How to make your dog sleep in his own bed

Maybe you've heard this before: you buy your furry friend the best dog bed on the market for him to sleep on and there's no way he'll go near it. You might be thinking that it was a bad investment, but nothing could be further from the truth.

There may be several reasons why your dog rejects his new bed; therefore, in this Baluka article we are going to tell you all the tricks to finally get him to sleep in it comfortably.

1. Choose the perfect bed

Maybe it's a truism, but don't you settle for just any mattress? It's the same with your dog: not all beds are suitable for him. When choosing the perfect dog bed, you have to take into account the following aspects:

Size: the bed should be big enough for him, with enough room to stretch out. This will also influence the way your dog sleeps, whether he curls up in a ball, curls up in a ball or "curls up" like a gentleman in all the space he has for himself.
Design: the design of the bed must be adapted to your dog's needs, especially when he suffers from joint or bone problems, such as hip dysplasia.
Material: make sure the bed is made of hypoallergenic, breathable and comfortable materials. Baluka dog beds, for example, are created with high quality foams, anti-hair, anti-stain, anti-mite, anti-mite, anti-snagging... Anti-everything that poor quality beds have.

2. Place the bed in the right place

Dogs are territorial animals, and the place where you place their bed can make an important difference. It is best to place it in a quiet area, where there is less noise in the house, so that he feels more secure.

You will also know if your dog prefers to sleep in a secluded corner or, on the other hand, close to the family: that will be the ideal place to place his bed.

3. Introduce the bed gradually

It is a matter of making the bed attractive to him, that is to say, that he does not see it as something strange or dangerous. Let him smell it, inspect it or even roll around in it (if your furry one is the type), all without haste, at his own pace.

Here, a good trick is to place some of his favorite toys, a blanket that he already uses and that "smells like him" or even a piece of your clothes that you are not going to wear anymore and that "smells like you". This way, he will feel more secure and familiar with his new resting place.

4. Create positive reinforcement

As with any training, positive reinforcement is essential. Reward him with petting or treats when he has slept in his new bed, thus creating a positive association between it and a pleasant consequence.

5. Establish a sleep routine

Just like people, dogs should also have their sleep schedules (although dogs are more sleepy than we are). Get him used to going to bed and waking up at the same time every day; this will help regulate his circadian rhythm and thus make it easier for him to rest.

Related to the latter, if he has had enough exercise during the day, your dog will be more tired when it's time to go to bed. To do this, you can take a walk or play with him for a while, so he will spend energy and fall "surrendered" when it's nighttime.

6. Keep the bed clean and in good hygienic conditions.

A clean bed will always be more attractive than one that is dirty or in poor condition. Be sure to clean it when necessary. Beds with removable covers, such as Baluka's viscoelastic dog bed, are an excellent choice, as they are easier to clean.

7. Patience and observation

Each furry dog is different, so you must be patient if, even applying these tips, at first you do not get your dog to choose his bed at bedtime. Always keep a positive attitude and be attentive to their behavioral changes to correct or reward them.

With these tips, he will end up sleeping like a champ in his new bed.

Common mistakes in getting your dog to sleep in his bed

Sometimes, impatience or desperation to make your dog sleep in his new bed can lead you to make mistakes that, in fact, will only achieve the opposite: that the bed will be for him a place where he will never want to rest. So, what you should never do is:

Punish him for not sleeping in the bed: if you punish him for not using his bed, you will generate anxiety, and this will make the adaptation process even more difficult.
Forcing him to sleep in his bed: similar to the previous mistake, forcing him to sleep in his bed will cause him stress and fear, and he will end up associating the bed with a negative experience.
Constantly changing the bed: remember when we said that the bed should be in the ideal place? If that place changes constantly, your dog will feel disoriented and will find it difficult to find his resting place.
Not taking into account the needs of your dog: as we said at the beginning, it is essential to keep in mind the size, the way he sleeps and the specific needs that your dog may have; only then you can choose the best bed for him.

Baluka dog beds

Knowing how to make your dog sleep comfortably in his bed, the next thing to do is to give him a bed that takes care of his joints and bones, prevents dust mites and bacteria, and is easy to clean.

These are the Baluka dog bedsdesigned with high quality materials and handmade in Spain to give your furry the bed he deserves. You'll love it and, of course, he'll love it!