Train Your Dog To Sleep In His Own Bed

Today, I read an article titled "Is it safe to let sleeping dogs lie in your bed?" by Dogtime. In it, the author discussed about pet-to-person transmissible diseases like Chagas, Cat Scratch disease, and the notorious Bubonic plague. This made me recall the story my sister once shared with me about a colleague's story of Lyme disease.

Honestly, I really don't mind having my dog sleep on my bed. Chooey and Peanuts used to sneak up when I'm asleep. However, being asthmatic, having the dog in my room (but not beside me) is a more beneficial set-up on my part.

This pillow used to be mine...

Training your dog to sleep in his own bed can seem like an arduous task, especially when that cute little face is looking up at you. Therefore, it is better if you teach your dog to sleep on his own whilst he’s a puppy, as it can be harder with a more mature dog.

So, what are the benefits of bed training? 

• Some experts believe that it teaches your dog his place in the ‘pack’ or hierarchy in your home.

• It trains your dog to be alone sometimes, and can guard against separation anxiety.

• Your tiny puppy won’t stay small for long. Some breeds can grow to a huge size, and you could be the one with no space in your own bed!

First of all think about the type of bed you’d like. Choose one that your dog can grow into, as he will grow quickly. Smaller breeds and puppies do like to feel secure, so a round, donut type bed is a good idea. Make sure that there are no loose edges, or parts that could become loose and a choking hazard. Swell Pets has a variety of different beds you can look at for inspiration.

Since Asti doesn't like staying inside a crate, we opted for this type of round bed. It's made of plastic and easy to clean.

If you have an older dog, or one with joint or mobility issues, consider a heated bed. These can be ‘self-heated’ and work off the dog’s own body heat. Others are thermostatically controlled to a temperature just above the ambient room climate. The gentle warmth will soothe old bones, especially in the colder months.

Consider a crate too. More pet owners are using crates to give their dog a place of his own to sleep or just to rest. For puppies this can be a good idea to get them used to being alone and also to save your possessions from little teeth.

Training Time!

Before you begin training, remember to go at your pet’s own pace. This will give you the best result and cause the least stress for everyone.

Pop an old t-shirt of yours in the bed, this will add your smell to the bed. Also pop one of your dog’s toys in there too to add his scent. This will make the New Bed seem a much friendlier place.

Show your dog the bed and let him have a good sniff to acquaint himself. Then place it in the agreed place. This can be in your room, or on the landing nearby if that is better. Wherever you put it, make sure that it is a quiet place in the home that doesn’t have a lot of activity. It needs to be your dog’s retreat, so must be peaceful.

And if your dog is this cute, sometimes it's just too hard to say no. 
My Female Dog Sleeping in My Bed by Rafel Miro, CC BY-ND 2.0

If he seems reluctant, pop a few treats in and around the bed. This will help him associate the bed as a positive place and somewhere he wants to be. 

When it’s time for bed, simply take your dog to the bed and place him gently inside. Saying the word “Bed” each time will help him associate the word with the act. 

Older pets can be taught to sleep in their own beds, although if they have spent years sleeping with you, this could take more time. Simply follow the steps above, and don’t give in!

This video has about 21 million views. It's about the smart pittie who takes advantage of his master's absence. I've seen this a couple of times already, so I definitely want to share it with you.

You may experience a few tiresome nights of taking your puppy or dog back to their bed, but the repeated action accompanied by positive words and lots of praise should soon have everyone sleeping soundly – in their own bed!

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How to Train Your Dog to Use a Crate

Crating your dog can seem a little harsh at first, especially when you consider shutting your precious puppy away! However crate training has been found to be beneficial for dogs as it promotes a range of advantages:

• Provides a safe place for your pet to feel secure
• Encourage bowel and bladder control – dogs don’t like to mess where they sleep/eat
• Perfect for travelling; using a crate keeps you both safe and secure in the car
• Great to ensure your pet doesn’t cause any damage when you aren’t around to supervise him.

