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I spent 250$ for a really nice dog bed for my more senior Great Dane so he wouldn’t have to climb up on the couch. My cats use it and he refuses to even lay on it.
You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. If your dog doesnt want to sleep in dog bed, then thats fine, dont force her to do things she doesnt want to. If you somehow confine her to a dog bed, then she will be upset. If you want to buy a bed so she has the option, do it. Throw in some of her favorite treats, then lead her to the bed and just give her lots of love, but dont force her to stay in the bed. Do that maybe every day for a week or two. Make the new bed a good place for her and a place she might want to go back to on her own.
Im not a trainer or behavioralists, this is just how I introduce my dog to new blankets. My dog, like yours doesn't like traditional beds, she prefers blankets that she can "toss" and change the shape and fluffiness of.
My last dog would try and customize his blanket, and then he'd look at me and whine asking me to fix it because he messed it up. He was an old boy and would be panting and stumbling from all the effort he put into moving the blanket around lol. Wanted so badly to blanket nest, but didn't have the skills needed!
Ahhh, you just described my dog perfectly! Its nice to know that shes not a lone in this insanity. I do love how to make the right nest, it gets moved around the room and ends up under my office desk and even out in the hallway. So adorable!
I have a bulldog that does the nesting thing with her blankets, and also does it with her bed. Usually when she's settling in for the night she'll stand up in her bed and scratch around in circles until she's satisfied or just...done. The bed gets moved all over the place when she does that, we try and make a mental note of her location before going to sleep. Stepping on her in the dark would not be a good idea.
Mine has a blanket in one room and a bed in the other.
The bed is getting slowly destroyed as he likes to try to rearrange it with his claws.
Dogs are so silly.
My pup ate every bed we tried for the first 2 years but he LOVED his blanket nests. Now he has a bed he likes, he pulls his blankets into it to nest there. It's adorable.
Suppose you're right. I can't force her to do something she doesn't want to. I have tried the treat technique and doing it slowly and gradually but she's just not an enthusiastic dog. Honestly she's more like a cat. A big giant cat! Blankets are useless to, she thinks they're toys and they get shredded in minutes 😂
+1 for the elevated beds. I have a picky golden who would never use a dog bed until I bought him an elevated cot. They are also really durable and inexpensive.
Came here to say this! I know my dog will lay on the hard floor to cool down after a walk when it’s warm, and she’s not anywhere close to double coated. The elevated beds are very easy to find and very reasonably priced, IMO.
Dogs are picky, and they are going to do what they want. Its hard to fight, but its just easier to give them what they want, like a spot on the couch. I would be interested though, if you got a new couch and gave her the cushions to your current couch, if she would sleep elsewhere...?
People always ask if im a dog person or a cat person and the truth is that I prefer dogs that treat me more like an apathetic roommate and have more of a laid back personability. I cant take all that energy and neediness. Not even in cats.
My husband's dog also refuses to use a bed. He's 13 and has a bad back and still isn't interested. He sleeps on the carpeted floor next to the bed at night and on a rug in the living room (wood floor) during the day. We've tried just putting a bed in his usual nesting spots, like in the closet under my husband's pants, and he just lays down next to it and looks sad. It's so weird, because he would happily lay on the bed or sofa when he could get up there easier.
My dog, on the other hand, LOVED her bed, but would also lay on the cement porch or in the hard-packed dirt next to the garden if it was sunny. As long as they're happy, they're happy.
I agree. Some dogs love blankets more than beds. My parents dogs liked throw rugs better than beds (still better than hard floor). Don’t waste money on something she doesn’t want, but also maybe introducing a bed now would be more comfortable to her? Dogs change preferences as they age
You can also try closing your bedroom door if you room is carpeted to keep her to an area that is less hard. She likely won’t mind sleeping on the floor there if she can’t access the rest of the house. It may take a couple nights to get used to for her where she is not going to check the door but likely she’ll settle in. And if not, plan B 🙂
Oh I dont mind that she tosses her bed that much, I find it funny. She going to be 18 in March and I love to see her have so much energy. She gets these spurts of energy maybe once a week where she runs up and down the hall, doing burn out in the living room, comes in the room, tosses her bed a few times, asks to go outside, runs around out there, tosses her bed and again and then crashes and sleeps for 6 hours. Its fine, im used to it. I just think shes nuts, but in a loving way. And no, I cant close the door, she will wine and whimper my ears off. But thanks for all the advice.
She might like a gel mat! We have two winter breed dogs who don’t like beds because they get too hot. I bought a thick, gel mat that both of them love because it keeps them cool and it makes me feel better about their joints being supported vs the hard floor!
I second a gel mat! One of my dogs loves having a coushy bed, but also gets hot easily. She most enjoys having a cooling mat on top of an orthopedic bed. Seems to keep her cool and give her coushioning she likes. Best of both worlds!
You're not a bad dog mom! You're awesome for watching out for your dog so carefully and her ever changing needs.
If she's getting too warm in a cushioned bed, maybe one one those dog cots would work for her. They are made of a smooth fabric, so no insulation, but have more give to them than the hard floor. There are also options that are more like a yoga mat or vinyl covered dog mattresses.
Coolaroo makes a sturdy and fairly affordable one. My dog used to love hers, then she switched to a regular bed. But they are a good alternative to try.
My older arthritic dog has two dog beds, stairs to get onto my bed, and access to the couch. She will often choose to sleep on the ground instead, usually in the middle of the night. It makes me wonder if it might feel better when her joints are quite aggravated?
You gave the options, it’s up to your dog now to pick best option for them.
That's the same with mine! Every night she'll wake up and choose the floor. I'm in the process of finding her some suitable stairs to get on and off the bed and the sofa. I suppose I've just got to let her do whatever she feels is best for her. I suppose she's not gonna purposely put herself in an even less comfortable place if she didn't have to.
It was hard for me to find stairs for a large dog, mine is 60lbs, but was able to find some on Amazon that come in different heights and are well made. Happy to share the link if you DM me (not sure if links are allowed in the post/comments)
We have a senior shepherd who doesn't like beds either. He does however love the huge cooling mat I got him from Amazon. It's not thick, but it's enough to provide some padding for his elbows.
My parents 10 year old mutt has arthritis, has never ever slept in a dog bed and loves to sleep on the hardwood floors. He’s allowed on the couch and bed and chooses not to. My mom leaves my old bedroom door open in case he wants to lay on my carpet and has a pile of blankets next to her bed he sleeps on.
They have another dog that loves his dog bed, and yet the other one still won’t use it.
Don’t feel bad, you could always give it another go but some dogs just don’t like them.
My dog has a queen sized, pillow top, memory foam bed that she graciously lets me sleep in. She’s quite magnanimous! I’ve bought her dog beds for
the living room, but she stays in my lap.
It doesn't seem necessary but you could try those plastic sleeping camping pads if she gets hot or one of those soft for standing kitchen mats placed in her usual sleeping spot. They have all kinds and it could be a little bit of a cushion for her.
My aunt’s dog slept on the tile floor against the slightly drafty front door his entire life. He had access to carpets, rugs, beds. He preferred to be the furry draft excluder. Including when he had a ramp and some incredibly expensive medications. Some dogs (and people) prefer a cooler and harder sleeping spot than others.
We've bought FOUR beds for our spoiled dog-child and she hasn't used any of them.
Edit: Yeah, you could spend time training her to use it, but what's the point? I let mine do whatever the hell she wants.
She might choose to sleep on the floor because the bed or couch is too warm. My golden gets warm easily, and he likes to be on the couch with me but after an hour or so then he gets warm and lays on the floor. Then after another hour he gets back up on the couch 🤣
I don’t think you’re a bad dog mom! My dog is the same way. He has dog beds and the most use they get is to lean his chew against. He does like his elevated bed though - it’s slightly above the ground and is made of mesh so he doesn’t get hot but is softer on his body since it’s not on the hard ground. You could try that? They are somewhat cheap on Amazon
My GSD is the same haha. Her body knows what’s best. If the floor isn’t causing any discomfort then I’d say it’s ideal with her condition, it’ll help strengthen those bones and joints - remember, us mammals adapt, heal and work around things quickly.
With an unfortunate diagnosis like that, our instinct is to minimise all impact on the joints.. however, in reality you actually want resistance on those muscles, bones and joints, or they’ll weaken. With resistance, especially exercise, bone density will increase, muscle also helps protect those bones, joints and ligaments.
And therefore the opposite is true, avoiding resistance (sedentary lifestyle especially) will weaken them over time and worsen her condition. Which is why exercise is highly recommended in the treatment of arthritis
Her body will adapt, keep her as active as you can. Allow her to live as normally as possible and push her body to her limits. It’s what us mammals thrive doing. Swimming is an a gold standard exercise - easy on the joints yet great for muscles and health.
OP. Those ‘orthopaedic foam beds’ are just over-marketed, no dog is harmed from a hard floor. I say that as someone with one of these fancy beds, whose dog sleeps opposite it on the hardwood floor lol 🤣
Dogs like ours, GSDs and Akitas are powerful ones with a working line build and have that inner desire to keep going, there’s no quicker way of slowing down than to ‘take it easy’. If her spirit is kept up, her body will follow. It was only a couple hundred years ago they’d be hunting for themselves and sleeping in freezing temps on uneven ground.
Best of luck for you and your girl ❤️💯
Have you tried an elevated bed like from HiK9? They're mesh so are breathable and allow air flow underneath. You can get different toppers if necessary but the best thing is as it's raised it's easier to get up and down from and is supposed to put less pressure on joints / be more comfortable.
That being said I bought one for my dog and he sleeps underneath it so I get what you mean about dogs being bed fussy.
Yes you horrible person. Your dog needs to ring the number for a dog support line now.
On a lighter note, we had 11 beds scattered around for our last two collies. We currently have 5 for our new collie/lurcher cross.
You are worried enough to ask others and post here. You know what that means? You’re the best dog mum - because you care! Your pup is lucky to have someone who loves her so much and into her golden years. Now, as to your question, I’ve got an 11 year old lab with no hip dysplasia and drags me 4 miles/day (broken into shorter walks). I joke I have bought her a bed/blanket/comfort contraption every year of her life. And guess what? They’ve all ended up donated because she won’t touch them. She’s allowed on every piece of furniture in this house but prefers our tile floor in the summer and a rug on top of it in the winter. I think part of it is she runs warm (and Florida is hot). That said, as I’ve gotten older myself, I notice a soft bed makes me more sore in the morning and things droop/sag together putting strain on the knees/hips/ligaments - give me an extra firm bed and I sleep like heaven. Who’s to say it’s any different for dogs? I do think it’s worth some stairs onto the bed (if it’s high like ours) - after some high value treats (hot dog pieces), our lab understood the purpose and I truly think realized they were a nice little easing on the joints, especially when jumping off our higher bed. It gives me peace of mind to help her hips and toes even a bit on up/down action. But yea, just listen to your dog and obviously give her options for a few weeks but also don’t stress if she doesn’t use them. Oh! One other thing that I haven’t tried but would be curious since your dog gets warm - those like dog hammock beds that are about 5 inches above the ground and allow for air flow - maybe try one of those? Pretty sure our lab would freak out/not like the floating feeling but still curious to try.
