How to wean a dog from sleeping on its owner's bed. How to wean a dog from sleeping on the bed with its owner: simple methods. Video on how to wean a dog off the bed

This will let the puppy know that he is not alone. Then the box can be removed from the bed and placed on the floor.

With dogs you need to remember one rule - if you allow them something, then it is forever. Afterwards it is possible to prohibit, but this is a tedious process, since it is difficult for the dog to understand why yesterday it was possible, but today it is prohibited. Therefore, if you decide to sleep with your puppy, be prepared for the fact that he will sleep with you all the time, no matter how impressive he grows.

These are the tips dog experts give to keep your little dog from waking up at night: - Don’t let the puppy sleep in the evening. You can entertain him, play, without letting him fall asleep;
- Take him for a walk;
- Afterwards it is tasty and hearty to feed. A satisfied and tired puppy will not wake up from hunger. This is reminiscent of how mothers teach their children to stay awake at night and sleep during the day.

If the puppy wakes up at night and demands games from you, you need to firmly make it clear to him that no one is going to play with him. You can also purchase a special home dog house in which he will sleep. Dogs quickly get used to it, and you can put it anywhere.

Sources:

• Crate training a puppy

And then a little puppy appeared in your house. You have a lot to teach him. At the initial stage, this will be to accustom the puppy to its place. He must go to this place at your command and remain there until your permission to leave.

You will need

• dog bed or mat

Instructions

To begin, choose where the location will be located. It should not be in the aisle or in a draft. Preferably some secluded corner so that in moments of peace you can feel alone there. You can use special beds or a mattress as bedding. The bed you choose will serve him for relaxation, or in case he disturbs people, for example, during a reception.

Take some material from the puppy’s former owners, a piece of bedding that would smell like his mother. Place this fabric in its future place, you can sew it into the mattress. This will make it easier for the puppy to come to terms with the loss. He will smell a familiar smell and calm down faster.

So, you have arranged the place, brought the puppy into the house. Training should begin on the very first day of his presence in your apartment. As soon as you see that the puppy is tired, or he has eaten well and is looking for somewhere to lie down, you need to take him to the bed you have chosen, put him there and say “place.” This should be done every time he wants to lie down in the wrong place. It will be quite simple to accustom a puppy to its place if you accompany the training with gentle words and strokes.

Do not try to train your puppy when he is interested in playing, hungry or sick. This will cause him to protest and the learning process will only slow down.

If the puppy, after enough time to remember the command, protests against it and refuses to carry it out, tighten the training measures. Tie him to a leash near his bed and say the command in a stern voice. Over time, when you are sure that the command is fixed, remove the leash and do not accompany him to the bed, only giving the command with your voice and remaining in place.

Video on the topic

Sources:

• How to toilet train a puppy in an apartment, what time to start

Discipline is extremely important in raising animals. The animal must feel the authority of the owner, obey him, and follow commands. One of the most important commands in everyday life is the “place” command.

Instructions

Teaching the command “place!” It is best done when the puppy is full or tired. Watch his behavior: as soon as he starts looking for a place to rest, pick him up and take him to the mat. Clearly say the command “place!” and lay the puppy down, stroking it. Most likely, the puppy will not immediately understand what is required of him and will try to run away. Show gentle persistence, each time taking the puppy to sleep in his place and saying the command. If he obediently lies down in his place, reward him with a treat. Do this 3-4 times a day.

When the puppy grows a little and reaches the age of 3-5 months, you no longer need to carry him in your arms to accustom him to his place. After your pet has walked and eaten, call him and take him to the mat, clearly speaking the command. When the puppy settles down, praise him and reward him with something tasty. If he resists, you can take him to the mat using a leash, pronouncing the command in a more stern tone.

Repeat these steps 4-5 times a day, while making the escort less persistent. The puppy must learn to walk to his mat on his own. Always praise and encourage him if he followed the command correctly. Use the command when the dog begs during lunch or interferes with cleaning.

When the puppy reaches the age of 6-8 months, he can be taught the “place” command in the yard. To do this, the dog is taken for a walk on a long leash and given the command “lie down!” Afterwards, some object is placed next to it, which will mark its place. Then the owner gives the command “place!”, moves away a few steps and takes a short pause. The dog must remain where it was left and await orders from its owner. If everything is done correctly, the owner calls the dog, praises it, and rewards it with a treat. After this he again gives the command “place!” and points his hand towards the object placed on the ground. Repeat the exercise several times while walking. The dog must go unaccompanied to a designated area and lie there until the owner gives him permission to do something else.

