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!
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. - 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.
All members of the pack give way to the leader
- if you are walking and a dog is 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.
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.
A little puppy, who has found himself in a new home, misses his pack and his mother. Therefore, he tries to be closer to his new family around the clock. Owners often take a whining puppy to bed with them to calm it down. However, it is then very difficult to get an older dog out of bed. How to wean a dog from sleeping on the bed with its owner?
The reasons why dogs want to get into a person's bed lie in the nature of pack animals. The ancestors of domestic pets lived in large packs, and modern dogs are also pack animals. They felt a sense of security and warmth by clinging closely to each other while sleeping. Only the outcasts were forced to sleep separately from the pack. Therefore, puppies strive to be closer to those from whom they expect protection.
Animal psychologists say that by the pet’s posture you can determine how much it trusts the members of its “pack”. If the dog turns its most unprotected part - its back, then it trusts the person, feels protection and comfort. Such close contacts, however, do not contribute to building the correct hierarchy. Highly organized animals require a hierarchical structure.
Puppies are immediately born dominant, subdominant and low-ranking, so from the very beginning alphas strive to occupy the corresponding position. The leader of the pack is always higher on the social ladder than his relatives. This also applies to location in space. The dog's bed is located one level below the owner's bed or sofa. So he understands that the owner is the leader, and the dog must obey him.
Trying to get into bed with its owner, the dog tries to compete for leadership. It is more difficult to train such a dog and more difficult to demand obedience from him. The dog strives to sleep in a person’s bed, but he himself does not allow anyone to encroach on his sleeping place - this is the right of the leader of the pack. The man himself gives up part of his leadership, and the dog knows how to manipulate the man in order to achieve his own.
There are also more “prosaic” reasons that are not related to the psychology and nature of the pet. For example:
- the apartment is too cold, and the pet is looking for a warm place;
- the dog needs attention, close contact allows you to compensate for this;
- The dog in the owners’ bed “hides” from the excessive attention of small children or other inhabitants of the home.
A feeling of fear, lack of security, the need for a “family,” stress are factors that force a dog to seek comfortable mental and physical conditions in a person’s bed.
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.
How to wean a puppy off the bed?
Raising a pet requires patience, certain knowledge and experience from the owner. Therefore, novice dog breeders often have questions. One of the most common is how to wean a dog from sleeping on the bed with its owner.
Often people are led by emotions and allow the puppy to lie down in their sleeping place. But as you grow older, this habit causes more and more problems.
However, behavior can be corrected at any age if you act persistently and persistently.
Why do dogs like to sleep with their owner?
The desire for a pet to sleep on a sofa or bed with a person goes back to antiquity.
When animals lived in the wild, they formed packs to keep warm at night and protect each other from attack.
Domesticated pets have an ancestral instinct, so they are more comfortable being in the company of people.
From the psychological point of view, this behavior of dogs is associated with dominance. When a pet goes to bed with its owner, it tries to take a leadership position.
At the same time, the pet does not allow you to touch his sleeping place - it is his property.
As a result, the animal stops obeying, becomes eccentric and uncontrollable, which is fraught with many problems.
Also, reasons why a dog likes to jump on the bed may be:
- lack of attention – the pet lacks affection and communication, so he tries to be close to the person at least at night;
- an attempt to warm up - decorative and hairless breeds quickly become hypothermic. They are looking for a source of warmth, and the master's bed becomes the most suitable place;
- fear - perhaps the pet is stressed or uncomfortable at home, so he tries to hide near his leader. In the presence of a leader, the animal feels safe.
Some owners allow their pet to lie on their bed and sleep with them. But otherwise, you should wean the dog off the owner’s bed as soon as possible. It is advisable to start acting while still a puppy - re-educating an adult animal is much more difficult.
Why should an animal not be allowed on the bed?
A small shaggy ball snoring nearby is a very cute sight. However, such an indulgence seems harmless only at first glance.
In a dream, the dog tosses and turns, moves its limbs, sometimes snores, and the owner, on a subconscious level, is afraid of crushing the pet.
As a result, a person gets much worse sleep, feels exhausted and tired even after a long rest.