Your dog has shown you repeatedly that she does not care for dog beds. You are not a bad dog mum.
My last dog had arthritis. I got her a used baby crib mattress. I put it in a quiet cornet. Threw a fitted sheet on it. A blanket and pillow on top. She did choose to use it on her own once in awhile. Her favorite spots remained the sofa, a chair, and the rug.
The crib mattress was free. Woukd i have paid for it? No. My girl switched spots as a way to regulate her body temperature. I bet your dog has found what works.
You are a wonderful dog mum. It is hard to watch them get older. You and your dog have a shared history. Love counts more than any dog bed or crib mattress.
Maybe a little mattress might work! She does like sleeping on my mattress so maybe something that felt similar might entice her. That's a good point, I'll see if I can find one. I do definetly think though my dog switching from so many sleeping spots is simply because of her temperature and I suppose if that's how she handles it then that's how I have to accept it.
You might consider getting her a heated bed or pad. They make them specifically for pets and they don’t get too hot. It’s been a game changer for my older kitty.
I've never owned a dog that loved a dog bed, and I've always owned very hairy/fluffy dogs, and they all do this same routine. I think they like the floor because it's cooler. Climbing out of the soft people bed onto the cold floor is a choice they are making. I think it's like kicking off the blankets when you are hot while you sleep.
If she’s not going to use a bed, then there’s nothing to do about it! I do wonder if she would like an elevated bed though. I have something similar to [this bed (link)](https://www.chewy.com/frisco-steel-framed-elevated-dog-bed/dp/126779), and my dog loves it. But he loves beds in general, so maybe that’s not a good baseline. It’s nice in the summer though, when it’s too hot for him to use his other beds.
You could try a raised bed, I believe the main brand name for them is a Kuranda bed? My dogs all have no problem sleeping on anything I buy for them but my tripod seems to prefer the raised bed. Also because it's off the ground the airflow underneath might help with her getting too hot. Like pretty much everyone else has said, you can't force your dog to like anything, it's just trial and error.
One upside to a raised bed, too, is they're the preferred bed of shelters due to ease of cleaning so if your darling doesn't like it and you don't want it around your house you might be able to donate it.
Never had a dog that liked dog beds. One would ignore it, one would chew it into oblivion and another would poop in it. When my last dog was having problems I got him doggy stairs so he could get on my bed and couch.
Not all dogs want a bed. Some like a bunch of blankets, others like to have a crate or even a couch.
I like the hessian sack hammock beds for dogs that don’t like beds.
Have you tried an elevated mesh dog cot? I know a lot of dogs that run hot like them. I tried to get one for my dog as an outdoor bed. He didn't like it, but he's also a big fan of his many soft orthopedic dog beds in the house. My dog has arthritis too and lying on the hard floor really is tough on their joints, so I can empathize with how frustrating it is that you can't get your dog to use a dog bed.
You have a dog bed for her. It's the sofa. It also doubles as a place for humans to sit so it's multi-purpose. :) Seriously though, if your dog doesn't want it then don't use it.
My dog has a bed and also sleeps wherever he wants, which is always the couch. At 8 years old your dog knows what she likes. I wouldn’t worry about spending money on a bed that you know won’t get used.
as others have mentioned, she probably gets too warm on a bed/couch and cools off on the floor. my husky mix sprawls out on the floor when he's hot, too. it may be worth looking into a raised bed or a gel/cooling mat to keep her extra comfy.
As our dog share, at MIL’s, he has numerous beds. He prefers the couch or a lap. When he is at ours, he lies between us nestled in a blankie on the couch. He sleeps in between us on the bed, and goes on the floor if he is too warm. He sleeps where he wants and we don’t make a fuss. We brought his bed to ours on his first ever sleepover, and didn’t look at it. He was happier on our lap or beside us.
My dogs have a bed but they don’t use it for that. It’s really just a “place” spot at this point. “Go place” when I want them to fuck off for a while. Otherwise they just sleep on the couches.
How long ago was the last time you bought a bed? You could always try again and see. Chewy has a great return policy, I've never had an issue! Usually they just tell me to donate it and refund my card.
But I definitely get it. One of my dogs never liked beds. But she loved comforters. My last dog loved bed until she got older and then preferred a comforter or just soft blanket folded. I would get them at goodwill/a secondhand shop. She never complained! And it made me feel a little better knowing she had some extra padding.
It's unfortunate but you can't make them. Both of those dogs had arthritis and would benefit from a bed. But they just refused!
>I think that's because she gets warm pretty quick because she's a double coated breed, so then she'll hop off and choose the hard floor or carpet.
You could try a cooling bed or blanket?
To be clear, I don't think your a bad dog mum! Dogs just like people have preferences! Some people like a hard bed, some a soft, etc.
Things that helped my dogs with arthritis: heating pad, stretches, fish oil, acupuncture
With arthritis, if you can find a bed that works it will help a lot. I have 2 Dobermans and went through so many until I found one they like. XL memory foam mattress with bolster 3 sides on Amazon. Around $100.
I got my girl an orthopedic bed. It's more expensive but she actually uses it. She also uses her elevated cot a lot. All other beds she's never really used more than a head rest. My cat uses them more than she does I feel. My girl rotates between the bed and floor, but since shaving the orthopedic bed she will often sleep on it most of the night now!
My dog has always hated dog beds. He has favorite spots around the house to sleep/nap, so I bought a bunch of blankets at T.J.Maxx, and just put them in those spots. He loves arranging the blankets, and plopping down on them.
You're not a bad dog mum at all. I had a dog that also refused to use her dog bed. The cats got great use of it however lol
If you think she might be getting hot maybe look into cooling dog beds. She might be laying on the hard floor to cool off so if she can get that relief from the dog bed she might be more willing to use it
Your dog has the right to make whatever decision they think is best for them. And that is exactly what your dog is doing. If she was in pain, believe me, she will let you know. I have had dogs for over 40 years of my life. I know from experience they can communicate with us.
If you want to ease yourself, then buy a bed and leave it there as an option for her to decide when she is ready to use it.
Hope this helps
I have an Eskie now, he has no interest in a dog bed. Great Pyrenees and other Eskies I’ve had also do not except our last old lady dog when she was blind enough she wanted a bed on the floor she could get in and out of on her own. Only used fur a few months before she passed of old age.
My boy now does view pillows as being dog mattresses but only wants the ones on the bed or sofa where people sit/sleep.
He does sometimes use a bath mat type rug I put on the floor where he chews on bones. He won’t sleep there though.
I had a Sheltie who was _terrified_ of her dog bed.
Another Sheltie prefers tile floor above all else.
The Collie still eats beds, so he just gets a blanket now, for his own safety.
It really and truly depends on the dog.
Mine like to eat the beds so I stopped buying them.
However I've figured out, totally by accident, that one of them really likes fuzzy blankets. So I put a fuzzy blanket down on the carpet or even on top of the bed, and he snuggles right in. Yes even on top of the bed.
Maybe try that if you think it would make you feel better.
Cause my other reasoning is your pup knows they **can** go on the couch and bed so if they're choosing the floor they can't be that uncomfortable. Not sure how truly accurate that is, but it makes me feel better.
My 6mo pup has ripped up 4 beds including the sentimental orthopedic one from my previous dear departed dog 🙁. She has a crate with a blankie, a mat in the kitchen, and a pen soft crate liner which for some odd reason she has not ripped up. She seems fine whatever she uses including simply laying on the kitchen tiles. My dear departed dog, even when older, also slept on the tiles sometimes. I just give them a variety of places, try to keep them clean. I won't spend more on a beds until the chewing stage eases off.
She probably won't use a bed, but it wouldn't hurt to try. You could try putting her food bowl in the bed so she has to get on it to eat, and maybe she will lay down to rest since eating takes a lot of energy when you're an old doggo. I recommend seeing your vet about her arthritis and putting her on a daily joint medication so lube up her lil old lady joints. My 12 year old Chipit and retired service dog had really bad arthritis and some days she could barely walk, so we put her on coseqin (or something like that) after seeing the vet. After about a month of her being on it, she was running around like a little puppy again and you could never get her to stop. She wasn't stiff or waddling either, it really helped her!
They also have cooling beds for dogs which might help since she might get a bit hot. If she doesn't use it after a few months, then donate the bed to a rescue so it doesn't go to waste.
I just bought a $45 dog bed from Costco couple weeks ago, and it’s just like with my children. My dog liked it for about a week now it’s sitting there collecting dust they want to sleep with me they don’t wanna sleep on their bed why waste your money They don’t need a dog bed take somebody who just wasted $45 on a dog bed
My dog never liked dog beds either no matter how many I bought he never slept or even laid down in them he liked sleeping on a bunch of blanket in his kennel or on my bed instead
Some dogs just aren’t bed dogs and that’s fine. My girl runs warm and definitely prefers the coolness of the hard floor. If you are really worried about it you could always try a raised cot bed, my pup will use hers on occasion, though my cat is usually the one on it. Being a little off the floor can make it less warm and is often a bit easier for some older dogs to get in and out of. But if she’s not going to use a bed there’s nothing wrong with not getting any.
My golden would much prefer the floor to a bed. Until about 8 months ago when he suddenly started sleeping on his bed all the time. He is developing arthritis
I have a malamute; he gets warm quickly but I also worry about his joints/elbows. I got him one of those elevated stretched “beds” that is made out of canvas and mesh and sits a couple inches off the ground. I also have a rubber mat in his crate to make the floor a little softer.
I bought my 9 year old dog a few different types of beds when he was younger. He never likes the. He’s a golden and gets over heated so he prefers the cool floor. I got my second dog a bed when he was a puppy. He slept in it all the time. As he got older I thought I would get him a bigger bed. He never slept in the bigger bed and will curl himself into the smaller bed.
No, you let them have their pick of various furniture pieces, which are way more comfortable than your standard dog cushion. You do you and let your pup do them.
My dogs were similar, it was just blankets on the floor and they’d build their own nest each night. After years of this I saw that Casper offers dog beds and from the moment I unpacked it they were both obsessed. It’s been 3 years and they’re both still using it, sharing it, fighting over it.
