We are asked : Where should my dog's bed ideally go? Which room is good for the dog's bed and where exactly in that room is best?
Dogs should sleep in a place that is comfortable for them - somewhere warm and cosy and well ventilated - but exactly where your dog sleeps will likely be an agreement between your needs and theirs.
Here below we look at the best rooms and places in the home to position your dog's bed. And answer some frequently asked questions. To help you work out the best place for your dog to get a good night's sleep : and to ensure they have somewhere nice to hang out and relax during the day.
A comfy dog bed away from heavy footfall:
Some dogs seek solitude but most would ideally sleep wherever you are. Basically at your feet. But invariably exactly where your dog sleeps will depend on your personal preference as well as their needs and requirements. How things work in your house and household will influence where your dog sleeps, where they spend the night and day.
Some dogs are out most of the day, some stay in. Some people like to keep their dogs out of their bedrooms, some dogs are kept downstairs. Whatever your situation - and despite the fact dogs are expert sleepers with an ability to fall asleep at a moments notice - it is worth checking their bed is placed is the best position possible. This is to ensure maximum happiness all round. Not only so everyone gets a good night's sleep but also so your dog has somewhere comfy to relax and chill during the day if they want.
There are some key things to consider when placing your dog's bed. In essence, choose a place in the heart of the home where they can comfortably settle. In other words, a dog's bed should be in a quiet spot in a busy area, a place they can retreat to away from human traffic. They like a dog bed in view of everything should they open an eyelid, but a bit protected against a wall, or large piece of furniture, or in a corner, and out of draughts.
Dogs do like options. As well as a comfy spot in a busy place during the day, in the evening or at night they may prefer a quiet part of the house and take themselves off to bed.
Dogs should sleep in a place that is comfortable for them, but where your dog sleeps will likely be a middle ground between you and your dog. Watch them, see what they like, including when and where they like to settle. They won't require a bed in every room, just in their favourite spot or spots around the home. Make sure they can stretch out, feel secure and sleep deeply.
The best type of bed for a dog to sleep on is something that echoes their shape when lying flat, with a chunky bolster to lean up against and give support. The size of the dog bed shouldn't be too tight for them, and the shape of the dog bed should allow and support all different types of sleep positions and styles. When it comes to choosing the right dog bed, it is sensible to also consider durability, how things are constructed and from what materials, and how easy it is to keep clean and healthy. And if it looks nice, with cosy covers that can be easily cleaned and give a good sleep surface that you can both cuddle up on.
In terms of rooms within the household, most dogs have a bed in the kitchen. They like being at the centre of the home where people congregate with consequent noise and activity. The kitchen is where the fridge and food prep is, and usually their water bowl. It is not surprising that dogs typically like to hang out in the kitchen and so like a bed there. A dog bed in the kitchen has the advantage of being close to the back door and garden, as well as the fridge. Some dogs spend the night in the kitchen.
Dogs need to be able to retreat to a quieter space if they want. They like to see and be part of the action, but also like the ability to withdraw, sit and observe. So in terms of positioning a dog bed in the kitchen, the dog's bed should be in a corner or against a wall, not in the middle of a path way where people will trip and things will get disturbed and in a tangle. A dog's bed should be placed out of the way and away from foot traffic.
The sitting room is another useful place to have a dog bed. At the end of the day after dinner or at the weekend we relax and watch a film or listen to music in the sitting room. A lot the action takes place on the sofa but that can get a bit of a squeeze, so we have a dog bed in this space adjacent to the sofa. This way the dog bed sort of becomes an extension of the sofa, it can be used as a foot rest.
Lovely though it is, no one gets a fantastic night's sleep if there are people and dogs sleeping in and sharing a bed. So if your dog is allowed upstairs then it is a good idea to consider getting a dog bed and putting the dog bed adjacent to your bed. Basically, at your feet, at the end of your bed to one side, and when they wake they can see you and they will be the first thing you see when you awake.
FAQ's
How about you? Where exactly do your dogs sleep and what do they sleep on?
We have two dogs and they are free to roam the house, although we tend to keep to the kitchen area during the day, with access to the back garden. So we have several denim dog beds in this space. The dogs can muck around on their denim dog beds, eat their bones on top of an old towel on them. Our kitchen is in the basement. We go upstairs in the evenings and at weekends to the sitting room and listen to music where we have a sofa and a large size dog bed for any overflow. And then on up to the bedrooms at night where we have a Stuff It Yourself dog bed at the end of the bed.
Do I need a dog bed in every room?
No you don't need a dog bed in every room in the house. Your dog should have their own spot to settle down in the space or spaces that are most commonly used in your home, including a suitable spot for them to get a good night's sleep.
Which is the best spot in the house for a dog's bed?
Probably in the busiest room so they can be part of the action. But place their bed away from foot traffic and against a wall. So somewhere in the kitchen most likely.
Does my dog need a dog bed in my bedroom?
It is up to you. Both you and your dog need good night's sleep and so you might encourage them to sleep off your bed. Many people place a dog bed in the bed room, adjacent to the bed. Sometimes dogs are not allowed upstairs or in bedrooms.
Should the dog's bed be in the kitchen, sitting room or bedroom?
If your dog is going to be spending time in these rooms then they will probably need a space in each room to settle down. If they spend the majority of their time in one room then that is where their bed should be.
What is the best type of bed to get?
A dog bed that's the right size in a shape that enables all their different sleep positions, giving support in all the right places. A dog bed that can be easily cleaned and washed and durable, maintaining it's looks and comfort levels over time.
What's the best dog bed for the kitchen?
A dog bed that's comfy, supports a range of different sleep positions, is easy to clean, hard-wearing and durable, like a denim dog bed.
What's the best dog bed to get for the bedroom?
A dog bed that's super comfy, enables and supports a variety of different sleep positions, and has a good sleep surface, like a gold velvet dog bed. Or maybe consider a Stuff It Yourself dog bed.
Can I get a dog bed that will blend well with my home decor?
We put denim dog beds in the kitchen, we like the durability and tough workwear appeal. In the bedroom we have a Stuff It Yourself dog bed at the end of the bed. And we’ve gone matchy matchy in the sitting room, a green dog bed because we’ve got green walls. Matching the style and colour of your dog bed to your home, sofa or bedroom can even be exact : we can make a dog bed for you with your own fabric.