Dogs were originally pack animals that lived in small dens for safety and comfort, so they like to have a safe place to retreat to. A crate can replicate this, and provide a place of his very own. For young dogs, or those who get bored easily, this can also mean you can leave him for short periods without the risk of carpets or furniture being chewed.

Never leave your dog in a crate for too long.

A key point to remember, is that the crate should not be used as a punishment. You want your dog to feel safe and comforted in his crate, and be eager to go inside. Associating it with negative connotations will mean he is reluctant to sit inside. 

Ready to give it a Go?

So, when you feel the time is right to crate train your dog follow the guidelines below for a fuss free transition;

Choose the right size for your dog. Remember, if he’s a puppy he will grow, and fast – so choose a crate with growing room. Make sure you opt for one that your dog can fully stand up in, and turn around easily. There is lots of choice in stores or online, Swell Pets have a huge range of crates that are perfect from Chihuahuas to Dobermans.

Buchi's five-year-old wire crate

Make it comfortable and appealing. Add some soft bedding and even a favorite toy to make the crate feel and smell like home. At first just leave the crate door open and make little fuss, if he does go in, don’t close the door. Allow your dog to go in and out as he wishes. Remember, patience is the key here!

If in Doubt…Food!

If, after a while your dog isn’t interested, maybe try popping a few treats inside and around the crate. There’s very few dogs who can resist a tempting treat. Again patience is vital, so go at your dog’s pace.

Another idea is to put your dog’s food in the crate, right at the back. If he goes in to eat, this will form a positive link with the crate. When he is eating close the door, but once he has finished open it. This reinforces the link between food-crate-happy dog. Keep the door closed for slightly longer each time, to make him realize that the crate is a good place.

These Shih Tzus were just too excited about it. The moment I opened our new collapsible wire crate, off they went inside. Chooey even strikes a pose.

If you think your dog is happy in the crate, try leaving him for very short periods and build up slowly. 

If you don’t have much luck at first, don’t worry. Simply take time and patience to ensure your furry friend feels comfortable in his crate. With a little hard work and perseverance, he’ll soon be happily curled up inside.

Buchi: Get out of my crate, Chooey! I have an appointment with the pretty vet lady today.

Sorry I'm a little under the weather, bloggy friends. Buchi's immuno-compromised body requires tender, loving attention twice a day, seven days a week. 

On the bright side, it's been a month since we've visited our favorite vet. Although, we might have to drop by her place tomorrow since the itchies is getting worse again.

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Confessions of a Dog Lover: I Have Crated My Dog for SO Long

First of all, I'd like to thank everyone who's sent their heartfelt condolences and comforting comments on Ginger's passing. We are blessed to have online friends like you.

Senior Dog with Aural Hematoma in Giant Crate

I've had Whitey on crate rest for a long time. Ever since he and Puppy have had major fights, I've had him crated on mornings and afternoons to avoid the usual blood shed and aural hematomas. Noon time and night time is break time from crating.

I thought crating my senior dog was the right thing, but I was wrong. 

Tiny Dog Bites and Teeth Scrapes from Buchi

These dog fights were often initiated by Whitey. In fact, he's bitten me twice because Puppy would go around us and taunt him (which I think was Puppy just being a playful and curious... puppy). To add more to the drama, Whitey had the flaps of his ear drained about 4 or 5 times because he kept on attacking Puppy, and Puppy would simply overpower him-- sending him ear first on the concrete floor. That's when I decided that these two should avoid contact as often as possible. 

But I was wrong.

Big Dog Bite from Whitey

By doing so, I think I've made the situation worse. 

I think I forgot to trust my dogs' intelligence in working as a pack-- in working things out.

I think... I've underestimated my dogs' social skills.

Of course, I preferred being safe.

Whitey, my senior love dog.

