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As most pet parents already know, there is nothing that is truly "chew proof" when it comes to our pups. Chewing is a common problem with animals and it can drive you insane. The reason that dogs chew is usually one of these three things.
1. Separation anxiety
2. Under stimulation
3. Puppy curiosity
With that being said, this blog is going to cover what to look for when selecting a quality bed that is "chew resistant" as well as provides some tips for dealing with the root cause. It is important to note that purchasing a tough dog bed is only addressing the symptom of the issue and not the root cause. However, it can be an important part of the solution.
Some dogs do not chew or bite anything and are perfect little angels, but many people just like me have little fur babies that enjoy a good dog bed massacre. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a 100% chew proof dog bed out there. However, if you are wondering to yourself "why does my dog chew everything", don't worry we are here to shed some light on the subject and provide some real-world solutions.
A bed may help slow down the process but there are always underlying reasons that can be fully addressed by the dog owners and can be fixed when dealing with a chewer. A tough dog bed can be part of the solution, but it is not the end-all solution on its own. You must address the underlying root cause.
The three main reasons why a dog may chew up their dog bed include that they are a curious puppy that is teething and exploring, they are bored and understimulated, or they are suffering from some sort of anxiety (often separation anxiety). If you think you have a vindictive pup who just has it in for you, it is more likely than not one of the above root causes instead.
Luckily there are ways to help each of these three cases that can allow your dog to not chew up their bed.
Teething is a natural thing and happens when a puppies gums start needing the relief which is why they start chewing. The problem with this is they sometimes don't know what is and is not allowed to be gnawed on. These can be times where you end up losing shoes, socks, and even furniture to these curious little pups. A lot of times one of the household casualties is the dog's bed.
A chew resistant bed can help in this situation but if the chewing habits are not addressed you may have a more serious issue down the road. It is a good idea to teach your dog the wrongs from the rights when talking about chewing. If they chew something they are not supposed to it is important to correct them while in the act. Correct the behavior and redirect them to an appropriate thing to chew such as a chew toy for dogs.
If they are chewing something they are supposed to, give them praise and a treat to show them this is ok to chew on. Remember that re-enforcing positive behavior is more important than correcting negative behavior. You may have some issues with chewing at the beginning but they will quickly learn what is acceptable and what is not.
The great thing about chew resistant beds at this stage is that they are heavy duty and puppies can have a hard time getting through the material unless they are a large breed that has the strength already. This is not a hard and fast rule because some small dogs can make you think a t-rex came through the living room, but generally, puppies do not have the bite strength of mature dogs.
Many times when we see a dog that has torn up their bed we also see patterns of boredom. This does not mean you are not providing enough toys for your dog but rather that the dogs may just need a little extra attention. When dogs get bored they look for other things to take up their attention and this can include destructive behavior like chewing. Dogs that destroy due to boredom are actually easier to help than one might think. One of the top solutions to help a dog in this situation is actually to exercise them throughout the day. By going on a run or walk through the neighborhood your dog will use up some of the pent up energy that they would have normally taken out on the bed. Another idea is to get your dog an interactive toy, these could be anything from a puzzle treat ball to a Kong. by keeping your dog busy there is less chance that they will destroy anything and by doing both your dog should be happy just relaxing with the toy.
One of the leading causes of destructive behavior is anxiety and in particular separation anxiety in dogs. This is often seen when the owners leave the dog at home for hours or even minutes depending on the severity. This separation anxiety is often the fear of the owner not coming back or the owner is in trouble without them by their side.
This can either be a thought the dog has from birth or it can be instilled in their mind through past experiences. As a kid, my family had a dog that we adopted who had been abandoned on the highway. This experience left our dog fearful whenever we left the house and every time we got into a car with her. This is just one of the many ways dogs can experience anxiety and one of the behaviors they can exhibit when they are experiencing this is to chew up something to keep them occupied.
Some of the signs to look for in a dog who may have separation anxiety include:
Luckily there are ways to help a dog experiencing separation anxiety and this may be something you get your veterinarians to help with. The most effective method to treat separation anxiety is to reassure them that it is ok when you leave. This can be a bit complicated and may require assistance from your veterinarian or a professional dog trainer but is completely possible by yourself as well. This will take time however so there are things you can do right away to try and help.
A chew resistant dog bed can help make sure they aren't destroying it while they are being trained. Along with this, you should place an old shirt or blanket with your scent on it with the dog while they are in bed to help them feel your presence even if you are not there.
Some of the more revolutionary ways to help anxiety are also an effective tool made specifically to help these dogs. Anxiety blankets are a weighted blanket that simulates a hug and is a great option to help a dog dealing with anxiety. Make sure if you do go this route that the blanket is non-toxic as there is obviously a good chance it will be chewed on.
CBD is also a new substance derived from the hemp plant that works with the body's systems to cause a calming effect through chemical reactions in the brain. Both of these methods can help out in your fight against your pup's anxiety.
Though each of these methods is effective, though, a chew resistant dog bed is still a strong option to help your furry friend. There are things to be considered when selecting the best dog beds to make sure your dog is getting what they need.
The first thing to look for on chew resistant dog beds is the fabric used on the outside, the top choice for this is Titan Ballistic fabric. Some companies use ripstop fabric on their beds. This fabric does make it difficult to destroy a whole bed as it "stops rips" from getting worse. However, Titan ballistic fabric will resist that initial rip a lot more unlikely to happen.
Titan beds are meant to be incredibly tough pet beds due to the ability to stop penetration and aggressive actions. It is also important nowadays to look for water-resistant or waterproof dog bed covers that are machine washable. This will ensure your dog bed stays clean longer, is easy to clean, and keeps the bed fresh and healthy for Fido.
ZIPPERS & SEAMS
The enclosure mechanism for the bed is incredibly important as well. Dogs are smart and zippers and seams are the most commonly attacked breach points. Titan beds feature hard to get to hidden enclosures on the bottom. Also featuring the Gauntlet™ enclosure system, Titan beds have a zipper protected by a velcro flap. This makes it incredibly difficult to get to the weakest part of the beds.
Next is how supportive the bed is for the dog, orthopedic memory foam is by far the best option for a dogs health. Memory foam is in every human mattress these days and it is not just for "old people". Much in the same way that memory foam dog beds are not only for older dogs. Memory foam is the most supportive and durable thing a dog can sleep on so that is our recommendation. Dogs experience strain on their joints from conventional dog beds and this can lead to problems like arthritis and hip dysplasia. Orthopedic memory foam is made to relieve the pressure points where normal dog beds don't allow this. Orthopedic dog beds lead to better joint recovery and blood flow for the dogs.
BuddyRest carries some of the best chew resistant dog beds on the market that checks every box of a stellar dog bed. These beds are made with1680 denier rated Ballistic Nylon and True Cool Memory foam which are both amazing state of the art products on their own. The ballistic material helps keep the dog beds tough while the foam keeps them comfortable and cool, unlike most orthopedic memory foam dog beds. There is also a nice selection of beds from flatbeds, to crate pads, to bolster beds that are all made with this ballistic nylon and memory foam. Check out the full line of chew resistant dog beds here! These beds even come with a Titan Tough guarantee on the cover.
I hope this has helped you understand why do dogs like to chew up their beds, an hopefully, some ways to help them. It is important to know that there is no such thing as a chew proof bed but a chew resistant bed plus some training can make any pooch cause less destruction. If you found this article helpful please share it so others can get this great information to help their dogs.
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