With Christmas just around the corner, the hustle and bustle of the season has begun and having dogs underfoot while hosting friends and family can get a bit hectic. That's why the 'go to your bed' command is such a fabulous tool.
When I tell my dogs to 'go to your bed' they each seek out a bed (sometimes all three squeeze onto one bed which is quite funny), and they remain on that bed until I tell them otherwise.
I love this command and teach it to all of my new clients whether they are puppies or adult dogs because of its static versatility, it gives a dog controlled freedom - yes I am aware that is an oxymoron.
The beauty of this command is that a dog focuses on the bed as the place to remain stationary which means I can take that bed and move it anywhere I want and the dogs will find it and remain there. While in this command they are allowed to sit, stand and lay down but just can't leave their bed.
To teach this to your dog, you will need these things: really good treats, a dog bed, patience and time.
To begin you will teach the end result first. This means the end result of teaching 'go to your bed' is your dog lying down on its bed.
Step 1) Building the picture. With a treat, lure your dog onto the bed and into a down, without saying a word! If your dog does not know a down, then a sit will do, but you may want to consider teaching it a down command in the near future. Once your dog is in a down (or sit) you will say the command, "go to your bed" and treat your dog. With your dog remaining in the down (or sit) on the bed say "go to your bed" and give a treat. The only words you should be saying is "go to your bed" followed by quiet praise with the treat and all your dog has to do is remain on the bed. Super easy, right? Repeat this simple exercise 10-12 times. At the end of 12 repetitions give your dog his release command such as 'all done" and allow your dog to leave the bed (he might not as he just had a free-for-all treat fest for remaining on his bed). What we are doing in this initial step is creating a mental image in your dog's head of being on a bed when it hears the words, "go to your bed".
With Step 2, we add movement. Start the exercise with your dog about two feet from its bed and you standing in front of your dog. With two treats in your hand, place one treat at your dog's nose and begin to lure him towards the bed on the command, "go to your bed." Say the command only once while you lure your dog onto the bed and into the chosen position (down or sit). Once your dog is in the position on the bed, give him the treat and then reinforce the command once with the second treat by saying, 'go to your bed' while your dog is on the bed. Then give your dog the release command 'all done'
and begin the exercise again with your dog and you standing two feet from the bed. Repeat this exercise 10 more times.
Give your dog a 10 minute break to digest what it has just learned before you start the next step.
Now, with your dog about two to three feet from its bed and you in front of your dog, say the command, 'go to your bed' and slowly point in the direction of your bed. At this point your dog may hesitate a little bit as it tries to put the pieces of the puzzle together. Be patient! If your dog loses focus then just repeat Step 2 a few more times. But if you are patient your dog will reward you with going to its bed and either lying or sitting down and waiting for the treat.
The more you practise this, the better your dog will get and eventually you can tell your dog to go to its bed from anywhere in the house and it will leave the area and search for its bed.
Good luck and have fun!
Joan has been working with dogs for more than 15 years. Contact her through her website at k9kinship.com.
