Kinds of Bedding to Get a Dog That Chews Up Everything

Dogs are intelligent creatures that are highly motivated to please their owners. When they chew up objects in your house, they do not mean to upset you. Rather, they are acting out of an instinctual drive, out of boredom or out of anxiety. Creating a situation where the dog can succeed in the desired behavior is critical to addressing the issue. A dog̵7;s bed should be its safest haven, and thus the efforts to address a chewing problem begin there.

  1. Types of Bedding

    • Choose chew-resistant bedding items. Cushions are popular dog-bedding choices, and as such there are several chew-resistant options on the market. They are resilient and easily transportable. However, because a dog can grip the edges of a cushion, it is possible for a dedicated chewer to still rip it open. Cots and crates are similar in that they offer few-to-no places for a dog to find a grip to chew. Cots are small, portable and less likely to be demolished by a dog. They can keep a dog cool in hot temperatures, but too cold in cool climates. Crates lack any cushioning of their own, which requires the addition of other bedding. However, crates completely contain the dog and thus can save your other items. The best option is to combine a crate or cot with additional bedding: the dog will be unable to demolish its bed and your furniture will be spared.

    Bedding Materials

    • Make sure the style of bedding is chew-resistant as well. For cushions, you want something comfortable but chew-resistant. For this reason, avoid soft and lightweight fabrics such as cotton or felt, as well as wood and plastics. Heavy-duty nylon is a better choice for chew-resistant items. It is tough, and it resists stains and odors. Kevlar has the same advantages as nylon, but it is even tougher. Unfortunately, Kevlar is comparatively expensive and difficult to find. In terms of durability alone, Kevlar is the better choice, but heavy-duty nylon still makes an excellent, economical alternative. For crates and cots, plastic and metal are the two main options. The plastic used in these products is a type that is unattractive to many dogs -- although a motivated dog can still chew threw it. For the ultimate in durability, try items made of metal: there has yet to be a dog that can chew through aluminum or steel.

    Aides

    • Use additional strategies to limit chewing. Unfortunately, there is no such thing as a fabric that is totally chew-proof. However, you can extend the life of your dog̵7;s bedding with a few simple strategies. The simplest solution is to give your dog something else to chew on, in the form of chew toys such as nylon dog bones. Dog puzzles -- toys that contain food -- can also distract your dog from chewing on its bed, and they provide the mental stimulation that chewing attempts to simulate. Switching between the two will help keep your dog interested in the toy and distracted from chewing its bed.

    Causes

    • Get to the root of the problem. It is not enough to simply select a bedding style and material that you dog will be unable to chew through. If you know the "why" behind the chewing, you may be able to treat it directly. Dogs generally chew excessively for three reasons: youth, boredom and anxiety. The solution for the first two issues is to provide chewing alternatives and plenty of stimulation, including lots of exercise. However, for a dog suffering from severe anxiety, merely getting chew-resistant bedding and toys is not enough. Dogs with severe anxiety need to be treated by a professional behavioral therapist: it is possible that your attempts to curb the chewing will only heighten the dog̵7;s anxiety, aggravating the situation.