Does your dog dash under your bed during a thunderstorm? Does he hide under a kitchen chair when you have a group of guests over? Our pets love den-like spaces, and their beds should reflect their desire to have a safe place to rest and feel protected. Here’s what you need to know about why dog beds should resemble dens.

 Why dogs need den-like bed?

According to American Humane: “Dogs are den animals. They need their own sanctuary that is just large enough for them to fit inside and feel secure. They need a ‘home away from home’ where they can go when they are stressed. If you don’t provide your dog a ‘den’ of its own, it may make do with whatever is around — a chair, the narrow place behind the couch, or the wedge of space between the bed and the wall.”

An enclosed dog bed can give your fur child a sense of security that is currently lacking in your home. Have you ever felt the need to hop into bed and throw the covers over your head to escape the world when you’re having a rough day? Your dog has the same urge, and a regular dog bed doesn’t provide the same sense of security that a den-like bed can, when they are feeling stress.

 Why not just crate your dog?

Some people choose to crate train their dogs. However, if your dog doesn’t need to be locked up for safety or potty training, then a dog bed that resembles a den may be a better option. Some dogs will panic when they discover that they are locked up and can’t leave their place.

Modern Dog Magazine says: “Dogs have a natural denning instinct, normally preferring safe, enclosed quarters for their naps. In the wild, a den is a secure place to get some shut-eye without becoming someone else's meal.”

Crates have their place. They are great for helping to potty train puppies and keeping destructive dogs safe when they’re alone. But when you’re home and able to supervise your dog, a crate can feel more like a trap than a secure place to sleep.

Some dogs will feel comfortable using their crate as a den, while others will avoid their crate as much as possible. If your dog avoids their crate when you’re home, they may prefer a dog bed that is designed like a den to help them feel secure when they are feeling anxious.

 What is a den, and how can a dog bed resemble a den?

According to Cuteness: “Dogs enjoy the comfort of a den, which is an enclosed, personal space just big enough for a single dog. He has room to stand up and stretch or lie down, and when he feels frightened or stressed, he can go there to feel safe.”

A dog bed that is enclosed on at least three sides with a roof just high enough for your dog to stand up will best resemble a den and help your dog feel comfortable and relaxed better than any other type of pet bed.

Is bigger always better? Not necessarily. The larger the den, the less secure a dog will feel. Being able to feel cocooned in and having a sense of exactly where the wall boundaries are will help them feel more relaxed.

 What types of situations can make a dog prefer a dog bed that’s enclosed?

There are a lot of reasons a dog might choose to seek shelter in an enclosed pet bed:

-Fear or anxiety

-Thunderstorms

-Fighting amongst the people or other pets in the home

-Loud noises

-Abuse in a previous home

-Needing to feel safe

-Tension in the home

-Warmth

-Comfort

-Shelter

A final thought about pet beds

We all have a safe space where we like to go when feeling stressed and anxious. The same should be the case for your dog. Other than you lap, your furry friend craves a safe space away from the chaos that a home sometimes can have. Attending to their emotional needs and natural behavior should be a top priority in order to improve their quality of life. To find a selection of den-beds, you can go to shop den beds.