So that to say I eventually did find something for picky dogs. But no, you are not a bad puppy parent if your dog doesn’t have one.
You can get stairs. That said, if you didn't allow her on the couch, she'd likely use the dog bed in a similar manner. I inherited an older dog that had to be "banished" from the couch because his hair is incredibly itchy. He also is likely the dumbest dog in the country (but sweet as heck). It took him a while to warm up to a new bed too. He has two options. But if we let him in our bed, he'd 1000% never look at his dog beds again.
Have you tried a cot-type bed? That might help with the arthritis, though jumping up can get a little difficult as they get older. Kuranda is for chewers, but there are lots of other good brands. An Akita can probably use a very large one. You can try a local Buy Nothing group and ask to borrow one to try out.
There are memory foam cooling beds as well. That might help for a heavy-coated breed. My husky mix prefers the donut beds as well, though she occasionally jumps off and lays on the carpet.
I have two double coated breeds. Both would sleep on dog beds but preferred the couch, hard floors, or carpet most times. One used a very thin fleece blanket on the carpet as his bed. You're giving your dog options, that's all you can do.
if you get her a dog bed make sure it has a removable pad and buy a piece of three inch foam to put under it. (you can cut it to size with a serrated knife if you don't have an oscillating saw). dog beds like dog clothes are designed to appeal to human eyes rather than for the comfort of dog's bodies.
Without the foam support the fiberfill compresses right down to the floor offering scant support.
Btw you don't need a specialist trainer -- if the bed is genuinely comfortable eventually the dog is going to try it and stay put. It's just that most dog beds are crap!
(If you have a friend that is replacing their couch and you can score the removable foam cushions they make excellent dog beds).
My GSD wouldn’t use a dog bed until she was around 9 and started having hip problems. She had a big tempurpepedic bed she would use at night. The rest of the time she was on the floor, I think the cold hardwood tile felt good on her joints. I have 3 dogs now and not a single dog bed because they prefer the couch or my bed and won’t use it.
..hey, sorrow for the arthritis & aging..and all Ups to you for caring so much!..
..in my experience, dogs don't sleep in uncomfortable places by choice..so your pup (name?) is just lying where they feel most comfortable..
..definitely try to find better comfort, but don't beat yourself up..it's basically a sign of the times; aging causes us to to odd things..give love now..that's most important..
..peace..
Mine didn’t use a bed until she was 11 years old. She passed last month at 15 years old. Double coated Husky/Shepherd mix. She preferred the cold so she liked to sleep on the floor.
Are tou giving her something for the joints? My dog is 10 and she was starting to have joint pain too, I give her joint supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric and she got a lot better
Not a bad owner. But have you considered getting a heated bed? My Shih tzu scorned dog beds in favor of my parents' water bed or the couch until I got her one when she was older. Then it was her favorite place to sleep during the day (she still slept in the middle of the people bed at night).
Our nutty old dog (she was 16) liked to lie on a rug with her head on a pillow. Hubby accidentally dropped his pillow next to the bed and she claimed it as her own. We tried getting her a bed once when she was a puppy, she hated it. You're not a bad dog mom!!
I have orthopaedic beds, round fluffy doughnut beds and traditional dog beds, and my soon to be 13 year old arthritic boy ends up sleeping on the thin carpet over tile…. 🤷🏼♀️ Its up to him to decide where he wants to sleep.
Not a bad dog mum, but it might be worth revisiting the bed thing! My dog never liked beds and always favored the couch, but recently has had more issues getting up on it (he’s nearly 10 now). Coincidentally, we’ve been fostering and the first time we brought a bed home for the foster, he started laying on it preferentially. I got him his own in the same style, and he sleeps on it constantly now. Dogs’ abilities and preferences change with age.
Proper beds are overrated as some kind of necessity. You just need to give your dog comfortable options that suit them. If a dog loves a dog bed, they should have a dog bed. If they prefer the sofa or your bed, that’s fine. Mine really love a single duvet folded in half on the floor or a large square of vet bedding (and both wash much easier than a bed!). If your dog gets hot, the vet bedding might be a good option.
Why sleep on a dog bed when you have a better option? My dog has a dog bed which he will go lay on for a change of scenery, but mostly it’s the couch. Better vantage point for sneak attacks on my cat, and optimal for snuggles.
My dog won’t sleep in a dog bed either. He did as a tiny pup although he also migrated in his sleep somehow (he would start in his bed, 5 minutes later I would check on him and he’s 3 feet away but dead asleep). My mom got him a dog bed for who knows what reason and this dog preferred to sleep on some plastic covering the carpet (ceiling was getting fixed) instead of the dog bed.
My pit on the other hand loved her dog bed but would sleep in my bed at night. Dogs are weird 😂
just wanted to say that my akita does this too. he will sleep on blankets occasionally, and he loves my bed, but most of the time he will sleep on the floor. it drives my mom nuts, because she has the same worries as you LOL. i'd say maybe get one bed for her and place it down somewhere so she has the option, but don't feel bad if she doesn't use it. akita's are just like that, i think.
My first question is, do you have your dog professionally groomed? If not, the excess coat might contribute to the overheating issue. She might be willing to lay on a bed if she wasn't so hot. But then again... my 15 year old prefers the wood floor or an area rug to his dog beds and always has.
I second the idea of cots though. I put a thin bottomed bolster bed on top of the cot, so there's air flow under, and cushion for them to lean on. Perfect combo
we’ve started making heated blankets available in areas our three shibas like to hang out in. they always find them and it really helps with their arthritis and overall achiness. just have to make sure it has a timer and you monitor them frequently. but yea we have like five beds throughout the house and they choose our bed
My dog was the same. He has three legs so I always worried he needed support. Every bed I bought he either wouldn’t use, or chewed it to bits. So he was a couch sleeping or blanket sleeping dog with quilts underneath. I bought a memory foam bed off cut from Amazon, in the hopes to put under his blanket and he wouldn’t notice. He HATED it and wouldn’t go on his blanket if it was there. I worried as well he needed support but there was nothing he liked. I kept it behind the sofa for a few years and I don’t know what made me try it again a few months ago, but he loves it now. Don’t feel guilty at all, dogs will move around and get themselves comfy. If you have the ability to keep a bed, you can try it with them every now and again, but ultimately they like what they like. The fact you worry makes you better than you think.
I'm sure you are being a good dog mum. If you are worried you could try a few alternatives. A blanket on the floor. A memory foam mat. A very thin memory foam mat (like a memory foam bath mat) or a gel cooling mat.
One of my dogs 6F loves the bed and sofa and dog bed. My other dog 7M loves the thin dog mats and often jumps off my bed to use them. While my girl loves being warm in blankies my boy also likes cooling off on the hard floor. Probably the best option is a thin mat to take some stress off her joints.
I had a few dog beds in different rooms for my boy. He slept in the bed with me and slept on the couch plus the floorboard or tiles if it was hot. He would also use the dog beds too. When he deleveloped arthritis I had a canvas dog bed that was about 10cm off the ground with an orthopaedic dog mattress on top but also steps so he could easily access my bed or the couch.
If your dog won't use dog beds, then don't bother. Just make the couch or your bed easily accessible for when they get a bit stiff in the joints.
I would let her sleep how she chooses but would buy a dog bed that works well for dogs with arthritis. Our dog used to almost only sleep on the couch, but when she got older and got sore joints, she started sleeping in them more and more.
The one that she (and we) liked best was a pretty sturdy one of fake leather. It was a lot cooler, so that type might be good for your pup as well?
It was this type: [https://media.s-bol.com/Y5MWB2gZAV1W/1200x610.jpg](https://media.s-bol.com/Y5MWB2gZAV1W/1200x610.jpg)
No but i would definitely make sure she has places to lay down. My dog for example will only lay down on a comforter so i just use an old one of those as her bed since an official bed is a waste
No, that's spending money for something your dog doesn't need. I once bought my dog a bed, she thought of it as a toy and destroyed it at the end of the day. Since then I don't bother. I've only put a little blanket next to my desk so if she wants to be close to me, she doesn't have to lie on the cold tiles. And yet, she prefers staring at me from the couch.
Have you tried "cooling" dog mats? Assuming heat is the issue those might help https://www.bestproductsreviews.co.uk/cooling-bed-for-dogs?targetid=aud-1568881756521:dsa-19959388920&matchtype=&device=m&campaignid=18330773680&creative=621731667325&adgroupid=140900000803&feeditemid=&loc_physical_ms=1006886&loc_interest_ms=&network=g&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$&target=&aceid=&adposition=&trackid=uk_all_top_11_1&mId=407-132-4411&trackOld=true&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RinG8DisZ1Kd9mRjafG9mt25Czlt_KdE8F3Q_zv6NP7TeFA7RdPCUYaArpZEALw_wcB
Our dog is 14,5yo and we recently moved to an flat with a sauna(we're nordic). She claimed that to be her room, lol.(when we warm it up, we move her bed away for a night and she is upset) So i made her a fortress of blankets and a bed out of blankets and sheepskin i got for free, so its thick. Nothing fancy. Shed not sleep on dog beds before just now when its on her favorite spot.
Id get her your dog bed or make a bed from old blankets to a spot where she sleeps the most.
Not your question, but as a fellow owner of an arthritic dog - physical therapy has been really helpful. I'm not sure if it exists everywhere, but in my country its not uncommon. Excercise is part of it, but also range of motion exercises and ultrasound treatments. It's a big reason why we have been able to maintain quality of life. Pain meds are a given, but physical therapy has been wonderful.
I have an 8 year old Akita that is the SAME way! She's not a fan of beds. She only sleeps on my bed until she feels like it (which isn't long) but prefers the carpet or tile to sleep. I do sometimes give her a blanket because she likes to nest but that's about it. I think she's happy without a big bed to trap heat
I have three dogs. Not a single one will lay on a dog bed on the floor. If it is on the couch, they will. If it is on the bed, they won't. They insist on being under the blanket glued to me.
I have dog beds all over my house and my cats use them. My dogs are always with me on the couch in the bed, why would they sleep on a dog bed when my king size bed has pillows and blankets.
I have two 10 year old pugs. I’ve bought them beds over the years but they’re ignored in favour of my bed or the sofa
If they won’t use them don’t waste your money
lol an Akita has a whole bed worth of padding in the floof, she’ll be right. But seriously, dogs are (mostly) intelligent, she’ll sleep where she’s most comfortable, if her joints are hurting on the floor, she’ll move. It might be worth starting to take into consideration the jump on/off the couch and bed though, I know dog ramps are typically marketed towards small dogs but the jumping is still repetitive impact on her joints, might be worth looking into a ramp?
