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Dog people -- WWYD?
Here's the situation.
We've got two middle-aged retriever mixes (both are 7 years old). They're great dogs, friendly and pretty well-behaved, but they are not allowed on any of the furniture in the house -- EXCEPT an old futon we've got upstairs in the bonus room. They hang out on the futon when we're not home, or when they just need some quiet doggy space.
For quite awhile, DH has been saying he's tired of looking at the "old, ugly futon," so a few months ago we got the dogs two really nice dog beds to see if they'd take to those. One of them does sit on and sleep in her dog bed sometimes, but the other one won't touch hers. They still prefer the futon.
We could definitely use the space in the bonus room where the futon currently sits, but I feel so incredibly guilty at the thought of taking away the one piece of furniture the dogs are allowed on, especially because I think they consider it their "safe space."
DH seems to think that they'll take to the fancypants dog beds if the futon is no longer an option. I figure we've offered them an alternative already, and they've made their choice.
WWYD?
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Re: Dog people -- WWYD?
start encouraging them to lay on the dog beds more (with treats say "pillow" or "get on your bed"). and keep the door to the bonus room shut for awhile. see if that helps them start using their beds more.
I wouldn't feel bad getting rid of the futon. At the end of the day they are dogs (even though we spoil them quite a bit) and you have provided them with a nice spot to have as their own.
Rudy is not a huge fan of his dog bed which is referred to as "your bed". He doesn't hate it, but he still strongly prefers the couch or a rug in our guest room. I think he honestly likes his privacy since his dog bed is in our bedroom. He knows the command "bedtime" which means to go to sleep (either at night, naptime or a car ride). This is quite helpful to tell him "bedtime in your bed" because he will trot right over to his dog bed and go to sleep. And it has even worked when we travel. I think your can work with your dogs to like the beds more, but I bet they will find their "spot" in your house if the futon is removed.
Thanks for your thoughts, ladies.
Poz, we can't really cut the futon cushion in half. I stink at sewing, and I don't think I could really stitch the ripped edges of the new beds back together.
Terp, I think you may be right about the dogs wanting something with a back they can snuggle into. We've got flat dog beds, and I notice the dog that doesn't use her bed always has her back up against the wall or piece of furniture when she's lying down but not on the futon. Maybe I'll pick up one of those dog beds like you have for Squirt and give it a test run. If they seem to both want to use it, then I'll pick up another one.
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Elissa, I think you and my DH would get along quite well -- this is his position on the matter!
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Two ideas:
Try putting the dog beds ON the futon for awhile. It will help them acclimate and grab the smell. Then move them back to the floor and see if the dog uses it more.
Try a dog bed with a back on it. (again on the futon for a bit)
I think once you move the futon out and put the dog beds in the area it was (after they were used to them being there ON the futon), they will adjust a little better.
since your sewing skills aren't the greatest, you may try getting two sheets or baby blankets and putting them on the futon so they can adapt to those and the smell etc and then those can be moved whereever to the new beds, pillows, etc and provide a sense of sameness comfort.
We have a fleece blanket that I use and my dog has taken it over...it doesn't matter where the blanket is..she's on it..so its the blanket rather than the sofa that she likes.
I like Katie's idea of giving them treats, petting, etc. when they're on their new beds. Soon they'll come to associate their beds with positive things!
My dog has a bed like this one:
http://www.dog.com/item/fleece-crate-dog-bed-natural/020446/
It was inexpensive, and even though she has the whole thing to spread out on, she balls up in a corner or on the side right near the edge.
If you are looking for cheap dog beds check out Costco. They normally have a good selection for around $20.
I think I'll try buckin and MrsN's idea about putting the beds on the futon, and incorporate Katie's idea of giving them treats and praise while they're sitting on their beds (on the futon).
Again, thanks for all of your thoughts and ideas, ladies! I will let you know how it goes.
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