Where Should Your Dog Sleep?

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The dog is sleeping peacefully, gently breathing in and out. Every once in awhile, her whiskers twitch, her eyes dart back and forth under their lids, and her feet jerk as if she's chasing squirrels in her dreams. Then, her ears, nose, legs and tail – which seem to never stop moving when she is awake - surrender to stillness and the comfort of...her blanket? Her bean bag? Her crateKennel Cab Traditional
Doskocil Kennel Cab Traditional by Doskocil / Petmqte is a portable kennel that features seat belt slot, shoulder strap eyelets, storage compartment a...? The sofa? Your bed?

Your adult dog spends about 12 hours of her day - half her life – sleeping. Where she sleeps is important to her emotional and physical health, as well as to your family's.

Most indoor dogs sleepSnooZZy with Bumper Original Fleece Crate Bed
Precision Pet Products SnooZZy Crate Bed. Place Bumper Bed in crates, carriers, dog houses, SUVs, or anywhere! The luxurious acrylic fleece is complet... at the foot or side of their owner's bed, on a favorite blanket, cushion or dog bed, placed in a warm part of the room away from drafts. It's normal for a dog to nap in the master bedroom when your house is empty during the day because it smells like you.

Blankets. Whether you line your dog's bed with towelsWee Wee Pads
Four Paws Wee Wee Pads are super absorbent, making housebreaking easy. The poly-dry formula locks in moisture and prevents tracking. Dog Wee Wee Pads ... or old flannel nightshirts that smell like her favorite person, be sure that the materials are washable and flameproof, and wash them often.

Raised platforms. Some dogs prefer to sleep off the floor. Low platforms made of a light wood or aluminum frame with canvas stretched over it suit these petsStain and Odor Remover
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Children and teenagers who are close to their dogs often disregard their parents' wishes to keep the dog off the bed. When controlling child and dog become too much like nagging, many parents apply the "don't ask, don't tell" method and tacitly allow them to share a bed. This is never a good idea: Sooner or later, the child grows up – decides he or she doesn't really want a doggy sleeping partner – and the nightly dominance dramas begin.

Your dog should never be led to believe that she has a right to your bed. As a pack animal, she understands that claiming the obvious position of power atop the leader's bed will make her your household's dominant member. Training anecdotes abound in which the family dog wages a war each morning when the owner attempts to make the bed. One woman confessed that the face-off concluded each morning when she turned on the vacuum cleaner and aimed it at the dog.

There's got to be a better way, and that way is to never let your dog in bed in the first place. If you must, save it for the rare Sunday morning when it's understood to be a special treat.

Above all, if your dog nips at you when claiming possession of the bed, call a trainer immediately. You need professional help.

 

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