Dogs are known for their loyalty and affection towards their human companions, but sometimes their playful and curious nature can lead to unexpected behavior. One common problem that many dog owners face is when their dog tears up bed. This can be frustrating and costly to repair, but it’s important to remember that it’s a natural behavior for dogs and there are steps that can be taken to prevent it from happening again. In this article, we will explore the reasons why dogs may tear up their bed, and offer some tips on how to prevent and address this behavior.
Why Do Dogs Tear Up Their Beds?
Dogs tear up their beds for many reasons:
- Bored
- Aggression (barrier aggression)
- Separation Anxiety
- Hungry
- Hyper
What to Do When Dog Tears Up Bed
What you care about the most right now is how to stop your dog from tearing up the bed. The amount of money you’re spending on a new dog bed all the time could have paid for a new car. That’s why the following tips will help you stop your dog from tearing up the bed.
Take It Away
If your pup has separation anxiety, don’t let your dog have his bed when you are away. Simply put the dog bed in another room while you’re gone. Only bring it out when you’re home so you can keep tabs on any destructive chewing.
You may also want to try putting up a gate away from the dog bed. A baby gate works well. Just make sure it’s secure and tall enough.
Read More: How to Stop Dog from Jumping Baby Gate
Provide Chew Toys
Some dogs tear up a bed when they don’t have anything else to chew on, which is why it’s important to have a lot of chew toys around for your pup to play with when you’re away. This is especially true if you’re going to be away for long periods.
Puppies who are cutting new teeth may be suffering from gum pain. Chewing and tearing up the bed can help soothe the gums. Provide appropriate items when your puppy has new teeth coming in. Since teething only happens for a short period, you’ll be happy to know that your dog’s chewing isn’t something you’ll have to deal with for a long time.
Provide Mental Stimulation
In addition to chew toys, be sure to have other types of toys, such as puzzle toys. Puzzle toys provide mental stimulation, which can keep bored dogs from tearing up the bed or any other destructive behavior.
Learn More:
Stuffed Dog Toys for Aggressive Chewers
Spray the Bed
Spray the bed with a product like bitter apple spray to make it taste bad. When your pup tries to engage in destructive chewing, the taste of the bed will make him/her want to do something else and hopefully something less destructive.
Training
Positive reinforcement goes a long way with dog training, but how do you do that with a soft bed?
If your dog tears up bed when you’re home, keep a close eye on your pup to find out when and how he/she tears it up. When you identify the signs, you can distract him/her when you think it’s about to happen again. When it doesn’t happen, praise and give your dog a treat. The more you praise for the times your dog doesn’t tear up the bed, the less he/she will tear up the bed.
Try Different Textures
It could be that your dog loves or hates the texture of the bed. When you purchase a new bed, pay attention to the texture. Purchase one that is different from previous ones that were tore up, so you can see if the new texture stops the compulsive behavior.
Provide Plenty of Exercise
Puppies, young dogs, adult dogs, and older dogs need exercise. If you’re not able to walk your dog daily, consider getting a dog walker to do it. When your dog gets enough exercise, the destructive behavior may stop.
You may want to consider a weighted dog collar if your dog already gets enough exercise. Read about weighted dog collar benefits to see if it’s a good idea for your dog.
If you’re wondering if your dog gets enough exercise, read How Often Do You Walk Your Dog?
Crate Train
It’s a good idea to take your dog’s bed out of the crate if it is in there. Severe separation anxiety can cause dogs to tear up whatever is available. Place an old towel inside of the crate instead, and don’t forget about providing chew toys and mental stimulation. A chew toy that many dog owners love is the Kong Toy. This stuffed toy is not only a great way to not feel bored, but it can be a great snack.
Reduce Anxiety with CBD
Pups with severe separation anxiety may benefit from CBD oil. CBD for dogs is a safe and effective treatment for anxiety and also improved overall health. You can learn more about CBD for dogs with anxiety by reading:
How Much CBD for Dog with Anxiety
Chew Proof Dog Beds
Another way to stop dogs from tearing up their bed is to buy a tear resistant dog bed, chew proof dog bed, or indestructible dog bed. You can use any of those terms to look ones up. K9 Ballistics has some good reviews for their tear-resistant dog beds, but if you’re looking for an easier way to buy them, you can always go on Amazon.
K9 Ballistics Tough Rectangle Pillow
What to Keep in Mind When Dog Tears Up Bed
Your dog isn’t doing it to make you upset. Your dog doesn’t know what to do and it seems as though the bed is a logical item to chew.
Training your dog to perform its ancestral instinct on something more appropriate is the best approach to stop the behavior. Appropriate items such as stuffed toys and chew toys can help with your dog’s chewing behaviors.
Have patience with your pup. Try different things to see if you can stop them from happening until you’re successful. You will be successful.