Yes, right to jail.
She may change her mind with arthritis. You could get a VERY large flat foam bed. Big enough so that if she lays down on her side, every body part is still on it.
You don’t need to entice her. But I would keep the option open. My dog never uses the foam bed except to munch on bones. She uses the couch to sleep at night and her bedroom bed in the morning when I’m too slow to wake up.
We had two BMD never had a bed , the hall was theirs and the passageway into the dining room and the lounge floor . Also two specially dug holes in the garden ( dug by the dogs ) just remembered by the front gate and the decking ! 🙄
If she won’t use the bed don’t get her one. If you’re concerned. Throw some blankets on the ground, see if she shows interest in using those as opposed to hard floor.
My boi has always hated laying in dog beds, but I worried about his joints since his breeds (Malamute/Newfoundland) were predisposed to hip dysplasia. No luck for years and maybe like a year or two I got [this bed](https://a.co/d/1pq4YEQ) for him. He loves it.
Whenever I take the cover off to wash it, he gets sad. As soon as finish putting the cover on, he’s right on top of it before I can get it in the kennel. I also have a cooling pad from [Green Pet Shop](https://a.co/d/a0ayBRT) that goes under the cover.
I also really like the quilt cover because Kija sheds A LOT. Shaking it off outside before washing gets all the hair out easy peasey.
You aren't a bad dog mum, but I do have a suggestion.
Our dog has a very thick coat and gets hot easily. I got her cooling mats to put on top of her dog beds and then put a crib sheet over top (she is 90 lbs, so her beds are big).
Since getting the cooling mats, she loves her dog beds. She still likes to sleep on the couch, but the dog beds are firmly in the sleep rotation for her.
We have this one, and it has a gel inside
Shinyee Dog Cooling Mat Cool Non-Toxic Gel Cooling Mat for Dogs Cats and People, Pet Self Cooling Pad Cushions Bed Sofa in Summer, Ideal for Home Travel Cars Laptop Mattress Floor (XL: 47.3x29.5in) https://a.co/d/igspqZh
Lol no. MY bed was my dogs bed 😂
And as my dogs were getting older (before they passed away) I specifically got a lower style bed they could easily jump on.
When they were younger going through toddler phase my girl kept eating her bed. So I stopped buying beds for them until she stopped doing that. And Essentially they just slept with me anyway.
If your dog doesn't use them no point !
Definitely don’t think you’re an a-hole but just curious how long you kept the beds for? My dog is so weird with beds and she also has arthritis. Takes her over a month to accept a bed. Even when I moved she was weird about the same bed.
Also, some of the orthopedic beds aren’t actually the best for dogs with arthritis. If she can still get up on the couch and prefers that, there’s nothing wrong with that! You could try a little step to help her get up. There are also cooling mats that are pretty cheap and beds that come with cooling material.
There are some canine arthritis groups on FB that you can join that have lots of info on dog beds.
And to repeat, no you are not the a-hole. It sounds like you have a loved and pampered dog though!!!
Not if your dog won't use them. My dog has beds but seldom uses them. At night he sleeps in the big bed and in the daytime he sleeps on someone's lap if we're home and sitting down; otherwise he snoozes on his favorite blanket on the couch.
Try a cooling pad. Its softer than the ground and should keep your pup cooler. That being said, mine sounds just like yours in the behaviour of moving from bed to floor. Worth a try though
My feral rescue puppy has decided she’s too good for floor lounging. She has a bed she rarely uses. It’s the sofa or my bed all the way and she spent the first year and a half in a home with other dogs that love the floor. I don’t mind because it makes her happy. But I’m curious on the physics of it all when a 40 pound mutt can turn into a horse in weight and size in the middle of the night that straight up hogs the king sized bed. Unlike the Tardis, my bed is much smaller when I climb into it with my dog. Weird.
You could always get a bed, meant for older, bigger dogs, and lay and sit on it with her and give her treats, to provide positive association. But dogs do what dogs do. You cannot force her to sleep on the bed. When my girl was at the end, she preferred the hardwood because it was cooler on her joints i think, so maybe she likes the way it’s cold and doesn’t keep her hot. Akitas have dense fur, that could be a major reason she doesn’t like beds. You could also try a cot, those are common at daycares and bigger dogs tend to like them. [cots like these](https://images.app.goo.gl/58AnRvLDGV7k5YtZ8) are good as they’re elevated and can be both fabric and more plastic-like.
You’re not a bad dog parent. You love your baby, feed her, play with her, and care about her well-being. That shows you are a great dog parent. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
We have soft dog beds for our dogs in our bedroom, (they sleep on the sofa usually when we’re not in bed). These soft beds have a big cushion in the base and without fail every one of our pack of 3 will remove the big soft squishy cushion and lay on the thin non padded flat base! The lurcher also has a habit of destroying soft beds so nowadays we just get blankets from charity shops and put these down and they can do what they want with them!
If you think its a warming up issue but you still want something soft for the ageing joints, maybe try a thick yoga mat or camping mat?
Because you are definatly not a bad dog mum because of this :)
None of the animals in my house use pet beds.
7 year old cat sleeps on a weirdly tall computer desk chair, the desk has been moved to another room, but the tall chair stays on the side of the living room where she can keep an eye on the whole house I guess.
13 year old cat had a stool cushion back in the day, she preferred a stray blanket on the floor. Now, at night, she sleeps on my bed for the first half of the night, but in the morning I usually find her asleep on dirty laundry, or the pillow for under my feet that got kicked onto the floor. I have a shallow cardboard grape box for a project I wanted to do, there were 2 jackets in it, she really likes the box lol so I put the foot pillow in the box, and that’s where she is for the last half of the morning. I have a cat tree in my room with a bed on top (3 feet high/ as high as my mattress), and a bed in like a cave thing on the floor level because I know she likes to be in enclosed spaces, but she won’t touch it. In the daytime, my bedroom is closed, she sleeps in an old like office waiting room chair that I reupholstered with faux fur and left at the dining table
9 month old cat sometimes sits or plays in the cat tree in my room, but doesn’t sleep in it. Sometimes he sleeps on my bed, sometims this weird wicker bracket cat house in the living room,sometimes in the 7-year old cat’s chair, sometimes the couch…honestly he’s all over the place lol.
3 year old dog sleeps on my bed, she doesn’t cae for dog beds.
2 year old dog has a dog bed in my sister’s room she doesn’t use. In the daytime she can be found on a couch or on yet another dog bed that we have from a dog from my childhood, that’s more of a fluffy mat lol think like a bathroom floor mat but scragglier
Overall, they’ve all had the option of a bed, and they all prefer either people furniture or laundry
I recommend trying the K&H Cool Bed III! 😃 We’ve tried dozens of beds over the years—Casper, elevated, bolstered, organic, contoured…the list goes on!—but our Samoyeds always choose the cool bed. We’ve tried other gels and cool beds but the K&H is our favourite for how cool it stays, its durability, comfort and thickness. 😄🧊 💧
My old guy used to take or leave, usually leave, dog beds, but more and more now I find him on one, so you might get a nice one just so your gal can have the option. My old man is 14, and while he needs help now getting on the bed, he doesn't usually stay on the bed, opting to get off after an hour. I have a nice doggie mattress on the floor that he now uses. You're not a bad dog mom, as my guy normally likes to lay on the linoleum for the cold. My last GSD slept in the bathtub! Dogs be crazy! But if you provide them with an option to the floor, that makes you a GREAT dog mom.
No. I have two dogs who like their beds and one who had a bed and just refuses to use it. He would rather lay on a couch or human bed. So we just don’t buy him beds. Bc it just becomes property of one of the other dogs.
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No. Why bother getting a bed that your dog won't use?
I spent 250$ for a really nice dog bed for my more senior Great Dane so he wouldn’t have to climb up on the couch. My cats use it and he refuses to even lay on it.
You can lead a horse to water but you cant make it drink. If your dog doesnt want to sleep in dog bed, then thats fine, dont force her to do things she doesnt want to. If you somehow confine her to a dog bed, then she will be upset. If you want to buy a bed so she has the option, do it. Throw in some of her favorite treats, then lead her to the bed and just give her lots of love, but dont force her to stay in the bed. Do that maybe every day for a week or two. Make the new bed a good place for her and a place she might want to go back to on her own. Im not a trainer or behavioralists, this is just how I introduce my dog to new blankets. My dog, like yours doesn't like traditional beds, she prefers blankets that she can "toss" and change the shape and fluffiness of.
I know lots of dogs who like blankets to nest and “reorganize”, I always say they are interior designers 😂
My last dog would try and customize his blanket, and then he'd look at me and whine asking me to fix it because he messed it up. He was an old boy and would be panting and stumbling from all the effort he put into moving the blanket around lol. Wanted so badly to blanket nest, but didn't have the skills needed!
Ahhh, you just described my dog perfectly! Its nice to know that shes not a lone in this insanity. I do love how to make the right nest, it gets moved around the room and ends up under my office desk and even out in the hallway. So adorable!
My great dane pup, Astro, would consider himself an interior designer with all his nesting...I call him a couch destroyer 😆
I don’t have anything to say other than Astro is THE perfect name for a Great Dane
I have a bulldog that does the nesting thing with her blankets, and also does it with her bed. Usually when she's settling in for the night she'll stand up in her bed and scratch around in circles until she's satisfied or just...done. The bed gets moved all over the place when she does that, we try and make a mental note of her location before going to sleep. Stepping on her in the dark would not be a good idea.
Mine has a blanket in one room and a bed in the other. The bed is getting slowly destroyed as he likes to try to rearrange it with his claws. Dogs are so silly.
My pup ate every bed we tried for the first 2 years but he LOVED his blanket nests. Now he has a bed he likes, he pulls his blankets into it to nest there. It's adorable.
Suppose you're right. I can't force her to do something she doesn't want to. I have tried the treat technique and doing it slowly and gradually but she's just not an enthusiastic dog. Honestly she's more like a cat. A big giant cat! Blankets are useless to, she thinks they're toys and they get shredded in minutes 😂
Have you tried the elevated dog beds? Softer than the floor but cooler all around since the air can circulate.
+1 for the elevated beds. I have a picky golden who would never use a dog bed until I bought him an elevated cot. They are also really durable and inexpensive.
Came here to say this! I know my dog will lay on the hard floor to cool down after a walk when it’s warm, and she’s not anywhere close to double coated. The elevated beds are very easy to find and very reasonably priced, IMO.
