Expert QA

I just adopted a 9-month-old American Staffordshire terrier, and she slept in the bed with her foster mom. Is there anything I can do to get her to start sleeping in her own bed?

From the Editors of The Dog Daily

Aside from the fact that your terrier is used to sleeping in the “human bed,” she probably loves the extra warmth and its roomy size. Nevertheless, dogs aim to please their owners, so you can train her to sleep in her own doggy bed. Make sure that the bed you bought for her is soft and comfortable, with a washable cover that will hold body warmth on chilly nights. Take the dog bed cover off and place it between your own bedcovers. Keep it there for a few days where it can absorb your scent, which may not even be perceptible to you on the cover. Place the cover back on your dog’s bed. When it’s sleep time, direct your dog to the bed while saying, “Go to your bed.” Like “stay” or “sit,” be consistent with the “go to your bed” phrase. A treat or toy “bribe” sometimes helps, but you don’t want to train your dog to expect that reward every time. It’s better to use the basic “down” command once your dog goes on its own bed. Over time, your dog should associate the combination of commands with snoozing on its own bed. Once your pet learns this, be sure to wash the bed cover on a regular basis, just as you do your own bedding.