Is it EVER ok for puppy on your lap or us on floor to play?

[canuckgal]

We have an almost 12 week old Boston. I have read soooo much for and against this issue. She automatically tends to get up on our lap when we get down to play with her, and when we have had company, she is right all over them. We make sure to tell our company to "ignore" her/not go automatically to her at first, that helps settle her somewhat.

Our strategies so far...especially with my small for his age 6 yr old... IF she is "jumpy" say off and get right up and stand still, also commanding her to sit (which she is better at doing now without food). Us back down again, telling her to still sit, and then "up". If she just jumps right up without a command, then we stand up again.

I have read sources that say NEVER get down on a floor to play with your puppy, that you should never be physically at their level. Any thoughts from anyone? It seems so natural to play down there with her, but I do want to have some limits on it too of our choosing though, like her not automatically on us!

Ps---have realized something about bostons in the 2.5 weeks we have had one...they are wonderful, scary smart, dare I say smarter than me, LOL!!! Knew that going in, but, wow...

[mom0810]

Aren't they awesome dogs? : The best with kids.

I tell people if it isn't broke, don't fix it. IF she is doing fine in all other areas, isn't displaying any challenge-type behavior, and you aren't having other issues with training, then go ahead and play with her on the floor and let her get in your lap.

IF however, there are issues, then you have to take every opportunity to be the TOP dog. So it kind of depends on your situation.

Just an example, we have a really submissive sweet affectionate schnauzer. She gets on our laps and plays with the kids on the floor, but there is no question in her mind who the top dog is (it's NOT her--it's anybody BUT her). So it's fine and she does not challenge the kids or anything. But the first time she does (she won't), all of that stuff will go away.

So the short answer is that it depends on your individual dog.

[SoCaliMommy]

I've never heard that that seems wierd since how else are you suppost to play with a pupppy.

We play on the floor with our 10month old mini schnauzer and he sits in our laps.

[snuggly mama]

Well, I'm pretty new to the dog-owner world, but there's no way ds (12) would listen if I told him not to have the dog on his lap! The puppy sits with me on the couch, on my lap, too. If I saw aggressive behavior (growling, nipping or other dominance type stuff) I'd take all that away, but at the moment I haven't had any issues with letting puppy in our laps.

[EFmom]

Personally, I wouldn't let the pup in your lap unless you'll be happy having a full grown dog in your lap.

I say this because we raised a 75 lb Dalmatian who thought she was a lap dog.

[DogMomforNow]

Originally Posted by EFmom

Personally, I wouldn't let the pup in your lap unless you'll be happy having a full grown dog in your lap.

I say this because we raised a 75 lb Dalmatian who thought she was a lap dog.

My 32 kg lab still sits in my lap each morning for a shoulder rub after we go outside. We've done it since he was 10 weeks old

Playing on the floor with a puppy is fine Enjoy the puppy time and playing! No problem with being in the lap if that doesn't bother your LO. Is she allowed on furniture? We don't let ours up so our guests can be assured a "dog free" seat, if that's a concern of yours. I think you are doing absolutely the right thing by having you LO stand up and ignore her when she gets too "in his face." That is exactly the right thing to do

[mistymama]

I sure would be hard to play with your puppy if you couldn't get on the floor! I wouldn't have a problem with the puppy being in my lap, etc as long as there were no aggression issues.

Our puppy is such a lap dog - all he wants to do is sleep on someone, anyone (but he prefers me). He knows he's not top dog at all, even with ds. We do things like make him sit for treats, sit then go into his crate before he's fed, etc. But I don't think it's wrong at all to let him on our laps, play on the floor, etc. He still knows who is in charge.

But I did have to laugh at the PP who said something about a huge lap dog - my Mom has a 95lb HUGE lab who thinks he's a little lap dog. It can be cute & it can also be super annoying.