How to Train Your Dog To Settle In Their Bed (introducing release cue and bed cue)
The very first thing you need to do before even trying to do any training is choosing what you want your dog to settle on.

1. Blankets are a good starting point for teaching a settle, you can roll them up and take them to different places, which help with your training.
2. Before you even begin to start training - your dog needs to learn that good things start and happen on the blanket.
STAGE ONE
How - No guidance or speaking needed for stage one - simply a fun ping pong game so that your dog is having fun and getting most of their rewards on the blanket.
Start with 10 small treats, sprinkle them on the blanket, let your dog choose to explore the treats. When your dog has found them all, throw another treat away from the blanket, and reload the blanket with another 10 treats. Do this a few times and your dog should start to yo-yo-ing automatically back to the blanket.
STAGE TWO
How - Start with 10 small treats, place one on the blanket as soon as your dog finds it, say 'yes' then place another treat down, let your dog find it, say 'yes' and repeat until you have only 1 treat left, say 'okay' (release cue) and throw the remaining treat away from the blanket, and your dog should automatically return to the blanket. Repeat this round 3 more times.
STAGE THREE
How - Start adding duration. (Make your marker word 'yes' quieter as you want your dog to start to relax)
Using 10 treats, Say 'Bed' and redirect your dog to their bed using a hand signal, say 'yes' and reward your dog, start building up your duration, but do this randomly (1...2...3... yes + reward, 1....2....3....4.....5... yes + reward, 1.....2....yes + reward) this is so that your dog stays on the bed and is not predicting the pattern, when you have used 9 treats, release your dog 'okay' and throw a treat away and repeat 3 more times building on the duration.
STAGE FOUR
How - Start adding Distance (5 minutes of training tops)
1. Using 10 treats, take 1 step away, move back to your dog 'yes' and reward, build up randomly like your duration (1....2....3....back to dog and reward, 1....2.....3....4.....5...... back to dog and reward) when you have used 9 treats, release your dog 'okay' and throw a treat away and repeat if required.

STAGE FIVE (remember no more than 5 minutes of training)
How - Distance and Duration
As before but walk 5 steps away, add a 2 second pause back to dog and reward
3 steps away, 5 second pause, back to dog and reward
7 steps away, 2 second pause, back to dog and reward.
1 step to left, 1 second pause, back to dog and reward, build up to 5 steps and 10 seconds
1 step to right, 1 second pause, back to dog and reward, build up to 5 steps and 10 seconds
now try to do a full circle.
STAGE FIVE
How - Distractions
Now to take your blanket on the move. Start each stage from the beginning in new enviroments. Remember you will need to make it easy, your dogs will not be able to transfer their learning to new places, but it will be easier and quicker.
Practice in quiet areas - here are some ideas to 'Proof' your training
go to a park bench watch the world go by
quiet cafe
Vet visit - hang out in the waiting room
Groomers - first puppy visit
Pet shop - whilst paying and talking to shop assistant
Visitors - when you have visitors, but very important to understand that visitors do not touch or play with your dog whilst they are in their safe space. Beds should be in quiet areas, away from visitors and guests, this should always be a choice for your dog to be able to move to this area, if they want to get away

How To Train Your Dog To Settle In Their Bed