Article: Where should I put the dog bed so my dog actually sleeps in it?
Where should I put the dog bed so my dog actually sleeps in it?
You buy a dog bed, place it in the corner of the room, and the dog still sleeps in the doorway to the kitchen. This isn't pickiness. This is information that the spot you chose does not meet a condition that is more important to your dog than comfort.
A Dog Chooses a Spot, Not a Piece of Furniture
Dogs sleep where they can control the entrance to the room and monitor people. A dog bed facing the wall, in a blind corner, loses to a hard floor by the door – because from the floor, the dog can see what's happening.
Before you choose a spot, check where your dog lies down on its own today. That's the answer.
Three Settings That Work
- Wall at their back, view of the door. A classic that works for most dogs. The dog has its back covered and a full field of vision.
- Side of the living room, a few meters from people. Close enough for the dog to feel part of the home, far enough for no one to walk over it.
- Bedroom, if the dog sleeps there anyway. It's better to give them their own spot in the bedroom than to fight for the bed every night.
What Dogs Don't Accept
- Drafts. The space between the entrance door and the balcony door is the worst in the entire house.
- Direct vicinity of a radiator. The dog overheats and leaves, and the foam cushion loses elasticity faster.
- Traffic areas. Corridor, passage to the kitchen, next to the trash can. The dog wakes up with every passing.
- Harsh light during the day. In full sun, it can be unbearable in summer, and the fabric fades.
How to Get Your Dog Used to a New Bed
A new bed smells like a factory, not home. Place a blanket on it that the dog has already slept on – you'll transfer the scent and shorten the entire process to a few days.
Reward them for getting on it and never send the dog to the bed as punishment. The sleeping spot should not be associated with consequences. For the first week, leave the bed where the dog usually lies down, even if you don't like that location. You can move it later, half a meter at a time.
How Many Beds Does One Dog Need
In an apartment over fifty square meters, usually two: one where people spend evenings, and one where they sleep. A dog that has to choose between loneliness and a hard floor will choose the floor.
Our dog beds are fully disassemblable, so a second bed also means a second set of covers for washing – in practice, it's easier to maintain cleanliness than with one, constantly occupied bed.
