Dog Beds
Sleeping Beauty
Ah, dogs can sleep almost anywhere and in many different positions, how their body twists and turns sometimes is a marvel. For us, having Kuo snuggled up with us in our bed is the most ideal, even though that next to never happens because she’s just not that kind of girl. Nonetheless it’s always good to make sure they have a bed they can call their own (or in Kuro’s case, two beds).
Kuro’s First Bed
This is a little embarrassing, but we got Kuro’s first bed, a year before we got her. It was more like a cushion and well, she couldn’t really balance herself properly on it and at best, it was a pillow to prop her head up, she didn’t lie in it nicely. She outgrew it pretty quick as well. In this picture, I basically carried her and placed her there, and she soon fell asleep.. It wasn’t the best for her, I’ll admit.
Did Kuro Need A Bed?
As Kuro grew and developed her own preferences, we soon realised that she could pretty much sleep anywhere, on the floor and all. But the oddest thing about her is that she loved to make sure her head was propped with a pillow. She even did that on her own a couple of times. Other times, we knew she wanted it and we facilitated. But one of her favourite places to sleep was on our beanbag. Till today, the beanbag is her day bed. She sleeps on that the most, but going back to her own bed at night or ours. The only time she’s in her own bed in the day is when she’s not feeling too good (like during her period) or when she’s upset.
Kuro’s Second Bed
We then proceeded to get her a proper bed. One that she could grow into. It was huge and took up a lot of space. But she liked it. For some reason, puppies like to pee in their beds, and Kuro did so on two occasions, even though she was toilet trained but never again. Thankfully every part of the bed could be washed. She also had a way with beds she needed to scratch around to make it comfortable for her. In the end, that bed was in such bad shape and we decided to change it. By then she was pretty much fixed in size and the bed was way too big for her, so we decided to save space and get a better one.
Kuro’s Current Bed
So third time’s a charm. Kuro did not need much initiation with this one. This is her bed. She loves it and she sleeps in it at night most of the time. Yes, the beanbag is still her day bed now that’s she’s 2.5 years old. She loves her new bed so much that she actually doesn’t like sleeping in our bed. Unless she can sense that she’s very much needed on our bed. We love that every bit of the bed can be dismantled and chucked into the washing machine, ensuring that Kuro stays clean and smells good all the time. We wash the bed the same day we shower her.
Kuro’s Future Bed
So I bought Kuro a new bed recently. Meant to be a bit like a day bed for her to rest in when I’m working in the study (even though the picture wasn’t taken there). She doesn’t like it now and doesn’t sleep on it. Maybe sometime in the future she will. I’m hoping. It’s pretty and speaks to my Japanese heart. Maybe it’s wishful thinking, maybe dreams do come true. I got this from @keepcatssg and all you got to do is DM them to get one, instructions will follow on delivery or self-pick up. You can pay using PayNow.
Here are some other Sleeping Beauty pics:
Lessons Learnt
So don’t rush into getting an expensive bed, and definitely don’t get one before you get your dog like we did. We didn’t spend a lot on all the beds, in fact, not much at all. Thankfully too, as we realise, we’ll go on this journey of discovery with her and things will change over time. Now that we know the day bed is always going to be a beanbag, we’ll always have one. And as for her bed, there’s no need to get anything different for now. We’ll stick to the one we have and well, when it’s time to retire that bed, we’ll figure out a new one or get the same one all over again.
How To Choose A Bed
Figure out your dog and the environment, and observe the sleeping patterns. There are many bed options to choose from.
Measure your dog and figure out how big it would be when it’s fully grown.
If your dog is the kind to scratch the bed before sleeping in it, get a sturdier material.
Use a blanket if need be, to protect the bed and as a nice layer between the dog and the bed if you’re in air-conditioning or colder climates.
If your dog likes to lean or needs pillows get a nice small one for your dog or choose a bed with cushy sides for it to lean on.
Choose a be that can be cleaned easily.
How to Introduce your Dog to a New Bed
Place the new bed exactly where the old bed was.
If your dog never had a bed before, then place the new bed where your dog frequently slept.
If you used a blanket, place it on the new bed.
If there was nothing familiar on the old bed, place items of familiarity/safety on the bed including toys or an old t-shirt of yours.
Constant positive reinforcement when your dog is on the bed (whether your dog went there out of free will or otherwise) either through praise or treats.
Here are some beds that we’ve seen or we know our friends have for their beloved dogs that might be of interest to you:
Good luck and remember, when your dog gets the best sleep, your dog lives its best life. For more dog beds, click here.
And if you’re wondering if Kuro has a bed time routine, well, not really. But we do give her a few pieces of Minto Bites by Kuro Snacks about an hour before we brush her teeth. You know, just to keep her breath fresh from the inside.
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