Due to constant contact with the animal, the owner may become infected with ringworm, demodicosis, scabies, or pick up any parasites.
This is especially dangerous for children, whose fragile bodies cannot yet withstand many infections.
In addition, the fur of most dogs is a strong allergen that causes skin or breathing problems.
Requirements for the bed
The biggest mistake novice dog breeders make is the reluctance to provide their pet with its own sleeping place. In this case, the animal is forced to encroach on the owner’s bed - he simply has nowhere to sleep.
A dog of any breed should have a comfortable bed where he can always be alone and relax.
It will be easier to accustom you to your own sleeping place if it fits the animal perfectly:
- if your pet prefers to curl up in a ball, you should choose a round or oval mattress;
- if the dog sleeps stretched out to its full height, a rectangular-shaped bed is more suitable for it;
- orthopedic beds that take the shape of the body have been developed for older animals;
- If the house is cold, you should buy a heated sleeping bag.
You should also take into account the characteristics of the breed. For example, burrowing dogs prefer to relax in closed houses.
How to wean a puppy off the bed
Raising dogs and consistent training allows you to raise an obedient animal. Therefore, even in childhood, the puppy is taught to behave correctly in the house, follow a minimum set of commands, and observe a regime of activity and rest.
The baby is provided with a sleeping place in a quiet place away from drafts. In the evening, the pet is taken to the bed, repeating the command “Place”.
There is no need to forcefully drag the animal - he will consider this a punishment. If the dog lies down calmly, he is generously praised and treated with a treat.
The puppy is accustomed to the place in stages. The pet remains on the bed for 10-15 seconds after the first training - this is already a success. Gradually increase the time until the dog gets used to sleeping only in its place.
If the puppy falls asleep somewhere in the house, and not on his mattress, you should carefully move him to a bed, give the command “place” and praise him.
At this time, the pet is not allowed to lie down with the owner. If the owner has made a firm decision to wean the puppy from the bed, no concessions can be made.
Even when the pet begins to beg very pitifully, you should be patient and steadfastly ignore all the animal’s attempts to press for pity.
Over time, the dog will understand that its efforts are in vain, and will sleep peacefully separately.
It is strictly forbidden to shout at the puppy if he whines. The pet will understand that it managed to attract the owner’s attention and will continue in the same spirit.
If the puppy is already accustomed to climbing on the bed, weaning will take longer.
With each attempt, it is necessary to give prohibiting commands in a stern voice, and when the baby does not obey, force him to be taken to his own bed.
However, it is important not to overdo it - if you drive the dog too aggressively, it will become afraid of the owner.
To make the puppy less lonely on the bed, place his favorite toys, bones or other things he loves nearby.
This way it will become clear to the baby that his sleeping place is much better than the owner’s bed.
You can put your jacket or sweater - the dog will not feel abandoned.
Another important point in establishing the correct hierarchy is allowing the dog to enter the master bedroom only after an invitation.
It is necessary to convince the puppy that the owners’ room is not his territory. He can get here only with the consent of the leader.
During the period of weaning on the sofa or bed in the absence of the owners, you should close the door to the bedroom.
How to wean an adult dog off the bed
Changing established habits is much more difficult than raising a puppy correctly in the first place. However, even the behavior of an adult dog can be corrected if you act consistently and patiently.
How to wean an adult dog from sleeping on the bed:
- Under no circumstances should you allow your pet to climb into the owner's bed. Only the leader can rest here.
- If there are other four-legged pets in the house, then their habits should be adjusted. For example, a cat sleeping on its owner's bed makes the dog jealous. She will definitely try to take his place.
- Reduce the temptation to a minimum by closing the bedroom door, especially when your pet is home alone.
Some owners, in order to wean their dog from jumping on a sofa or bed, place chairs on the sleeping place with their legs up - the animal will not physically be able to climb there.
The dog must understand that there is absolutely no reason for it to climb onto the sofa or bed. When an animal tries to climb onto the owner’s sleeping place, prohibiting commands are given - “fu”, “no”, “no”.
All family members should act this way.
