How to Keep Your Dog Off the Bed When Not at Home? (In 5 Basic Steps)

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So, you’ve finally trained your dog to stop jumping on your bed when you’re at home. Yet, somehow, every time you go out and come back, your bed looks unmade and your dog is standing there with a sheepish look on his face.

You don’t have to feel bad about not wanting your dog on your bed. Many issues can arise from having any pet spend time on your bed.

That being said, this article sheds light on how to keep your dog off your bed when not at home in a few easy-to-follow steps.

Step 1: Get Your Dog His Own Bed

To keep your dog off your bed, he’ll need to have his own first. After you get your dog a new bed, you’ll need to help him get used to it and sleep on it.

Dogs can be quite suspicious of things they’re unfamiliar with; they can’t trust new smells. So, if your dog is wary of his bed, he won’t be spending any time near it—let alone sleep on it.

For that reason, you may have to familiarize your dog with his new bed.

Introducing a New Bed to Your Dog

This process isn’t complicated one bit, but you’ll need some time and patience.

First, you should determine where in the house your dog spends time the most. This is where you should place the new bed. Your dog may start sniffing around, but he won’t come near it much for a while.

As the bed absorbs the area’s odors, its smell will start becoming familiar to your dog. Bit by bit, when your dog becomes comfortable with the bed, he’ll start understanding the purpose of this piece of furniture.

You may notice that your dog takes naps or rests on the bed during the day, but he still tries to sleep on your bed at night. Dogs tend to develop specific sleeping habits over time. Therefore, if your dog is used to jumping on your bed every night, you’ll need to teach him otherwise.

Step 2: Start With the Basics

Every time you allow your dog to sleep or sit on your bed, he becomes more accustomed to using the bed as he pleases. That’s why it’s important to teach your dog that the bed is off-limits from the first day.

No-Dog Zone

If you want to keep your dog off your bed at all times, you have to enforce this rule from the beginning. Fostering this habit from the get-go helps you raise a well-mannered dog. And that’s easier than having to break a habit.

That means no snuggling and cuddling can happen on the bed. Whenever your dog tries to jump on your bed, carry him back to his bed. You can give him a treat, teaching him that staying there will earn him a gift.

You can also place your dog’s bed outside of the bedroom. If your dog doesn’t associate your bed with sleeping, his chances of wanting to jump and sleep on it will decrease.

Step 3: Make an Obstacle Course

The first two steps have a higher success rate if you have a new puppy or adopted dog. However, if you have an old dog that has grown accustomed to using your bed, you may need to resort to some other methods.

Equipment You’ll Need

For this training method, you’ll need:

• Treats
• Laundry baskets
• Tins filled with pebbles

The Laundry Basket Method

For this method, you’ll need a couple of laundry baskets. You may need pebble-filled tins as well.

Every time you go out, take a couple of minutes to prepare your bed. With the laundry baskets, cover as much bed space as you can. Don’t let your dog come near them. If he tries to sniff them, take him to his bed.

When you come back home, check whether the baskets have been knocked off or not. If they’re not how you set them up, you can add pebble-filled tins inside the baskets next time you go out.

Each time your dog knocks down a basket, these tins will create enough noise to startle him. After a while, your dog will associate the loud noise with the bed. And as a result, he’ll stop wanting to get on the bed.

Don’t forget to give praise and treats to your dog when he stays off the bed. This reinforces good behavior.

Step 4: Spray Dog Repellent

Some essential oils can act like a dog repellent. You can spray them on your bed to make sure that your dog doesn’t come near it when you’re not home.

Eucalyptus, citrus, and cinnamon oil are among the most effective dog repellents. Each will work on different dog breeds. So, you’ll have to try the three oils to see which one works.

In a spray bottle, dilute a few drops of essential oil with water. Then, spray the solution on your bed. This should keep your dog away while you’re out.

Step 5: Use a Deterrent Mat

When all hope is lost, this step should be used as a last resort. Using deterrent mats is known to be effective on stubborn dogs. When these mats detect paws on their surface, they either send a static charge or make a warning noise.

Before you go out, place the mat on your bed and turn on the battery pack. If your dog tries to get on your bed, the static charge will startle him. This sensation will ensure that he doesn’t try to do that again.

You should know that a static charge isn’t the same as an electric shock. A static charge will tingle your dog’s paw, which will feel unpleasant—making him move away.

Advantages of Keeping Dog off Bed

Although your dog is the cutest, snuggliest thing on Earth, giving him the idea that your bed is his space too might cause you some issues.

There are some benefits to keeping dogs off beds, including:

Better Sleep

Dogs, for all intents and purposes, are bed hogs. Many of them are also quite the snorers. They tend to get comfy and stretch out in their sleep. And the ones who snore can be rather loud. All of this may not be the best for your sleep.

Your dog’s movement and snoring may disrupt your sleeping pattern, especially if you’re a light sleeper. That’s why it’s better to give your dog his own bed and teach him how to use it. Both of you can sleep soundly and comfortably.

In “The Effect of Dogs on Human Sleep in the Home Sleep Environment,” it was deduced that while having a dog sleep in the same vicinity can improve your mood, a dog sleeping in the same bed may not.

Better Hygiene

Unless your dog showers every day and wears shoes, allowing him on your bed can expose you to dirt, debris, bacteria, and even insects. Not only will they lay on it, but they might even lick your pillow. There’s even a higher chance of transmitting ticks, parasites, and fleas.

According to one study, close contact with dogs—allowing them in bed and sleeping with them—is risky. It increases the risk of dog owners contracting parasitic diseases. Therefore, it’s advisable to train your dog to sleep in his own space.

Decrease Allergy Symptoms

Almost every dog breed sheds hair. No matter how little your dog sheds, there’ll still be hair on your sheets, pillows, and duvets. This can make your skin and face itch. You’re also more likely to inhale and swallow the hair.

This situation becomes problematic if you have allergies. Dog hair isn’t necessarily an allergen; however, it collects dust, pollen, and many other irritants in the air. As a result, when your dog sleeps in your bed, you become exposed to these allergens tenfold.

Moreover, dogs’ dander, saliva, and skin flakes can aggravate some people’s asthma symptoms.

Control Behavioral Issues

Allowing your dog to sleep with you on the bed won’t create behavioral issues that don’t already exist. If your dog generally displays dominance issues, territorial aggression, or anxiety, letting him sleep on your bed can actually worsen these issues.

A dog with behavioral issues may exhibit one or a few of these signs:

• He’ll get in bed before you and start growling and snapping when you try to join him.
• If more than one person sleeps in the same bed, the dog will get in bed to guard that person. He’ll get aggressive when the other person tries to get in bed.
• He’ll snap and bite if someone touches him in his sleep.

The first solution to any of these behavioral issues is to prevent your dog from sleeping in your bed. When your dog misbehaves, allowing him to sleep in bed with you can foster the idea that he’s equal to you. As a result, your dog may assume that he can behave that way.

Final Thoughts

How to keep your dog off your bed when not at home? With a little bit of time, patience, and training, you’ll be able to go out without worrying over your bed’s state when you come back.

When you start training your dog to stay off the bed, you may need to be stern. However, once he understands that staying off the bed earns him treats and love, he’ll stop trying to get on it.

Dogs ultimately prefer to receive their owners’ approval. That’s why your dog can be quick to learn what makes you happy.

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