Professional breeders and dog breeders know that it is extremely important to train and properly raise your four-legged pet from the earliest months. The little puppy remembers commands very quickly and is receptive to training. It is much easier to motivate a puppy to behave correctly, unlike an adult dog.
It is necessary to wean the dog from sleeping with the owner on the bed from the very beginning, just like eating from the table, keeping dirty paws on the bed and much more. By letting the dog into his bed, the owner undermines his authority as a leader and the animal may simply stop obeying his. In some cases, other behavioral problems follow.
Iron will - the best method to wean a dog from sleeping on the bed
Alas, the only sure way is an iron will and resistance to the puppy dog's gaze. If you don’t let your baby onto sofas and beds, then it won’t even occur to him that he can sleep on furniture. If the problem does appear, weaning it off will only take a few days.
Remember that a small puppy will not get rid of bad habits with age! If a cute puppy snorts next to you, then an adult dog will do the same. Only he will shed, bring sand from walks and fall apart on half the bed. Add to this drool, puddles and wild snoring. In addition, such a neighborhood is dangerous for the dog, as it can be injured if it falls or jumps.
Are you ready for the consequences? Everyone answers this question themselves. But what if you once couldn’t refuse a touching puppy, and now he’s taken over the bed? Fight!
Choosing a bed
First of all, it is necessary to properly equip a special place where the pet will sleep in the future. In order to choose and equip a place correctly, it is necessary to observe exactly how the dog behaves during sleep, what comfortable position it takes.
The selection of a bed directly depends on how the animal sleeps. Perhaps your pet likes to sleep stretched out to its full length. For such cases, it is necessary to choose a mattress that has a rectangular shape. For those animals that like to sleep curled up in a ball, the best sleeping place would be a round or oval-shaped lounger.
Note! It is more comfortable and healthy for older animals, as well as dogs with joint problems, to sleep on mattresses made of foam materials that adapt to the anatomical deflections of the body.
When choosing a bed for your pet, you need to pay attention to quality. Inexpensive dog beds of dubious quality will not last long. There are several types of dog beds:
- Orthopedic – allowing to support the animal’s spine during rest and sleep. They are suitable for older animals and dogs with musculoskeletal problems.
- Round loungers and pillows are a basket with small sides. This type of bed is suitable for those pets who prefer to sleep curled up in a ball.
- Heated sleeping area - suitable for those animals that live in cold climates, as well as older dogs and small breed dogs (which find it difficult to warm up on their own).
Why does a dog want to sleep on the bed?
It is not always the owner who willfully drags the puppy onto the bed. Most often, the baby asks for it himself. Later, repeated actions turn into a kind of ritual. However, rarely is the problem entirely one of habit. Usually some other factor is mixed in with the cause.
Lack of personal space
One of the biggest mistakes of novice owners. The pet must have its own cozy corner, otherwise it will be forced to take over yours. In the shelter, the baby feels safe and rests. The personal space should be quite warm and comfortable. For example, if your dog stretches out when he sleeps, it might be wise to invest in a rectangular mattress.
Leader status
The higher a pack member sleeps, the higher his position. Most often, a companion begins to consider himself a leader after the formation of a habit. However, sometimes the desire for a high status is the root cause. The leader always eats first, goes ahead, can punish you for wrong behavior, etc. Watch your pet. Maybe this is the problem?
Loneliness and boredom
When we go to work, life comes to a standstill for our animals. They get bored. Pets are forced to occupy themselves. Most simply sleep, waiting for their owners to return. The bed is the place that stores your scent. Since scents are the main way dogs communicate, they may jump on the bed. To prevent your pet from feeling lonely, leave some of your things on his mattress. For example, a T-shirt or shirt.
Pet personal hygiene
Owners who still allow their dog to sleep with them must follow the following hygiene rules regarding their pet:
- After each walk, be sure to wash the animal’s paws, as well as its butt and belly. Use special shampoos for this. In addition, you can comb the animal's fur to remove lumps of dirt or stuck burrs.
- Don't ignore trimming your pet's nails, clean his ears and dry his eyes.
- Periodically treat your pet against parasites - ticks, fleas and worms. Also vaccinate your four-legged friend according to the schedule recommended by your personal veterinarian.
- During shedding, comb the animal thoroughly, and for females during estrus, wear special diapers for dogs.
Finally, I would like to say that each owner himself determines whether his pet should sleep next to him or whether it is better when he rests on his bed. You need to accustom your furry pet to its place from childhood, because retraining it in adulthood is quite problematic. But it is possible, the main thing is firmness and determination.
The problem needs to be dealt with comprehensively
You need not only to wean the puppy, but also to educate it and provide comfortable conditions. Set up a personal place for your dog: a crate with bedding, a bed, or just a cozy corner. Leave toys and some of your belongings there. Don't let the lead be taken over. Be a gentle but at the same time strict master.
