How to Train Your Dog to Stay Out of Your Bedroom
andreas strauss
February 14, 2022
If you keep your dog indoors and, like most dog parents, like to share everything with your pooch, you may have a problem with him invading your private space! From eating at the table to following us to the bathroom, our furry companions will try to cling to their favorite human whenever they get a chance. The one place that should always stay off bounds to dogs is the bedroom, which should be a clean, hair, and drool-free sanctuary of relaxation. With that in mind, here are some simple tricks to help you finally reclaim your bed and quickly train your pup to stay out of your bedroom.
Try a Pet Fence
While you can always simply upgrade your bedroom door locks, it’s essential to apply basic house training or try a pet fence, including where the dog is or isn’t still welcome. A pet fence is a quick and smart solution for keeping your dog out of a room, though it isn’t a permanent solution. It will help you create a physical barrier for the dog, which is extremely helpful during the training process. You can control whether the fence is open or closed, allowing you to conduct the teaching efficiently. Pet fences, self-standing gates, wired doors, and similar partitions come in different sizes and types, depending on the space and entrance where it needs to be placed. Make sure to pick the right height for your dog’s breed and size.
Create a Separate Spot For The Dog
In most cases, your pup just wants to be around you and know you are close. Use a crate, mat, blanket, or just pick a spot near the bedroom where the dog will be allowed to stay while you’re in the restricted bedroom. This way, your pooch can be around and know you’re close, which will ultimately be enough for him. A designated area for the pup can also help with the training; a separate place where the dog knows he’s allowed to come every time he feels the need to break the rules.
How To Train Your Dog To Stay Off The Bed
Dogs are tempted by our bedrooms mostly because of the inviting, cozy bed. If you’ve been letting your four-legged friend use the bed as he wants, it’s time to teach him some manners.
While it might sound counter-intuitive, teach your dog to hop on the bed using the command “on” or “up.” Use your hands and voice to tempt them to jump, and don’t forget to praise him with a treat or a patting on the back. Put a treat on the bed and use the command, repeating the process several times. This way, your dog will learn that he should be invited to bed before doing so on his own.
Using the same technique, teach the “off” or “down” command to get off the bed. Reinforcing positive reactions is crucial for the dog to understand he did well.
When your pup seems ready, put the technique to the test: Lay on the bed and see the dog’s reaction. If he immediately jumps after you without being invited, put the dog back on the ground and let him understand he’s done wrong by saying: “uh-oh” or “no” in a determined voice. Patience and persistence are critical, so after a while, you’ll notice the dog obeying your voice commands.
Steps to teach your pup stay out of a room
1. Room introduction
Although your dog has already been in your bedroom, use the leash to help you with establishing control. It helps if you stick duct tape or draw a distinct line between at the bedroom entrance. This will create a visual prop for the dog to know where he should stop.
2. Stay in control
Take the leashed dog around the hallway and go past the restricted room several times. Observe the dog’s behavior and whether he feels tempted to sniff around the door, pull the leash to get in, or similar. Give treats and praise when you go past the door without any negative behavior.
3. Introduce the command
While still on the leash, the animal experts at Crazy Pet Guy say to place the dog next to the tape (or the dog gate) and wait until he’s calm and focused in a sitting position. Praise him and give treats; use your voice for reinforcement. Use the “stay” command while entering the room. The dog will naturally want to follow you, which you should interrupt with the “no” or “uh-oh” command in a determined voice. At this point, the leash will help you stay in control. Try again and this time treat the dog if he remains in the sitting position. Don’t enter the room too far, but make it clear the line is the door entrance.
4. Repetition
Practice makes perfect! Note that you won’t teach your dog anything if you try it only a couple of times. The dog will want to get into the room as soon as he’s on his own. It’s also necessary that your pup clearly understands the differences in commands and how to execute them properly. Just remember, don’t overdo it with the treats during training and adjust their diet accordingly so that you aren’t overfeeding them!
5. Removing barriers
After practicing, the next step is getting rid of the leash and removing physical barriers, like the tape or the fence. This step will determine the training course as you’ll need to devote some time to supervising and observation. You need to catch your pup in the act and immediately correct the behavior: remove him from the room and place him on his designated spot; stay determined and use your voice to indicate unwanted behavior. The process will take a while, but once it’s finished, you’ve done your work!
The importance of consistency
Finally, once the training is completed, your job will be to stick to the rules. Like children, dogs look for loops and ways to get their own way, which is why you need to be consistent. If you catch the dog trying to step on the threshold, avoid turning to punishments, as they can only reverse the hard work you’ve done. Instead, believe in correction and praise, which ultimately bring the best results.
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