Tough Dog Beds
Any owner of a power-chewing dog will agree with us when we admit (reluctantly) that really there are no truly indestructible or chew-proof beds. Finding the right dog bed for a destructive dog can become a very expensive and frustrating endeavor, but there are a lot of good options out there!
Even if you give your dog all the love, attention, and exercise he needs each day, some dogs just can’t help themselves. Maybe it’s a nervous habit stemming from anxiety or just a strong impulse to chew and destroy anything with stuffing in it. And some dogs chew their beds because they are uncomfortable!
Addressing Destructive Behavior
First off, be sure your dog does not have anything going on that may be causing the chewing behavior that can’t be chalked up to boredom, lack of exercise, enthusiasm for chewing, or anxiety. If your pup has a clean bill of health and just a tough mouth, make sure he’s getting enough exercise, play time and time with you.
A dog’s life revolves around his owner and separation anxiety in dogs is much more common than you may think. Don’t leave him alone for hours and expect him to not find a way to cope.
One of our veterinarians told us that chew-happy dogs may continue to destroy beds because there’s some gratification in the process. In the wild, packs of wolves often lay around chewing on the bones and playing tug-of-war with leftover pieces of whatever the weekend’s big meal was.
The proud look on my dog’s face when she has successfully disemboweled a toy, bed, or whatever it was she got hold of- it’s both pride, but also nervousness because she knows it’ll get her in trouble. Yet she still does it over and over. Once we started taking her bed away when we were gone and found one that she couldn’t destroy within a week, she eventually gave up, and just focused more on her toys. She still occasionally finds an edge or something and tentatively hazards a chew, but it’s easy to discourage her. One of our testers who is a foster puppy mom insists that starting young dogs off with a sturdy bed discourages the behavior from the very beginning.
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Our Favorite tough dog beds
What to Look For In Dog Beds:
Consider your dog's needs. Will he be sleeping all night on this bed or just napping on it when he's not sleeping in your bed? Do you have an older dog with sore joints who needs extra support? How often will you need to wash it?
- For older dogs or those over 30 lbs, we’re looking for a thicker pad, minimum 4 inches and ideally made of good quality foam and not cheap eggshell or other types that go flat. We want to keep our pups off a hard and/or cold floor. Thicker pads cost more but are worth every penny if you have an arthritic dog.
- We want an outer cover that can be removed or washed easily, ideally waterproof in case of accidents or just to stand up to the daily sweat and saliva most dogs generate.
- Minimal decoration such as piping, raised or decorative edges, or exposed zippers. Basically, nothing that a dog’s claws can snag or that will tempt him to start working with his teeth. Your dog won’t notice if it’s a plain bed.
- Does it have a good warranty? Most dog beds have no warranty and all you have to go off of is Amazon’s 30-day return policy.