Helpful advice

Persistence and repetition are the secret to success in any training. Restrain your irritation if the puppy does not want to learn. As a last resort, you can take him to his place and tie him up for a while. During training, do not use the “place!” command. as a punishment, otherwise staying on your bedding will become unpleasant for the dog.

Related article

It would seem that there is nothing wrong with a dog sleeping, curled up comfortably under your side. However, letting her sleep in your bed risks triggering behavioral problems. The dog may stop obeying and start acting as if it is the boss of the house. This is true: by letting a dog into your bed, you undermine your own authority and make him feel like a leader.

Steps

Part 1

Watch your dog sleep. This will help you choose a comfortable bed for her. Pay attention to what position your dog likes to sleep in.

• If your dog sleeps stretched out to its full length, a comfortable rectangular mattress will suit it.
• If your dog likes to curl up, choose a round or oval bed with sides.
• If your dog is old or has bad joints, he may be more comfortable on a foam mattress that conforms to his body.

1. Buy a dog bed from a pet supply store. The price and quality of a bed are usually closely related. A cheap, flimsy bed will easily fall apart and will only last a few months for your dog. The higher its quality, the more durable it will be. When choosing a dog bed, you should consider the position in which he usually sleeps, his age and your budget. There are several types of dog beds.

   • Orthopedic beds. These are elongated mattresses that provide orthopedic support. They are best suited for older dogs and provide extra comfort. In addition, this mattress is spacious, so it is worth choosing if your dog likes to sleep stretched out.
   • Round sun loungers. It is a cushion or basket with raised edges to form a soft cushion. These beds are good for dogs that sleep in a ball.
   • Pillows. This is the simplest bed, which is a large pillow on which the dog can stretch out comfortably.
   • Heated beds. If you live in a cold climate and your dog has a hard time keeping warm (this happens with older animals or small breeds, for example), a heated dog bed will keep him from freezing.

2. Place the lounger in a convenient location, such as the living room or bedroom. Although your dog should sleep in his own bed and not yours, give him a place where he feels comfortable and familiar.

   • Place the lounger in a room at room temperature, not near an open door or in a draft. Try to choose a dark or shaded area.

3. Place your dog's favorite toys next to his sleeping area. This way the bed should seem more attractive to her. You can also start by laying out an old T-shirt that contains your scent, so that the dog will be more willing to lie down in the new place.

   If you just adopted a puppy, make sure to bed him in a crate or pen. It is very important to immediately let the animal know where it belongs to prevent it from wanting to climb onto your bed. Line the crate or pen with newspaper in case your puppy needs to go to the bathroom during the night. In the far half, arrange a raised sleeping place - a lounger or pillow, so that the puppy always sleeps clean.

   Lead your dog to the bed on a leash. You can lure her with a treat. This will strengthen the dog's connection between the place and the reward. You should never pick up your dog and put him on a bed, as he will then associate his place with a negative experience.

   Give the command "place". Command clearly and distinctly. Give your dog a treat only when he lies down.

   • If the dog runs away from the bed, say “ugh” or “no” every time and calmly take him back. Then repeat the command "place". Wait longer after the command and, if the dog lies down and does not leave, reward it with a treat.
   • Over time, the dog will learn the command and understand that he will get a treat if he stays where he is.

4. Ignore if your dog starts whining or howling at night. When you go to bed, your four-legged friend may look at you with a sad look or voice his dissatisfaction with the new sleeping arrangement by whining or howling throughout the night. However, don't give in: you will only encourage your dog to continue to behave this way and your attempts to place him will fail.

   • Don't shout at a howling dog - it will start howling even louder. If you ignore the crying for a few minutes and it doesn't stop, ask your dog if he needs to go outside. If she responds positively, take her for a walk. Keep your walk short and focused: let your dog do his business and lead him home without stopping to play.
   • If you understand that the dog is not asking to go to the toilet, but simply does not want to sleep on the bed, continue to ignore its howling. Do not punish the animal, so as not to provoke further vocal exercises. Punishment will mean that the dog managed to get his way and get your attention.
   • Be prepared that the dog may howl increasingly louder until it gradually calms down. However, be firm and ignore it in order to train the animal in its place in the long run.

