Dog Bed Hunting Guide

Every dog on this planet needs a good comfy dog bed or a cozy spot to rest his paws. If you have a cutie puppy, a big boy Great Dane, an eight-pound Dachshund or a senior couch potato, if you have a four-legged furry beast, you need a dog bed. As a dog goes up and about his day, doing his doggy roaming activities, he naturally wants to crash in his personal spot. It’s your responsibility as a loving and caring dog owner to fix him a cozy corner where he can dream of chasing squirrels and digging in your garden.

How do you find the perfect dog bed, one that’s guaranteed to be totally loved and enjoyed by your dog? How do you find a dog bed with a good life span that’s easy to maintain? Don’t sweat, we have some easy guidelines that will help you determine your dog’s sleeping patterns and will help you hunt down that ideal sleep retreat for your pooch. We also included some simple tips that will help your dog get familiar with his new resting hub.

Don’t get bamboozled or become overwhelmed by all the dog bed selections out there. There are so many that it can sometimes be confusing. They all declare how great they are and how much your dog will love ’em. Be mindful and don’t jump the gun! Some dog beds are excellent, others are good and many are cheap, made of toxic materials that I would stay far, far away from.

Don’t think it’s ok if you don’t have a designated resting spot for Fido. It’s not ok! The moment you bring your new companion home, a dog bed, plenty of chew toys, dog crate, natural healthy foods and snacks plus leads and collars should be top on your priority list. If you still haven’t set up a cozy dog bed or resting-place for your buddy, what are you waiting for? Every dog needs a comfortable, quiet, secure spot to wind down after a hard day of play. That oversized beach towel or that organic nest bed you’ve spotted online will do the trick. As long as the chosen dog bed works for you and its master, it’s all good. The importance of having a dog bed is huge. Read on and you’ll discover how the right bed can transform your dog’s life.

A Dog Bed has Mucho Benefits

A dog bed is absolutely necessary if you want a happy healthy balanced dog. It provides much more than a comfortable resting spot. It ultimately provides a home within a home. Think of it from a human perspective for a second and you’ll see exactly what I mean. Imagine you didn’t have a resting place, no bed, no sofa, no pillows or comforters, nothing. You could sleep in any room in the house but there’s no corner to call your very own. How would you eventually feel? Maybe tense, scared, nervous, confused – not so good! And if you’re not fully rested and tense with energy, how will you enjoy and experience the rest of your day?

The same goes for your furry beast. If your dog has his very own dog bed he will feel much more sheltered and secure. His stress levels will drastically decrease and will likely experience peaceful sleepy nights and restful mornings.

If you follow the “Four Paws on the Ground at All Times” rule, like we do with Halle, then pet dog beds are a huge plus. It might not be pleasant for you or your guests to sit on a hairy/smelly/slouchy, dog-possessing sofa – not very fun! That’s where beds for dogs are essential. On the other hand, if you absolutely don’t mind your dog doing his siesta on your sofa or bed, then that’s great. There’s a dog bed solution for that too. You’ll want to maybe consider a thick dog blanket to cover the front of your sofa or top of your bed. It will protect your furniture from your dog’s fur, dander, damaging nail scratches, doggy smells, moisture and dirt.

“I don’t know what’s all the fuss about! I’ve never seen the top of Mom & Dad’s bed plus the sofa doesn’t really interest me. I rather cuddle with my ‘human-feet-friends’ at ground level!” – Halle

Now that you know how important dogs beds are for you and your dog’s well being, here are some tips on selecting that great dog bed.

Dog Bed Tips

Every dog has special individual needs when it comes to dog beds. Because not all dog beds are alike, we have compiled a simple general guide that will help you make that special investment.

A good dog bed must be:

- Easy to clean and maintain, most preferably machine washable.

- Made of a tear-proof (especially for strong chewers), resistant, natural (preferably organic) material

- Easily repaired or replaced if it does tear or break.

- Warm, dry (moisture resistant) and comfortable, orthopedic because it reduces stress on the joints and bones (especially good for dogs affected by arthritis & hip dysplasia).

