How to Train Your Dog to Stop Sleeping in Your Bed

Previously, we wrote an article giving you reasons why you should discourage your dog from sleeping with you.  As a follow up, we here at Baxter’s K9 Complex, St. Louis and St. Charles’ leading dog trainer, would like to provide you with a few tips to train your dog to stop sleeping in your bed:

1) Establish A New Sleeping Area for Your Dog

At this point, it may be difficult to get your dog to sleep anywhere but in your bed.  We understand that.  Therefore, where trying to establish a new sleeping area it is a good idea to make the area as comfortable as possible.  Purchase a dog bed, layout pillows and/or blankets, and place these items in a quiet relaxing corner of your home.  Or, if you still have it (and they still fit), consider making their bed in their crate they were raised in as a puppy.

2) Bedtime Behavior

When bedtime rolls around, lead your dog to the sleeping area you created in step #1.  By using positive reinforcement, such as a treat or bone, get your dog to sit or lay in their bed.  When you do so, use the term “bed”.  This will train your dog to learn that this is now their bed.

3) Your Bed Is No Longer Their Bed

Finally, you want to make it clear to your dog that your bed is no longer their bed.  Whenever your pooch jumps up on your bed to sit or laydown, make them get off your bed and train them with a simple “no” or “off” command.

Although this may be easier said than done as you may have an emotional attachment with your dog(s) sleeping with you, if you repeatedly practice and enforce the steps above you both will eventually sleep in your own respective beds… and there is nothing like a good night’s sleep!

If you have any questions, or would like a professional dog training consultation, we invite you to contact us today.  Our dog trainers are among the best in the St. Louis and St. Charles Missouri areas.  We will deliver results… we guarantee it!