How To Get Your Dog To Sleep On Its Own Bed

You might find that despite the new bed you’ve given your dog, they’re not acclimating very well. It’s a process of getting them to acknowledge, understand, and fully utilise this new item in your home. So we’re going to explore some methods to help you get started showing them who this new bed is for. Let’s dive in.

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Getting Acquainted Method

This first method is a process of getting your dog comfortable with this new item in your home, specifically for them.

The most crucial step that begins any process is choosing a dog bed that is comfortable and a good fit for your dog. Understand your dog's sleeping patterns, consider their size, and ensure it's a good fit. Once you’ve purchased and received the bed, show your dog, and get them acquainted.

Look around your home for the perfect space to place the dog bed. The ideal spot might be in your room, by your bed, in the living room, or maybe even in your child's room. It might take a moment to realise the perfect spot, but once you do, ensure it’s the forever spot.

Every night you’re going to attempt to teach your dog a simple command that makes them realise it’s bedtime. Of course, you will need to encourage them and give them treats for listening to reinforce the importance of the command.

Keep practising the command, so your dog gets used to it and knows what they’re meant to be doing when hearing it.

Use that command at bedtime, and if they’re still not 100% getting it, don’t get frustrated. Instead, walk with them to their bed, and give them a treat for lying down on it. You want them to associate the bed with a good thing. It’s a place of comfort for them, not banishment or punishment.

If you find your dog is wandering throughout the night to places they’re not allowed, such as yours or another bed, take them back. Guide them back to their bed and redirect them. They might also need to relieve themselves during the night if they’re young, rewarding them when they return to bed.

Convince & Praise Method

The second method we want to talk about is the clicker method. This method is more verbal than the first method.

Similar to the first method, you’re going to get the right bed and then introduce your dog to this bed, getting them acquainted with it. Then, finally, find the perfect spot and place that bed in its new forever spot.

Have your dog present and pat on the bed to encourage them to come aboard. You will encourage and reward every attempt and even the slightest progress. You must be enthusiastic about the bed. Hopefully, it rubs off on them too.

Tell your dog what the bed is for so they can learn to associate the command with the action. For example, if you’re telling your dog, ‘this is where you’ll go to bed,’ then after enough time, they should understand what it means to ‘go to bed.’

Even when it’s light out, try and coerce your dog into taking a midday nap on their new bed. Walk with them to the bed and show them what it’s for so they know to take a little nap and recharge.

Use the command you’ve gotten your dog accustomed to and guide them to their dog bed. After a while, you won’t even need to do this. They’ll just know.

Once again, redirect your dog when necessary. They need to learn this isn’t part of a group of options. It’s their bed. It’s the only option.

Bedtime Process

Now we’re focussing specifically on the bedtime routine. This is going to reinforce that sense of routine with your dog, so they know when and where to go to bed.

You need to choose a command that you’ll train your dog to understand, remember, and associate with going to bed. It can be as simple as ‘go to bed,’ or ‘it’s time to go to bed,’ or ‘bedtime *dog name*.’

Take your dog to their bed. Walk with them and convince them it’s the place to be for bedtime. Then, just ensure that the space you’ve placed the bed in is appropriate and comfortable for your dog.

Always reward good behaviour, so your dog knows they did good!

If you notice your dog is sleepy at any point, take them to its bed. Walk with them, and tell them it’s time. They’re clearly tired and need to rest their eyes. They just don’t know it yet.

Now it’s time to actually go to bed. In the beginning, you might need to spend some time with your dog while they try to sleep. This is just to let them know that this isn’t some form of punishment. The bed is meant to be a comfortable haven for them, to have their own space.

Conclusion

It’s going to be a process, getting your dog to accept that this new comfortable dog bed is their bed. Take your time getting them acquainted with the bed and the commands, and reward them along the way. Dogs respond well to positive reinforcement, so let them know when they’re doing good things as much as you might the bad stuff.

If you’re looking for a comfortable dog bed, then you need to check out Catch marketplace. We’ve got a wide variety of dog beds, from budget-friendly to premium. So, go find your dog's perfect bed today!

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