How to Get Your Dog to Sleep in Their Bed, not Yours

Do you have a dog that insists on sleeping in your bed, not his? Here are a few things to try to keep your dog in his bed so that you can get a good night's sleep.

Things You'll Need

• Dog bed

Instructions

1. The easiest way to get your dog to sleep in his own bed is to start that way as a puppy, but even older dogs can be trained.

2. Get a bed that will fit your dog when it's grown. This is so your dog will always be able to associate it with where they should sleep.

3. If you are training your dog as a puppy, one good way to start is to move the puppy to his bed when you find him asleep somewhere else.

4. If your dog is already used to sleeping in your bed, the first thing you need to do get them *off* that at night. The best way to do this is just keep them out of your bedroom at night. Place their dog bed right outside your door. Be warned, most dogs will whine and scratch at the door a lot the first couple of nights. Do NOT open the door. This will only teach them that whining and scratching results in your appearance.

5. For a small dog that can't get onto the bed by himself, you can try placing the bed right next to yours, but this tends to mean louder whining.

6. Once your dog has learned to sleep in their bed, slowly move it to a more out of the way spot so they aren't sleeping right where you will step on them.

Tips & Warnings

• When searching for a dog bed make sure to get one that is machine washable.

• Your dog bed should last your dog many years, so shop around a bit to find one that suites your decor. Don't be afraid to buy online, shipping prices aren't to bad on most dog beds.