How to Train a Puppy to Sit on Its Bed

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How to Train a Puppy to Sit on Its Bed

Easy

3-14 Days

General

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Introduction

Trixie is great! She’s just what you wanted in a little pup. She’s loving, excitable and is getting you motivated for those walks you’ve always wanted to do. But there’s just one problem. She won’t go to bed!

It was lovely at first. She would cuddle up to you in your bed, or nap on the sofa with you. But now she stands on your head at 6am and lies with her butt a little too close to your face for comfort. It’s time to train her how to sit on her own bed – and stay there. This will benefit the both of you in the long run. You’ll get a great night’s sleep, and she will have her own territory that she can be proud of. It’s important that all pups learn simple behaviors like this in order to maintain their good behavior in all situations. Next time your good friend who's scared of dogs comes around, you can have Trixie sitting in her bed like a good girl. And maybe you’ll even convince your friend she’s great too!

Defining Tasks

'Sit' is one of the simplest commands there is. Almost all dogs, no matter how small or large, naughty or well behaved, can sit on command. While slight more advanced than the ‘sit' command, this one will be easy and could take as little as a couple of days. Puppies' brains are like little sponges. Trixie will be soaking up information and learning new things quicker than ever - so this is the perfect time to start introducing these good behaviors. By the time she’s an adult, they will be so ingrained it will be like second nature!

But don’t forget, it’s important to keep up these learned behaviors. Dogs can unlearn all the great work they completed as puppies if you allow them to start sleeping on your bed again. The methods below will also work for adult dogs, but since they are older, it will take them a little longer to learn it.

Getting Started

Like most training methods, this one will start with the use of some treats, so make sure you have some to hand before you get started. It’s also important to have a calm environment around your puppy. As I’m sure you’ll have noticed, these little cuties are very excitable, and get distracted easily by new voices, smells and toys. If you’re training your pup as a family, make sure one person takes the lead, and the others stay quiet while the leader is talking.

This behavior is a more advanced version of the 'sit' command, therefore it will be useful to have already introduced her to 'sit', even if you haven’t got it quite perfect. Finally, make sure you stay patient. Our canine friends don’t speak human, so they don’t always understand what we want them to do. Stay focused, and she will get there in the end. Right, let’s get started!

The Treat Lure Method

Effective

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Step

Away from the bed

Stand away from the bed, but with it still in eye line. You want to replicate a situation where you would be asking Trixie to go to her bed. Maybe you're standing by the sofa, and her bed is the other side of the room.

Step

Treat awareness

Hold the treat in your hand. Make sure Trixie can see or smell the treat. She's aware of it, and she wants it. She's going to do what you say until she gets it!

Step

Command

Issue the command 'in your bed' and point towards the bed. It is best to use short sharp commands that your pup will instantly recognize. If we used 'sit' again, she would not be able to differentiate between sitting still, and sitting in her bed.

Step

Treat lure

Lead her towards her bed using the treat. Hold the treat in the bed until she climbs in. If she doesn't immediately sit, issue the 'sit' command.

Step

Reward!

If she responds as required, give her the treat as a reward! If she gets distracted between the two commands, start the process again. Repeat regularly, until you can issue the command without the use of the treat.

The Favorite Toy Method

Effective

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Step

Choose a toy

Start by using your pup's favorite toy, the one she loves the most and won't be able to resist playing with!

Step

Choose your position

Stand away from the bed, as if you were trying to replicate a situation where you might use the command.

Step

Issue the command

Speak firmly the command 'in your bed' and point towards your pup's sleep space. At this point, she should already be aware of the toy, so she's intently listening to how she can get it.

Step

Lead

Walk over to the bed and put the toy there. She should run over with you. If she gets into the bed immediately, give her the reward! If she needs a little more coaxing, ask her to sit in her bed. Make sure you give her lots of verbal praise too!

Step

Repeat

If you walk away, and she immediately follows, repeat the method until she learns to stay there.

The Clicker Method

Effective

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Step

Get her used to the clicker

Because this is a slightly more advanced command than 'sit', it will be useful to introduce the clicker with simple requests, perhaps one she already knows. This way she will associate the clicker with good praise and will want to respond to the clicks.

Step

Issue the command

Stand away from the bed. Call her name if you don't already have her attention. Issue the command 'in your bed' and point towards it.

Step

Walk

Walk her over to the bed, pointing as you go. Encourage her to stand in the bed. You can do this by holding your hand in there as if you have something to show her or encouraging her with verbal praise.

Step

Sit

If she doesn't immediately sit, issue the command 'sit'. Once she has completed the task, click the clicker and give a treat for a reward.

Step

Praise

Give her lots of verbal praise for listening to you! This will help maintain the reward process, even after the clicker is removed.

How to Train a Puppy to Sit on Its Bed

Introduction

Defining Tasks

Getting Started

Success Stories and Training Questions