5. Chase your dog away if it jumps on your bed. This is an important step in setting boundaries for your dog and establishing the habit of sleeping in a designated area.

   • If your dog jumps on your bed, give him the "place" command. If she doesn't leave, pick her up and sit her down on the floor or lightly push her off the bed, saying "ugh" or "no."

6. Use positive reinforcement to correct your dog's behavior. Many dog ​​owners use a spray bottle and spray water on their dog to punish bad behavior, including when the dog gets on the bed or other furniture. However, positive reinforcement, which is rewarding an animal for good behavior rather than punishing bad behavior, can also be an effective training method.

   • Praise your dog if he goes to his bed of his own accord or after your “place” command. This way she will associate the place with reward and praise, and not with punishment and unpleasant sensations.

7. Train your dog to wait for an invitation. Never let her enter your bedroom or climb into your bed without permission, otherwise she will think she can wake you up whenever she wants. Make sure that she comes to you only on command - when you wake up, the dog should calmly wait until you call her (unless you overslept and she urgently no need to go outside!).

Part 3

Show your dominance over your dog by not letting him into your bed. One of the ways to determine hierarchy in the dog world is the height of the space occupied. Animals leading in the pack are physically located higher than those who are lower in rank (remember how in “Mowgli” the leader of the wolf pack lay on the top of a cliff?). Therefore, by allowing your dog to sleep on the bed next to you, you are showing that he is your equal or even more important.

Keep your other pets happy and safe. If you have another animal in the house, such as another dog or cats, then by not allowing the dog to lie on your bed, you are setting a positive example for others. In addition, if each animal sleeps in its own place, this will ensure a good sleep for you - you won’t have to worry that you might accidentally crush your furry friend at night.

Tired of your dog pushing you at night? Is your spouse or partner unhappy with co-sleeping with your pet? Are you planning to train your dog to sleep with its owner on the bed, but don’t know where to start? Let's take it in order.

First, decide on your motivation, why do you want to wean your dog from sleeping on the bed? If you are governed by generally accepted rules, or someone has told you that a dog shouldn't sleep in your bed but hasn't explained why, it's worth weighing up the pros and cons.

Research has been conducted on co-sleeping between pets and owners. Experts from the American Pet Association and other organizations observed control groups of owners who allowed their dogs to sleep in their beds. Based on the results of the research, it turned out that there are five significant advantages and 4 significant disadvantages of sleeping together with a pet.

pros

Plus #1 – peace of mind. Sleep studies of owners have shown that in the presence of a dog, they find it easier to relax and fall asleep. A dog's breathing and heartbeat are usually faster than a human's, which acts like a lullaby on owners. Following research, experts have suggested that co-sleeping with dogs could be used as part of a treatment for stress-related insomnia.

Plus No. 2 – warmth. The majority of owners surveyed considered the dogs' high body temperature to be an advantage of sleeping together. A detailed study revealed that pets that sleep with their owners have a body temperature at night that is on average 5–6 degrees higher than the owner’s. A constant source of heat has a calming effect on the human body; in addition, dogs really help to warm up during the cold season.

Plus #3 – safety. You may not realize that your body is more relaxed in the presence of a dog. Medical associations have repeatedly conducted studies that have confirmed that children and adults feel more confident and calm when a four-legged pet sleeps next to them.

Plus No. 4 – brain function. Many people don’t even realize that their body works much more actively while their consciousness is asleep. To activate the body, additional hormones enter the bloodstream, which trigger certain chemical reactions. It has been proven that the human body that falls asleep in a safe and calm environment renews itself faster. In addition, a feeling of complete safety leads to increased production of oxytocin, a hormone that is responsible for feelings of relaxation, trust and mental balance.

Plus #5 – pet happiness. For most owners, the fact of whether their pet is happy or not is important. Experts around the world are trying to study the algorithms of a dog’s thinking, but research does not give clear results. Observation of control groups allowed us to draw an unambiguous conclusion that dogs who sleep with their owners are more often in a good mood, more obedient and flexible. In a general sense, it can be said that dogs that are allowed to sleep with their owner are happier.

