![\"dog](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Petworks-Pet-Care-Service-Pro-Tips-e1736622469982.png\")
“Letting your dog sleep in your bed can strengthen the emotional bond and provide comfort for both pet and parent, but it\u2019s important to recognize the trade-offs. While co-sleeping can ease anxiety and deepen trust, it can also disrupt sleep quality, reinforce dependency, or cause issues for dogs who struggle with boundaries. Like all things in pet parenting, balance and consistency are key.”<\/em> – Kevin Kinyon, Co-Founder, Petworks.<\/p>\nCreate A Designated Sleeping Area<\/strong><\/h3>\nSince your bed is out of the question, your dog needs to have a spot to sleep in at night. Many parents like the option of purchasing a dog bed<\/a><\/span> or mattress to give their down its own designated place somewhere either in the room or in the home.<\/p>\nBond Vet Animal Hospital<\/a> emphasizes that when deciding on an area for your dog to sleep in, you want to be mindful of your dog\u2019s sleeping habits and what bed or mattress can help provide comfort good night\u2019s sleep. They implore you to analyze how the dog sleeps, paying close attention to the position it tends to sleep in at night. Knowing these two things can help you decide on the right area and bed or mattress to give your dog as much room and comfort as necessary.<\/p>\nSometimes dogs do not take to beds or mattresses, and you can create a more simple place for your dog to lay with a blanket or pillow. It will help if your scent is on it, too – creating the illusion for your dog that you are close by and helping with the transition off the bed.<\/p>\n
![\"Dog](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/train-dog-stop-sleeping-in-bed-1024x689.jpg\")
<\/p>\n
Train Your Dog to Learn a New Command (or Two)<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you want to train your dog to stay off your bed (or any furniture, for that matter), you can adapt to teach it the \u201coff\u201d or \u201cdown\u201d command. If this is a new command you are teaching your dog, it can be established by initially guiding your pet down from the bed repetitively and using the command each time.<\/p>\n
Remember that it takes time to train your dog<\/a><\/span> in something new, especially if it is not a puppy. You might have to use \u2018no\u2019 multiple times throughout your training. In some cases, your dog will want to get out of its own bed or sleeping area and get into yours, and you will have to give it a firm \u2018no\u2019 and \u201cgo to your bed.\u201d Try not to pick them up and place them back in their own bed. Just give them a nudge in the direction of their bed so that they learn to go to their spot willingly.<\/p>\nIf you happen to catch your dog in the act of getting up onto the bed or already laying in bed, then you can use the commands \u201coff\u201d or \u201cdown\u201d to drive impact and help it to learn. Do not reward your dog with any treats or petting it unless it obeys the command – only then should you reward the behavior since it got off the bed.<\/p>\n
![\"dog](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/12\/petworks-logo-article-e1734545691243.png\")
<\/p>\n
Did you find this article\u00a0useful?<\/strong> <\/em>Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals<\/a><\/span> throughout the United States? Sign up here <\/a><\/span>for a free Petworks account, and take 10% off your first booking, on us!<\/p>\nCreate Distractions<\/strong><\/h3>\nIf you have an area for your dog to sleep in, work to lure your dog to that place when you sense it will lay down. You can make the sleeping area, mattress, bed, or blanket more appealing by putting some of their favorite toys or treats there. The dog will associate the spot with its favorite toys or treats and likely be more apt to head in that direction rather than try to get up onto the bed.<\/p>\n
Another way to distract your dog from wanting to go into your bed at night is by tiring it out. Play with your dog or take it on a long run or walk so that your dog is too tired to put up a fight about where to sleep when it is time for bed. If you do this, it can also help to ensure your dog gets a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a>. Try to avoid forcing your dog to lay in its designated spot or bed. Your dog will associate a lousy experience with the location and be less likely to want to go to that spot.<\/p>\nYour dog might whine or whimper while getting used to its new sleeping area. Do not yell at your dog, punish it, or tell it to be quiet; just work to ignore the noises. The dog will do this only to get your attention in hopes that you will give it what it wants. Once your dog realizes that it will not be catered to, it will cease this behavior.<\/p>\n
