor on the couch etcetc

They get on and off when asked, and are well behaved well trained successful dogs in a variety of spheres.

 Interesting,  I thought more people would have responded in a similar way to what k9sar said.

None of mine are allowed on the furniture or bed at all. None of them have even tried to get on there with the exception of an excited puppy who was told "No" and that was the end of it. I do work with puppies on their level playing tug and that sort of thing. I too have a new dog tethered to me for bonding. My dogs also do not play in the house they understand play is for outside, they are allowed nylabones in the house for those busy mouths. Seems like I am in the minority on this.