Bedding

For the main sleeping period (our bedtime) baskets are preferable to blankets or an old carpet or a rug or a duvet or anything else that does not have vertical support. In fact,for shorter naps our pet will happily just lay on the floor/ground and may not even curl up. But for longer periods of sleep he will curl up and a basket will help him feel more comfortable and secure. Why is this? It is simply instinctive behavior from their wild ancestry. As most of us know,dogs are descended from wolves,and those of us who have watched nature programs on wolf or wild dog behavior will know that before lying down for a nap they will create a hollow that they can curl up in. This hollow may be in grass or underbrush or in dirt. If just grass or underbrush the wolf will just walk in circles tramping it down;in dirt they will dig a hollow. Domestic dogs retain this behavior,even when they are just going to lay on the floor.

The type and shape of basket doesn’t really matter. A square box with some padding will work just as well as an expensive shop bought soft basket. The important thing is to get the size right. It must fit your dog. It can be too big as you can always add padding to get the correct size,but you can’t compensate for it being too small. If,like in the picture above,he doesn’t fit completely in the basket,then it is too small. It should be possible for the dogs to drape a paw or both paws or their head outside the basket,but not impossible to get everything inside.

Compare the picture above with the previous one and you will immediately see the difference. The Labrador will be able to curl up completely secure inside his basket,but the other dog has obviously outgrown the bed,not only has he got one paw and an ear outside,but the side of the basket is pressing into his eye. This could cause sight problems if allowed to continue for too long.

What I find best is to use a box and bedding to start with,until he has stopped growing,unless you can afford to buy new baskets as he outgrows them. Boxes are cheap and they “give”allowing them to fit your dogs sleeping form. Once your dog has stopped growing use the current box as a “template”to help choose the correct size of basket. Of course,if you have a good idea of the size he will grow to (most pure breeds grow to a specific size whereas with mongrels it is not so obvious even if you know what breeds he is a mix of) you could always get a basket to fit him once he is that size,add enough padding to suit his current size and simply reduce the amount of padding as he grows.

Although baskets made of wicker,plastic and other hard materials are okay,they don’t have any “give”,so make sure you have room to add blankets or other padding. My favorite is the dog cushion.

This is ideal as it adjusts to the dog’s size (as long as it is big enough to start with). Your dog can go through the circling routine and make a hollow of whatever size he feels is right,or he can just plonk himself down for a nap,all in complete comfort.