It is important to educate the dog and offer it an alternative to the owner's bed. Between an unfamiliar bed and a soft, warm bed, the dog will choose the latter. How to drive away the “invader”?
Under no circumstances should you grab your pet by the limbs, pull him out of bed, or hit him. No violence! If your pet is already very spoiled, he will bite you. A quick escape from a hill is fraught with injury, and this is true even for large dogs. You need to make the animal jump down voluntarily.
The ideal option is a prohibiting command
It is extremely rare for pets to go against the will of their owners. After fulfilling the request, it is advisable to call the companion to his new place and give him a toy or treat and praise him. A shaggy friend should associate his dog bed only with positive emotions.
If you decide to take the issue seriously, be consistent. You weren't allowed to climb onto the bed? From now on, the path to the top is completely closed for the pet! The ward can be cunning, come to you at night, wake you up, be the most gentle and affectionate... Do not give in to persuasion. If you let it go even once, all progress will be reset.
Pets sense our mood. They know when we are irritated or very tired. Pets can use this. The dog will probably at some point try to board you: climb onto your bed when you come home from work tired. Your loved one understands perfectly well that you do not have the strength to fight. Here you will have to use all your willpower: drive your pet away until you are blue in the face. Hold on!
It is worth mentioning one more important detail. If you have several pets, you will have to prohibit everyone from climbing on the furniture. The dog simply will not be able to accept it if you give another dog or cat more privileges.
Reasons for this behavior
This behavior is due to the fact that the ancestors of domestic pets are wolves. These animals, in the wild, huddle together and cuddle together while they sleep. This habit helps them conserve heat and feel more protected. The dog instinctively repeats the behavior of a wolf at home, since its owner is its pack that needs to be protected.
On the other hand, many animal psychologists note that in dog psychology, sleeping on a hill is the privilege of leaders. Therefore, if a pet likes to climb onto the bed, then this may be a sign that he is striving to take a leading position in the “pack”. Such behavior, if left unpunished, can lead to the dog becoming uncontrollable.
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There are also quite prosaic reasons why a pet tries to climb onto the bed:
In any case, whether to allow a shaggy friend to sleep on the sofa or not is the owner’s decision. If this causes him inconvenience, then further recommendations will help him understand how to wean the dog from his owner’s bed.
I would place a mat next to my side of the bed, with the dog on a leash so that she cannot climb onto the bed. Before going to bed, put the dog on a bed, sit next to it for a while, then go to bed, stroke the dog, lowering your hand. When you see that there are no attempts to climb into bed, remove the leash. Then you can slowly move the bed.
I would place a mat next to my side of the bed, with the dog on a leash so that she cannot climb onto the bed. Before going to bed, put the dog on a bed, sit next to it for a while, then go to bed, stroke the dog, lowering your hand. When you see that there are no attempts to climb into bed, remove the leash. Then you can slowly move the bed.
We taught the adult dog we inherited from climbing on chairs and sofas. She really respected lying on them. They put chairs there upside down for several months in our absence, when we were at home - they simply scolded us and drove us away. For the second year now, she hasn’t even thought about climbing onto the sofa. You just need to make it clear that there is no chance. If you give up, why wouldn't your dog try again and again?
A dog’s desire to sleep on its owner’s bed is natural: it wants to be close to its “pack.” But you only have to allow your pet to spend the night with you a couple of times, and then it will be very difficult to fight this habit. The dog will always ask to go to the owner's bed. If you indulge your pet's wishes, he will soon feel like he is on an equal footing with the “leader”. And this will certainly cause behavior problems. What to do?
What should you do if your dog sleeps on the bed when you are not looking?
Common situation! There are many options for behavior correction. All of them are based either on limiting the territory or on neutralizing interest.
Newspapers instead of a bedspread
The rustling paper will be enough to scare the most delicate pets. Just spread crumpled newspapers on the bed. When jumping, the dog will hit an “unpleasant” surface and will prefer to retreat. However, many will prefer to frolic and cause chaos.
Rustling polyethylene
Purchase durable film from a greenhouse store. Make the bed with it. The polyethylene rustles loudly and is unpleasant to lie on. In extreme cases, it will protect the surface from wool and dirt.
Kuznetsov applicator
One of the surest ways. The applicator is a small mat with plastic spikes. The device is used for health procedures, but with its help you can also get rid of a bad dog habit. The thorns will not damage the delicate paws, but will force you to go in search of a more comfortable place.
Scat mat
A small transparent mat that allows a light discharge of current to pass through when touched. Perhaps this method may seem cruel to some, although in reality it instantly stops the fight for furniture. The discharge is non-lethal and weak, solely for discomfort.
Closed door
Sometimes this is the only acceptable measure. It is not always effective, but with an integrated approach it can give results.
