Off the bed!
T
hink about reinforcement for a second – sleeping on the bed is
comfortable, it smells like his people, he’s close to his people, perhaps
he gets cuddles on the bed too. Sleeping in his own bed simply does not have
that level of reinforcement! So you’re going to have to change that, but it must
be done very gradually. Just throwing him off the bed would be unfair and could
cause significant stress.
Get prepared: put his bed right next to yours, within arm’s reach, and keep some
tasty treats in your bedside table (out of reach!). What you’re going to do is direct
him to his bed at bed-time, and give him a treat. If he stays in his bed, you’re going
to continue giving him a treat about every 30 to 60 seconds until lights out. AfterHow can I teach my dog to sleep in his own bed?
that, reach your arm out to him and gently touch him, and tell him he’s a good boy!
He’s probably going to get on the bed at some point – that’s fine, leave him.
Simply don’t give him any attention when he’s on the bed. No cuddles, no
chatting, nothing. But any time you see him in his own bed, a treat will magically
appear and he’ll get loads of attention. See what’s happening here? You’re
changing the reinforcement from your bed to his bed. You’re making his bed the
greatest place to be and your bed kind of boring. Be patient, don’t rush your dog
and most importantly be consistent – don’t confuse your dog by giving the odd
cuddle on the bed. Cuddles are for his bed only!
Katherine Brown, behaviouristNo punishment
I
f your pup has an accident in the house,
don’t shout at him or dish out punishment.
He is simply following natural instincts. He
doesn’t know what he did wrong – you are
just scaring him. If an accident happens in
the house, just keep calm and clean it when
pup is not looking. Always use a product that
doesn’t contain ammonia, as ammonia smells
like urine and will encourage pup to use the
same spot again.
Noleen Fourie, behaviouristWhat should I do when my puppy had
an accident?