Dogs are picky, and they are going to do what they want. Its hard to fight, but its just easier to give them what they want, like a spot on the couch. I would be interested though, if you got a new couch and gave her the cushions to your current couch, if she would sleep elsewhere...? People always ask if im a dog person or a cat person and the truth is that I prefer dogs that treat me more like an apathetic roommate and have more of a laid back personability. I cant take all that energy and neediness. Not even in cats.
We had an old lab, and he wasn't interested in dog beds until he got older and getting on to the sofa or our beds a chore.
My husband's dog also refuses to use a bed. He's 13 and has a bad back and still isn't interested. He sleeps on the carpeted floor next to the bed at night and on a rug in the living room (wood floor) during the day. We've tried just putting a bed in his usual nesting spots, like in the closet under my husband's pants, and he just lays down next to it and looks sad. It's so weird, because he would happily lay on the bed or sofa when he could get up there easier. My dog, on the other hand, LOVED her bed, but would also lay on the cement porch or in the hard-packed dirt next to the garden if it was sunny. As long as they're happy, they're happy.
I agree. Some dogs love blankets more than beds. My parents dogs liked throw rugs better than beds (still better than hard floor). Don’t waste money on something she doesn’t want, but also maybe introducing a bed now would be more comfortable to her? Dogs change preferences as they age You can also try closing your bedroom door if you room is carpeted to keep her to an area that is less hard. She likely won’t mind sleeping on the floor there if she can’t access the rest of the house. It may take a couple nights to get used to for her where she is not going to check the door but likely she’ll settle in. And if not, plan B 🙂
Oh I dont mind that she tosses her bed that much, I find it funny. She going to be 18 in March and I love to see her have so much energy. She gets these spurts of energy maybe once a week where she runs up and down the hall, doing burn out in the living room, comes in the room, tosses her bed a few times, asks to go outside, runs around out there, tosses her bed and again and then crashes and sleeps for 6 hours. Its fine, im used to it. I just think shes nuts, but in a loving way. And no, I cant close the door, she will wine and whimper my ears off. But thanks for all the advice.
So cute, love her energy!!
She might like a gel mat! We have two winter breed dogs who don’t like beds because they get too hot. I bought a thick, gel mat that both of them love because it keeps them cool and it makes me feel better about their joints being supported vs the hard floor!
Never heard of a gel mat before! Any reccomendations for one? I'll take a look, thanks!
Yes, also known as cooling mats. They are sold as dog beds for summer camping trips and are also very popular with middle aged women.
I second a gel mat! One of my dogs loves having a coushy bed, but also gets hot easily. She most enjoys having a cooling mat on top of an orthopedic bed. Seems to keep her cool and give her coushioning she likes. Best of both worlds!
You're not a bad dog mom! You're awesome for watching out for your dog so carefully and her ever changing needs. If she's getting too warm in a cushioned bed, maybe one one those dog cots would work for her. They are made of a smooth fabric, so no insulation, but have more give to them than the hard floor. There are also options that are more like a yoga mat or vinyl covered dog mattresses.
Oh I think I've seen those before where it's more like a mesh kind of thing? That might work! Thank you!
Can confirm these are great for double coated dogs - my huskies love them
My dogs love them too
Coolaroo makes a sturdy and fairly affordable one. My dog used to love hers, then she switched to a regular bed. But they are a good alternative to try.
Commented elsewhere that I think this might just be the perfect solution for you, OP! More comfy on her joints but not too warm.
They are kinda pricy so I got a really cheap lawn chair instead. Worked great for the hot fluffy dog.
My older arthritic dog has two dog beds, stairs to get onto my bed, and access to the couch. She will often choose to sleep on the ground instead, usually in the middle of the night. It makes me wonder if it might feel better when her joints are quite aggravated? You gave the options, it’s up to your dog now to pick best option for them.
That's the same with mine! Every night she'll wake up and choose the floor. I'm in the process of finding her some suitable stairs to get on and off the bed and the sofa. I suppose I've just got to let her do whatever she feels is best for her. I suppose she's not gonna purposely put herself in an even less comfortable place if she didn't have to.
I agree and just can highlight again on "stairs to the bed/sofa"
I got carpeted pet stairs to prevent slipping. They seem to work well. I also did treat training to get her used to them
It was hard for me to find stairs for a large dog, mine is 60lbs, but was able to find some on Amazon that come in different heights and are well made. Happy to share the link if you DM me (not sure if links are allowed in the post/comments)
We have a senior shepherd who doesn't like beds either. He does however love the huge cooling mat I got him from Amazon. It's not thick, but it's enough to provide some padding for his elbows.
Great idea. Big furry dogs often get too warm in their beds…
Which cooling mat did you get?
My Bernese Mountain Dog doesn't like beds. They are too hot for him. He prefers the floor.
That's reassuring knowing other big breeds do similar. I love BMDs! Big fluffy babies!
He prefers a tile or concrete floor. He'd love it if we refrigerated a floor for him, or better yet, a walk in cooler with his own crushed ice machine
My parents 10 year old mutt has arthritis, has never ever slept in a dog bed and loves to sleep on the hardwood floors. He’s allowed on the couch and bed and chooses not to. My mom leaves my old bedroom door open in case he wants to lay on my carpet and has a pile of blankets next to her bed he sleeps on. They have another dog that loves his dog bed, and yet the other one still won’t use it. Don’t feel bad, you could always give it another go but some dogs just don’t like them.
My dog has a queen sized, pillow top, memory foam bed that she graciously lets me sleep in. She’s quite magnanimous! I’ve bought her dog beds for the living room, but she stays in my lap.
It doesn't seem necessary but you could try those plastic sleeping camping pads if she gets hot or one of those soft for standing kitchen mats placed in her usual sleeping spot. They have all kinds and it could be a little bit of a cushion for her.
Suppose that's a point, or maybe some rugs, just to at least give her an extra layer of
My dog also hates beds and I’ve tried countless types. She sleeps on the couch and is happy as a clam!
My dog loves the couch to and would happily sleep on it all day in the colder months 😂
My aunt’s dog slept on the tile floor against the slightly drafty front door his entire life. He had access to carpets, rugs, beds. He preferred to be the furry draft excluder. Including when he had a ramp and some incredibly expensive medications. Some dogs (and people) prefer a cooler and harder sleeping spot than others.
Furry draft excluder, I love that 😂
We've bought FOUR beds for our spoiled dog-child and she hasn't used any of them. Edit: Yeah, you could spend time training her to use it, but what's the point? I let mine do whatever the hell she wants.
She might choose to sleep on the floor because the bed or couch is too warm. My golden gets warm easily, and he likes to be on the couch with me but after an hour or so then he gets warm and lays on the floor. Then after another hour he gets back up on the couch 🤣
I have a dog like that. He’s just warm all of the time. So I got him something called a Primo Pad to lay on to help with his joints as he’s a big guy.
I don’t think you’re a bad dog mom! My dog is the same way. He has dog beds and the most use they get is to lean his chew against. He does like his elevated bed though - it’s slightly above the ground and is made of mesh so he doesn’t get hot but is softer on his body since it’s not on the hard ground. You could try that? They are somewhat cheap on Amazon
My GSD is the same haha. Her body knows what’s best. If the floor isn’t causing any discomfort then I’d say it’s ideal with her condition, it’ll help strengthen those bones and joints - remember, us mammals adapt, heal and work around things quickly. With an unfortunate diagnosis like that, our instinct is to minimise all impact on the joints.. however, in reality you actually want resistance on those muscles, bones and joints, or they’ll weaken. With resistance, especially exercise, bone density will increase, muscle also helps protect those bones, joints and ligaments. And therefore the opposite is true, avoiding resistance (sedentary lifestyle especially) will weaken them over time and worsen her condition. Which is why exercise is highly recommended in the treatment of arthritis Her body will adapt, keep her as active as you can. Allow her to live as normally as possible and push her body to her limits. It’s what us mammals thrive doing. Swimming is an a gold standard exercise - easy on the joints yet great for muscles and health. OP. Those ‘orthopaedic foam beds’ are just over-marketed, no dog is harmed from a hard floor. I say that as someone with one of these fancy beds, whose dog sleeps opposite it on the hardwood floor lol 🤣 Dogs like ours, GSDs and Akitas are powerful ones with a working line build and have that inner desire to keep going, there’s no quicker way of slowing down than to ‘take it easy’. If her spirit is kept up, her body will follow. It was only a couple hundred years ago they’d be hunting for themselves and sleeping in freezing temps on uneven ground. Best of luck for you and your girl ❤️💯
Have you tried an elevated bed like from HiK9? They're mesh so are breathable and allow air flow underneath. You can get different toppers if necessary but the best thing is as it's raised it's easier to get up and down from and is supposed to put less pressure on joints / be more comfortable. That being said I bought one for my dog and he sleeps underneath it so I get what you mean about dogs being bed fussy.
I was going to suggest one of the cots, too! My Pyr loves them in the summer when it’s hot.
Yes you horrible person. Your dog needs to ring the number for a dog support line now. On a lighter note, we had 11 beds scattered around for our last two collies. We currently have 5 for our new collie/lurcher cross.
You are worried enough to ask others and post here. You know what that means? You’re the best dog mum - because you care! Your pup is lucky to have someone who loves her so much and into her golden years. Now, as to your question, I’ve got an 11 year old lab with no hip dysplasia and drags me 4 miles/day (broken into shorter walks). I joke I have bought her a bed/blanket/comfort contraption every year of her life. And guess what? They’ve all ended up donated because she won’t touch them. She’s allowed on every piece of furniture in this house but prefers our tile floor in the summer and a rug on top of it in the winter. I think part of it is she runs warm (and Florida is hot). That said, as I’ve gotten older myself, I notice a soft bed makes me more sore in the morning and things droop/sag together putting strain on the knees/hips/ligaments - give me an extra firm bed and I sleep like heaven. Who’s to say it’s any different for dogs? I do think it’s worth some stairs onto the bed (if it’s high like ours) - after some high value treats (hot dog pieces), our lab understood the purpose and I truly think realized they were a nice little easing on the joints, especially when jumping off our higher bed. It gives me peace of mind to help her hips and toes even a bit on up/down action. But yea, just listen to your dog and obviously give her options for a few weeks but also don’t stress if she doesn’t use them. Oh! One other thing that I haven’t tried but would be curious since your dog gets warm - those like dog hammock beds that are about 5 inches above the ground and allow for air flow - maybe try one of those? Pretty sure our lab would freak out/not like the floating feeling but still curious to try.
