Usually a dog's favorite resting place is our bed Even if we bought him a nice, fluffy mattress, he insists on sleeping next to us. There are many reasons that explain this behavior: he likes it, he feels accompanied, we have allowed it several times… But, how can we make the dog sleep in his own bed? The guidelines to apply are very simple, however, not all owners manage to maintain them throughout this education process.
Remember that teaching a dog to sleep in his bed can take some time, but if we are patient and always keep the same rules, it can be achieved. Next, we show you in this article from our site how to teach your dog to sleep in his bed, read on!
The importance of choosing the correct dog bed
Before explaining how to get a dog used to sleeping alone, it will be essential to mention what a dog's bed should be like so that it feel safe in it. If not, it is likely that he does not want to sleep and opts for other more comfortable places for him, such as the sofa or your bed.
The bedding should be sufficiently thick to insulate it from the ground and therefore from the cold in winter. In this way, we recommend discarding mattresses that are too thin. It's also important to look for dog mattresses designed specifically for them, as this way we make sure it's tailored to your needs.
On the other hand, the material used must be harmless to the dog's he alth and must be easily covered with a blanket or cover, essential in puppies or sick dogs. And, finally, we remind you that it is very important to choose the correct size: the dog must be able to fully stretch out once lying down and turn around yourself without difficulty.
Why doesn't my dog want to sleep in his bed?
There are different causes that can make your dog not want to sleep in his bed and it is important to evaluate them before starting work.
The puppies spend 24 hours a day with their mother and siblings. Apart from socializing and recognizing each other as a species, sleeping and being together is essential to keep warm that they cannot yet regulate on their own. At the end of the socialization stage (around 2 months of life), the mother begins to progressively reject them, at which point they can learn to sleep alone. Before 8 weeks we should not let them sleep alone if it is not with the help of a well insulated thermal blanket or a hot water bottle.
It is also common for newly adopted puppies or adult dogs to seek company when feeling lonely and disoriented in a new home. In these cases it is important to wait a while so that the dog can adapt to her new home, so we should never force it.
Finally, it is important to remember that in the times of heat dogs only want to sleep on the floor, that is because they need to cool down to avoid heat stroke.
The importance of rules and routine
Before starting to teach your dog to sleep in his bed, it will be essential to mentalize ourselves. Therefore, when starting this learning, we must be aware that we will have to maintain fixed rules at all times, without exceptions, and that everyone in the household must meet them.
Remember that if some members of the family allow things that others forbid, the dog will be confused and will have greater difficulty learning what we want to teach him.
Associating the bed in a positive way
To get the dog to sleep in his bed we must help him associate the mattress in a positive way. We must never scold him, scare or reprimand him when he is there: it must be an exclusive place for him, where he can take refuge whenever he wants.
The first thing to do is help you recognize the word “bed”You can get treats or toys that you will leave on top for him to look for. Encourage him to find them by saying “look in bed” or “go to bed”, an exercise that, in addition to positively reinforcing him, will help him feel more loved. Do it daily once or twice.
Also, every time you see him approaching or lying down in his resting place, you should congratulate him with a “very good”, a few caresses or a snack for dogs. All options are valid during this process, you just need to know what motivates your dog. Of course, never force himto get on top of him or yell at him to stay in his place, that will only generate mistrust, fear and submission, inappropriate techniques for dog training
One or several beds?
It can be interesting to buy two beds or move the bed to various places in the house during the day. Being sociable animals, it is understandable that they want to follow us to all corners of the home, therefore, if we move the bed or have several, we have more likely that it will lie down in its placeand thus avoid sofas or our own bed.
So that it is not a boring exercise and you get a higher percentage of success when it comes to teaching your dog to sleep in his bed, you can move the bed and place it in different places, paying attention to everything time to congratulate him when he finishes lying down. These places do not necessarily have to be next to you, at least at the end of the education, something that will help us to show independence in moments of rest.
How to get a dog used to sleeping in his bed?
The key to teaching a dog to sleep in his bed is positive reinforcement. This reward-based technique helps the dog learn more effectively. Even so, there are other tricks you can use to encourage your dog to sleep in his own bed instead of using sofas and places that are not suitable for him:
- Teach your dog to lie down, in this way, you will be able to indicate what you expect of him, something that will greatly facilitate the communication and avoid mistakes.
- Offer him massages and other relaxation exerciseson a regular basis when he is calm and relaxed in his bed. This will not only favor the dog's balance, it will also help him associate the place with caresses and good times.
- Don't forget verbal reinforcement, it's just as important as the treats. Always use a soft, high-pitched tone of voice, something that helps them understand better.
- Don't punish him If he gets out of his bed or tries to climb into yours during the night, get up and tell him to lie down on his bed, and then congratulate him.
- Avoid placing the bed too far from your sleeping area, leaving him locked up or depriving him of access to certain places. You must allow the dog to experience and make certain mistakes. These types of techniques can generate frustration, fear or stress.
If you find your dog in a place where he shouldn't be, don't worry, calm him down with your voice or some treats and reward him only when he is back in his bed.
Remember that this is a process that requires calm, serenity and a lot of patience Don't get nervous if your dog doesn't fully understand what you ask, some require up to 20 or 30repeats to understand a command. You should be aware that dogs have certain limitations.
Acting consistently and positively at all times will help you relate better to your dog, making your bond stronger.
