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It just took our dog a few days of whining and us not giving in for him to realize that we weren't going to let him up. Fortunately he can't jump up on his own! Now he goes immediately to his bed at night, although we do let him up to cuddle in the morning. My husband can't help himself

I think you just have to be consistent, as much as it sucks. Good luck!

it just took me a few nights of "no" to get my dogs to stop sleeping on our bed. We did get them a toddler bed (my dogs are 55 and 120 pounds) and they sleep on that together. we got one from ikea and they love it.

Our dog doesn't normally sleep on our bed, but sometimes we will cave on weekend and let him up. He gets so happy and snuggles right in!! We were in Mexico a few weeks ago and the dog sitter let him sleep with her all week. When we returned he kept looking at us all pitifully every night until we said "No, Gus" and put a treat on his dog bed. Now he seems to be back in routine!

We do let him up most mornings so cuddle with me while DH is getting ready, since DH wakes up an hour before I do. I think it's his favorite time of the day He comes bounding in every morning waiting for me to say "up!"

@char54: Is he able to jump up on the bed on his own? Luckily, our new bed is too tall for Phyllis to jump up on her own. Gotta love those stubby little bulldog legs.

at this point i think i spoon my 65lb lab mix more than my husband. I would love to teach him to sleep on the floor or even in another bedroom, esp as i grow a bigger and bigger belly. he's already making it difficult to get up to pee in the middle of the night.

Our dogs sleep downstairs on their own beds. They are not allowed upstairs at all unless it's bathtime, although one might push it very occasionally (and get sent back downstairs immediately!!).

We have just enforced the "no dogs on the sofa" rule - and it took just one evening of whining and begging to be let up (too cute!) before they got it. It wasn't too difficult because we already had fairly robust boundaries in place for them.

How are your current boundaries? Does the dog sit and wait for his food? Does he walk beside you when you go out or does he walk you? Does he enter your bedroom before you or wait outside the door to be invited in? The more boundaries you have in place generally, the easier this will be....

So,the first step - make sure your dog is well exercised. This sounds strange and unrelated but if your dog has excess energy it will turn into anxiety and he will not respond well to the training you are about to implement. Drain his energy first!

Next - give yourself a good talking to. This is not cruel. This is not mean. Your dog will not think you no longer love him (he's a dog, it's not how his mind works). In fact, your dog will be much happier with boundaries in place. Get all of this out of your system before you try to implement any new rules - he will sense your negative energy, otherwise, and associate the new rules with it.

Next - get a comfortable bed for your dog to sleep in. Put this wherever you want your dog to sleep. It's important for your dog to associate his new bed with positive things - so teach him to go to his bed with positive reinforcement methods, treats etc. Never drag him into the bed or pick him up and plonk him - coax him in with treats (high value treats like ham or chicken if dog treats don't work!) otherwise he will associate the bed with bad times. Practice this until he goes to his bed on command.

Now the fun starts! Start the evening fully believing the dog will take to his new sleeping position. Visualise what you want, believe it. Tell him to go to his bed. If he tries to get up on the bed, say no (I find a sharp Ah sound works well, just as they're about to jump up). If he makes it up don't panic, just tell him to get down and go to his bed. Coax him with treats that first night if you need to. Be consistent - and whatever you do, don't give in (he will learn that he has to push you to get what he wants). Don't get frustrated, be calm and in control. You own the bed, not the dog!

I hope this huge essay helps! Let us know how you get on!!!

In addition to me, DH, and the cat, our dog started sleeping in the bed as a puppy. Once she was full grown and a bed hog, things got crowded and hot. We kept trying to get her to sleep on the floor or her dog bed. A couple months ago she got sick and started sleeping on her dog bed. I can't get her back up on the bed for the life of me. Now I miss her! (but the extra room is nice!)