Isn't that funny about the bed thing? Over the years, I've had a couple of friends who would stay at the house and take care of the critters when I need to go out of town. Both have told me Cooper would sleep on the bed with them all night.

My theory is twofold (and based on more than one Rottweiler.) One: Some dogs just have more of a sense of what is "right" and perhaps it had something to do with, when the alpha being in the household decides to claim a high-vaue space ie the bed, the correct place for the second in command is...well not in that same space. They are German dogs after all and rather sticklers about rules!

The other theory is the guardy thing. Four of the five Rottweilers I've owned over the last 23 years have chosen to sleep in or close to a doorway at night, between their people and outside. Even if they are clearly invited onto the bed, or there's a perfectly good dog bed right on the floor next to the bed.

I am betting it was the same deal with Jerry. He decided that was his rightful place, and perhaps a guardy thing too.

What it says that my other Rottweiler Daphne and my little spotted dog Fiona sleep on the bed with me every night, all night, I'm not sure. 🙂