How to Make Your Dog Stop Sleeping in Your Bed

Co-authored by Ty Brown

Last Updated: March 24, 2023 References Approved

It may not seem like a big deal to let your dog cuddle 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 could undermine your leadership in the household and give your dog the impression that she is in charge.^{[1]
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Part 1

Part 1 of 3:

Establishing Your Dog’s Sleeping Area

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Watch how your dog sleeps. This will help you find a dog bed that will be comfortable for her as she sleeps. Pay close attention to your dog's body language as she sleeps.^{[2]
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- If your dog likes to stretch out while sleeping, go for a comfortable rectangular mattress.
- If your dog like to curl up in a tight ball, an enclosed round or oval bed will be the best fit for her.
- Older or arthritic dogs may feel more comfortable with a memory foam mattress.
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Buy a dog bed at your local pet store.^{[3]
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Expert Source

Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 4 June 2020.} When buying dog beds, you really do get what you pay for. Flimsy and cheap pet beds will fall apart easily and last your dog only a few months. The better the quality of the bed, the longer it will last.^{[4]
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Research source} When choosing a dog bed, you should consider your dog’s sleeping style, her age, and your budget. There are several types of beds available, including:^{[5]
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- Orthopedic dog beds: Orthopedic dog beds are long mattresses that provide orthopedic support. They are best for older dogs and provide extra cushioning. They are also roomy, so if your dog likes to spread out when she sleeps, this could be a good option.
- Donut (bolster) dog beds: This type of dog bed is a cushion with a raised side that makes it look like a donut. These are good for dogs who like to curl up when they sleep.
- Pillow or cushion dog beds: These are simple beds made of a large pillow or cushion and are good for dogs who like to spread out when they sleep.
- 'Heated dog beds: If you live in a colder climate or have an old or small dog that doesn't retain body heat well, a heated dog bed is a good option to keep your dog warm.
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Place the bed in a comfortable spot, like the living room or in your bedroom. Though you want to encourage your dog to stay out of your bed and in her bed, you should also make sure her sleeping area is in a comfortable spot that she is familiar with.^{[6]
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- The bed should be in an area that is room temperature and not near a draft or an open door. Look for a spot that is in a dark or shaded area of the room.
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Put her favorite toys near the bed. This should make the bed more appealing to her. You can also place a shirt that smells like you on her bed to encourage her to lay down on her bed.^{[7]
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Set up a sleeping place for your dog in a kennel or crate if she is a new puppy.^{[8]
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Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 4 June 2020.} It’s very important establish his sleeping area right away so she is not tempted to try to lay on your bed. Line the kennel or crate with newspaper in case of any nighttime accidents. Create an elevated area at the back of the sleep area, such as a dog bed or pillow, so your puppy is sleeping in a clean area of the kennel.

Part 2

Part 2 of 3:

Training Your Dog to Stay In Her Bed

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Take your dog for a long walk before bed. This should wear her out and make her have less energy to fight you when it’s time for bed.
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Keep your dog on her leash and lead her to her bed. You can also hold out a treat to give her encouragement to go over to the bed. This will train her to connect the bed with a positive reward. Never pick up your dog and place her in her bed or she will associate being there with a negative experience. ^{[9]
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Command her to “Go to your bed”.^{[10]
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Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 4 June 2020.} Be clear with your command. Give her a treat only when she lies down on the bed.^{[11]
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- Every time she gets up out of the bed, say “No” and calmly walk her back to her bed. Then, repeat the command “Go to your bed”. Increase the amount of time after you say the command and then give her a reward only if she lies down in the bed.
- Eventually your dog will learn the command and understand that she will be rewarded if she stays in her bed.
4
Ignore her whining during the night. She may give you big sad eyes as you try to go to sleep, or vocalize her displeasure at her new sleeping arrangement by whining or moaning during the night. But avoid giving in to these displays as it will only reinforce her behavior and prevent her from getting used to her bed.
- Yelling at your dog as she whines may only make her whine louder. If the whining continues after you have ignored it for several minutes, ask your dog if she wants to go outside. If she responds and becomes excited, take her out. Make the trip feel purposeful, a time for your pup to go to the bathroom, not play time.
- If you don’t think your dog needs to go to the bathroom and is whining due to being in her bed, continue to ignore her whining. Do not try to punish her behavior as this will actually reinforce her behavior. Punishing her will show her you are paying attention to her behavior.
- Be prepared for the whining to get worse before your dog eventually stops whining. But commit to ignoring her as it will help her get used to the bed in the long run.
5
Correct your dog if she jumps on your bed.^{[12]
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Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 4 June 2020.} This is an important step to establishing boundaries for your dog and reinforcing the importance of her sleeping on her own bed.^{[13]
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- If your dog jumps on your bed, tell her “Go to your bed”. If your dog does not move, either pick her up and place her on the floor or gently nudge her off the bed while saying “No.”
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Use positive reinforcement to correct your dog’s behavior.^{[14]
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Expert Source

Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Expert Interview. 4 June 2020.} Many dog owners use a spray bottle of water to punish bad behavior in their dog, including sleeping on their bed or on other furniture. But positive reinforcement, where you reward your dog for good behavior rather than punish her for bad behavior, can also be an effective way to train her.
- Praise your dog if she goes to her bed without you leading her or if she lies down on her bed after you command “Go to bed”. This will help her associate the bed with rewards and praise rather than punishment or negative feelings.
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Practice inviting your dog to her bed. Never allow your dog to enter your room or crawl into bed uninvited. This will give her a sense that she is in charge of bedtime. Make sure she only acts on command and when you wake up, make sure she waits calmly for your command before getting out of bed.

Part 3

Part 3 of 3:

Understanding the Benefits of a Dog Free Bed

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Establish your dominance over your dog by keeping her out of your bed. One of the ways dogs determine hierarchy is through physical height. The higher-ranking animal will position herself higher than the lower-ranking one. So when you allow your dog to sleep on the bed next to you, she could infer that she is above or equal to you.^{[15]
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- Maintaining your dominance over your dog is important because without establishing your leaderships, your dog could be disobedient or act out. If you have indicated that you do not have control over your dog, she may take it as license to act badly.^{[16]
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Keep your other pets happy and safe. If your household has more than one pet, such as another dog or cats, keeping your dog out of your bed will also set an example for your other pets. Creating separate beds for all your pets will also allow you to get a good night’s sleep without having to worry about rolling over and crushing a furry friend.^{[17]
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Eliminate the risk of catching a disease or illness. If your dog plays with, steps in, or eats feces (her own or other animals’) she could transmit dog-to-human bacteria or parasites like salmonella or heartworms. Most dogs step in all kinds of things, so the likelihood of your dog carrying bacteria you may not want all over your sheets is high.^{[18]
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- If you suffer from asthma or other allergies, having your dog’s fur in your bed may make these issues worse. Keeping your dog in a separate bed or sleeping area will benefit not only your pup, but also your ability to get a good night’s sleep.

Expert Q&A

Question

How do I get my dog to stop sleeping on my bed?

Ty Brown
Dog Trainer
Ty Brown is a Dog Behaviorist and Trainer and the Owner of Ty the Dog Guy, a business that provides dog training through digital resources (podcasts, web series, and online courses) along with in-person dog training. Ty has over 17 years of experience in dog training and specializes in both mitigating unruly pet behavior and service dog training. Ty has been awarded the "Best of State Award" for dog training in Utah ten times and his work has been featured in ABC, NBC, CBS, Spike TV, and Entrepreneur Magazine.

Ty Brown

Dog Trainer

Expert Answer

Make sure your dog has a really nice bed he will enjoy sleeping in. Then, train your dog to go to his bed on command. Crate training can also help your dog form a positive association with his crate, which will encourage him to sleep there at night instead of in your bed.
Question

I live in a loft and can't use a baby gate. Do the sprays work?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Sprays act as a deterrent and work best when they appear to be an 'Act of God', so the dog links stepping onto the stairs with an unpleasant blast of air and not with your presence. Your best bet is to get a can of compressed air that is motion-activated, and site it on the lower step. That way when the dog goes to go up the stairs they get an unpleasant surprise. This will make the dog think the stairs are a no-go area, which is what you want to achieve.
Question

How can I stop my puppy from jumping onto my bed at night?

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS
Veterinarian
Dr. Elliott, BVMS, MRCVS is a veterinarian with over 30 years of experience in veterinary surgery and companion animal practice. She graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1987 with a degree in veterinary medicine and surgery. She has worked at the same animal clinic in her hometown for over 20 years.

Pippa Elliott, MRCVS

Veterinarian

Expert Answer

Try crate-training the puppy. The idea is to provide a den-like space that is the pup's, so that he's happy to rest there at night. Otherwise, you need to distract the pup with his favorite toy and train him to get down (if he's big enough) or put him on the floor and then reward and praise him for being on the floor. If he goes to jump up, say a short, sharp "No!", so he understands his place is on the ground.