Making Corrections<\/strong><\/h3>\nWhile correcting your dog\u2019s behavior<\/a>, be sure to stay calm and use positive reinforcement. Each time your dog successfully makes its way to its own bed, reward it with a treat or a friendly pet. The sleeping area is there as a positive and happy place for your dog to sleep, and the goal is that your dog will enjoy going there to sleep. Training your dog to no longer sleep in your bed will take some practice and patience.<\/p>\nIf you’re having trouble or need more assistance, you can always look to hire a professional. Be sure that your dog knows who is in charge (you) and that it can still have plenty of cuddles and playtime with you, regardless of where it sleeps. Your furry companion is still your best friend, even if you don\u2019t sleep in the same bed.<\/p>\n
\nAbout the Author<\/h5>\n
![\"Nicole](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/06\/nicole-mccray-150x150.png\")
Nicole McCray is a die-hard animal lover who has worked in pet care for years. She is a former vet technician, a dog mom to her two rescue pups, and she grew up living and working at her family’s pet boarding facility. She loves using her writing talents to share the insight she’s learned throughout her career in the hopes that her knowledge can help other pet parents out there!<\/p>\n
About Petworks<\/h3>\n
![\"Dr](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/Dr-Marty-Goldstein-Natures-Blend-Petworks-Nutrition.png\")
In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM<\/a><\/span> joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition<\/a><\/span>\u00a0care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is\u00a0on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible.\u00a0Dr. Marty\u2019s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet\u00a0parents in North America.<\/p>\n![\"Bill](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/01\/William-Bishop-Jr-Petworks-Pet-Nutrition.png\")
In 2022, Blue Buffalo<\/a><\/span> Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.<\/p>\n\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.petworks.com\/articles\/wp-content\/uploads\/2025\/02\/Kevin-Kinyon-2025.jpeg\")
<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n\nPetworks<\/span><\/a> Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon<\/span><\/a> is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Even though you may not necessarily mind your dog in bed with you, certain dog trainers will advocate that dogs used to sleeping in beds are susceptible to behavioral problems. While there is no science to back this up, there are many reasons that owners choose not to have their dogs in bed with them. … <\/p>\n
Bond Vet Animal Hospital<\/a> emphasizes that when deciding on an area for your dog to sleep in, you want to be mindful of your dog\u2019s sleeping habits and what bed or mattress can help provide comfort good night\u2019s sleep. They implore you to analyze how the dog sleeps, paying close attention to the position it tends to sleep in at night. Knowing these two things can help you decide on the right area and bed or mattress to give your dog as much room and comfort as necessary.<\/p>\n Sometimes dogs do not take to beds or mattresses, and you can create a more simple place for your dog to lay with a blanket or pillow. It will help if your scent is on it, too – creating the illusion for your dog that you are close by and helping with the transition off the bed.<\/p>\n If you want to train your dog to stay off your bed (or any furniture, for that matter), you can adapt to teach it the \u201coff\u201d or \u201cdown\u201d command. If this is a new command you are teaching your dog, it can be established by initially guiding your pet down from the bed repetitively and using the command each time.<\/p>\n Remember that it takes time to train your dog<\/a><\/span> in something new, especially if it is not a puppy. You might have to use \u2018no\u2019 multiple times throughout your training. In some cases, your dog will want to get out of its own bed or sleeping area and get into yours, and you will have to give it a firm \u2018no\u2019 and \u201cgo to your bed.\u201d Try not to pick them up and place them back in their own bed. Just give them a nudge in the direction of their bed so that they learn to go to their spot willingly.