Training tips
How to get your dog to use a new bed
Simple steps for settling a dog into a new bed: placement, scent, treats and patience, and what to do if they still ignore it.
A new bed can be ignored for a few days, even when it is the right one. These steps usually help.
Put it in the right place
Dogs sleep best somewhere quiet, near the family but out of the main walkway and away from draughts and radiators. If your dog already has a favourite spot, put the new bed there.
Add something familiar
A blanket or an old T-shirt that smells of you, or the old bed's cover placed on top, makes a new bed smell like home.
Make it a good place
Drop a treat on the bed, or hide a toy in the hollow of a donut. Praise your dog when they step on it. Do not push them onto it, which can put them off.
Give it time
Some dogs adopt a new bed in a minute, and some take a week. Foam and fibre beds are often packed flat, so let the bed recover its shape for a day or two before you start.
Check the fit
If your dog sniffs the bed and walks away, check the size. A bed that is too small, too deep to step over or too slippery can put a dog off. Our guide to measuring a dog for a bed explains how to check.
Try a different style
Dogs have preferences. A dog that likes to lean may prefer a bolster, and one that likes to sprawl may prefer a flat mattress. A hot dog may choose a raised bed over a cushion.
Be consistent
Use the same word when you point to the bed, and reward the dog every time they use it. If problems continue, or if your dog seems uncomfortable, speak to your vet.