My parents recently got new living room furniture. What does this have to do with dogs? Well, the three dogs that live in the house are no longer welcome on the shiny new couches. My father fell in love with fancy dog beds from a big clothing and home goods company — at $150 each, that’s $450 in dog beds. They ended up buying adorable beds with removable cushions from a local pet store and saving a lot of biscuit money.
Things to think about when choosing a pet bed:
- Is the bed machine washable? Does it have a removable slipcover?
- What is the bed made of? My parents ran into an unexpected problem with the fleece cushions on the dog beds. My brother’s dog Kuma LOVES fleece toys, and loves to unstuff them. She decided her cushion was a toy based on the material and proceeded to unstuff her pillow!
- How does your dog like to sleep? Some dogs sleep curled into a tight ball; a smaller bed is perfect. Some dogs sleep sprawled out and may need a larger bed.
- Provide a backrest. Many dogs like to lean against something to sleep. My fur-sister Becca doesn’t feel secure unless she’s got something at her back. A bolster bed is perfect for her!
- Extra cushioning is always welcome. If your dog likes to “nest” in the blankets, she may appreciate an old sheet, blanket, or towel on her bed for piling just right.
You don’t have to check at your local pet store for a pet bed. They might have the largest variety, but these days just about everybody is in the dog supply business! Mail order retailers like L.L. Bean, Eddie Bauer, and Lands’ End offer a variety of pet beds and other gear for four-footed family members.
Getting the right dog bed is half the battle. Actually getting your dog to choose her bed over the new couch is another story! Help her associate her new bed with a positive experience by offering treats, praise, and lots of petting when she’s on her bed.