How to Train Your Dog to Sleep on His Bed
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Introduction
Having your dog pace all night looking for a place to sleep isn’t very fun. You could lose sleep trying to get your dog to lie down and relax if he doesn't know exactly where he should go each night. Most family dogs will attach themselves to at least one member of the family. Your dog may want to sleep with your or with this chosen family member. But that doesn’t mean the dog has to be in your bed. Just in your bedroom. Or even in the hallway just outside your bedroom.
Wherever you place his bed is where he should stay each night. You can teach him where his bed is and to go to bed when it is time to settle down for the night. Once your dog understands where his bed is and that he is supposed to stay in at all night, you both should be getting a full night's sleep.
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Defining Tasks
Training your dog to go to bed--in his bed--is a matter of repetition and comfort. There is a fine balance between finding the correct bed for your dog's needs and putting it in the correct spot to ease any fears or separation anxieties he may have. It may take a few weeks to train your dog to sleep in his own bed, but if it does, it's probably because you need to find a different spot for the bed. Many dog owners don't want their dog in bed with them but don't mind a dog bed in their bedroom. If your dog's bed is already in your bedroom, consider placing it closer to your bed so your dog can look up and see you at night and hear you breathing. He's going to feel safe knowing you or at least another family member is nearby.
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Getting Started
Make sure before you get started training your dog to sleep in his bed you know how your dog sleeps. If you have a small dog who sleeps in a little round ball, he may be more comfortable in a small bed with raised sides he can snuggle into. If you have a larger dog who spreads out once he's in a deep sleep or lies on his back with his feet straight up in the air, you may need a larger bed. If your dog is older, memory foam mattresses provide great support for achy bones. Be sure you have the proper bed for your dog's size, breed, and needs. You will also want some extra treats on hand, possibly even in the sleeping space, to reward your dog for a job well done. Have some patience with this and be open to change. Your dog may not be happy sleeping in the dining room if you're upstairs on the opposite side of the house.
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The Perfect Place Method
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Show bed
Choose a bed your dog will want to sleep in. If your dog is a puppy, he may want a small bed with raised sides for comfort. If he is a larger dog who sleeps stretched out, he may like a large bed without raised sides. To keep your dog in his bed, it will need to be comfortable for him.
Pick a spot
Choose the perfect place for your dog’s bed. This should be a place he will want to sleep. If he is very close to you, he may want to sleep in your room or he may prefer the living room to keep an eye on the house while he sleeps. Some dogs may prefer, or you may prefer, sleeping in a child’s room. Make sure the spot you pick for his bed is a place you can keep his bed permanently.
Command
Use a command you will use each night with your dog to signify bedtime. Use the command and encourage him to get onto his bed. Once he does, give him a treat.
Practice
Continue to practice the 'go to bed' command each time you want your dog to lie on his bed. Giving the command during the day will help him remember the command at night as well.
Bedtime
When it is time for bed, use the command. If your dog does not automatically get into his bed, walk him to it. Be sure to give him a treat. It will take several nights for him to be able to go on his own, but over time he will put himself to bed.
Redirection
If your dog leaves his bed during the night, redirect him by taking him back. You can offer him a treat for going back to bed but only do so once. If he wakes again, he does not get a treat. If you continue to treat him, he’ll continue to wake you for that midnight snack. If he goes potty in the middle of the night, a treat is a good idea once he’s back in bed. Once your dog is about a year old, he should make it through the night without going potty.
The Clicker Method
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Introduce bed
Show your dog his bed and where he is expected to sleep. Be sure this is a place and a bed where he will be comfortable and most likely to stay.
Pat bed
With your dog, pat the bed and encourage your dog to get on it. Click and give him a treat and lots of verbal praise and excitement over the bed. He will feel your enthusiasm and begin to feel the same about his bed.
Command
Talk up his bed with a command. “This is where you will go to bed.’” Say the key phrase often so your dog associates the phrase ‘go to bed,’ or whichever phrase you choose, with the bed.
Nap time
During the day, encourage your dog to sleep on his bed by using the command and taking him to his bed. You may need to wake him from a nap and walk with him to his bed. If he’s sleepy, he may stay longer. Be sure to click and reward him with a treat and use the command even for daytime naps.
Bedtime
Use the command again and walk your dog to his bed. Give him a treat and tell him good night.
Redirect
If your dog leaves the bed, you can use the command and walk him back to his bed. Be sure to use the same command every time. If your dog does not stay, you may need to reconsider the placement of the bed. For instance, does he want his bed in your bedroom at night?
The Bedtime Method
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Command
Pick a command you will use at night for bedtime. You could say ‘go to bed’ or ‘it’s bedtime.’
Place bed
Pick the perfect place for your dog’s bed. Think about where your dog usually sleeps or would like to sleep. Would you both be more comfortable in your bedroom, or do you want him away from your room at night?
Walk to the bed
Take your dog to his bed by walking him to it. Avoid carrying him to bed as he will grow expecting that treatment each time he needs to sleep in his bed.
Treat
Once your dog steps onto his bed, give him a treat.
Sleep
Anytime your dog is sleepy, walk with him to his bed and give him a treat once he’s on the bed. Use your command to 'go to bed'.