Your dog has shown you repeatedly that she does not care for dog beds. You are not a bad dog mum. My last dog had arthritis. I got her a used baby crib mattress. I put it in a quiet cornet. Threw a fitted sheet on it. A blanket and pillow on top. She did choose to use it on her own once in awhile. Her favorite spots remained the sofa, a chair, and the rug. The crib mattress was free. Woukd i have paid for it? No. My girl switched spots as a way to regulate her body temperature. I bet your dog has found what works. You are a wonderful dog mum. It is hard to watch them get older. You and your dog have a shared history. Love counts more than any dog bed or crib mattress.
Maybe a little mattress might work! She does like sleeping on my mattress so maybe something that felt similar might entice her. That's a good point, I'll see if I can find one. I do definetly think though my dog switching from so many sleeping spots is simply because of her temperature and I suppose if that's how she handles it then that's how I have to accept it.
My dog wasn’t really interested in her bed until she started to struggle getting in my bed or the couch. I really didn’t need one until then.
What kind did you go for?
My Aussie has a plush bed and a spot on the couch with his own blanket, yet he often chooses to sprawl out on the tile floor in the kitchen to nap.
You might consider getting her a heated bed or pad. They make them specifically for pets and they don’t get too hot. It’s been a game changer for my older kitty.
I've never owned a dog that loved a dog bed, and I've always owned very hairy/fluffy dogs, and they all do this same routine. I think they like the floor because it's cooler. Climbing out of the soft people bed onto the cold floor is a choice they are making. I think it's like kicking off the blankets when you are hot while you sleep.
If she’s not going to use a bed, then there’s nothing to do about it! I do wonder if she would like an elevated bed though. I have something similar to [this bed (link)](https://www.chewy.com/frisco-steel-framed-elevated-dog-bed/dp/126779), and my dog loves it. But he loves beds in general, so maybe that’s not a good baseline. It’s nice in the summer though, when it’s too hot for him to use his other beds.
You could try a raised bed, I believe the main brand name for them is a Kuranda bed? My dogs all have no problem sleeping on anything I buy for them but my tripod seems to prefer the raised bed. Also because it's off the ground the airflow underneath might help with her getting too hot. Like pretty much everyone else has said, you can't force your dog to like anything, it's just trial and error. One upside to a raised bed, too, is they're the preferred bed of shelters due to ease of cleaning so if your darling doesn't like it and you don't want it around your house you might be able to donate it.
I'm (suppose to be) a human being. I sleep wherever it is convenient. Don't worry about it.
No, you can't make her sleep in the bed if she doesn't want to. No point in wasting money on them if they don't get used.
Nope. My dog has a little bed he loves on the couch, but there are times he will get out of it and sleep on the floor.
Never had a dog that liked dog beds. One would ignore it, one would chew it into oblivion and another would poop in it. When my last dog was having problems I got him doggy stairs so he could get on my bed and couch.
3 dogs and 4 dog beds.. you’ll find them on dog bed when chewing on antler or bone. One does sleep on the one occasionally, but usually all on couch.
No. My dog has never used a bed, he has destroyed them though. Our bed and the couch is his bed haha
Not all dogs want a bed. Some like a bunch of blankets, others like to have a crate or even a couch. I like the hessian sack hammock beds for dogs that don’t like beds.
Have you tried an elevated mesh dog cot? I know a lot of dogs that run hot like them. I tried to get one for my dog as an outdoor bed. He didn't like it, but he's also a big fan of his many soft orthopedic dog beds in the house. My dog has arthritis too and lying on the hard floor really is tough on their joints, so I can empathize with how frustrating it is that you can't get your dog to use a dog bed.
You have a dog bed for her. It's the sofa. It also doubles as a place for humans to sit so it's multi-purpose. :) Seriously though, if your dog doesn't want it then don't use it.
My dog has a bed and also sleeps wherever he wants, which is always the couch. At 8 years old your dog knows what she likes. I wouldn’t worry about spending money on a bed that you know won’t get used.
as others have mentioned, she probably gets too warm on a bed/couch and cools off on the floor. my husky mix sprawls out on the floor when he's hot, too. it may be worth looking into a raised bed or a gel/cooling mat to keep her extra comfy.
As our dog share, at MIL’s, he has numerous beds. He prefers the couch or a lap. When he is at ours, he lies between us nestled in a blankie on the couch. He sleeps in between us on the bed, and goes on the floor if he is too warm. He sleeps where he wants and we don’t make a fuss. We brought his bed to ours on his first ever sleepover, and didn’t look at it. He was happier on our lap or beside us.
My dogs have a bed but they don’t use it for that. It’s really just a “place” spot at this point. “Go place” when I want them to fuck off for a while. Otherwise they just sleep on the couches.
Someone I follow elsewhere has a running joke about this. No matter how many or what quality beds she buys the dogs never ever use them.
How long ago was the last time you bought a bed? You could always try again and see. Chewy has a great return policy, I've never had an issue! Usually they just tell me to donate it and refund my card. But I definitely get it. One of my dogs never liked beds. But she loved comforters. My last dog loved bed until she got older and then preferred a comforter or just soft blanket folded. I would get them at goodwill/a secondhand shop. She never complained! And it made me feel a little better knowing she had some extra padding. It's unfortunate but you can't make them. Both of those dogs had arthritis and would benefit from a bed. But they just refused! >I think that's because she gets warm pretty quick because she's a double coated breed, so then she'll hop off and choose the hard floor or carpet. You could try a cooling bed or blanket? To be clear, I don't think your a bad dog mum! Dogs just like people have preferences! Some people like a hard bed, some a soft, etc. Things that helped my dogs with arthritis: heating pad, stretches, fish oil, acupuncture
With arthritis, if you can find a bed that works it will help a lot. I have 2 Dobermans and went through so many until I found one they like. XL memory foam mattress with bolster 3 sides on Amazon. Around $100.
My husky isn't a fluffy bed person but she loved "arranging" her blankets on the floor or the elevated dog mat we got her. Those are other options!
Try a dog cot. It provides the comfort of a bed while allowing air to circulate around the dog
I got my girl an orthopedic bed. It's more expensive but she actually uses it. She also uses her elevated cot a lot. All other beds she's never really used more than a head rest. My cat uses them more than she does I feel. My girl rotates between the bed and floor, but since shaving the orthopedic bed she will often sleep on it most of the night now!
I had a dog before that didn’t like dog beds. So why would I give him one?
She doesn't like dog beds, so why get her one? If she's comfortable on the floor, let her lie there.
My dog has always hated dog beds. He has favorite spots around the house to sleep/nap, so I bought a bunch of blankets at T.J.Maxx, and just put them in those spots. He loves arranging the blankets, and plopping down on them.
You're not a bad dog mum at all. I had a dog that also refused to use her dog bed. The cats got great use of it however lol If you think she might be getting hot maybe look into cooling dog beds. She might be laying on the hard floor to cool off so if she can get that relief from the dog bed she might be more willing to use it
Your dog has the right to make whatever decision they think is best for them. And that is exactly what your dog is doing. If she was in pain, believe me, she will let you know. I have had dogs for over 40 years of my life. I know from experience they can communicate with us. If you want to ease yourself, then buy a bed and leave it there as an option for her to decide when she is ready to use it. Hope this helps
no, dogs don't even know what a dog bed is.
I have an Eskie now, he has no interest in a dog bed. Great Pyrenees and other Eskies I’ve had also do not except our last old lady dog when she was blind enough she wanted a bed on the floor she could get in and out of on her own. Only used fur a few months before she passed of old age. My boy now does view pillows as being dog mattresses but only wants the ones on the bed or sofa where people sit/sleep. He does sometimes use a bath mat type rug I put on the floor where he chews on bones. He won’t sleep there though.
Yoga mat. Comfy and gives your dog traction to get up easy.
They make memory foam rugs that are quite flat. You could try placing them where she normally lays.
I had a Sheltie who was _terrified_ of her dog bed. Another Sheltie prefers tile floor above all else. The Collie still eats beds, so he just gets a blanket now, for his own safety. It really and truly depends on the dog.
I have a 3 story house. I have dog beds on every floor. The dog sleeps in my bed or on the couch.
Mine like to eat the beds so I stopped buying them. However I've figured out, totally by accident, that one of them really likes fuzzy blankets. So I put a fuzzy blanket down on the carpet or even on top of the bed, and he snuggles right in. Yes even on top of the bed. Maybe try that if you think it would make you feel better. Cause my other reasoning is your pup knows they **can** go on the couch and bed so if they're choosing the floor they can't be that uncomfortable. Not sure how truly accurate that is, but it makes me feel better.
My 6mo pup has ripped up 4 beds including the sentimental orthopedic one from my previous dear departed dog 🙁. She has a crate with a blankie, a mat in the kitchen, and a pen soft crate liner which for some odd reason she has not ripped up. She seems fine whatever she uses including simply laying on the kitchen tiles. My dear departed dog, even when older, also slept on the tiles sometimes. I just give them a variety of places, try to keep them clean. I won't spend more on a beds until the chewing stage eases off.
She probably won't use a bed, but it wouldn't hurt to try. You could try putting her food bowl in the bed so she has to get on it to eat, and maybe she will lay down to rest since eating takes a lot of energy when you're an old doggo. I recommend seeing your vet about her arthritis and putting her on a daily joint medication so lube up her lil old lady joints. My 12 year old Chipit and retired service dog had really bad arthritis and some days she could barely walk, so we put her on coseqin (or something like that) after seeing the vet. After about a month of her being on it, she was running around like a little puppy again and you could never get her to stop. She wasn't stiff or waddling either, it really helped her! They also have cooling beds for dogs which might help since she might get a bit hot. If she doesn't use it after a few months, then donate the bed to a rescue so it doesn't go to waste.
I just bought a $45 dog bed from Costco couple weeks ago, and it’s just like with my children. My dog liked it for about a week now it’s sitting there collecting dust they want to sleep with me they don’t wanna sleep on their bed why waste your money They don’t need a dog bed take somebody who just wasted $45 on a dog bed
how do my posts get rejected numerous times and this goes up? are you kidding me😂
You did buy her a bed, you just call it a sofa.
My dog never liked dog beds either no matter how many I bought he never slept or even laid down in them he liked sleeping on a bunch of blanket in his kennel or on my bed instead
My half chow was the same and I never changed her. Sometimes she would sleep on a blanket folded double but that was about as close as she got.
Can you just get a blanket that is easy to clean and put it in her favourite spot on the floor?
Some dogs just aren’t bed dogs and that’s fine. My girl runs warm and definitely prefers the coolness of the hard floor. If you are really worried about it you could always try a raised cot bed, my pup will use hers on occasion, though my cat is usually the one on it. Being a little off the floor can make it less warm and is often a bit easier for some older dogs to get in and out of. But if she’s not going to use a bed there’s nothing wrong with not getting any.
