Achieving Dog Bed Use Portland OR

Is your dog constantly on the couch?  He's no fool.  Why should he sleep on the floor when there's a perfectly good, soft couch sitting right there?  Maybe it's because he doesn't have a bed to call his own.  Dogs love to have their own soft, clean, special place to snuggle in.

How do you get your dog to use his own bed?  When you bring a new dog bed into the house there are a few things you can do that will help ensure your dog actually uses and enjoys his very own bed. 

First, carefully consider placement.  Put the bed in a safe place, out of the path of foot traffic, but close to the where the family hangs out.  A dog loves to have his own space sometimes, but likes to see the family from where he lies.

Second, dogs rely heavily on scent.  A brand new dog bed that smells like a brand new dog bed is just not going to catch your dog’s interest as much as one that smells good to him.  And what smells good to a dog?  Before you go smearing bacon grease on that perfectly good bed, consider this:  Your dog is part of your family, or pack.  The scents of the household, the humans, and other pets are all familiar and comfortable to your dog.  To get him to use the new dog bed, try temporarily covering it with his favorite blanket or towel – something he’s laid on recently.  Or put one of your own tee shirts (unlaundered) on the bed.  Your dog will then recognize the new dog bed as something familiar and cozy.

And third, don’t force it!  Show your dog his new bed with gentle enthusiasm.  Let him know it’s a great place.  Sit down on the dog bed yourself if it helps.  Give him a chance to get used to it.  Don’t force him immediately off your couch or bed.

Another tip:  If your dog is wary of new situations, sometimes it helps to temporarily put the dog bed right on the spot where he normally settles in.  The idea is for the dog to cuddle into the new bed in the old place for a while.  You can eventually move the dog bed to its new place and it will be less traumatic.