Main Reasons Why Dogs Sleep On the Floor
His Bed’s in the Wrong Spot
Dogs have strong instincts and in the recesses of their minds they are always thinking about safety, finding food and other necessities. He might want to be near the door or at the top of the stairs to keep lookout during the night.
He also may want to have a better view of you to make sure you’re alright. You could try moving the bed closer to you if it’s not near your bed. Alternatively, you can move the bed near the door if it’s already by the bed.
The Bed is Too Hot or Cold
I love and live with fluffy dogs, so I always figure that my pups are too hot when they don’t want to be in their beds. They know the floor is nice and cold. One of my Akitas liked to sleep in the cold porcelain bathtub. Tile floors also feel good to hot pooches. You can buy a cooling bed if your fur baby is panting year-round. Another fluffy dog favourite is laying next to the air conditioning vent and enjoying the cool air.
Short-haired pups may be cold in a regular dog bed. Blankets or a heated bed will keep them toasty all night (and during the day if he wants). Dogs with less fur love warm air coming out of heating vents. My cat has a touch-activated heated bed and spends most of her time on it.
Your Dog May Not Be Feeling Well
If your dog sleeps in her bed every night and doesn’t go in it one night, she may not feel well. Check if she’s drinking, eating, looking sad, tired, panting more than usual or doesn’t seem like herself for any reason. If so, she may need to see the vet.
She’s in the Habit of Not Sleeping in Her Bed
Maybe one day Fifi decided the floor was cool and she didn’t want to be in her hot bed. The next day she slept on the floor again. Once dogs start a new habit, they sometimes stick to it–as we do.
The Bed is The Wrong Size
You want the bed to be bigger than your pup so she has enough space to roll over, stretch her legs and do anything else she wants to do. It’s annoying if every time she moves, she falls half out of bed. Although, some pups like to curl up in a little ball and don’t want lots of space. It’s important to observe your furry baby so you know which kind of bed will suit their sleeping habits.
Not Comfortable
When choosing a dog bed, consider your dog’s size, the thickness of her fur, her sleeping positions, her personality and her age. It’s imperative to find a bed that matches your pup’s sleeping preferences. More about bed shopping later.
He’s Never Slept On A Bed
If you adopted your dog and he looks confused when you try to get him into his bed, he may have never had one. All you can do is make it comfy, and if he becomes curious he’ll sniff it and maybe try it out. You could also leave a treat in the bed and praise him when he climbs into it.
Guard Dog Training
Bigger, stronger breeds who are sometimes trained not to sleep in a bed because they are guarding the pack include Akitas, Bullmastiffs, Chesapeake Bay Retrievers, Estrela Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, Giant Schnauzers, Pulis and Rottweilers.
Protective Dogs Want to Feel Vibrations in the Floor
Dogs who take their protection duties very seriously know that they can feel vibrations better if they are on the floor. They want to know if someone is moving in the house or heading to the bedroom.
The Bed is Worn Out
Heavier dogs wear out their beds sooner that lighter ones, rendering the beds unable to support their joints. If you have a big pupper and she loses interest in her bed, it may be because it’s not giving her the support she needs.
Encouraging Your Dog to Sleep on Their Own Bed
One of the ways to address a dog sitting on you or sleeping on the floor is to encourage them to use their own bed. Here are some tips to help your furry friend make the transition:
- Place the bed in a comfortable and cosy location: Choose a spot in your home that is quiet and away from foot traffic. This will help your dog feel safe and secure when sleeping.
- Make the bed appealing: Add a cosy blanket or pillow to the bed to make it more appealing to your dog. You can also sprinkle some treats on the bed to encourage your dog to check it out.
- Encourage usage with positive reinforcement: Whenever you see your dog sleeping on their bed, reward them with treats or praise. This will reinforce the positive behaviour and make them more likely to use their bed in the future.
- Gradually phase out the floor: If your dog is used to sleeping on the floor, it may take time to transition them to sleeping on their own bed. Start by offering a treat or praise when they spend time on their bed, and gradually reduce the amount of time they spend sleeping on the floor.
- Be patient: Changing a dog’s behaviour takes time and patience. Don’t get discouraged if it takes a while for your furry friend to fully adjust to sleeping on their own bed. Keep reinforcing positive behaviour and be consistent with your training.
By following these tips and being consistent, you can help your dog develop healthy sleeping habits and get a good night’s rest on their own bed.
Which Type of Bed is Best For Your Fur Kid?
There are hundreds of dog beds to choose from. How do you know which is best for your baby? Some types of beds you can choose from are cave/tent beds, mattress beds without sides, orthopaedic beds, doughnut beds and elevated beds. You also have to determine which material is best for Fido.
Cave/tent beds are perfect for dogs who are nervous or want privacy.
Mattress pad beds are rectangular without sides, allowing your pup to sprawl out in any direction.
Orthopaedic beds have memory foam and are designed to help senior dogs with arthritis and joint pain.
Round and soft doughnut beds are made for pooches who enjoy curling up into a ball when they slumber. Dogs who like to chew might want to rip up a bed made of soft materials.
Elevated beds are cool because they are off the floor. They are simply metal and canvas (or a similar woven fabric). They are perfect for destructive chewers because they can’t destroy them by shredding them with their teeth.
Conclusion
Dogs have personal sleeping preferences as we do. Sleeping on the floor is fine unless your dog is older and suffering from arthritis and joint issues. In that case, an orthopaedic bed would provide support.
When you choose a bed, consider your pup’s sleeping positions, fur thickness, size and personality.
Your doggy may prefer the floor if he’s hot, a serious guard dog, doesn’t like something about the bed, isn’t feeling well, doesn’t like where the bed is located or has never had a bed.