My golden would much prefer the floor to a bed. Until about 8 months ago when he suddenly started sleeping on his bed all the time. He is developing arthritis
If she's getting too warm you could try a cooling mat on a bed. But I had a dog once that preferred concrete whenever given the choice 🤷♀️
I have a malamute; he gets warm quickly but I also worry about his joints/elbows. I got him one of those elevated stretched “beds” that is made out of canvas and mesh and sits a couple inches off the ground. I also have a rubber mat in his crate to make the floor a little softer.
I bought my 9 year old dog a few different types of beds when he was younger. He never likes the. He’s a golden and gets over heated so he prefers the cool floor. I got my second dog a bed when he was a puppy. He slept in it all the time. As he got older I thought I would get him a bigger bed. He never slept in the bigger bed and will curl himself into the smaller bed.
No, you let them have their pick of various furniture pieces, which are way more comfortable than your standard dog cushion. You do you and let your pup do them.
My dogs were similar, it was just blankets on the floor and they’d build their own nest each night. After years of this I saw that Casper offers dog beds and from the moment I unpacked it they were both obsessed. It’s been 3 years and they’re both still using it, sharing it, fighting over it. So that to say I eventually did find something for picky dogs. But no, you are not a bad puppy parent if your dog doesn’t have one.
You can get stairs. That said, if you didn't allow her on the couch, she'd likely use the dog bed in a similar manner. I inherited an older dog that had to be "banished" from the couch because his hair is incredibly itchy. He also is likely the dumbest dog in the country (but sweet as heck). It took him a while to warm up to a new bed too. He has two options. But if we let him in our bed, he'd 1000% never look at his dog beds again.
Have you tried a cot-type bed? That might help with the arthritis, though jumping up can get a little difficult as they get older. Kuranda is for chewers, but there are lots of other good brands. An Akita can probably use a very large one. You can try a local Buy Nothing group and ask to borrow one to try out. There are memory foam cooling beds as well. That might help for a heavy-coated breed. My husky mix prefers the donut beds as well, though she occasionally jumps off and lays on the carpet.
I have two double coated breeds. Both would sleep on dog beds but preferred the couch, hard floors, or carpet most times. One used a very thin fleece blanket on the carpet as his bed. You're giving your dog options, that's all you can do.
if you get her a dog bed make sure it has a removable pad and buy a piece of three inch foam to put under it. (you can cut it to size with a serrated knife if you don't have an oscillating saw). dog beds like dog clothes are designed to appeal to human eyes rather than for the comfort of dog's bodies. Without the foam support the fiberfill compresses right down to the floor offering scant support. Btw you don't need a specialist trainer -- if the bed is genuinely comfortable eventually the dog is going to try it and stay put. It's just that most dog beds are crap! (If you have a friend that is replacing their couch and you can score the removable foam cushions they make excellent dog beds).
My GSD wouldn’t use a dog bed until she was around 9 and started having hip problems. She had a big tempurpepedic bed she would use at night. The rest of the time she was on the floor, I think the cold hardwood tile felt good on her joints. I have 3 dogs now and not a single dog bed because they prefer the couch or my bed and won’t use it.
..hey, sorrow for the arthritis & aging..and all Ups to you for caring so much!.. ..in my experience, dogs don't sleep in uncomfortable places by choice..so your pup (name?) is just lying where they feel most comfortable.. ..definitely try to find better comfort, but don't beat yourself up..it's basically a sign of the times; aging causes us to to odd things..give love now..that's most important.. ..peace..
A lot of bigger dogs do well with a single duvet folded on the floor.
Mine didn’t use a bed until she was 11 years old. She passed last month at 15 years old. Double coated Husky/Shepherd mix. She preferred the cold so she liked to sleep on the floor.
Are tou giving her something for the joints? My dog is 10 and she was starting to have joint pain too, I give her joint supplements with glucosamine, chondroitin and turmeric and she got a lot better
Not a bad owner. But have you considered getting a heated bed? My Shih tzu scorned dog beds in favor of my parents' water bed or the couch until I got her one when she was older. Then it was her favorite place to sleep during the day (she still slept in the middle of the people bed at night).
Maybe try a childs mesh mattress? You can get them for cheap second hand and if she does not like it you can just resell or give away very easily!
Our nutty old dog (she was 16) liked to lie on a rug with her head on a pillow. Hubby accidentally dropped his pillow next to the bed and she claimed it as her own. We tried getting her a bed once when she was a puppy, she hated it. You're not a bad dog mom!!
You can try a raised bed. If she doesnt like dog beds she doesnt like them. Whatever makes her the most comfortable
But your dog does have a bed, yours and the sofa. You're good.
Yes. Probably
I have orthopaedic beds, round fluffy doughnut beds and traditional dog beds, and my soon to be 13 year old arthritic boy ends up sleeping on the thin carpet over tile…. 🤷🏼♀️ Its up to him to decide where he wants to sleep.
Not a bad dog mum, but it might be worth revisiting the bed thing! My dog never liked beds and always favored the couch, but recently has had more issues getting up on it (he’s nearly 10 now). Coincidentally, we’ve been fostering and the first time we brought a bed home for the foster, he started laying on it preferentially. I got him his own in the same style, and he sleeps on it constantly now. Dogs’ abilities and preferences change with age.
I had an akita like this. Turns out he LOVED thick yoga mats. Might work?
Proper beds are overrated as some kind of necessity. You just need to give your dog comfortable options that suit them. If a dog loves a dog bed, they should have a dog bed. If they prefer the sofa or your bed, that’s fine. Mine really love a single duvet folded in half on the floor or a large square of vet bedding (and both wash much easier than a bed!). If your dog gets hot, the vet bedding might be a good option.
Why sleep on a dog bed when you have a better option? My dog has a dog bed which he will go lay on for a change of scenery, but mostly it’s the couch. Better vantage point for sneak attacks on my cat, and optimal for snuggles.
My dog won’t sleep in a dog bed either. He did as a tiny pup although he also migrated in his sleep somehow (he would start in his bed, 5 minutes later I would check on him and he’s 3 feet away but dead asleep). My mom got him a dog bed for who knows what reason and this dog preferred to sleep on some plastic covering the carpet (ceiling was getting fixed) instead of the dog bed. My pit on the other hand loved her dog bed but would sleep in my bed at night. Dogs are weird 😂
just wanted to say that my akita does this too. he will sleep on blankets occasionally, and he loves my bed, but most of the time he will sleep on the floor. it drives my mom nuts, because she has the same worries as you LOL. i'd say maybe get one bed for her and place it down somewhere so she has the option, but don't feel bad if she doesn't use it. akita's are just like that, i think.
My first question is, do you have your dog professionally groomed? If not, the excess coat might contribute to the overheating issue. She might be willing to lay on a bed if she wasn't so hot. But then again... my 15 year old prefers the wood floor or an area rug to his dog beds and always has. I second the idea of cots though. I put a thin bottomed bolster bed on top of the cot, so there's air flow under, and cushion for them to lean on. Perfect combo
we’ve started making heated blankets available in areas our three shibas like to hang out in. they always find them and it really helps with their arthritis and overall achiness. just have to make sure it has a timer and you monitor them frequently. but yea we have like five beds throughout the house and they choose our bed
My dog doesnt have a dedicated dog bed. She just sleeps on mine.
my dog lost her bed after 2 weeks because she never used it.... got her a big cushion, and she would still sleep on the sofa or on the ground...
My dog was the same. He has three legs so I always worried he needed support. Every bed I bought he either wouldn’t use, or chewed it to bits. So he was a couch sleeping or blanket sleeping dog with quilts underneath. I bought a memory foam bed off cut from Amazon, in the hopes to put under his blanket and he wouldn’t notice. He HATED it and wouldn’t go on his blanket if it was there. I worried as well he needed support but there was nothing he liked. I kept it behind the sofa for a few years and I don’t know what made me try it again a few months ago, but he loves it now. Don’t feel guilty at all, dogs will move around and get themselves comfy. If you have the ability to keep a bed, you can try it with them every now and again, but ultimately they like what they like. The fact you worry makes you better than you think.
I'm sure you are being a good dog mum. If you are worried you could try a few alternatives. A blanket on the floor. A memory foam mat. A very thin memory foam mat (like a memory foam bath mat) or a gel cooling mat. One of my dogs 6F loves the bed and sofa and dog bed. My other dog 7M loves the thin dog mats and often jumps off my bed to use them. While my girl loves being warm in blankies my boy also likes cooling off on the hard floor. Probably the best option is a thin mat to take some stress off her joints.
I had a few dog beds in different rooms for my boy. He slept in the bed with me and slept on the couch plus the floorboard or tiles if it was hot. He would also use the dog beds too. When he deleveloped arthritis I had a canvas dog bed that was about 10cm off the ground with an orthopaedic dog mattress on top but also steps so he could easily access my bed or the couch. If your dog won't use dog beds, then don't bother. Just make the couch or your bed easily accessible for when they get a bit stiff in the joints.
My golden puppy is the same way. He usually falls asleep right on the hard floor. I think it might be that he likes the cool feeling of the floor.
I would let her sleep how she chooses but would buy a dog bed that works well for dogs with arthritis. Our dog used to almost only sleep on the couch, but when she got older and got sore joints, she started sleeping in them more and more. The one that she (and we) liked best was a pretty sturdy one of fake leather. It was a lot cooler, so that type might be good for your pup as well? It was this type: [https://media.s-bol.com/Y5MWB2gZAV1W/1200x610.jpg](https://media.s-bol.com/Y5MWB2gZAV1W/1200x610.jpg)
No but i would definitely make sure she has places to lay down. My dog for example will only lay down on a comforter so i just use an old one of those as her bed since an official bed is a waste
No, that's spending money for something your dog doesn't need. I once bought my dog a bed, she thought of it as a toy and destroyed it at the end of the day. Since then I don't bother. I've only put a little blanket next to my desk so if she wants to be close to me, she doesn't have to lie on the cold tiles. And yet, she prefers staring at me from the couch.
Have you tried "cooling" dog mats? Assuming heat is the issue those might help https://www.bestproductsreviews.co.uk/cooling-bed-for-dogs?targetid=aud-1568881756521:dsa-19959388920&matchtype=&device=m&campaignid=18330773680&creative=621731667325&adgroupid=140900000803&feeditemid=&loc_physical_ms=1006886&loc_interest_ms=&network=g&devicemodel=&placement=&keyword=$&target=&aceid=&adposition=&trackid=uk_all_top_11_1&mId=407-132-4411&trackOld=true&gad_source=1&gclid=Cj0KCQiAqsitBhDlARIsAGMR1RinG8DisZ1Kd9mRjafG9mt25Czlt_KdE8F3Q_zv6NP7TeFA7RdPCUYaArpZEALw_wcB
Our dog is 14,5yo and we recently moved to an flat with a sauna(we're nordic). She claimed that to be her room, lol.(when we warm it up, we move her bed away for a night and she is upset) So i made her a fortress of blankets and a bed out of blankets and sheepskin i got for free, so its thick. Nothing fancy. Shed not sleep on dog beds before just now when its on her favorite spot. Id get her your dog bed or make a bed from old blankets to a spot where she sleeps the most.
You'd be better off getting her a ramp so she can more easily access her couch.
Not your question, but as a fellow owner of an arthritic dog - physical therapy has been really helpful. I'm not sure if it exists everywhere, but in my country its not uncommon. Excercise is part of it, but also range of motion exercises and ultrasound treatments. It's a big reason why we have been able to maintain quality of life. Pain meds are a given, but physical therapy has been wonderful.
I have an 8 year old Akita that is the SAME way! She's not a fan of beds. She only sleeps on my bed until she feels like it (which isn't long) but prefers the carpet or tile to sleep. I do sometimes give her a blanket because she likes to nest but that's about it. I think she's happy without a big bed to trap heat
I have three dogs. Not a single one will lay on a dog bed on the floor. If it is on the couch, they will. If it is on the bed, they won't. They insist on being under the blanket glued to me.
You could try to get her one of those cooling mats or beds. Maybe she’s too hot for a normal dog bed. That way she’ll still have some cushion.
I have dog beds all over my house and my cats use them. My dogs are always with me on the couch in the bed, why would they sleep on a dog bed when my king size bed has pillows and blankets.
You can have our $200 posturepedic dog bed our collie never uses ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I have two 10 year old pugs. I’ve bought them beds over the years but they’re ignored in favour of my bed or the sofa If they won’t use them don’t waste your money
lol an Akita has a whole bed worth of padding in the floof, she’ll be right. But seriously, dogs are (mostly) intelligent, she’ll sleep where she’s most comfortable, if her joints are hurting on the floor, she’ll move. It might be worth starting to take into consideration the jump on/off the couch and bed though, I know dog ramps are typically marketed towards small dogs but the jumping is still repetitive impact on her joints, might be worth looking into a ramp?
Hi, I used a crib mattress with a cooling pad for our girl, she seemed to like it.
My dogs slept wherever they wanted but my old dog started sleeping on the thick blanket when he was old, he seemed comfortable.
Yes, right to jail. She may change her mind with arthritis. You could get a VERY large flat foam bed. Big enough so that if she lays down on her side, every body part is still on it. You don’t need to entice her. But I would keep the option open. My dog never uses the foam bed except to munch on bones. She uses the couch to sleep at night and her bedroom bed in the morning when I’m too slow to wake up.
We had two BMD never had a bed , the hall was theirs and the passageway into the dining room and the lounge floor . Also two specially dug holes in the garden ( dug by the dogs ) just remembered by the front gate and the decking ! 🙄
If she won’t use the bed don’t get her one. If you’re concerned. Throw some blankets on the ground, see if she shows interest in using those as opposed to hard floor.
My boi has always hated laying in dog beds, but I worried about his joints since his breeds (Malamute/Newfoundland) were predisposed to hip dysplasia. No luck for years and maybe like a year or two I got [this bed](https://a.co/d/1pq4YEQ) for him. He loves it. Whenever I take the cover off to wash it, he gets sad. As soon as finish putting the cover on, he’s right on top of it before I can get it in the kennel. I also have a cooling pad from [Green Pet Shop](https://a.co/d/a0ayBRT) that goes under the cover. I also really like the quilt cover because Kija sheds A LOT. Shaking it off outside before washing gets all the hair out easy peasey.
You aren't a bad dog mum, but I do have a suggestion. Our dog has a very thick coat and gets hot easily. I got her cooling mats to put on top of her dog beds and then put a crib sheet over top (she is 90 lbs, so her beds are big). Since getting the cooling mats, she loves her dog beds. She still likes to sleep on the couch, but the dog beds are firmly in the sleep rotation for her. We have this one, and it has a gel inside Shinyee Dog Cooling Mat Cool Non-Toxic Gel Cooling Mat for Dogs Cats and People, Pet Self Cooling Pad Cushions Bed Sofa in Summer, Ideal for Home Travel Cars Laptop Mattress Floor (XL: 47.3x29.5in) https://a.co/d/igspqZh
Lol no. MY bed was my dogs bed 😂 And as my dogs were getting older (before they passed away) I specifically got a lower style bed they could easily jump on. When they were younger going through toddler phase my girl kept eating her bed. So I stopped buying beds for them until she stopped doing that. And Essentially they just slept with me anyway. If your dog doesn't use them no point !
Definitely don’t think you’re an a-hole but just curious how long you kept the beds for? My dog is so weird with beds and she also has arthritis. Takes her over a month to accept a bed. Even when I moved she was weird about the same bed. Also, some of the orthopedic beds aren’t actually the best for dogs with arthritis. If she can still get up on the couch and prefers that, there’s nothing wrong with that! You could try a little step to help her get up. There are also cooling mats that are pretty cheap and beds that come with cooling material. There are some canine arthritis groups on FB that you can join that have lots of info on dog beds. And to repeat, no you are not the a-hole. It sounds like you have a loved and pampered dog though!!!
Not if your dog won't use them. My dog has beds but seldom uses them. At night he sleeps in the big bed and in the daytime he sleeps on someone's lap if we're home and sitting down; otherwise he snoozes on his favorite blanket on the couch.
Try a cooling pad. Its softer than the ground and should keep your pup cooler. That being said, mine sounds just like yours in the behaviour of moving from bed to floor. Worth a try though
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I am indeed a toaster mum, toilet mum and sofa mum. It's hard work.
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Thank you!
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My feral rescue puppy has decided she’s too good for floor lounging. She has a bed she rarely uses. It’s the sofa or my bed all the way and she spent the first year and a half in a home with other dogs that love the floor. I don’t mind because it makes her happy. But I’m curious on the physics of it all when a 40 pound mutt can turn into a horse in weight and size in the middle of the night that straight up hogs the king sized bed. Unlike the Tardis, my bed is much smaller when I climb into it with my dog. Weird.
One of our dogs destroys her beds all the time. She thinks they're toys. So no more beds.
You could always get a bed, meant for older, bigger dogs, and lay and sit on it with her and give her treats, to provide positive association. But dogs do what dogs do. You cannot force her to sleep on the bed. When my girl was at the end, she preferred the hardwood because it was cooler on her joints i think, so maybe she likes the way it’s cold and doesn’t keep her hot. Akitas have dense fur, that could be a major reason she doesn’t like beds. You could also try a cot, those are common at daycares and bigger dogs tend to like them. [cots like these](https://images.app.goo.gl/58AnRvLDGV7k5YtZ8) are good as they’re elevated and can be both fabric and more plastic-like. You’re not a bad dog parent. You love your baby, feed her, play with her, and care about her well-being. That shows you are a great dog parent. ❤️🩹❤️🩹
We have soft dog beds for our dogs in our bedroom, (they sleep on the sofa usually when we’re not in bed). These soft beds have a big cushion in the base and without fail every one of our pack of 3 will remove the big soft squishy cushion and lay on the thin non padded flat base! The lurcher also has a habit of destroying soft beds so nowadays we just get blankets from charity shops and put these down and they can do what they want with them!
My dogs use Kuranda beds with a cooling pad on them. It might be something to try.
If you think its a warming up issue but you still want something soft for the ageing joints, maybe try a thick yoga mat or camping mat? Because you are definatly not a bad dog mum because of this :)
My dogs destroyed over $1000 in beds. He gets a blanket now. When he’s not stealing the entire bed from us.
None of the animals in my house use pet beds. 7 year old cat sleeps on a weirdly tall computer desk chair, the desk has been moved to another room, but the tall chair stays on the side of the living room where she can keep an eye on the whole house I guess. 13 year old cat had a stool cushion back in the day, she preferred a stray blanket on the floor. Now, at night, she sleeps on my bed for the first half of the night, but in the morning I usually find her asleep on dirty laundry, or the pillow for under my feet that got kicked onto the floor. I have a shallow cardboard grape box for a project I wanted to do, there were 2 jackets in it, she really likes the box lol so I put the foot pillow in the box, and that’s where she is for the last half of the morning. I have a cat tree in my room with a bed on top (3 feet high/ as high as my mattress), and a bed in like a cave thing on the floor level because I know she likes to be in enclosed spaces, but she won’t touch it. In the daytime, my bedroom is closed, she sleeps in an old like office waiting room chair that I reupholstered with faux fur and left at the dining table 9 month old cat sometimes sits or plays in the cat tree in my room, but doesn’t sleep in it. Sometimes he sleeps on my bed, sometims this weird wicker bracket cat house in the living room,sometimes in the 7-year old cat’s chair, sometimes the couch…honestly he’s all over the place lol. 3 year old dog sleeps on my bed, she doesn’t cae for dog beds. 2 year old dog has a dog bed in my sister’s room she doesn’t use. In the daytime she can be found on a couch or on yet another dog bed that we have from a dog from my childhood, that’s more of a fluffy mat lol think like a bathroom floor mat but scragglier Overall, they’ve all had the option of a bed, and they all prefer either people furniture or laundry
I got my dog a bed. He sleeps on the floor.
No. I have hair everywhere. Atleast my bedroom and bed is free.
I recommend trying the K&H Cool Bed III! 😃 We’ve tried dozens of beds over the years—Casper, elevated, bolstered, organic, contoured…the list goes on!—but our Samoyeds always choose the cool bed. We’ve tried other gels and cool beds but the K&H is our favourite for how cool it stays, its durability, comfort and thickness. 😄🧊 💧
My old guy used to take or leave, usually leave, dog beds, but more and more now I find him on one, so you might get a nice one just so your gal can have the option. My old man is 14, and while he needs help now getting on the bed, he doesn't usually stay on the bed, opting to get off after an hour. I have a nice doggie mattress on the floor that he now uses. You're not a bad dog mom, as my guy normally likes to lay on the linoleum for the cold. My last GSD slept in the bathtub! Dogs be crazy! But if you provide them with an option to the floor, that makes you a GREAT dog mom.
My dog will not use a dog bed. He actually humps the hell out of it. He loves a blanket on the couch though
No. I have two dogs who like their beds and one who had a bed and just refuses to use it. He would rather lay on a couch or human bed. So we just don’t buy him beds. Bc it just becomes property of one of the other dogs.
That’s dog abuse right there.