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I have my dog accustomed to his crate but when out of the crate, I prefer him to be in his bed instead of the floor so he doesn't get hurt (accidentally get stepped on by someone since he lies down behind the couch).
I couldn't figure out a better way. I have had his treats given to him in it and his Nylabone.
I had his leash attached to a chair just so it (the bed) would be the most comfortable thing to lie down in. He grumbled and growled but later took a 'cat nap'. I want him to feel like it is the next best thing to the crate.
How should I refer to the crate versus the bed? I hope one day if potty trained, he will sleep in the bed.
My dogs sleep in multiple places....some I chose for them, others they chose on their own.
I'd lay some favorite toys on it. When he goes to investigate the toys, he might plop right down and start using the new bed.
Also, if there's any way to "move" his scent to the new bed......maybe a blanket with his scent that you could lay on the bed? or even rub his crate bed against the new bed?
I don't use a crate, and like riveree, my dog pretty much chooses his sleeping spot... he's next to me on the bed right now, LOL. Is your dog a small breed? I'm assuming he is, since you're worried about him being stepped on! Mine is a bit larger (40 lbs.), so that's not as much of a concern. Anyway, I don't really know if there's a way to force him to like a bed... my dog never uses his, so I guess they prefer the floor or bed/couch. Just try to find his favorite area of the house, and leave it there for a while - hopefully he'll decide to use it on his own. Rudy does know the command "go to your bed," which I guess you could teach your dog, but he only stays for a second before moving on. You could also try a different type of bed, since it could be that he doesn't like that particular one... experimenting with beds can get expensive, though!
\ but he only stays for a second before moving on. You could also try a different type of bed, since it could be that he doesn't like that particular one... experimenting with beds can get expensive, though!
Ditto.
I don't feel like experimenting with different beds, either.
Also, if there's any way to "move" his scent to the new bed......maybe a blanket with his scent that you could lay on the bed? or even rub his crate bed against the new bed?
How about rub the dog against the new bed? Just kidding.
Spot sleeps in his crate or where ever else he wants. I think it's related to temperature and where we are. First choice is in the bed and second is the crate. His doggy bed is way down the list. I don't have to worry about Spot being stepped on because he is 75lbs.
Now that the weather is cool, my dog likes to find a sunny spot on the floor. If your dog does the same, you might try putting the bed where the sun can warm him.
Some dogs just don't prefer beds. My younger guy has one and we had one for the older one too and he never used it, so I gave it to my mom when she got her dog, and he hasn't missed it. Every once in a while, he will be weird and go lay in the other dogs bed, I don't know if it's to annoy him or just to confuse me He prefers to lay on the tile though, I know it's cooler, and I don't know if that's the reason or not, but he just doesn't like to have a bed (though he is not opposed to sleeping in ours with me when my husband isn't home
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Is your dog a small breed? I'm assuming he is, since you're worried about him being stepped on! Mine is a bit larger (40 lbs.), so that's not as much of a concern. Anyway, I don't really know if there's a way to force him to like a bed... my dog never uses his, so I guess they prefer the floor or bed/couch. Just try to find his favorite area of the house, and leave it there for a while - hopefully he'll decide to use it on his own. Rudy does know the command "go to your bed," which I guess you could teach your dog, but he only stays for a second before moving on. 
You could also try a different type of bed, since it could be that he doesn't like that particular one... experimenting with beds can get expensive, though!
Just kidding.
