How to Train Your Dog to Sleep on His Bed

Hello Radha, I answered part of your message in my previous reply just now, but as far as hand feeding, you don't need to always hand feed. I would transition to things like kongs and kong wobbles and pup's food bowl, or having pup earn the food by obeying commands once pup is more comfortable with you. As far as finding a good trainer, that depends a lot on where you live. Wag offers training in some locations but not all. I would good things like "behavior issue dog trainer near me", "fear dog trainer near me", "counter conditioning dog training near me", ect...or substitute the near me for the name of your city. Once you find some trainers in your area, go to each ones' websites or reviews and see if they seem to have experience with things like fearfulness and whether their previous clients found help with that specific issue from that trainer. When you find some that may be a good fit, call and ask how they train and what their experience is with the needs your dog has specifically. You should feel comfortable with the person and almost like what they have to say is common sense and down to earth, and not worried about their methods or like they are someone you can't work with or who can't teach you (most of the training will be them teaching you). Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Radha, Hello Jillian, Check out this youtube series on barking. https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLAA4pob0Wl0W2agO7frSjia1hG85IyA6a I would also teach the Quiet command method. https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark For the bed sleeping, check out the Surprise method from the article I have linked below. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate As well as teaching Place. Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s For socialization, check out this article: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-socialize-a-shy-dog/ If there is aggression present with the lack of socialization, I would hire a professional trainer who specializes in behavior issues like fear and aggression and works with a team of trainers, so you have the resources to desensitize her to a lot of different people who know how to interact with her, one at a time. Ask questions to be sure that would be an option with the trainer you choose. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Katrina, Check out the Surprise method from the article linked below and practice crate training with that method often for 30 minute -1 hour periods during the day to help pup adjust to being alone more quickly. https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate At night, ignore any crying unless it has been at least 2 hours since pup last went potty. When it has been at least 2 hours and pup wakes up crying, take pup potty on a leash and keep the trip super boring - no treats, talking, or play, and return them immediately to the crate after they go, ignoring any crying that happens when you return them. Keeping trips boring helps pup learn to only wake at night for potty needs and not play or food, to begin sleeping longer sooner. Pup will need to go potty 1-2 times at night right now at this age, even when fully crate trained, but being consistent, practicing crating during the day, and keeping trips outside boring, can help pup wake less at night, cry less when first crated, and start sleeping through the night sooner as their bladder capacity increases with age. Know that its normal for pup to cry in the first two weeks. The first three nights tend to be the worse, with pup gradually getting better and better after that. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Rose, First, I would actually consider whether he needs more joint support. Some of the really plushy dog beds don't are so soft they don't offer much support. A firmer dog bed more like your mattress might be more comfortable for pup. Something like this, with or without the sides. https://www.chewy.com/serta-quilted-orthopedic-pillowtop/dp/162502?utm_source=google-product&utm_medium=cpc&utm_campaign=hg&utm_content=Serta&utm_term=&gclid=Cj0KCQiAkNiMBhCxARIsAIDDKNV4IFjNjgTYve03Y-DCOFcHvKuI00TxtQKNR70q_kprFTiT0sVgDTcaAodmEALw_wcB Second, I recommend teaching Place formally, and having Place be pup's bed: Place: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s I also agree with limiting access to other beds if you prefer pup stay off those. The training for staying off a couch and bed should be almost identical. https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-train-dog-stay-off-couch/ Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden

Hello Rene, You have a couple of options here. First, I would start by teaching the Aussie Place, and working them up to a 2 hour Place command on that same bed (it can be moved out into the day during part of the daytime practice too. Work on also teaching the Aussie Out, which means leave the area, and be persistent in not allowing the Aussie onto the Golden's bed at anytime - treat it like you would a dog not being allowed on someone's couch at all times. At night, since it will be hard to enforce the commands while sleeping, until the Aussie is consistently only going to their bed, can stay on their bed/place when told for a long time, and is leaving the Golden's bed alone during the day, I would crate the Aussie at night, so you are consistent about them not being allowed on the Golden's bed even while you are sleeping, until they can be trusted out of the crate to not be pushy anymore. Out - which means leave the area: https://www.petful.com/behaviors/how-to-teach-a-dog-the-out-command/ Place command: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=O75dyWITP1s If Leo is not already used to a crate, expect crying at first. When he cries and you know he doesn't need to go potty yet, ignore the crying. Most dogs will adjust if you are consistent. Practice the Surprise method from the article I have linked below during the day to help him adjust sooner. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate If he continues protesting for long periods of time past 3-5 days, you can use a Pet Convincer. Work on teaching "Quiet" but using the Quiet method from the article linked below. Tell him "Quiet" when he barks and cries. During the day, if he gets quiet and stays quiet, you can sprinkle a few pieces of dog food into the crate through the wires calmly, then leave again. If he disobeys your command and keep crying or stops but starts again, spray a small puff of air from the Pet convincer at his side through the crate while saying "Ah Ah" calmly, then leave again. If he stays quiet after you leave you can periodically sprinkle treats into the crate to reward quietness. Practice proactively during the day. At night don't give treats or he can learn to stay awake waiting for them. At night ignore or correct barking. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Only use the unscented air from the Pet Convincers - don't use citronella, it's too harsh and lingers for too long so can be confusing. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden