How to Train Your Dog to Not Sleep on the Bed

Hello, I am assuming this is happening when you aren't in the bed. If so, check out Part 3 of the article I have linked below. I would use a deterrent in your case. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ If pup is also doing the behavior when you are in bed, check out Part 2 of that same article. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Linda, At first, you will either need to lock pup out of the bedroom and deal with the whining or crate pup in the room, since it's hard to enforce a new rule while asleep and pup will likely jump onto the bed while you are sleeping, until they develop a new habit of sleeping off the bed. If your end goal would be for pup to sleep on their bed in your room, rather than in another room, which it sounds like it is, I suggest setting up an exercise pen with a dog bed, or crate with bed in the spot where you want pup to learn to sleep long-term. During the day, leave the crate or bed open and periodically sprinkle treats onto it. At first, show pup where he treats are, then just leave them randomly once pup begins to look there. The goal is for pup to start going to their bed on their own in hopes of treats, creating a good association with the location. Also, practice Place with the bed in the crate or pen in the day. Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s Teach pup the Quiet command as well. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark At night, place pup in the crate or pen, tell pup Quiet. If they bark or whine to be let out and you know they don't need to go potty, either ignore the crying, or spray a small puff of air from a pet convincer at pup's side through the wires while calmly saying "Ah Ah", then go back to bed. Repeat the corrections each time pup cries until they go to sleep. It's important to reward pup for going to the bed during the day to help prepare pup for the night ahead of time though too. Don't use citronella spray - only unscented air canister, and don't spray in the face. After about 6 months of pup sleeping in the crate or pen, you can try removing it and use the Place command pup now knows to enforce pup sleeping there whenever they try to get on the bed. Using the pen or crate first should help pup develop a habit of sleeping there before giving more freedom. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Jessica, Check out the Surprise method from the article linked below. Know also that it's normal for puppies to follow you everywhere - they have to learn through practice how to self-entertain and self-sooth through things like the Surprise method and providing dog food stuffed hollow chew toys. This process will involve crying for most puppies, but that is normal. Following the Surprise method can help pups adjust sooner though. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello, I think if you set up an exercise pen sleeping area for Rhylo, that may do the trick. This will keep him in a confined area but yet, not in a crate when the other two dogs are not. Many dogs love a den area, and chances are that Rhylo will, too. Leave the pen area accessible during the day and you may find him going there for naps. Here is an article on the pen (minus the potty area, of course): https://www.preventivevet.com/dogs/how-to-set-up-puppy-long-term-confinement-area. Get a nice comfy bed for the spot. Rhylo may complain with barking or whining the first few nights but persevere and soon he'll get used to it. If Rhylo is used to sleeping with you, set the pen up in your room so that there is no anxiety over the separation. Good luck!

Hello! My recommendation with this is to have him sleep on his own. What you can do to strengthen a constructive bond between the two of you is to spend about 10 minutes a day going over training commands. This will stimulate his brain, and it will rekindle a healthy bond between the two of you again.