Teaching a Puppy to Sleep in Their Bed

October 22, 2026

Your puppy falls asleep on the rug, under the table, against the door, but not in the bed you chose for them. This is normal: they first need to understand that this spot is theirs, and that they are safe there. With patience and a routine, they will grow to like it.

Make the bed a pleasant place

A puppy looks for somewhere comfortable, warm and close to you. The bed must tick all three boxes.

The right size: big enough for them to lie curled up or stretched out, without being huge. A bed with a raised edge helps them feel surrounded.
A familiar scent: a cloth from their litter, or an old T-shirt that you have worn.
The right position: somewhere quiet, but close to family life, away from the front door and radiators. Our guide to knowing where to put the bed gives all the tips.

The Nino bouclé bed, size XS, has a padded edge on all four sides, where the puppy can rest their head. Its zipped cover is machine-washable at 30 °C, which is useful during the first months.

Link the bed with good moments

Your puppy must see their bed as a place where good things happen.

Put a treat or a chew toy in the bed, and let them find it.
When they lie down in it by themselves, praise them calmly.
Choose a word, for example "bed", and say it when they go in. Reward them.
During the day, guide them to their bed when they show signs of tiredness. Naps help them link this spot with sleep.

Never use the bed as a punishment. Do not send them there after they have done something wrong, and do not shut them in it. It must stay a refuge.

Set up an evening routine

Puppies like habits. The same routine every evening helps them understand that it is time to sleep.

A play session in the early evening, so that they burn off energy.
A last trip outside for the toilet, just before bedtime.
A calm moment: lights turned down, quiet games.
The puppy goes to their bed, with a chew toy.

Avoid giving a big meal just before bedtime: they would need to go out during the night.

The first nights: stay close

A puppy who has just left their litter has never slept alone. For the first nights, put their bed near your bed. If you want them to sleep in the living room later, move the bed away gradually, a few metres every two or three days, until it reaches its final place.

Some owners use an open travel crate, with a cushion inside. It can reassure some puppies, as long as you introduce it gently and never turn it into a prison. For this whole period, our guide to a puppy's first days in a flat can help.

Responding to night-time crying

Is your puppy crying? First look for the cause.

They need to go out: a young puppy cannot last the whole night. If they wake and fidget, take them out without talking or playing, then put them back in their bed.
They want your presence: rest your hand near them and speak softly. Avoid taking them into your bed if you do not want that in the long term.
They are cold or too hot: check the room temperature and the position of the bed.

Stay calm and consistent. If the crying goes on regardless, or if your puppy seems unwell, talk to your vet.

What if they prefer the sofa?

Decide on a rule as a family and stick to it. If the sofa is off limits, gently guide them back to their bed every time, and reward them when they stay there. Consistency matters more than firmness. If the sofa is allowed, put a blanket on it that is just for them: you will know where they sleep, and your fabric will be protected.