Its 11.30pm and we want to go to bed, but our bitch is to scared to go into the kitchen where their new beds are, well saying that she will go in the kitchen but she wont go on the bed. She's looking worried. Our dog doesnt seem bothered but he hasnt layed on it yet, but he always follows what she does anyway. The new beds are different design to their old ones, surely that cannt make a difference!!

I have this feeling that i shall have to go back to the shop & explain that our dogs dont like these beds!! they are going to think im mad!!

Has anyone else had this problem, if so how did you solve it.

Switch the light off, get in bed and have a good nights sleep. Because i can guarantee when you come down in the morning they'll have had a good nights sleep in their new beds

Hi,

Sorry to disagree Manhonc but if she is genuinely scared of it, leaving her to it really isn't fair and if she's worried about going in the kitchen because of it then it does sound like she's pretty anxious about it. 

I would pop their old beds out for tonight, put the new ones away and then start working on building up a good association with the new beds tomorrow.  Get some really yummy treats and start by throwing them near he bed then work up to throwing the treats in the bed, make a big game out of it, tell her how clever she is when she gets near it or in it.  Move on to asking her to put he front feet in, use a treat to lure her if needs be and then reward her with the treat.  Then ask her to sit in it and reward and build up that way :-)

When we were looking for a pee-proof bed for our leaky old boxer girl we wanted to buy a Tuffie.
We took her near one and it was a definate no-go...she hates crunkly noises and would rather sleep on a cold floor.

Perhaps putting an old throw over the new beds until it feels like home to the dogs.
Gentle familiarisation may be the way to go as it's a rather expensive problem to just replace them.

If they are big enough and sturdy enough (and if you'd fit - not saying you're large or anything!) try sitting in the beds yourself and call the dogs to you. Lots of cuddles and treats etc.

She surprised us all, i went to put them out for their last pee and there she was laying on it, our dog followed a few minutes later. But beforehand i had moved the beds into the middle of the kitchen floor, because i thought she might not like the position as we had changed it, as these beds are bigger than the old ones and they wouldnt fit in the old position, only problem now is we have 2 big beds in the middle of a narrow kitchen which are in the way!!

I had to put the 2 beds in their new position because they are in the way, i thought if they want to sleep they will have too sleep outside, they have the sun or shade to choose from. After a while our dog layed on their bed in the new position, and a while later our bitch did the same. Fickle dogs. :)

Thanks for trying to help everyone.

we had the same problem with our dogs bed what is yours made of? as ours is made out of polystyrene beads with a anti chew nylon cover every time it gets moved it makes a rustling noise as the beads move inside now everything is ok could your dogs bed be making a noise as your dog lays on it and scaring them good luck.

Your dog may just be afraid the new smell and the unfamiliararity of something new within the Kitchen.  As soon as your dog(s) become familiar with the new bed's your problem will be sorted.  It may seem strange but perhaps you should sleep in the new bed with your dog... Your smell on the bed will make your dog feel more comfortable with the new arrangement.

Adamski the beds are not big enough for me to sleep in them, & anyway the dogs are happy in their new beds now.

Ive just had the same problem as you Tricolours this weekend after buying a large bed for them both to sleep on.
Both of them would not stand on it,as when they did it blew up the other end,like a water bed.

Now one has mastered it, but the other is still using her old bed for now,spooking at the new bed when it moves.
Im not worried as i know she will except it in the end.
Glad your dogs are happy now.