How a Pillow-Top Dog Bed Can Fix a Pup’s Bad Sleeping Habits
Puppies are full of energy, which is often cute and endearing, but it can be a nightmare when it comes time for them to go to bed. When it struggles to adapt to its new environment, your puppy may share its restless nights and disrupted sleep schedules with you.
One of the best ways to get your dog into a better sleep routine is by supplying them with the right bed and encouraging a regular sleep schedule. Boulderbarks is here to explain how a good pillow-top bed can fix a pup’s bad sleeping habits. When you offer your puppy a bed that combines comfort, support, and security, you can help guide them toward a more regular sleep routine that helps them grow.
Understanding Your Puppy’s Sleep Requirements
Puppies require a lot more sleep than adult dogs and may require 18 to 20 hours of sleep per day. This extensive sleep schedule supports rapid brain development, muscle growth, and immune system strengthening. Young dogs cycle through different sleep stages just like humans, including deep REM sleep where dreams occur and memories form.
Your pup’s sleep needs will change as they grow, with young puppies mostly waking up just to eat, play for a bit, and relieve themselves. As your dog starts to mature, it will remain awake for longer periods throughout the day.
Common Sleep Problems in Puppies
Many puppies experience sleep difficulties that manifest in various ways. Some puppies become restless and pace around their sleeping area because they can’t settle on a comfortable position. Others may wake up throughout the night and let out calls of distress like whining or barking.
Anxiety often contributes to poor sleep quality in young dogs. Puppies, especially young ones dealing with separation anxiety, may feel extra lonely and insecure without their littermates, which makes it hard for them to relax.
Another common concern is temperature regulation. Younger dogs can’t fully control their body temperature as well, so certain beds or rooms may seem too hot or cold for them.
How Pillow-Top Beds Support Better Sleep
Pillow-top dog beds feature a unique construction that combines a supportive base with an additional layer of soft, plush material on top. This design creates a sleeping surface that contours to your puppy’s body, giving them additional comfort.
The extra cushioning layer provides pressure point relief, preventing soreness in joints and muscles that could cause nighttime discomfort. This becomes especially important for larger breed puppies whose rapid growth can stress developing bones and joints. The elevated design of most pillow-top beds also promotes better air circulation around your puppy’s body, helping them maintain an optimal sleeping temperature throughout the night.
Proper Spinal Alignment for Growing Pups
Poor sleeping surfaces can force young dogs’ spines into unnatural positions, potentially causing discomfort and contributing to future orthopedic problems. Pillow-top beds help you alleviate these issues with a blend of softness and support.
The firm base layer maintains proper spinal alignment, while the cushioned top layer reduces pressure on bony prominences like hips and shoulders. Much like with joint relief, this can benefit larger breed puppies and lessen the risk of potential issues later in life. Providing proper support during the crucial growth phase can help prevent future issues and ensure your dog maintains good mobility throughout their adult years.
Size and Placement Considerations
Selecting the right size pillow-top bed for your puppy requires careful consideration of their current size and expected adult weight. The bed should be large enough for your pup to stretch out comfortably but not so large that they lose the sense of security that comes from defined boundaries.
Placement can impact the effectiveness of your dog’s bed. Try to place it in an area that’s quiet and away from high-traffic zones but still close enough to family activities so that your dog doesn’t feel isolated. A good location can reduce anxiety while minimizing sleep disruptions from household noise.
Avoid placing beds in drafty areas, near heating vents, or in direct sunlight where temperature fluctuations could interfere with comfortable sleep.
Material Quality and Safety Features
Materials play a big part in how a pillow-top dog bed can fix a pup’s bad sleeping habits. Look for beds that use certified, non-toxic materials that won’t harm your dog. We don’t like resting our heads on hard, scratchy materials, so why would your puppy be any different?
Removable, washable covers make maintenance easier and help maintain a clean, hygienic sleeping surface. Waterproof or water-resistant barriers protect the inner cushioning from accidents, which are common during the house-training phase.
You can add a little extra sense of comfort to your puppy’s bed by placing some anti-slip bottoms beneath it. This is especially helpful on smooth flooring and ensures that the bed won’t slide around and startle your puppy as they go to lie down or stand up.
Creating a Sense of Security and Comfort
While the quality of the bed is important, providing your puppy with a sense of comfort and security is equally important. Good pillow-top beds mimic the natural nesting behaviors that puppies get from sleeping around their mother and siblings to create a well-defined sleeping area.
The raised edges found on many pillow-top beds create a psychological boundary that helps anxious puppies feel at ease. This design element can significantly reduce nighttime restlessness and help your pup settle into sleep more quickly.
The soft, plush surface of pillow-top bedding also provides tactile comfort that can soothe nervous puppies. Many dogs knead or circle their beds before lying down, and the responsive cushioning of pillow-top materials satisfies this instinctual behavior.
Training Your Puppy To Use Their New Bed
Introducing a pillow-top bed requires patience and positive reinforcement. Start by placing the bed in your puppy’s preferred sleeping area and encouraging them to explore it during daytime hours.
You can use treats and praise to help them create positive associations with using the bed. You can provide special meals to eat near the bed or special toys that they receive when resting in their designated sleep space.
Consistency plays a crucial role in establishing new sleep routines. Gently redirect your puppy to their bed whenever you find them sleeping in inappropriate locations, and always reward them for choosing to rest in the correct spot.
If you’re looking for premium pillow beds for dogs, check out the wide selection at Boulderbarks. We design all our beds and create them right here in the heart of Colorado with your pet’s well-being in mind. Give your puppy the gift of better sleep and find the perfect bed for their needs on our online catalog.
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