Bedding - Page 2

Blitz sleeps on a Coolaroo dog bed. It has a metal frame with a mesh sling that can be replaced as needed. These beds are inexpensive, about $35 for a big one that will accomodate the biggest GSD. I found Blitz's at a discount store on sale for $10.00. He is not a chewer, has never destroyed anything and still has the first toys he was given as a puppy almost 5 years ago - yes, he's perfect LOL. So I'm not sure how chew-proof these beds are, but the only thing they might chew is the sling which can be replaced. I doubt any dog could destroy the metal frame.

For what it is worth, I have had hundreds of dogs here and over the course of the last 10 years in my rescue program. Those that chew are able often to destroy anything, including expensive beds made of things that are metal, indestructible fabrics , the toughest PVC etc. The bottom line is that people are welcome to try whatever they want to try. But each person has to realize that certain dogs absolutely can destroy anything. I have dogs who have chewed through the most expensive chain link. I have other dogs who have chewed off metal legs on beds. It happens. I spent several thousand dollars coming to the conclusion that it is not worth it. I have seen dogs destroy all types of plastic, even the hardest. So, the original poster should do what he/she wants, and if you want to spend big bucks on indestructible beds or whatever, do so. But then do not be surprised if you have trouble. The safe and prudent thing to do is to know your dog. When one has a dog who chews, in my place, they do NOT get any kind of bedding, period. For me, it is too much a risk to loose a dog to some anthropomorphic idea I might have that a dog needs a bed. They do not. As much as we might love them, they are dogs.

I was never able to use dog beds with any of my Malamutes, they destroyed and ate everything - beds, resting benches, dog houses, wire, 6 x 6 fence posts, pea gravel, straw. You name it, they ate it. I was always mixing Metimucil into their food LOL. Both of my GSD's have been really good dogs, never chewed anything, so they earned the priviledge of having nice beds. I used to have a boarding kennel too and never gave any of those dogs beds either. That decision came about after a boarder ate in less than half an hour about 70% of an obscenely expensive, monogrammed LL Bean bed that I had to replace. This was a bassett that slept on that bed for over a year and never chewed it. I guess she was stressed due to being left behind when her owners went on vacation. For me it depends on the dog. Good boy Blitz will have his bed as long as he remains a good boy. Otherwise, it's the bare floor for him.