It may not seem like a big deal to let your dog snuggle with you at bedtime, but allowing your dog to sleep in your bed often leads to other behavioral problems. These can include disobedience, acting out, and being overly possessive. In fact, letting your dog sleep in your bed can undermine your leadership in the household and give your dog the impression that he is in charge.^[1]

[Edit]step

[Edit]Setting up your dog’s sleeping area

1. Purchase a dog bed at your local pet store.^[2] When buying dog beds, you really do get what you pay for. Flimsy and cheap pet beds will fall apart easily and your dog’s life will last only a few months. The better the quality of the bed, the longer it will last.^[3] When choosing a dog bed, you should consider your dog’s sleeping style, his age, and your budget. There are several types of beds available, including:^[4],
   
   • Orthopedic Dog Beds: Orthopedic dog beds are long mattresses that provide orthopedic support. They are best for large dogs and provide extra cushioning. They’re also roomy, so if your dog likes to spread out when he sleeps, this could be a great option.
   • Donut (Bolster) Dog Bed: This type of dog bed has a cushion with raised sides that give it a donut-like appearance. These are good for dogs who like to curl up when they sleep.
   • Pillow or cushion dog beds: These are simple beds made up of one large pillow or cushion and are good for dogs that like to spread out when they sleep.
   • ‘ Heated dog beds: If you live in a cold climate or have an older or younger dog who doesn’t retain body heat well, a heated dog bed is a great option for keeping your dog warm. .
2. Watch how your dog sleeps. This will help you find a dog bed that will be comfortable for him while he sleeps. Pay close attention to your dog’s body language at bedtime.^[5]
   
   • If your dog likes to spread out while sleeping, go for a comfortable rectangular mattress.
   • If your dog likes to curl up in a tight ball, an enclosed round or oval bed would be best suited for him.
   • Older or arthritic dogs may feel more comfortable with a memory foam mattress.
3. Place the bed in a comfortable spot, such as the living room or your bedroom. Although you want to encourage your dog to stay out of your bed and into his bed, you should also make sure that his sleeping area is in a comfortable location that he is familiar with.^[6]
   
   • The bed should be in an area with room temperature and not near drafts or open doors. Look for a spot that is in a dark or shaded area of ​​the room.
4. Keep his favorite toys by the bed. This should make the bed more appealing to him. You can even put a shirt on her bed that smells like you to encourage her to lie down in bed.^[7]
   
5. Set up a kennel or crate for your dog to sleep in if he is a new puppy.^[8] It’s very important to set up his sleeping spot right away so he doesn’t try to lay on your bed. Line the kennel or crate with newspaper in case of any overnight accidents. Create an elevated area behind the sleeping area, such as a dog bed or pillow, so your puppy is sleeping in a clear area of ​​the kennel.
   

[Edit]training your dog to stay in his bed

1. Take your dog for a long walk before bed. This will tire her out and leave her less energy to fight you when it’s time to sleep.
   
2. Put your dog on its leash and lead it to its bed. You can also give him a treat to encourage him to go to bed. This will train him to associate the bed with a positive reward. Never pick your dog up and lay on his bed or he will associate being there with a negative experience. ^[9]
   
3. Give him the command to “go to your bed”.^[10] Be clear with your order. Give him a treat only when he lies down on the bed.^[11]
   
   • Every time she gets out of bed, say “no” and calmly put her back on the bed. Then, repeat the command “Go to your bed”. Increase the amount of time after saying the command and then reward him only when he lies down on the bed.
   • Eventually your dog will learn the command and understand that she will be rewarded if she stays in her bed.
4. Ignore his cries at night. She might give you big sad eyes when you try to sleep, or express her displeasure at your new sleeping arrangement by crying or whining during the night. But avoid succumbing to these demonstrations as this will only reinforce his behavior and prevent him from getting used to your bed.
   
   • Yelling at your dog when she whines may only make her whining louder. If the whining continues after you ignore it for several minutes, ask your dog if he wants to go outside. If she responds and gets agitated, take her out. Make travel feel purposeful, your pup’s bathroom time, not play time.
   • If you don’t think your dog needs to go to the bathroom and he’s whining because he’s in his bed, continue to ignore his whining. Don’t try to punish his behavior as this will actually reinforce his behavior. Punishing him will show him that you are paying attention to his behavior.
   • Be prepared for your dog to cry before it finally stops whining. But commit to ignoring him as this will help him get used to the bed in the long run.
5. Correct your dog if he jumps on your bed.^[12] This is an important step in establishing boundaries for your dog and reinforcing the importance of sleeping in his own bed.^[13]
   
   • If your dog jumps on your bed, say “Get on your bed”. If your dog won’t move, either pick him up and lay him on the floor or gently push him off the bed while saying “no”.
6. Use positive reinforcement to correct your dog’s behavior.^[14] Many dog ​​owners use a spray bottle of water to punish their dog’s bad behavior, which includes sleeping on their bed or on other furniture. But positive reinforcement, where you reward your dog for good behavior rather than punishing it for bad behavior, can also be an effective way to train it.
   
   • Praise your dog if she goes to her bed without your lead or if she lies down on her bed after the “go to bed” command. This will help him to associate the bed with rewards and praise, rather than punishment or negative feelings.
7. Practice inviting your dog into his bed. Never allow your dog to enter your room or crawl onto your bed uninvited. This will give her the feeling that she is in charge of bedtime. Make sure she only acts on command and when you wake up, make sure she calmly waits for your command before getting out of bed.
   

[Edit]Understanding the Benefits of Dog Free Beds

1. Establish dominance over your dog by keeping him out of your bed. One of the ways dogs determine hierarchy is through physical height. An animal of a higher order will give itself a higher place than an animal of a lower order. So when you let your dog sleep in the bed next to you, he may infer that he is above or equal to you.^[15]
   
   • Maintaining your dominance over your dog is important because without your leadership being established, your dog may become disobedient or act out. If you have indicated that you do not have control over your dog, she may take this as license to act badly.^[16]
2. Keep your other pets happy and safe. If you have more than one pet in your household, such as another dog or cats, keeping your dog out of your bed will set a precedent for your other pets as well. Creating individual beds for all of your pets will help you get a good night’s sleep without worrying about a furry friend rolling over and crushing you.^[17]
   
3. Eliminate the risk of catching an illness or disease. If your dog plays, steps on, or eats feces (his own or other animals’), he can transmit dog-to-human bacteria or parasites such as salmonella or heartworm. Most dogs step in all kinds of things, so your dog is likely carrying bacteria that you don’t want on your sheets.^[18]
   
   • If you suffer from asthma or other allergies, having your dog’s fur in your bed can make these problems worse. Keeping your dog in a separate bed or sleeping area will not only benefit your pup, but your ability to get a good night’s sleep as well.

[Edit]Video

[Edit]Things you’ll need

• a dog bed
• a spray bottle (optional)
• a dog leash
• He deals with it

[Edit]Related wikiHows

• Get dog to stop pulling clothes off the line
• prevent dog from climbing things

[Edit]Reference

[Edit]quick summary