Dogs rest, doze or sleep for many hours a day. Depending on the activity level, age and general health, this is between 15 and 20 hours a day, and in the case of puppies and very old dogs, it can even be 22 hours a day. So it is clear how important the choice of a sleeping place for the dog is. It’s not just about where that space is, but how it’s equipped to make it perfect for your dog. In this guide, you will find numerous tips for the right sleeping place for your dog.
Does the dog need a permanent place to sleep?
Even though many dogs like to choose different places within the home for their resting periods, it is important to provide the dog with a permanent place to sleep. Once your four-legged friend gets used to it, he will quickly learn that this is his place, which nobody disputes, and where he can feel safe and secure. At the end of the day, when people go to bed, this is the place where the dog also comes to rest and spends the night.
If a dog knows and accepts its place, it can also learn to be sent there by the dog owner in certain situations. If, for example, the postman rings, a four-legged friend should know that he does not have to be the first to come to the door barking wildly, but can relax with the instruction “Go to your seat”, because he has learned that his master or mistress can handle the situation in the housing grip and can manage without his help.
Where should the dog sleep at night?
Even if many dogs go to different resting places during the day, a permanent sleeping place should be set up in a quiet, draught-free place in the apartment for the night.
Where should the sleeping place for the dog be chosen?
The dog bed should be in a quiet place in the apartment where there is no constant traffic and where the dog can find peace and quiet. At the same time, our dogs also want to be part of family life and to hear as much as possible, so they don’t like being locked away in a room or even the basement. Of course, the dog’s sleeping place must be chosen so that it is not in a draft and is sufficiently warm.
A place under the stairs, in a niche, or a little higher on a pedestal or a step is very convenient for most four-legged friends. The room temperature should not be too warm, at least at night (about 16-18 degrees), so a place in the living room is not always the best choice. Of course, the dog can also learn that he has two different sleeping places – one for the daytime hours, where he can hear everything around him, and a quieter and cooler one for the night.
Special criteria for puppies
When a puppy arrives at its new home at around 8-12 weeks of age, it is usually separated from its mother and siblings for the first time. Now it is vital for him to quickly build up an intimate and trusting bond with his new people. Therefore, a puppy should always remain as close as possible to its caregivers during the first few weeks and should also be accommodated at night in a transport box or crate, from which it cannot climb out on its own, close to the bed. So you can hear quickly when the little one is getting restless and has to go outside to do his business – because that’s the only way he’ll soon learn to be housebroken.
Where is the best place for a dog?
Dogs need their quiet time to sleep, but still want to be aware of everything. The best dog place is within the apartment in a place where there is no traffic, but where the dog still knows its people are nearby.
What should the sleeping place for the dog look like?
There is a huge selection of dog cushions, baskets, beds, or blankets in specialist shops. Even artistic sofas or even waterbeds are offered. It is not important for the dog how chic or stylish his dog bed is, but that it is adapted to his individual needs in terms of size and equipment.
Many dogs like to lie sprawled on their side, some will lie completely relaxed on their back, while others will curl up into a ball of fur and tuck their noses under their tails. A sufficiently large basket, pillow, or thick blanket offers enough space, and a slightly raised edge serves as a support for the head or back sleeper. Short-haired dog breeds usually prefer a soft and warm surface, while dogs with very dense fur also like to lie on cold and hard tiles. A pad that is too warm heats up such fur noses too much.
Very small breeds often like a snug sleeping den to retreat to. Very large dogs, on the other hand, with short fur, absolutely need a soft cushion to protect the bones and joints. And not every four-legged friend likes it when the bed shakes or wobbles under him, so before buying a water mattress you should try out whether the dog even likes it. With increasing age or in the event of illness, a dog’s need for warmth can change significantly – this must then be taken into account with a warmer or softer surface, if necessary with the help of a blanket.
More and more dogs are developing allergies to various triggers such as dust mites, flea feces, or certain chemical substances that can also be found in dog beds. If necessary, the dog place must then be exchanged for an allergy-friendly dog bed.
How does the dog sleep best?
The design of the dog area should be individually adapted to the size, coat texture, age, and health of the dog.
The dog quickly gets used to its place
A dog that is new to a family must first be accustomed to its dog place. It can help a lot if the previous owner gives you a small blanket or a towel that smells familiar, for example from your mother or siblings. This makes a puppy feel much more comfortable in its new box or basket. And even an older dog, which you may adopt from the animal shelter, will happily settle down on its well-known blanket when you put it in its new place.
In addition, you can initially make your four-legged friend’s sleeping place palatable with special treats. It is important that he can associate the pitch with positive feelings right from the start. If, on the other hand, a dog is repeatedly sent to its place “as a punishment”, for example, because it has cleared out the rubbish bin or a mishap has happened to the puppy that is not yet housebroken, it will soon try to avoid it if possible and cannot move there feel good.
Can the dog go on the sofa or even in bed?
Every dog owner has to decide for himself whether the dog is allowed on the sofa or even in bed at night. This is certainly easier with a small Yorkshire terrier or the cute miniature poodle than when the huge St. Bernard or Rhodesian Ridgeback claims the entire sofa for themselves. But if you don’t mind making room for your four-legged friend in bed, or if you love cuddling together just as much as your dog, you’ll be happy to grant them such small privileges.
It is important that the dog wants it too and can feel comfortable and relaxed. Such an arrangement should therefore be voluntary for both. It is just as important that the four-legged friend does not see lying on the bed or sofa as an expression of his higher rank – he must always leave the room without complaint if his human asks him to do so.
How do I get my dog used to the sleeping place?
Initially, the new place can be made tasty for the dog with treats. A towel or a small blanket to which familiar smells from the previous home still cling helps many dogs to get used to it.
