How do I kick my boxers out of bed??????

[boxerbreath]

Having 2 people and 2 large boxer dogs in a queen size bed every night isn't working. How do I go about getting my two boxers off my bed??? If I try to keep them from hopping on at bedtime, they just sit there and STARE and us and whine. They are relentles. Of course they look so cute and sad, so after a little while we are so tired we just give in.

I honestly don't know how to get them off. They seem determined to sleep with us. I was thinking about locking them in their crates that are in our room. I feel so guilty about it though. Yet the backpain, lack of sleep & blankets is just killing us. The dogs were actually so spread out on the bed that I rolled off my end this morning. Something has to change. I was thinking of buying a king sized bed, yet I think they would still be squashing us so I rather not spend over $1k to find out.

Any suggestions for training?? Thanks!

 

[Slippynicla]

getting a bigger bed won't solve the problem (trust me!). we allow our dogs on the bed with us at certain times only. they are allowed to cuddle at night before we sleep and in the morning when we wake. it took us a while to get it that way, so just be persistent. we got that whole "stare at you until you're guilt ridden" bit as well, and ours would wait until she thought we were asleep and then slip a paw up, then another, then her legs, and curl up a teeny ball and extend her legs overnight thus pushing us off the bed.

 

[WeLoveDuke]

I'm dying for the "magic answer" too! When DH and I got Duke, our first dog, we agreed that he would sleep in his kennel, which he did, for four months. Then I went away for an extended weekend on business and when I returned, Duke was sleeping in the bed. Six months later, we got Mack, who never spent one night in the kennel...

Now, one year later, we're (I'm!!!) squished under 130 lbs. of dog each night (I weigh 135 myself!). We, too, have thought about a bigger bed...but it would require a bigger house...quite the investment!

Mack has started sleeping on the floor next to the bed if I put a comforter down there. It seems that he gets too crowded...

 

[SILLY6PAK]

The majic answer is consistance. It will not be easy but they will get the message. Be firm and be ready for a tough week or two.
Maybe babygate them out of the bedroom. Then they can still see you and are free to sleep whereever.
I let the dogs sleep with me when Mark is out of town. The dogs no and do not even try to get in the bed when Mark is around.
They might not like it at first but if you are consistant then they will learn.

 

[bxrwiggles]

Yup - consistency is the key. We had the same situation with two boxers and a queen size bed. We were relentless on making them go to their dog bed which is on the floor at the foot of our bed and lie down. Sometimes they would try and sneak back up later on. What finally did the trick for the whole evening was the new dog bed we got them this past xmas. It's a dog bed with a bolster all around and has a cushion insert. The bed is incredibly comfortable and plush. They LOVE it! Now they sleep in it the entire evening and don't come up on the bed until it's time to get up and go outside.

 

[Ingrid]

Ohhh..how familar all of these stories are! I seriously think that the boxer personality is ingrained in the breed! We had the same problem with our girl. So for a couple of weeks we dealt with the painful whining and staring at the foot of the bed and made her lie down on a cushioned chair beside the bed. It was tough listening to her, and we were woken up throughout the night many times as she tried to sneak up, but eventually she got the point, and now she only sleeps on her comfy chair with a blanket and her lion. I think that the main challenge is training ourselves to disregard their crying and complaining, and be tough!

 

[Zannie]

i wish i had that answer too, i wake up with a backache and most the time they fart threw out the night..

 

[matrok]

We soon will be in the same situation. DH and I don't want to put them in the crates at night since they (2nd boxer in less than 2 weeks) are both in a crate during the day for 6-7 hours. The comfy beds is a great suggestion. I saw some great ones at Costco. Geez, one more thing to add to the list before we get boxer #2.

 

[EAO76]

Been there.

We just ended up locking them out of our room. Now they stay in the living room where they have the choice of the couch or their dog beds. At 6:30am I let them out for potty and then they are allowed to get into our bed for about an hour (longer on the weekends). It has worked out fine for us. Whether you crate them, use dog beds, or put them in another room they will be fine. Don’t feel bad -just do it- your back will thank you!

 

[Walkssoftly]

No suggestions here.. Except that eventually I plan to get rid of my king size wood canopy waterbed, which they sleep in with me..
You want to talk about fun? (first a visual, the canopy of the waterbed has mirrors in it) IF I turn on a flashlight at night? They see it reflect over head, and try to stand up on hind legs to get it.. as in a laser light.. Well the waterbed goes into tidal waves!!! *eeegad*
Then comes morning.. I wake up verrry carefully.. As if even ONE eyelid opens.. then that does it! I'm FAIR GAME! TaTanka immediately braces his front paws and extends his legs pushing me around.. BIG fun for him.. Then comes Sequoia, and she STOMPS her log giraffe legs all over me, thus stomping and standing on my hair, so I can't get up.. Talk about a THREE RING CIRCUS! Sooo I've learned that I must PEEK at eye open, if I see my goofball TaTanka layin' there lookin' at me?? I SLAM that eyelid shut, then get ready,... and SIT UP FAST before he knows I'm REALLY awake.. That's the only way I can make it outta bed without getting trampled and shot all over by the tidal wave they cause in that waterbed mattress!
Yup! The waterbed will soon go.. and along will come a REGULAR mattress.. and a BIG new DOGGIE bed on the floor.. HOPEFULLY it will work!
Boxers.. Maybe we're better off to let them have the bed, and sleep on the sofa! NOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Karen<~~~TaTanka and Sequoia's muse...

PS.. Sylvestor the 21yr old cat sleeps at the foot of the bed, and if HE gets stepped on?? Boxers tuck butt and trample ME!