<\/p>\n If you happen to catch your dog in the act of getting up onto the bed or already laying in bed, then you can use the commands \u201coff\u201d or \u201cdown\u201d to drive impact and help it to learn. Do not reward your dog with any treats or petting it unless it obeys the command – only then should you reward the behavior since it got off the bed.<\/p>\n Did you find this article\u00a0useful?<\/strong> <\/em>Would you like 100% free access to more articles like these, and free access to over 5,000 vetted pet care service professionals<\/a><\/span> throughout the United States? Sign up here <\/a><\/span>for a free Petworks account, and take 10% off your first booking, on us!<\/p>\n If you have an area for your dog to sleep in, work to lure your dog to that place when you sense it will lay down. You can make the sleeping area, mattress, bed, or blanket more appealing by putting some of their favorite toys or treats there. The dog will associate the spot with its favorite toys or treats and likely be more apt to head in that direction rather than try to get up onto the bed.<\/p>\n Another way to distract your dog from wanting to go into your bed at night is by tiring it out. Play with your dog or take it on a long run or walk so that your dog is too tired to put up a fight about where to sleep when it is time for bed. If you do this, it can also help to ensure your dog gets a good night\u2019s sleep<\/a>. Try to avoid forcing your dog to lay in its designated spot or bed. Your dog will associate a lousy experience with the location and be less likely to want to go to that spot.<\/p>\n Your dog might whine or whimper while getting used to its new sleeping area. Do not yell at your dog, punish it, or tell it to be quiet; just work to ignore the noises. The dog will do this only to get your attention in hopes that you will give it what it wants. Once your dog realizes that it will not be catered to, it will cease this behavior.<\/p>\n While correcting your dog\u2019s behavior<\/a>, be sure to stay calm and use positive reinforcement. Each time your dog successfully makes its way to its own bed, reward it with a treat or a friendly pet. The sleeping area is there as a positive and happy place for your dog to sleep, and the goal is that your dog will enjoy going there to sleep. Training your dog to no longer sleep in your bed will take some practice and patience.<\/p>\n If you’re having trouble or need more assistance, you can always look to hire a professional. Be sure that your dog knows who is in charge (you) and that it can still have plenty of cuddles and playtime with you, regardless of where it sleeps. Your furry companion is still your best friend, even if you don\u2019t sleep in the same bed.<\/p>\n Petworks<\/span><\/a> Co-Founder Kevin Kinyon<\/span><\/a> is a life-long animal lover who works tirelessly to improve the lives of pets and their parents. Human and animal qualities he values most are integrity, humor, and empathy.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" Even though you may not necessarily mind your dog in bed with you, certain dog trainers will advocate that dogs used to sleeping in beds are susceptible to behavioral problems. While there is no science to back this up, there are many reasons that owners choose not to have their dogs in bed with them. … <\/p>\n<\/p>\nTrain Your Dog to Learn a New Command (or Two)<\/strong><\/h3>\n
<\/p>\nCreate Distractions<\/strong><\/h3>\n
Making Corrections<\/strong><\/h3>\n
\nAbout the Author<\/h5>\n
Nicole McCray is a die-hard animal lover who has worked in pet care for years. She is a former vet technician, a dog mom to her two rescue pups, and she grew up living and working at her family’s pet boarding facility. She loves using her writing talents to share the insight she’s learned throughout her career in the hopes that her knowledge can help other pet parents out there!<\/p>\nAbout Petworks<\/h3>\n
In 2021, Dr. Marty Goldstein DVM<\/a><\/span> joined the pet care platform Petworks as an advisor in its Animal Nutrition<\/a><\/span>\u00a0care division. Dr Marty Nature’s Blend is\u00a0on a mission to help your pets live their healthiest lives possible.\u00a0Dr. Marty\u2019s pet nutrition expertise and guidance has helped Petworks evolve and become the preeminent animal and pet nutrition consultation service for pet\u00a0parents in North America.<\/p>\nIn 2022, Blue Buffalo<\/a><\/span> Founder Bill Bishop Jr. joined Petworks as Senior Advisor in our Animal Nutrition Care Division. Bill brings his extensive expertise in pet food innovation and business leadership. His guidance helps Petworks enhance our pet nutrition service offerings, helping to ensure that pet parents throughout the world receive trusted, science-backed nutritional support for their dogs, cats, and animals.<\/p>\n<\/em><\/span><\/a><\/p>\n