Bunk Beds for Dogs

Many people consider their pets to be part of the family, and making a dog sleep on the floor becomes an unbearable thought. One dog sleeping in bed with his owners seems doable, but more than that makes sleeping uncomfortable for everyone. Just as children need their own beds, so do pets. Doggie bunk beds offer the perfect solution for more than one dog, so everyone gets a good night sleep.

  1. Structure

    • Dog bed frames made of wood, plastic or metal should be large enough for your dog to stretch out comfortably. Steps to second and third levels need to be sturdy and of a size that allows your dog to climb them without falling or slipping off. Dog bunk bed frames are available for purchase online and at some pet stores. As dogs are all different in size, weight, health and agility, a do-it-yourselfer is able to custom build a bunk bed to suit specific needs for his pets.

    Mattress

    • Purchasing a dog bed mattress requires careful consideration when it comes to the health of your dogs. Young, healthy dogs do well with standard foam or cotton stuffed bedding, while older arthritic dogs require more support. Heated orthopedic dog mattresses help reduce pain and stiffness in joints, making waking up a more pleasurable experience for your special needs dog. Memory foam and gel-filled dog bed mattresses reduce pressure on joints and bones. Make sure the inner substance is nontoxic. The outer material of the mattress should be durable, washable and, if needed, waterproof.

    Location

    • Where you place your dog bunk beds depends on several factors, such as available space and where your pets prefer to be. If your dogs are used to sleeping with you, placing their new bed in your bedroom makes the most sense. Most dogs have a favorite place in the house to sleep---a space they claim as their own. A new bed, especially a bunk bed, requires some getting used to for many dogs. Be patient and consistent when training your dogs to sleep in their new bed.

    Training

    • The habit of sleeping with the master is tough to break. Dogs find new things intimidating, and they often shy away from the bunk bed structure. Set up the bunk bed in its intended location, allowing your dogs to sniff it and get used to it being there. Lay the mattresses from the bunk beds on the floor in the room people frequent most often, such as the living room. Let the dogs get used to lying on the mattresses during the day. Take the mattresses into the bedroom with you at night, and work on getting the dogs to sleep on the mattress located on the floor by your bed. Once your dogs have claimed the mattresses as their own, they find the need to sleep on their mattress more important than the intimidation they feel from the bunk bed structure.