Minuses

Disadvantage No. 1 – disturbance of peace during sleep. A large American clinic conducted an extensive study of patients who came with various ailments. According to the results of the survey, more than 53% of patients were owners of dogs who always or sometimes sleep with their owner. More than 25% of dog owners noted that their pets will often be with them at night.

You need to understand that a person makes a lot of movements while in a state of sleep. Waking up from your own movements is a rarity, which is most often associated with colorful dreams. In addition, more than 10% of dog owners noted that the continuity of their sleep was also affected by other irritants: monotonous noise, a spouse sleeping next to them, sounds coming from neighbors.

Minus No. 2 – health problems. The study on co-sleeping between dogs and owners was conducted by an American clinic that specializes in the treatment of allergies and asthma. The results of the study are clear: the health of owners with allergies worsened when they slept together with their pet. Moreover, allergy and asthma sufferers were negatively affected by sleeping with a dog in the same room.

Minus No. 3 – problems with a partner and personal life. During the study, it unexpectedly turned out that more than 80% of owners who allow their dog to sleep in their bed regularly quarrel with their partners or spouses. The other halves, guided by logic and common sense, demanded that the dog be removed from the bed, since it interferes with close physical contact and intimate life.

Disadvantage No. 4 – worsening of the pet’s behavioral problems. Almost all world-renowned experts urge not allowing dogs to climb onto the bed until the owner allows it. The unauthorized decision to sleep in the owner's bed may be due to an attempt at dominance. In the wild, the highest sleeping point is occupied by the leader of the pack. The puppy and young dog may try to climb onto the bed to show the importance of their role. In the future, this behavior may turn into aggression when trying to send the dog to his place or force him to leave the bed. At an early age, dominant puppies often try to “win” a sleeping place on the sofa.

Sleeping place: rules of choice

If you're determined to stop your dog sleeping in your bed, you'll need to make an effort to create a comfortable sleeping area for your dog. If you spend enough time observing and choose a comfortable bed, you can be sure that the dog will not break the rules of behavior even in the absence of the owner.

You need to start by choosing a comfortable lounger. In order to understand what type of bed your dog needs, you need to watch your pet sleep. The main factor you need to pay attention to is your usual sleeping position. Most often, dogs like to stretch, curl up, or change positions frequently while sleeping. In the first and third cases, a rectangular-shaped lounger is suitable, in the second, a round or oval basket.

Important! For older dogs that suffer from arthritis or other musculoskeletal ailments, it is necessary to choose a spacious bed with a quality mattress.

When choosing a dog bed, pay attention to the quality of the product. It is not recommended to buy sun loungers covered with synthetic fabrics. It is best to choose a lounger with a removable cover that is easy to wash. Carefully inspect the lounger for staples and nails that are sometimes used to hold the frames together.

If you want your dog to sleep in his own place and not try to climb onto your bed, the bed should be located outside the bedroom. Make sure that the lounger is not in a draft! During the training process, the dog may refuse to be on the bed if it is located in an unsafe (in its opinion) place.

Note! In order for the dog to understand that the new bed is its property, it is necessary to place a basket with toys nearby. Your old sweater or shirt, which can be used to cover the bed, will help make it easier for your pet to get used to it.

If you are training a puppy or a very emotional dog, you can use a spacious box or crate as temporary shelter. The bottom line is that the shelter must have a roof. Generally, dogs feel more relaxed when the bed is dark.

How to train your dog to sleep on your bed

With the right approach and positive motivation, dogs can learn to sleep on a bed within a few weeks. To make it easier for you to deal with your pet, you need to walk it intensively before going to bed. A tired dog will defend its own opinion less fiercely and accept the need to go to bed.

When you are ready for bed, put your dog on a leash and lead him to the bed. Carefully, without sudden jerks or movements, place your pet on the bed and praise him. With puppies, young temperamental dogs, it is better to use additional motivation in the form of treats. Unfasten the leash, give the command “place” and go to bed.

The most difficult part will begin immediately after the pet gets up and follows you. Try to get the dog to return to its place on command; if the pet ignores you, fasten it on the leash again and take it to the lounger. Strictly and clearly say “no” or “ugh”, like every time the dog tries to get up from the bed. Once you have your pet down, unfasten the leash and go to bed.

