suddenly scared of his bed

[gomowthelawn]

My dog is really really scared of his bed. I have no idea why. Yesterday he was in his bed in the kitchen, I was cooking so had my back to him, and he suddenly leapt out of it and skulked off with his ears pinned back. I can't imagine what freaked him. Now he won't go near it! I've tried coaxing him in and giving him a really yummy treat - cheese, chicken skin, but it takes a lot of coaxing, and he jumps straight out again. I don't really want him pacing about in a stressed out state. I've even tried moving it, so it isn't the location, it is the bed! It used to be his favourite place in the whole world. Any ideas?

[BehindLockNumberNine]

Could a creepy crawly have got into his bed and bitten him?

Try washing it on a hot wash, maybe if it smells 'different' he may accept it again (and no longer associate it with the nasty thing that scared him?)

[gomowthelawn]

I did wonder about that, it's possible. It can't hot wash his bed, it's one of those huge soft beds with waterproof covering. I don't want to bin it either as it cost an arm and a leg! I'll try wiping it down and giving it a good spray with anti-bacterial stuff. That will make it smell different.

I've put him in the conservatory as to relax a bit, well away from the offending bed. Honestly, dogs