Toughest Dog Bed

Joined
Apr 4, 2023
Messages
67
I use dog cots. We went through all kinds of dog beds before. The cots work well and the dogs seem happy

Plus you can hose them off.
 

Rob5589

WKR
Joined
Sep 6, 2014
Messages
6,299
Location
N CA
A bored dog will shred just about anything. A dog doesn't really need anything soft to lay on. They're built to lay on whatever surface. You could place the crate on carpet or the like for some insulation if you think it's needed. Generally the plastic crates are pretty thin. We're using a Kong bed now and it's holding up to daily scratching and digging. But it's just a day bed in the living room. In the kennel where he sleeps at night is a basic fabric pad that gets replaced when he stinks it up.
 
Joined
Jan 26, 2017
Messages
3,166
Location
PA
the dogs are not very subtly telling you that they're bored out of their minds. that's the issue to put some resources into solving.
 

akcabin

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Feb 10, 2023
Messages
228
A bored dog will shred just about anything. A dog doesn't really need anything soft to lay on. They're built to lay on whatever surface. You could place the crate on carpet or the like for some insulation if you think it's needed. Generally the plastic crates are pretty thin. We're using a Kong bed now and it's holding up to daily scratching and digging. But it's just a day bed in the living room. In the kennel where he sleeps at night is a basic fabric pad that gets replaced when he stinks it up.

I disagree that a dog doesn't need a pad to lay on. Particularly if it's a working dog.
It's about protecting the hips and other susceptible body parts. Lots of dogs have hip issues. A soft pad helps to protect the hips.
Vet bills and dogs that have health issues as they age cost a lot of money. And I suspect that in the long run a lot less expensive and less heartache watching a dog that hurts but wants to work kinda hurts in itself
 

Watrdawg

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Jul 30, 2019
Messages
284
Location
NC
You run your own dogs or have a pro handle them in the open for you. Hoping to run a qual if time permits this year.
I run my own dogs. Professionally trained but I handle them myself. Mostly run Hunt Tests but have ran Quals and Derbies with them. Tons of fun.
 
Joined
Dec 23, 2021
Messages
19
I use dog cots. We went through all kinds of dog beds before. The cots work well and the dogs seem happy

Plus you can hose them off.
Also had to switch to a dog cot because my old boy tore up every other bed he got. So far it’s been the most durable
 
Joined
Jul 30, 2015
Messages
6,339
Location
Lenexa, KS
If you're trying to insulate them from the floor then put the insulation where they can't get it, under the plastic that they lay on. Could get some of that pink foam board from Home Depot and cut to size and glue to the bottom of the crate.
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
16
I am in the same boat as you, run the heck out of them when you can and go to tractor supply and buy a rubber cattle mat and cut it to fit in the crate. Only thing I have found to work for my gsp and pointers, and relatively cheap
 

Dakota Dude

Lil-Rokslider
Joined
Sep 24, 2019
Messages
162
Location
CO
I had a cot for my GPS for 10 years, She tears up every single other bed. The only reason I don't have a cot anymore is because she's older, and the cot sun rotted.
 
Joined
May 1, 2021
Messages
488
I wonder if one of those yucky tasting sprays would dissuade the chewing? It sure keeps my dog from the digging up houseplants and chewing on the couch, carpet, and rugs. But there's a recognizable odor included as a warning of yuckiness so I'm not sure I'd want it on a bed the dog is supposed to be using.
 

TSAMP

WKR
Joined
Jul 16, 2019
Messages
1,695
Does anybody use straw or wood chips? I'm thinking for in my truckbed inside a topper it might be worth a shot. He's been on plastic for awhile but It's getting pretty cold now.
 
Joined
Dec 1, 2021
Messages
16
I use straw with a few wood chips in the winter, both in my aluminum dog box and the outside dog houses. Wood chips help absorb any moisture, straw keeps them warm.
 

jahaze

FNG
Joined
Oct 22, 2023
Messages
72
I have GSP who destroyed every bed/pillow I bought (even those non-chewable beds). It became a game with me to develop something better. I finally won. I ordered two yards of 1000-denier nylon cloth, wrapped it over his dog bed, and stapled it to a 1" piece of plywood. It's too heavy for him to drag, and he can't rip through the nylon. So far so good after two years! Much cheaper than buying a new bed/pillow every month.


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