Bedtime
Repeat the steps above at bedtime. It may take a couple of weeks using his bed each night to get him to stay in his bed all night. If he leaves the bed at night and you’d like him to stay, simply redirect him by walking him back and giving him the command to go to bed. Keep practicing, he’ll get it with time and practice.
Written by Stephanie Plummer
Veterinary reviewed by:
Published: 11/07/2017, edited: 01/08/2021
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Training Questions and Answers
Luna and Murphy
Jug
Seven Years
Question
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I have 2 pug crosses who are 7. I realise this is probably impossible as they have slept with me for years but we are moving house and I really want to train them not to sleep in my bed. We have tried multiple times in our current house but they bark and scratch the door so much that I end up sleeping on the couch with them so my husband doesn’t get disturbed. One of the dogs is easy to train but one is very stubborn and also very clingy. Any advice?
Nov. 9, 2023
Luna and Murphy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello, I would start by getting them used to being in a room without you during the day. The easiest way to do this is usually to crate train. You can also set up a scenario where they are out of the room and your in the room during the day. Work on teaching the Quiet command, and if crating, crate training. If the dogs are destructive when separated from you, you will need to crate train, if just loud, you might be able to train without. Quiet method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-shih-tzu-puppy-to-not-bark Practice the surprise method during the day, either using the crate or with pups in a room separated from you and being rewarded when they stay quiet and out of trouble. Surprise method: https://wagwalking.com/training/like-a-crate If they persistently bark or scratch even after being rewarded for quietness and calmness with daytime practice, then you will also need to interrupt the unwanted behavior in addition to teaching and rewarding the quietness and calmness you do want. You can do with by either briefly opening the door or approaching the crate while barking and spraying a small puff of unscented air from a pet corrector at their side or chest (avoid the face and do NOT use citronella ones), or by correcting remotely with a vibration collar. This would look like practicing confinement with the surprise method without corrections for a few days every day, telling pup Quiet when you leave. Once pup has practiced that, if still barking, you would tell them Quiet when you leave, then "Ah Ah" calmly but firmly while correcting - to help them understand why they were corrected, then leave again and if they stay quiet for a minute, return and reward. Practice until they will stay quiet for 1, then 2, then 3, then 4, then 5, then 10, then 15, then 25, then 45 minutes, ect... until quietness has become the new normal. This generally can be taught even at an older age, but it will take more consistency from you and a layered approach probably. Many rescue dogs are taught this after being used to other situations in the past. You will need to stay persistent for a minimum of two weeks to see progress, the first five days are usually the worst, then things often improve gradually. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
Nov. 30, 2023
Ozzy
Shorkie Tzu
8 Months
Question
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How do I fix my puppy’s sleepy aggression when he sleeps in the bed with me. I want him to be able to sleep in the bed with me without me having to worry about him biting me if I move/scooch him over.
June 10, 2022
Ozzy's Owner
Caitlin Crittenden - Dog Trainer
1133 Dog owners recommended
Hello Jayden, First, know that some dogs will bite because they are not fully awake of their surroundings and are having a defensive reaction to something that they perceive in their half awake state is a threat - you waking them up by touching them. When that's the case, you can practice saying pup's name when they are toward the end of a nap, to wake pup gently, then tossing them a treat as soon as they stir, so pup expects something pleasant when woken up most of the time, instead of feeling scared. Doing this can help pup bite less often, but dogs who are easily startled in their sleep can always be that way, and putting them in a situation where they are being woken up often by touch can actually increase aggression and defensiveness. What they really need is for you to practice saying their name and rewarding when they wake up, then leaving them alone when they are asleep the rest of the time - which means maybe snuggling with pup a little before you go to sleep and when you wake up in the morning and they are awake, but sending pup to their own dog bed next to your bed when it's time to sleep. Some dogs will intentionally bite when woken up, not because they weren't aware of their surroundings or scared, but because they are actually trying to punish you for doing something they find acceptable - this type of biting in this situation is a sign that you have bigger problems with pup being aggressive toward you and lacking respect for you, there may also be some trust that needs to be built, since pup may not feel you are trustworthy in their space while in a vulnerable sleeping position. A dog doing this for this reason SHOULD NOT be sleeping in your bed. Not just because of the risk of a bite but because it can make the aggression worse and makes it harder to address the real underlying aggression and lack of respect. That dog needs some strict boundaries, like sleeping on their own bed, not being allowed on furniture without being invited, and having to work for things they want to build respect for you. Working method: https://wagwalking.com/training/train-a-doberman-to-listen-to-you I hate to disappoint you with my answers. Hopefully pup is a bit skittish about being woken up and nothing more and you can at least get some good snuggles in before sleeping time. When a dog is skittish, more often they will nip, realize who you are then stop right away, maybe giving submissive body language. When a dog is aggressive and aware of what's going on but trying to punish you for waking them, the nip might be quick but if it's repeated with a few attempts or really noisy, that's more likely aggression and pup being angry at you than pup being unaware. Pup's body language looks different in both cases though. One will look fearful then submissive or withdrawn after, the other will look more confident and riled up. Best of luck training, Caitlin Crittenden
June 10, 2022