On the first day, your main task is to win this monotonous competition. Don’t forget to reward your pet every time he lays down on his bed. Typically 6-8 repetitions allow the dog to understand that a reward is associated with being on the bed.

The next difficult moment that you may encounter on the very first night is manipulation through barking and whining. Ignore any attempts to get your attention when it comes to training an adult dog. If the puppy appeared in your house a few days ago, for the sake of reducing it, it is more logical to move the lounger to your bedroom.

Be patient and pretend that you are sleeping, even if the dog’s whining turns into howling and barking. Remember your main task - you need to survive the first night at any cost and not succumb to your pet’s manipulations.

Any sounds you make in response to whining and howling will reassure your pet, which will only make the situation worse.

If your pet decides to act impudently, gets up from his sleeping place and jumps on your bed in the middle of the night, stand up abruptly and order the dog to go to the bed. Ignore the sad eyes and discontent - this is just part of the plan that the dog is used to manipulating. If the pet does not hear the commands, use a leash and start the whole algorithm again. Don't forget to praise your pet as soon as you take him to his place, it is important that your voice sounds sincere.

The first night will not be easy, but if you pass all the tests, you can consider that half of the task is completed. All your further steps should be related to the development of positive emotions in the dog in relation to the sleeping place. It is important not to break down and scold your pet, not to scare him away or push him out of bed. Always use a leash, remain calm and reward appropriate behavior.

Try to get your dog's attention every time you notice him about to jump on your bed. Go to the bed, show the treats in your hand and call your dog. Place the pet on the bed, give the command a place and give the treat. Let your pet remain in place for a few minutes, then call your dog and praise him again. This algorithm of action will allow the ward to understand that praise and encouragement are associated with the permitted sleeping area.

Fight for territory or who is boss?

There is one nuance due to which all of the above methods may not be effective. If your pet is fighting for territory or trying to dominate, showing that only he is worthy of the title of leader of the pack, you need to start by establishing a hierarchy.

Your authority may be undermined by incorrect behavior or mistakes in the upbringing process that you made earlier. The leader of the pack has several privileges that you should start using, and you need to do this demonstratively:

• The leader always eats first– feed the dog only after you have eaten and do not allow your pet into the eating area until the bowl is filled.
• All members of the pack give way to the leader– if you are walking and there is a dog on your way, stop and wait until it gives way to you. If the pet does not pay attention to you, send it to its place with a command. If the command is ignored, use a leash and take the dog to the bed.
• No one dares to contradict the leader– discuss problems with family members and agree that any conflicts and quarrels in the house will appear. It is important that the dog does not observe how their voice is raised at its owner.

Remember, everyone is equal before the leader! If you have other pets, it is important to treat all four-legged animals equally. The dog will not understand the essence of the training if it is not allowed to sleep on the bed, but the cat can sleep on the pillow.

They say that over time, owners become like their dogs. Or maybe it’s the other way around, and it’s the dogs that are starting to look like us? What do you think? After all, some pets adopt our behavior with enviable tenacity. For example, do they prefer to sleep on the bed (and everything as it should be: with their head on the pillow), while ignoring the bed and the disapproval of the owner?

Of course, there will be those who say: “What’s wrong with that? Let the dog sleep on the bed." But in this case, we are most likely talking about a toy terrier who has just taken a bath, and not about a Russell who just a minute ago was exploring the corners of his favorite park. Or not about a long-haired collie during the molting period, do you agree?

More often than not, the dog’s persistent efforts to climb onto the owner’s bed actually turn into a problem. However, with the right approach it is very easy to solve. Take note of our useful tips!

Don't bed train your dog. Many problems are easier to prevent than to fix. This is also true in our case. From the first days the dog appears in the house, accustom it to the bed and under no circumstances take it with you to the bed. After all, if today you decide to “pamper” your pet a little and give him a place on your pillow, then when he jumps onto the bed tomorrow, he sincerely will not understand why you are unhappy. Remember, the most effective way to stop a dog from jumping on a bed or other furniture is to not teach it to do so in the first place.

Find the perfect bed. Offer your pet a worthy alternative to a bed - a bed on which he will be warm and comfortable. To achieve the effect, the bed must be made of good material and ideally suit the dog in size and shape. It is very important to arrange a place in a quiet part of the apartment, without high traffic and drafts.

