If you’ve ever furnished a house or just fancied a move around, you’ve probably spent some time deciding where to put your bed. Most people, of course, place it in their bedroom, but when it comes to dog beds there are more options for where you might want to put their bed. The bedroom? Living room? Kitchen? Even outside? Where is the best place to put a dog’s bed?
Table of contents
Do Dogs Even Need a Bed?
Some people might question if their dog even needs a bed to sleep in. There are many reasons why it is sensible for a dog to have their own bed.
Firstly is so they have their own space they can use whenever they want
Unlike human beds, sofas or patches of the floor which might otherwise be occupied, a dog’s bed is their own. This creates consistency and a sense of safety that will help keep dogs from becoming stressed. Sleep is critical for dogs to rest and recharge, so avoiding problems around sleeping can go a long way to keeping them happy.
Dog beds also have the convenience of mobility, meaning if you really do have to move things around, your dog is more likely to go sleep in their same old bed that’s just been moved into a new area. If they have always slept on a sofa, and you get a new one you don’t want them to lay on, you may find it trickier getting them to adjust.
Hygiene is a big factor too
Most pet beds can have the fabric component washed and the plastic parts cleaned by hand. If your dog has any accidents, gets into bed dirty, or you just want to keep the house clean, being able to wash a bed is much more convenient than stripping a human’s bed or sofa cushions. Hygiene works for us too, as letting dogs lay on areas humans sit, eat or sleep on can spread harmful pathogens like roundworms, Salmonella or Campylobacter.
Finally, because dog beds are made for dogs (obviously!), they tend to be better suited to their needs
They are the right sort of thickness and comfort for the average dog. This is especially important for older dogs, who will prefer thicker bedding that provides comfort for arthritic joints. Any other dogs who might be underweight will benefit from thicker bedding and plenty of blankets as well.
Can Dogs Sleep With Us?
Okay, the average person’s bed is pretty comfortable, and many dogs find sleeping on them easy. Is it a problem letting dogs sleep with us in bed? While many owners do sleep next to their dogs, you should consider the potential drawbacks.
As above, hygiene is a big factor, perhaps amplified considering most people want their beds to be clean. Unless you ensure your dog has a bath before every sleep time, your dog will be dirtier than most people are happier with. This can lead to unhygienic conditions at best, or the spread of disease in the worst case.
Having a dog in the bed can lead to disturbed sleep, both for humans and dogs
Sleep quality is important, and disturbances interrupt the rest we need to function properly. If you or your dog are especially wriggly, your sleeping companion’s rest may suffer.
Your bed being the dog’s bed can sometimes also lead to behaviour problems
Dogs won’t necessarily understand that they are sharing the bed, and some dogs can become quite protective over ‘their’ resources, including the bed. In some cases, these behavioural issues can progress to growling, barking or even aggression. In such a vulnerable place, this can be dangerous in a bed. Behavioural issues can be hard to reverse, so ensuring they have their own resources they won’t feel are threatened by you from the get-go is likely safer.
Finally consider that your dog may not understand or appreciate times when they are not wanted in the bed. For various reasons, we might want a little privacy in the bedroom, and your dog may get disturbed sleep, stress or even resource aggression if you keep kicking them out. Having their own space will prevent this.
Which Room?
The next big decision is which room to put the bed in. There are pros and cons to all of them, and your choice will depend a lot on your dog and specific living arrangements. But here is some general advice.
In the bedroom with you
If you like your dog being close (but not as close as sharing the bed), this can be a good choice. It also means if your dog needs something in the night, like the toilet, they can wake you more easily. Older dogs in particular with incontinence issues may benefit from this. Some owners might also like the security this brings. If you are trying to keep heating bills down, then having one shared room can be cheaper too. However, for dogs with separation anxiety, not being able to sleep alone can only make the anxiety worse when you do have to go to work. If the problem is already serious, they may not be able to sleep without being in the same room, so it is better to establish separation early on.
Kitchen or utility room
This is always a good choice for dogs happy on their own, as you can keep the room much cleaner if you have hard floors. Many homes also have access to the garden from these rooms which can be convenient for late night access. They can be cold, however, so ensure they are kept warm and packed with blankets. Kitchens also tend to be high traffic areas during the day, so some dogs may find the constant coming and going from humans disruptive to middle of the day naps.
Own room
If you are lucky enough to have a spare room, making it the dog’s room is ideal. They can have their own space free of human disruption, enough to stretch out (good for big dogs), and have all their things. For dogs that like to be away from disruption, this works well, but might not be ideal for clingy dogs. Ensure that the room is dog friendly and easy to keep clean.
Outside
Traditionally, many dogs were kept outside the home. Nowadays, it is not that common to do so, but some people might still prefer keeping their dog and house separate. This might be because their dog is not friendly to strangers, is a working dog not a pet, or their dog gets especially dirty. We feel it’s kinder to invite your dog into the house, but if you prefer keeping them outside, please consider these points:
- Ensure their outdoor space is large enough to let them walk around and stretch, with separate sleeping and eating areas.
- It should be sheltered from the elements, meaning ideally the sides should be solid, not bars.
- In particularly hot and cold weather, pay close attention to the temperature in their environment, as extremes can quickly cause illness.
- You should try and give your dog as much time away from their outside home too, so they can run and socialise – keeping them locked in a small area could lead to frustration and behavioural issues.
Crate or Not?
Many people recommend crate training your dog. This involves using a metal or fabric cage or crate to create a safe, secure environment your dog can go to whenever they want. Ideally, the cage can be secured shut so your dog cannot get out during certain situations, though this must not cause distress. Crate training a dog can prevent them from causing accidents around the house, provide a safe space to go to when they are scared or overwhelmed, and can help make travelling easier. When done correctly, a dog should happily go into their crate when asked to, as well as when they want to.
Crating can cause problems, however, especially when used incorrectly
They must remain a positive space, so should not be used to punish a dog. No dog, but particularly young ones, should remain in a crate for long periods of time, as this can lead to anxiety, destruction and toileting accidents. If your dog already has problems with separation anxiety or confinement, crate training might not be for them, except if you can manage extremely patient training.
All crates should be secure and safe
They should contain nothing that can harm a dog like sharp parts or easily breakable pieces. However, they should contain lots of bedding, as well as some water. Food is a good idea if they are going to be there for a few hours, but you might prefer to keep food elsewhere. Many dogs will appreciate a toy in their crate too. Remember, your dog knows what they like, so if you find they are removing some items and adding others to their crate, that’s just them decorating their space how they want!
Training a dog to use a crate can take long periods of training – puppies learn faster so starting it young is ideal. There are lots of good guides online for how to crate train a dog, but please consider whether it is right for your dog first.
Discussion