3 Tricks to Make a New Pet Bed Transition Less ‘Ruff’

Despite the fact that around 45% of U.S. dogs sleep in their owners’ beds, this arrangement isn’t always the most restful for canines or humans. Not only can providing a soft or ballistic dog bed for your pup allow you to sleep more soundly at night, but it can also keep your sheets cleaner, prevent allergies or disease transmission, and provide a safe and comforting spot for your dog to go whenever she needs it.

Of course, that doesn’t mean that it’s always easy to make the transition from cushy mattress to chew proof dog beds. If your dog has never had her own bed before (or it’s high time to replace her old one), she may be a bit resistant to the idea of something new. But if you want to make this change a little less “ruff” for everyone, you might want to try out these tricks.

1. Choose the Right Bed: Before you ever introduce your dog to her new spot for rest and relaxation, you’ll want to give careful thought to the type of bed you choose. If you know your dog is prone to tearing things apart, especially when stressed, you’ll want to go with one of the chew proof dog beds that are available to you. Alternatively, if your dog is older or is recovering from an injury, an orthopedic dog bed might be a more appropriate choice. You’ll want to evaluate your options to ensure that the bed you bring home is big enough, comfortable enough, and indestructible enough to address the needs of both pet and owner.
2. Pick the Best Location: In general, dogs will seek out spots that are warm, dry, and safe. If there’s an area in which your dog already likes to take a snooze, that’s the ideal spot for her new bed to be. And if there’s a place she likes to hide or simply enjoy hanging out in, that could also be a good place for her bed. Since pups are creatures of habit, it’ll be a lot easier to convince your dog to use her bed when it’s placed in a familiar location. And if she already had a dog bed, you’ll want to put the new bed in the same spot.
3. Think Scent-Sationally: Scent is a strong sense for humans, but it’s even more so for dogs. If you’re able to make the bed smell comforting, your dog will be more likely to sleep there. Try using doggy blankets or an old t-shirt of yours to make your pup feel completely at home and recognize that this is her special spot. You can even transfer your scent directly through your hands to show she belongs there.

By choosing the right chew proof dog beds, prioritizing the best location, and helping to acclimate your dog to her new bed through scent, your pup will have a much easier time transitioning to this new arrangement. For more information on our available beds, please contact us today.