You chose a lovely bed, and your dog prefers to sleep on the hall rug. This is common, and it is often a question of position. In a flat, space is limited, but a few simple rules help you find the right corner.
What your dog wants from a bed
The dog is a social animal. They like to sleep sheltered, but near their group. A good spot combines three things:
- calm: they can sleep without being stepped over or woken every time someone passes;
- a link with the home: they can see you, or at least hear you;
- a protected back: a wall or a piece of furniture behind them reassures them.
To find this corner, look at where your dog settles by themselves. Their choices often give you the answer.
Good places
A corner of the living room
The living room is where you spend your evenings. A corner away from the route to the kitchen or the door lets your dog stay with you without being disturbed. Place the bed against a wall, or next to an armchair.
The bedroom, for the night
Many dogs sleep better near their people. A second bed in the bedroom can be useful, especially for a puppy or a newly adopted dog. Nothing obliges you to let them up on the bed.
Near the desk
If you work from home, a bed near your desk lets your dog stay close to you during the day. Leave enough space so that your chair does not touch them.
Places to avoid
- The entrance: every noise on the landing, every doorbell puts them on alert. A dog that sleeps near the door can get into the habit of keeping watch and barking.
- Busy routes: a narrow hallway or the way to the kitchen. They will be disturbed constantly.
- Next to a radiator: the heat can become too strong while they sleep.
- In full sun behind a large window: pleasant in winter, risky in summer.
- Under a window that lets in air: draughts bother older dogs and short-haired dogs most.
- The kitchen: smells, heat, and the risk of falling objects or hot liquid.
- A separate room: far from you, with the door closed, they may worry, especially at the start.
Adapting to your dog
A puppy
For the first weeks, put their bed near you, including at night. You can move it further away bit by bit afterwards.
An older dog
Choose a spot with no step to cross, warm, with a non-slip floor around the bed. They must be able to get there without effort.
An anxious dog or one that is sensitive to noise
Move their bed away from the street-side windows and from the front door. A bed with a raised edge, where they can rest their head and feel surrounded, often helps them relax. If your dog copes badly with your absences, our guide to leaving your dog alone without stress gives some ideas.
A bed that finds its place in the living room
In a flat, the bed is part of the decor. Choose a size that suits the planned corner, and a colour that goes with the room. Measure the spot before you order, leaving a little space around it for vacuuming. In our dog beds and cushions collection, each model is listed with its dimensions and colours. Our guide to choosing the bed size helps you connect your dog with your space.
One bed or several?
Many dogs like to have two resting places: one in the living room for the day, one in the bedroom for the night. If space is short, a single well-placed bed is enough.
In every case, make the bed a quiet place. Nobody disturbs a dog who is resting in it, and nobody sends them there as a punishment. Explain this to children too.
In short
- Look for a quiet corner, against a wall, where your dog can see or hear you.
- Avoid the entrance, busy routes, radiators, draughts and the kitchen.
- For a puppy, keep the bed near you at the start, including at night.
- For an older dog, choose a warm spot with no obstacles.
- Make the bed a refuge where nobody disturbs them.