Changing dog's sleeping arrangements

theoldbreed

Hi all,
We have a beautiful 7 year old golden retriever. He has slept upstairs but I want to move him to utility at night. He's a very good dog and placid but want to do it in a way that stresses him as little as possible.
Any advice would be appreciated.
Thank you

VonVix

Does he have a bed he typically sleeps in? Would he be confined to the utility room by a babygate or a door, so once he's there he won't be able to leave?

I'd probably treat the utility room a bit like crate training, I'd only feed him in the utility room and he would only get treats when he is there as well, so he builds an association that the utility room means nice things happen.

theoldbreed

VonVix wrote: »

Does he have a bed he typically sleeps in? Would he be confined to the utility room by a babygate or a door, so once he's there he won't be able to leave?

I'd probably treat the utility room a bit like crate training, I'd only feed him in the utility room and he would only get treats when he is there as well, so he builds an association that the utility room means nice things happen.

Yes he has a bed that I move around for him. No I'd leave the door open so he can go into the kitchen if he needs to or into the hall. I don't want to shut him in there. He tends to sleep away and not move around anyway.
He gets fed in there and his treat press is there so it's associated with good things. I just don't want him to think he's bold or anything. Maybe I'm projecting my thoughts on to him!

Tony H

if he's as easy going as you say , just move the bed into the utility room at night and he will get used to it , my golden used to have his bed moved now and then as he used to get up if he thought he was going out for a walk and generally he was like an obstacle course and trip everyone up , he used to check the house at night , going up to the bedrooms and any doors that were left open and then head back to his bed wherever it was ,
as long as they have plenty of company during the day he will be fine .

aonb

Is he sleeping in someones bedroom upstairs?
Moving him downstairs to the Utility (on his own) might be a little bit of a "downgrade" in his mind...which it probably is? I would move him downstairs, and give him a major treat like a decent chew or whatever, so that he 'knows' he's not being punished. Next night, maybe a smaller treat, and then down to just your regular bedtime nibble (you do give him a bedtime biscuit dont you I mean everyone gives their pets a bedtime bikkie dont they?!?!!!)

Im a total wuss, and would probably leave a radio on very low for him, or even just a ticking clock too?

Just an added thought - if you live in an area where there will be noise for Halloween (fireworks/crackers etc) maybe leave the move until after the festivities?

CeilingFly

Poor fella, just a step from sleeping outside when only a couple of weeks ago he was in the main bedroom.

Total cruelty

He'll be fine once it's the same bedding though may take a few nights to get used to.

One thing to watch for is any outside nighttime distraction that could cause barking - foxes, hedgehogs etc

dcmm

I got a plugin bottle of pet relaxing liquid from vet. Also a spray for our highly strung cockers bed. Hes very nervous anyway & it definitely has helped. Might make his new location more comfortable.