If one person stops unwanted behavior, and the other allows the pet to be willful, success will not be achieved.
Your pet won’t understand why now he can climb onto the bed, but after a couple of hours he can’t.
To wean your dog off the couch, you need to make its bed attractive. As in the case of a puppy, you can put your own thing there - the smell of the owner will calm the animal.
Source: https://myzooeksperts.com/kak-otuchit-schenka-ot-krovati/
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.
Requirements for a pet's sleeping place
In J. Fisher’s very famous and popular book among dog owners, “What’s Your Dog Thinking,” the author asks dog owners who like to jump on a bed, sofa or chair, is their pet’s sleeping place comfortable? He believes that so that the dog does not have to ask to go to the owners’ bed, it is necessary to make its sleeping place more attractive:
- The sleeping place should be located in a place protected from drafts, away from busy traffic and close attention.
- The mattress should correspond to the size of an adult dog, so that the pet can feel comfortable in any position.
- The choice of mattress depends on the age of the pet. If your dog has problems with the musculoskeletal system or is elderly, then it makes sense to purchase a mattress that takes the shape of the body. An excellent choice is an orthopedic mattress. Regardless of the mattress, its cover should be easy to remove and wash. It is preferable that the cover be made of natural fabric. Artificial materials can cause allergies, and in long-haired dogs, electrification of the “fur coat”.
- Representatives of some breeds need very soft beds - sofas or beds. This is due to the physiology of dogs (mastiffs, bull terriers, middle schnauzers, Staffordshire terriers) that have weak joints.
- For small, smooth-haired breeds, it is especially important that the bed is located in a warm place. It makes sense to purchase a crib or sofa with legs in order to “tear off” the sleeping place from the floor.
- Burrowing dogs really like houses in which they feel isolated and protected.
- Your favorite toys should be located next to the bed, as this is not only a sleeping place, but also a rest and relaxation area.
The recreation area should evoke positive emotions, a sense of security and safety. If a dog cannot get used to its own sleeping place for a long time, whines and asks to go to the owner’s bed, the bed should be placed next to the bed so that the puppy can feel the presence of a person, but firmly stop attempts to climb into the owner.
Experienced dog breeders know how important it is to start training a pet from a very young age. A puppy is more receptive to training and is easier to motivate to behave correctly than an adult. If you miss this favorable moment, besides allowing your pet too much, then in the future this is fraught with food stolen from the table or traces of dirty paws on the white sheets. This article will discuss how to wean a dog from sleeping on a bed.
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.
There are also quite prosaic reasons why a pet tries to climb onto the bed:
- An animal may jump on the sofa because the owner is paying too little attention to it.
- Due to the desire to keep warm, which is quite common if the dog is a small or hairless breed.
- An animal may like to sleep on the sofa because there are children or strangers in the house. If the children are very small, then this relieves the dog of worrying about them, and if they are strangers, then there is a better view from a higher place, which means the “stranger” will not sneak up unnoticed.
- One of the reasons why your pet is more willing to sleep on a bed may be fear or a feeling of insecurity.
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.
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.
Features of sleeping together with a dog
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 No. 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.
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.
How to deal with an established habit
It often turns out that the pet is simply used to sleeping with the owner on the bed and no rules of good behavior apply to the animal. In this case, it is worth using radical methods recommended by experts.
- Your sleeping place must be covered with film or newspapers. As soon as the dog jumps on the bed, it will begin to make unpleasant sounds. As a result, noise can greatly irritate the animal. If this method does not work, at least the bed will be free of dirt and hair.
- You can resort to a more modern method. This is more suitable for owners who love innovation. Cover the bed with a stingray mat. The product is a mat that creates light electrical discharges. As a result, this method will wean your pet from sleeping in the wrong place.
- No matter how trivial it may sound, you can simply close the door to the master bedroom. But, unfortunately, the dog will only temporarily not jump on the bed. As an alternative, you can purchase covers and put up with the animal’s stubbornness.
We have given the fundamental reasons why the family pet prefers to relax with its owner on his bed. It's up to you to wean your dog off of this or not. Follow the recommendations and give the dog time to get used to the new position.
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