Distract your dog with toys and treats. To distract your pet's attention from the owner's bed, offer him special toys and hard treats. For greater effect, place them directly on the bed. In this way, the dog will develop pleasant associations with its place, and it will get used to it.

Place your item on the bed. Another plus to the pleasant associations with the bed. Many dogs jump on the bed not because they are comfortable there, but because they miss their beloved owners, and the bed retains their scent. If your pet is often left alone, put something of yours (for example, a T-shirt) on his bed - this way your faithful four-legged friend will be less lonely in your absence.

Teach your dog the “No!” command. When you see that the dog is about to jump on the bed, clearly state its name and command “No!” If your pet does not respond well to voice commands, reinforce the “no” with a treat or toy. Your main goal at this stage is to attract the dog's attention and prevent him from jumping on the bed. Continue to educate and train so that in the future your pet will follow commands without additional incentives (in the form of treats, etc.) .

Limit access to the bed. Perhaps the most effective way to prevent your dog from jumping on the bed is to close the bedroom door. The point is that the pet, without seeing the bed and not being tempted to jump on it, after some time will completely forget about it. And do not give in to provocations! The dog may whine pitifully outside the door and ask to come to you. Yes, yes, especially at night. Your task is to courageously withstand the onslaught (and it can last for several days) and completely ignore such behavior. Only then will the dog understand that its measures are useless and go to sleep sweetly on its bed. But if you can’t resist and open the door or even just shout at the dog, rest assured, the quest is lost! Having achieved your attention (it doesn’t matter whether it’s positive or negative), the pet will conclude that its complaining behavior worked and will resort to it in the future.

Create unpleasant associations with the bed. Remember how we said above how important it is to instill in your dog pleasant associations with a dog bed? The same thing, only in reverse, needs to be done with your bed. In a word, the pet must make sure that the owner’s bed is completely unpleasant. What needs to be done for this? For example, cover the bed with oilcloth, rustling newspapers or bags. Yes, of course, all this is not very convenient, but it is effective. Having jumped onto the “prepared” bed several times and experienced not the most pleasant sensations from this, the dog will soon abandon his idea, and there will no longer be a need for rustling structures.

We hope our tips will help you in raising your household. Try it and share your feedback in the comments on the website or on social networks. And also love your pets. Despite the flaws in their behavior, they deserve it!

Most amateur dog breeders are faced with this problem when the puppy is heavily pampered by all family members, which ultimately leads to undesirable consequences. The main thing is not to allow the dog to do whatever it wants, which is why it is necessary to strictly prohibit the dog from sleeping in the owner’s bed.

If a small puppy is used to sleeping in his owner’s bed, then at an older age it will be quite difficult to wean him from this bad habit. The process of education and training should begin from the first days of the appearance of a small puppy in the house - it is very important to teach the new family member to sleep in a strictly designated place.

How to wean a dog from its owner's bed?

If the dog is already accustomed to sleeping in its owner’s bed, then in the future it will be quite difficult to wean it from this. To achieve a positive result, the whole family must be fully involved in the education process, because one person will not be able to overcome such a habit if the rest allow the dog to climb onto the bed again.

Under no circumstances should the dog be left alone in the room where the bed is located, at least until the training process is completely completed. You may have to lock the room with a key at first, as some dogs can open doors.

You should not force the dog out of bed or yell at it, as such behavior by the owner can provoke a defensive reaction on the part of the dog. You should not touch an angry dog, as in this state it can be injured and in the future the animal will always behave aggressively.

If the dog sleeps on the owners' bed, then a leash can be used for weaning. Using a leash, you can easily drive a dog out of bed, but if the animal begins to show aggression, then you should use a muzzle. You cannot force the dog off the bed and pull on the leash; you must give it the opportunity to jump off with a loose leash.

The animal is accustomed to a certain comfort, so the owners must create the most comfortable conditions for the dog to rest, which can be equipped next to the owner’s bed, because the animal is accustomed to communicating with humans and if you put the dog out the door, you can provoke aggression. Completely isolating a dog from communication with its owner will become a punishment for the animal, but on the contrary, it must be rewarded for correct behavior.