I'd rather have Whitey placed on scheduled crating than to see my senior badly injured again: the aural hematomas, the wound gashes, and the bloody bite injuries. 

But I was still wrong to crate him like this for so long.

He should have been with the others while they played.

Lounging on a cool sunny day, destroying their toys.

He should have been with them running or trying to catch up.

I was scared that he might get injured again that I have ended up isolating him from the rest of the pack. 

Even though he's free the entire evening, and it's only mornings and afternoons that he is crated, I could still see how much it has affected his muscles, his energy, and his life. 

Sometimes, I feel the people I live with are far better dog caretakers than I am. 

Yesterday, one of them decided to leave Whitey free. With a hose in one hand, she prepared herself to quench Whitey's possible rampage against the rambunctious pup.

Thankfully, there hasn't been any incidents yet. And hopefully, it remains that way for the rest of our happy dog days!

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Cartimar Pet Center: A Pet Lover's Heaven!!!

You may be wondering what a Cartimar is. Well, Cartimar is like a bazaar in Metro Manila, Philippines, where most items sold here are far cheaper than the ones being sold in malls. During my vacation, I'd browsed online for a cheap dog crate I could buy for Peanuts and came across Cartimar. We had to take a jeep (public transportation) and a train to reach it at Pasay City.

Imagine having more than 50 pet stores in one center. They sell everything and anything from pets to pet accessories, beds, food, toys, cages, crates and more. My mouth almost drooled as it was pretty overwhelming.

The first store on the left greeted us with such pretty fishes. Imagine seeing an albino fish as wide as an eating plate. I'm pretty sure the aquarium is also for sale (probably for $500 or more).

The Cartimar Pet Center  goes all the way to where my camera reaches. More than 20 stores are in this area alone.

As you could see, dog crates and cages are all over the place. The prices are reasonably cheap as well. The lowest price for a dog crate was roughly $10. As you know, these kinds of stores allow haggling.

And I thought two hallways were enough. They even had more pet stores at the back.

This picture was taken at the back. Their stores are bigger.  More grooming parlors are located in here.

Now you must be wondering what I got when there were so many to choose from. Well, here it is.

Oh, the hedgehog was my niece's joke of "Let's pretend that's Peanuts" because I was overly concerned that the dog crate may be too small for her.

I was lucky enough to have located a store where the person-in-charge immediately gave me his "last price" for the dog crate. The crate was being sold for 650 Php ($15), he gave it to me for 450 Php. The screaming chickens cost 120 Php (approximately $3), I got the two for 150 Php ($3.50) justifying that I should get it at a bigger discount because I was buying the crate.

Happy weekend!

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Crating: 3 Types of Crates

There are two basic types of crate: plastic and wire. There is also a third kind which is less common than the two called a soft mesh crate. Which of the three is the best? That solely depends on your environment, lifestyle and doggy.

1. Plastic crates- it feels more like a den because it's cozy and closed in three sides. It will keep your dog warmer and protect him against drafts during the cold.

If you're fond of travelling, only plastic crates are allowable in cargo. The two other crate types to be mentioned below is not allowed in the plane's cabin. A plastic crate is also considered the safest way for your doggy to travel in a vehicle.

Unfortunately, due to it being closed, it can hold more heat. If you live in a tropical country like I do, a plastic crate is like a tiny oven during the hottest days of the year. Unless your house is air conditioned, you should consider the second choice.

2. Wire crates- I personally prefer this type of crates because I like bringing my old dog outside. The inside of the house is very hot and the outside is, as well. The only consolation of staying outside is the breeze.

Wire crates allow more ventilation. It also usually has a removable tray at the bottom for easy clean up.

This is Buchi in his second crate. I can't wait to take a picture of him when I visit him next week. Since dogs couldn't run free in my sister's neighborhood, he stays in a VERY big cage.

Although my crate did not have an adjustable panel (to make it fit for a puppy), most wire crates nowadays do.

