Beds can also be incorporated into training. Counterconditioning is often used to deal with any number of bad habits that your dog may develop, such as nuisance barking. The idea is to train your dog when he's barking unnecessarily to do something that is incompatible with his barking, such as training him to go to his bed. Once there, you then reward him with praise or a treat.
Special orthopedic beds can be especially beneficial to older dogs, larger dogs, those with arthritis, hip dysplasia, or other bone or joint problems, as well as dogs recovering from illness or surgery. These beds will provide your dog with necessary support while helping to relieve pain and discomfort.
Many beds on the market today contain cedar chips in the filling. Cedar can help with odor control, but it also helps with flea prevention. A cedar bed will actually help to prevent flea infestations of your dog because the cedar acts as a natural flea repellent. In addition, most beds today have removable outer liners for easy laundering. Be sure to place your dog's bed out of high traffic areas, somewhere that will make for a good resting spot. You may want to place the bed somewhere that you spend a lot of time, such as beside the couch. Many people choose to put the bed in their dog's crate once their dog has been housetrained. If you have an older or ill pet or one with bone or joint problems, be sure to keep the bed away from cold areas and drafts.
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