How to Train Your Dog to Accept a New Bed

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How to Train Your Dog to Accept a New Bed

Easy

2-4 Weeks

Behavior

Introduction

So, you went out and bought your pup a brand-new bed. He should immediately love it and do his best to thank you, right? It's a nice thought, but with some dogs, this simply isn't the case. This just doesn't seem fair after the hours you spent trying to find the perfect bed. But, no, your pup wants to sleep on that stinky chewed up bed that is covered in far too many slobber stains. Worse yet (yes it can get worse), when you haul his old bed away he continues to ignore his new bed in favor of a slice of convenient floor.

And if this isn't enough, he chooses to sleep on the floor right next to his new bed! Part of the problem is that your pup sees his old bed as part of his territory. At the same time, he has no idea what this new bed is. It doesn't smell of him or his "pack" and he may not be willing to "trust" it yet. Fortunately, with a little time and effort, you can quickly get your pup to start enjoying his wonderful new bed.

Defining Tasks

Whether your pup has always slept on his own bed and you are simply replacing it or he is getting his first bed, the idea is to get him to sleep on his bed instead of yours. Half the battle is making sure that the location you choose for his bed is in a quieter part of your home. Your dog will seek out a place to sleep that is warm, dry, and that he feels is safe.

If you are introducing your pup to his bed for the first time, try to see where he typically curls up to sleep. Most dogs have a favorite spot. As long as this spot is workable, it is the perfect place his new bed. Your pup is a creature of habit, which will help make the process of getting him used to his new bed go much more smoothly.

Getting Started

The big thing about a new bed is that there are no scents whatsoever belonging to any member of his "pack" anywhere to be found. If you are replacing an old bed, be sure to put the new one in the same spot. This will help your pup make the transition. To get him used his new bed, you will need a few things:

Treats
Toys
Blankets
A sheet
Quiet
Time and patience

It will take your pup a little while to get used to his new bed, the most important thing you can do is be patient.

The No Place Like Home Method

Most Recommended

1 Vote

Step

Get rid of the bed

The first thing you need to do when you bring home your pup's new bed is to get rid of the old one. You need to make this a clean break.

Step

I don't like it

Your dog is not going to like his new bed because it doesn't smell right. To him, it is something new, an intruder in his home.

Step

Make it smell good

Try rubbing your hands all over the bed or even laying one of your old shirts on top of it. The idea is to see if your scent will help draw your pup onto his new bed. If it does, be sure to praise him and give him a treat.

Step

When he won't go to bed

If your scent isn't enough to convince your pup to test out the new bed, use one of his blankets to cover the top of the bed. This should solve the problem as his bed will now smell just like him and he should see it as part of his home.

Step

Be patient

Even after you have made every effort to make his new bed fit in, it could still take him time to finally stop being stubborn and clamber on his bed for a nap. Be patient and reward him every time he does until he simply forgets it’s a new bed.

The Sheet Method

Effective

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Step

Hang on to that old bed

Before you get rid of the old bed, cover it with a sheet.

Step

Give it time

Leave the sheet on his bed for a few days so that it can absorb a healthy dose of the smells of the old bed and your pup.

Step

Remove the sheet

Remove the sheet from the old mattress and use it cover the new one. The sheet still smells just like the old bed. Not only this, but it helps to disguise the way the new bed looks.

Step

Get rid of the old bed

Get rid of the old bed. This way the only bed your pup sees and smells is the new one that smells like the old one. He should be quite happy to climb on it for a nap or at bedtime.

Step

Slow peel

Slowly over the course of a few days start sliding the sheet off the bed until you can finally remove it. By now your pup should have no problem sleeping in his "new" bed.

The Scent Transfer Method

Effective

0 Votes

Step

Represent

In your pup's family or pack, there is an alpha male and/or an alpha female, just as there would be in the wild. Your pup sees you as the leader. As such, your scent is very important to him as he sees it as representing safety and security, food, love, and, of course, fun.

Step

Rub your sent

Before you put your pup's new bed on the floor for him, take a few moments to rub it on your skin (it works even better if you are sweaty) to transfer your scent to the bed.

Step

Bring on the family

Have each member of your family do the same thing. To your pup, these will make his bed smell like everyone in his pack.

Step

Place the bed

Place the bed on the ground in place of the old one and leave it alone. Let your dog come over and sniff at it. He should be able to pick out the scent of each individual member of your family.

Step

On he goes

This should be more than enough to convince him that it's okay for him to use his new bed. But you can always toss a treat or two on it to finish the job. Be patient, it will take him a little time to get used to his new bed.

Success Stories and Training Questions

Training Questions and Answers

Question

Archie

Catahoula mix

8 Years

0 found helpful

Question

0 found helpful

Archie

Catahoula mix

8 Years

Archie is a rescue, he's got a lot of eccentricities that I don't know the origins of, I've had him for 4 years. He is weird about not using any new dog bed I buy for him. I've tried scent transfer, treats, praise. He doesn't buy any of it and the old bed is in really bad shape!

5 months ago

Archie's Owner

Caitlin Crittenden

Dog Trainer

512 Dog owners recommended

Hello Tony, If you have a friend with a well mannered dog who Archie likes and isn't afraid of, I suggest having that dog come over frequently and have the friend dog spend time on the new bed with a chew toy while Archie lays on his bed. Having the other dog use the bed often might make Archie want to use it more - dog's can be jealous like that. It needs to be a dog that Archie isn't afraid of though - so that he doesn't avoid that dog's "thing" to avoid a potential fight. A dog who Archie wants to play with the same toys with is what you want. Also, pay attention to the differences in the beds. We often buy our dogs a certain type of bed - like a really plush looking one or one with sides, thinking it will be an improvement over the old bed, when a firmer bed or more open bed or vice versa is more comfortable for pup. If he likes a certain type of bed, try to mimic that type. For example, my Border Collie (another eccentric breed like many herding breeds can be) preferred his old cheap bed to the new plush one that had plush arms to rest his head on for years, and would never use the new one. When I finally bought a firmer, foam mattress type bed for my younger dog I found out that my Border Collie liked firmer beds and not plushy ones and that was part of the reason he avoided the soft, new one previously. That and jealousy that my other dog had something he didn't, made him prefer a new firmer bed finally. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

5 months ago

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