Here's a collapsible wire crate ideal for traveling. It even has an adjustable panel for puppies.

Wire crates aren't snug for dogs with little fur. If you do buy a wire crate, consider purchasing its crate cover. You can also make use of blankets or towels to cover the top and three sides of the crate to keep your dog cozy when it gets cold.

3. Mesh crates- This crate can be folded compactly and is lightweight. The reason why some people use it is because it's easy to store especially when traveling.

People with competing dogs usually prefer mesh crates because of the reason above. It is also easy to carry and set up. They also give good ventilation which is important because dog events are most of the time packed.

Finally, before deciding on what crate to get, don't forget the basic rules in crating. Here are some of my Do's and Don'ts for reference.

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Crating: Do's and Dont's

Crating is not an easy task. It will take some time for your pooch to adjust to it and for you to get a hang of successfully doing it. Here are some tips to remember to increases your chances on successfully crate training.

Still haven't thought of what to give your new pup this Christmas? How about a canine cottage? This website has some pretty interesting crate interior and exterior accessories. Check it out if you're interested. Canine Cottage Designs

1. Don't forget to consider your dog's personality when buying the crate. This should also include his needs. There are two types of crates readily available in the market, the one made of plastic and the other made of wire. For a shy type, the plastic type can give him more privacy. The plastic type is also the crate accepted in plane travels. The wire type is more airy and conducive for pets with snub-noses. Since it is open, your dog can see what's doing on outside.

Box types are out. This is an eiCrate designed by Peter Pracilio for designGO!

2. Do consider your dog's size in crating. Fido may be a cute puppy NOW but he will grow into a dog eventually. If the crate is too big for him now, create a divider for it. For a puppy who doesn't chew, a thick cardboard will do. Not only will your crate be able to accommodate your puppy now, but it will also serve him until his adulthood.

3. Do introduce the crate gradually. Dogs get stressed to so it's important that you make him accustomed to the sight and feel of the crate first before you put him there for the night. Observe how he interacts with it and wait for the right time before finally making him move in.

4. Do not use the crate as a prison. Your dog should not be left in there for a long time.

5. Do not lock him up in the crate during his initial meeting with it as this will make him associate the crate with something negative.

Now that we've covered the more general rules in crate housetraining, always remember that the most important thing to consider is that a crate will serve as your dog's home or den. So if you're having doubts, just go back to the basics of your dog's primary need.

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Crating: Importance

Before I start with the talk, here's a nice video I picked up in YT. As you could see, the "obsessed" shih-tzu's crate is at the background (for a couple of seconds).

We've always heard about crating and how important it is to use a crate in house training. Since I live in a country where most dogs are either on a leash (which is cruel, but the only way to keep them safe since they like going out into the open), I've only tried crating once.

A crate is like a doggy den for our dogs. Wild or domestic, canines give great importance to a den. A den is their security blanket. It is the place they can call their own. As to wolves, it is where they come home to feel protected. Domesticated dogs also need their own dens.

A crate is the perfect den for most dogs living indoors. My dogs usually have dog houses. Both a crate and a dog house have almost the same purpose. Unfortunately, this also means that they may think of a crate as a form of prison. This is the reason why it is important to introduce the crate while they are still young.

This is my old Shih-Tzu. I deleted his site because I wasn't able to upload posts often. Now, he's living like a prince in a bigger dog castle (measuring approximately 1.5m x 1 m x 1 m). Here's the link of my old post: Mommy Got Me a New Cage

Why is crating important in house training?

Dogs would never try to pee or poop in their dens. It's like making humans do so in their own bedrooms or beside their beds. Since dogs will consider the crate their dens, they'll quickly learn to hold their pee and poop whenever they're still inside their crate.

Note:

By default, mama dogs and wolves teach their puppies not to pee or poop in their dens. However, given that the puppy has already been accustomed to sleeping with his own excretions, crating will somewhat be a problem.

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