The dog's instinctive bedding behavior
Most dog owners have probably noticed how their four-legged friend hugs, scratches and circles around before going to sleep. This behavior is called bedding and is a strong, instinctive drive that has deep roots in the dog's prehistory.
On the savannah, bedding behavior allowed the dog's ancestors to create a soft, warm and sheltered place to rest safely. By trampling down vegetation, they formed a comfortable pit to sleep in. The circling movement pattern was a way to control their surroundings and make sure nothing unwanted was lurking nearby.
Today, our dogs live safely indoors, but the inherited need to make a bed is still strong. It is not uncommon to see a dog frantically scratching at a blanket or rug before bedtime. Although no longer needed for practical reasons, bedding behavior serves an important psychological function for dogs by making them feel safe and relaxed.
Offer your dog good places to sleep
As a dog owner, you can make it easier for your four-legged friend to satisfy his natural bedding urge by offering comfortable, warm and soft places to lie down. The more different sleeping places you offer, the greater the choice your dog has to find a surface that feels safe and comfortable to sleep on.
Make sure to have more than one bed or pillow, scattered in different places in the home. This way, your dog can choose a favorite spot based on time of day, weather or just easily accessible proximity.
A good tip is to invest in lovely dog beds, from, among others, Don Lorino, which offers comfortable and durable dog beds in different sizes, shapes and fillings. A good dog bed lasts longer, keeps its shape better and is more inviting for your dog to lie down in.
By satisfying the dog's basic need to be able to make a bed as it was created for, it becomes calmer, safer and gets a better night's sleep. So be sure to offer plenty of soft, clean bedding options for your four-legged friend - it will appreciate your care!
