Do you allow your dogs upstairs?

[Rua]

Just curious on what others do with their dogs regarding restricted areas in the house. We live in a split level house where all of our bedrooms are upstairs and the kitchen, lounge and living area is downstairs.

The advice I got from my vet (who has a GSD herself) during Juno's first visit was to not allow Juno upstairs for two reasons. 1) Stairs are bad for young puppies joints, so avoid them to avoid injury. And 2) Restricting Juno downstairs shows our dominance over her by not allowing her where we sleep. Initially, we followed her advice. However, lately I'm wondering about the necessity of this.

Since Juno loves being where ever we are, she tends to follow us from room to room and has attempted to come upstairs several times this week - especially if she's seen the cat go up there. She has her own room and space downstairs, so she knows where her "den" is. But does restricting your dog from going into certain parts of the house really teach them who is "Alpha"?

[Lesley1905]

We don't have stairs, but if we did, they could go anywhere their hearts desire.

[mysweetkaos]

I agree with puppies should be restricted or limited on stairs due to joints. I do not buy into a lot of the "alpha" type things...so I can't offer a unbiased opinion on that.
We live in a 3 level home. Kaos has always been allowed free roam (of course as a puppy we limited it to necessity), with age and arthritis we do now restrict him to the main level, unless my husband is out of town, or it is storming...those are 2 times he thinks he needs to sleep next to my side of the bed. Our 9 month old puppy is limited on the stairs as of now, for his joints....and for the safety of our belongings I figure by about the time he is 2 he will also be allowed free roam. Hope that helps

[GSDGunner]

Nope, not allowed and he doesn't even try.

I have two cats who aren't too fond of Gunner. My female cat tolerates him and allows him to lick her until he gets too rough and off she goes.
My male cat hates Gunner and is scared of him. Gunner gets swatted for just looking at him.
So when we took the gates down to allow him free roam of the house after the puppy phase, we decided the upstairs would be a dog free zone for the cats. They don't have to worry if the big bad dog is coming.

[Caitydid255]

Our two are allowed upstairs. Prior to our marriage and living together, hubby and I each shared our bed with our dog. This has never caused any dominance issues. Just practice NILIF and continue training and I doubt that you will have your pup challenge you.

[spiritsmom]

I have a bi-level house as well and there is a baby gate the top of my stairs going up. I do not allow the dogs up there unless I myself am up there. My reason is that is the only carpeted area of the house and for some reason Nyxie loves to go up there and pee in the hallway (we keep all the bedroom doors closed). She does the same at my mom's house - she will sneak off to the only carpeted rooms and pee there. I have caught her and dragged her right outside but she still tries to sneak off. Baby gate solved that in two seconds at my house. Before her I let them all go up and down as they pleased and never had an issue.

[JakodaCD OA]

is your vet a trainer? behaviorist? I have to laugh at the statement by keeping her downstairs shows your dominance over her..have never heard that one before.

My dogs go wherever they please, at nite, they are all upstairs in my room, and thank god for a king size bed, cause they are usually sprawled all over it , along with the 4 cats,,real cozy..

"Alpha" smalpha, overrated and overused word as is dominance.

If your fair, consistent, you don't need to be worrying about "alpha smalpha" stuff.

Sure I think dogs can 'push buttons' at certain points in their lives, but ya deal with the issue and move on.

Yes, if one of my dogs decided they were going to 'own' the couch, well that wouldn't fly and they wouldn't have that privelage.

Juno is a baby, and she sounds like a sweetie, unless she's causing you 'problems' by having access to certain areas, I wouldn't worry about it.

OH the stairs,,well no I don't want my young puppies racing up and down stairs all the time, and the first week or so I usually end up carrying them up and down, but once they "get it",,I let them do it on their own

[Marnie]

I would get her used to the stairs while she is young, 3 - 6 months. Your vet might be right that a lot of climbing isn't good, but trust me, it's harder to teach an old dog about climbing if they have never tried it before. Getting them used to various surfaces, inclines, stairs, movement at a young age will pay off later.

My pup will sleep upstairs when he is a little older and can be trusted not to chew the rungs off my Grandmother's ancient rocking chair.

[Falkosmom]

Both of my dogs have free run of the house when I am home. The puppy is crated at night but right outside my bedroom door. I live in a three story home with a full basement.

When I am not home, the adult has free run, the puppy is either crated of confined to certain parts of the house.

Both dogs sleep on the bed if they want, neither dog challenges me or my 88 year old mother that I live with.

[doggiedad]

all of my dogs have had free run of the house.
all of my dogs sleep in the bedroom on their
beds or in our bed with us.

dominance and alpha is overrated.

the dog i have now started doing steps at 10 weeks old.

Originally Posted by Rua

1) Stairs are bad for young puppies joints, so avoid them to avoid injury. And 2) Restricting Juno downstairs shows

>>>>our dominance<<<<

over her by not allowing her where we sleep. Initially, we followed her advice. However, lately I'm wondering about the necessity of this.

But does restricting your dog from going into certain parts of the house really teach them who is

>>>>> "Alpha"?<<<<<