Is there a difference between begging and asking permission?

You sound like you have a wonderful dog here, the dog is asking your permission, if the dog wasn't it would automatically jump up without caring what you thought Hun. Because you allow youre dog on the couch and the bed she knows she is allowed up there, but she also knows she isn't allowed up there until YOU say she can, so you have the dogs respect. Its not begging its respecting her pack leader. Well done you.