How to get the dog out of the bed

[Elizabeth Hundley]

First let me say that we take full responsibility for allowing our Boston Terrier to sleep with us in our bed pretty much since day one. The fact that we would now like to discontinue this practice is not his fault! However, we've reached the point where the little bugger is affecting our sleep. We love being able to snuggle with him and we will miss that! I've heard that the best time to do this is during a move. Coincidentally, we're moving to another state in 2 days. Does anyone have experience with this or know the best way to achieve this while giving him the least amount of stress?

[Rachel Webb]

Hi Elizabeth,

In order to help establish myself as the leader of the pack my pup's trainer recommended my girl not sleep in the bed anymore. Ellie is a 16 month dobie mix who has slept under the covers in my bed since she was 8 weeks old. Needless to say I was dreading implementing the change, but I stuck with it and we are 10 days into the new sleeping arrangements.

This is how it went.

I bought Ellie a plush, comfy, overpriced bed (I had a case of the guilties).
I put Ellie's bed in my room next to her brother's bed - and they both are next to my side of the bed so they are facing me.

The first night was by far the worst. I tucked Ellie into her new bed and turned out the lights. She immediately got up and jumped up on my bed. I told her "off" (which she obeys well) and got her back tucked into her bed. We went through this cycle about every 2 hours - until it was time to get up in the morning.

I praised her a bunch when she was lying in her bed calmly and I think that helped.

Ellie got better with each passing night. The second night Ellie only got up a couple of times... and by the 4th night she was fine. If she gets up now it is because she has to go outside.

When all is said and done - the change has been way harder for me than for Ellie - I miss having my bed warmer - but I have to admit after sleeping nightly with a 68 pound dobie mix - the extra room is kind of nice. Though I still cling to my trainer's words that this change isn't forever.... but it will be nice to have Ellie sleep in the bed when I want her to and in her bed when I'd rather she didn't, and she will now be able to adjust either way.

So there is hope. If we can do it anyone can do it!

hope this helped,
Rachel

[Elizabeth Hundley]

Rachel,

That is wonderful! Thank you so much for the guidance. I'm starting to feel like we can pull it off! Thanks again for your help!

~Elizabeth

[Casey Laurie]

We had the same problem with our dachshunds. It was difficult to do especially in the winter months..but I think it was much more difficult for us than for the dogs.
We did like Rachel and bought them really comfy beds: Snuggle Tail (http://secure.projecta.com/stores/chillydog/index.html)
Then we taught them the beds were their "go to" place, and set up a bedtime routine. Now we say "Bedtime!" in happy voices and they go running for their beds to get tucked in and "bedtime cookies".

We still invite them up for naps and cuddles and playtime, but they spend the nights in their own beds unless the outside temp is under 20F (first floor, wood floors, drafty house..talk about a three dog night >^_~)

[heathea]

I don't know if you have a costco near you but they have the best beds! I love my costco beds! They were under $20 and have stood up to many washings!