- Inviting. Remember dogs don’t care if you offer them designer dog beds or a simple mat. They just want a good night’s sleep. Although, if you are particularly interested in a designer dog beds, we have a great post coming dedicated to our favorite designer dog beds. Stay tuned.

- Affordable. Be mindful on spending big bucks on beds for dogs. Big prices don’t necessarily equal high quality.

- Durable and offer a long life span.

- Mobile. It can easily fold or package up when traveling

Selecting the best dog bed for your pet comes down to two things:

Size & Shape

When measuring your pooch for his new bed we recommend you always go one size up for added comfort if you have a medium to giant size dog. For smaller breeds a couple of inches extra here and there will suffice. You don’t want the dog bed to be too overpowering because it might make your dog feel insecure.

Now lets talk about shape. Does your dog tend to roll up into a ball, a doughnut, a pretzel or – Halle’s favorite – a cutie bagel! Perhaps your dog likes to cuddle in your bed or in between a bunch of decorative pillows on the sofa. Then here are your best options:

- Nest, Doughnut or Pillow dog beds are perfect for your dog. Your pet may be looking for a cozier dog bed where he can snuggle and cocoon safely. The pet dog beds in this category are available in many sizes from micro for the Chihuahuas (especially great for smaller dogs) all the way up to the XXL’s for Great Danes. Also look for materials that offer a bit more comfort.

Maybe you have a sleeping prehistoric fossilized dinosaur on your living room floor or a fallen AT-AT Walker (Giant Star Wars Snow Machines aka Halle) lying on the ground. If this is your dog then you must get him a dog bed that offers flexibility to go all out and stretch to the limit. If you have a super-stretchy-not-so-fussy-mussy dog that likes to flop pretty much anywhere and snooze, a good bet for him would be a:

- Dog pillow or Bolster. They come in many shapes and sizes (rectangular, round, square). A mat, pad or even a dog blanket are good options.

One of Halle’s all time favorite spots to sleep is the landing between our first floor and second floor. She has a blanket on the carpeted landing and she makes her very own bed every night – just the way she likes it. The cornered walls give her a sense of security. Plus she gets a great vantage point on our every move from one floor to the next.

You can also purchase decorative furniture beds, outdoor beds, raised dog beds (ideal for senior dogs), heated beds (great for puppies and dog’s suffering from arthritis) or even a simple crate will do just fine. Our monkey is happily crate trained. She will ‘Go To Bed’ on request and will also do a series of commands like sit, down, spin, stay in her crate. It’s her dog home and bed. She gets her bestest naps in her crate, sometimes upside down on her back – so cute! She’s not very fussy, wherever we are, she can easily find a comfortable quiet spot to rest. Essentially, it’s all about knowing your dog and giving him a relaxed spot. It doesn’t have to be complicated.

Easing Into the Dog Bed Experience

Don’t just one day show up with a new dog bed and expect your dog to be super ecstatic and jump right in. Chances are that’s not going to happen. At first sight he might sniff with curiosity, completely ignore it or even flee and hide. You have to ease him into it. It might take a couple of minutes or a couple of days. Be very patient or you might jeopardize the whole thing.

Use positive reinforcement. Be gentle, use treats and lotsa praise. Create a routine and location, location, location is super important. If possible, placing the dog bed in your dog’s naturally favorite spot in your home will greatly facilitate things. The key is to make the experience super fun and your dog will be snoozing in no time.

Hunting for Dog Beds

You can find dog beds online or at your local pet shop. You can also get creative. Remember it’s entirely up to you. Just make sure you do your homework. Check for reviews and carefully consider the recommendations I’ve outlined in this post.

“I just want to add that I also love sleeping in the car very much. There’s nothing more exciting than a good car nap followed by a car adventure!” – Halle

If you have a large breed dog and need to find a nice large bed for your dog, you should definitely check out my special Large Dog Bed article, which includes our favorite selections with a dozen useful links. I’m also going to be posting up some awesome posts on small, specialty and designer dog beds really soon.

Does your dog have a favorite resting spot? Perhaps it’s a clean pile of laundry? Give us your thoughts on dog beds, does your dog have one or not? Do you prefer designer dog beds or simple blankets? Please share.

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