Melinda Benbow, Orvis Ambassador, is the owner and operator of Urban Uplander Pet Care, LLC in Indianapolis, Indiana.
The benefits of a good dog bed are well established—it is a place of refuge, a place to recover after activity, and a helpful training tool. However, some dogs struggle with resting and sleeping on a dog bed, which could be for a variety of reasons: the bed doesn’t suit the dog’s needs, or in some cases, the dog may be having issues relaxing their mind. Unfortunately, some dogs do not understand the purpose of a bed or don’t know how to relax independently.
Once you’ve taught your dog how to lie down in their bed calmly, you can shape that behavior into napping behavior and use this new skill to assist you in different scenarios. A dog who can relax in a bed calmly can be taught to do the same in your vehicle, which makes for nice, calm car rides. This behavior can also assist you in setting boundaries around the house. Lying calmly in bed can provide an alternative to begging for food at the kitchen table or barking at the door when a guest arrives. In general, teaching your dog relaxation also allows you to help them through stressful situations. In this article, you will learn the sequence of events to teach your dog how to get in their bed, lay down, and remain calm while there.
The right bed is important for your dog’s rest, health, and overall well-being—an essential part of caring for your dog. There are many different types of beds available, and your choice will depend on your dog’s breed, size, and age. Your dog's bed can provide relief from existing physical issues and help prevent future problems. Some dogs naturally sleep on their back while others naturally burrow, and there are dog beds for all sleeping styles. Understanding your dog’s natural sleeping position will help you pick the shape that will be most comfortable for your dog. Just as important as the shape of the bed is the fill. Some fills offer more support and increase ventilation to help regulate body temperature. Some dog beds feature therapeutic support that helps with weight distribution, body recovery, and joint health. Understanding what your dog needs to be comfortable is very important when selecting a bed.
The very first step to teaching your dog how to sleep comfortably in their bed is to teach them a place behavior and cue. Once they’ve learned place, you will be able to prompt them to get in their bed. While this useful skill is your first step in getting your dog to nap on a bed, it can also be used in a variety of situations. Here’s how to establish place on a dog bed.
Now that your dog knows how to get on their bed with a verbal cue, it is time to teach them down. Not to be confused with off, down is the behavior of laying the body on the floor. Once your dog understands this behavior, you can focus on capturing calm moments.
Now that your dog knows how to get on the bed and can lay down on cue, it is time to teach your dog how to relax. Calm behavior is like any other behavior you want to teach your dog—the more you reward it, the more likely and often it will reoccur. If you are struggling with a dog that does not seem to calm down, make sure that you are seizing every opportunity to reward them every time they exhibit calm behavior. The more consistent you are about marking and reinforcing these behaviors, the more natural your dog will be engaged in calm behaviors. Having a dog who lies down nicely in their bed is wonderful but lying down is not the same as being in a relaxed state of mind. Not all dogs inherently understand how to be calm, and this can vary from breed to breed and dog to dog.
Now that you understand the training steps to help a dog lay down and relax in their bed, you can continue to condition this behavior into sleeping. Keep in mind every dog is different, and this comes easier to some dogs than others. No matter what, stay consistent and take your time! There is no overnight solution to any dog training, and you need to practice often to set them up for success. If your dog has difficulties, they may need the assistance of a behaviorist or may simply not have a dog bed that promotes comfort and relaxation.
Relaxation is harder for puppies, who can be destructive. Before splurging on a bed, wait to get a feel for what kind of bed your pup will need. You may also want to wait until they're out of their destructive chewing phase.