1. The Send-away
Take a treat and use it to lure your dog onto their bed or placemat. If your dog refuses to get on the bed, you can put on a leash and nudge it towards the bed, accompanied by a treat lure to encourage them to get on the bed. Once all four paws are on the mat, give them the treat. After a few tries, you can slowly start adding the cue word “Go to bed” just as they are about to get on the bed.
2. Staying on the bed
Once they are on the bed, guide them into a “down” position and continue rewarding them with small, bite-sized bits to encourage them to remain there. You can also simply use a stay command if your dog knows it well. Do this for a minute or two.
If your dog has chosen to remain in the position for a good 10 to 30 seconds, well and good. If they seem to get distracted and move away from the bed, don’t worry! Lure them back on the bed and begin again. If need be, use the leash to communicate that you want them to remain on the bed.
3. Release from the stay
As your dog learns to stay on the bed for a good 10-15 seconds, say “off” and throw a treat away from the bed and let your dog go get it. Ideally, your dog should be getting off the bed only once you use the cue word “off”. But in case you see your dog breaking the stay before you give the cue word, do not hesitate to mark this behaviour anyway by adding the cue word.
Once your dog begins to ace these three steps, you can slowly elevate the command by working on gradually sending them to their bed from further and further away as well as by building duration in their stay.