How can I train my springer spaniel to sleep downstairs

by Margaret Roberts
(Worcester, England)

I have a 15 month old springer spaniel who sleeps either in her own bed by mine or on the bed. I inherited her from someone who did the same so carried on. I would like to train her to stay downstairs in her bed but feel sorry for her when she whimpers. What i the best way to go about training her without upsetting her?

Return to Love Springer Spaniels FAQs
Return to Love Springer Spaniels Homepage

Comments for
How can I train my springer spaniel to sleep downstairs

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Oct 13, 2011
Rating

Sleeping Springer
by: Anonymous

During our first week with our girl, there was no way she was going to sleep on her own. We bought a crate pretty quick and she was happy in that with a toy and I gave her my old pj's that I had slept in so they had my smell on them. She also had her springer brother in the room they slept in.
She now has cuddles on our bed at night and then goes off to her own bed when the light goes out. No promoting!
Crates are the best thing to have. Have it available to her during the day and put little treats in it for her so it becomes a really great place to be and feel safe. I wish I had used one for previous puppies. I could never let them cry for too long and get all stressed out. It will take time and patience. Good luck!

Oct 13, 2011
Rating

Tough Love
by: Anonymous

It has to be tough love, but I would start by using a crate. Teaching that that this the dogs own space. Put the dog's bed in the crate and use it whenever you leave even for relatively short periods during the day. Leave a stuffed bone or a Kong to occupy the dog. You could start with the crate in the bedroom at night and gradually move it away out and then downstairs.

Oct 11, 2011
Rating

ESS sleeping downstairs
by: Anonymous

Hi

As your ESS is still young I would do hard love.

You could place her bed in the kitchen (or area where you want her to stay) in the day and try to get her to stay there and reward her for doing so.

Personally I would be quite harsh and put her downstairs straight away and get yourself some earplugs!

I know it is hard to hear them cry but they are like a baby and if you go down to see them or even let them back in your room you will never ever train them to be on their own.

I know someone whos ESS was always on their bed from day one as 'she didn't want the hassle' and it then escalated to her never being able to go out for more than a half hour with our her dog howling the place down!

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Springer Spaniel Training Questions