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  The Importance of Sleep for Dogs: Why Phoebie Needs 16 Hours a Day If you’ve ever watched your dog snooze away the afternoon, you might have wondered, Do dogs really need that much sleep? As it turns out, they do! Sleep is essential to a dog’s physical health, emotional well-being, and overall happiness. My dog, Phoebie, has taught me first hand just how important it is for our furry friends to get the rest they need and why it’s something we as pet owners should prioritize. Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? Dogs aren’t like humans when it comes to sleep. While we often operate on an eight-hour cycle, dogs need about 12–16 hours of sleep per day, depending on their age, breed, and activity level. Puppies, like Phoebie when she was younger, often sleep even more up to 20 hours! Unlike humans, dogs don’t consolidate all their sleep into one long session. Instead, they nap throughout the day and night. This pattern allows them to recharge and remain alert for short bursts of activity....
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Creating a Cozy Haven: How I Got My Dog to Love Her Raised Bed

 🐾As a dog owner, I’ve always wanted to create a cozy and safe space for Phoebie. One of the ways I achieved this was by introducing a raised dog bed. Not only does it provide comfort, but it also gives my dog a sense of security. In this blog post, I’ll share how I trained my dog to sit and stay on her bed, making it her favourite spot in the house.

I started by selecting a raised dog bed. Raised beds have several benefits, including better airflow, joint support, and a feeling of safety. My dog quickly took to it, and I noticed she felt more secure compared to traditional flat beds. We found that the dogs were more comfortable.

To encourage her to use the bed, I relied on positive reinforcement. Whenever she approached it, I praised her and gave her toys. As I have discussed before Phoebie responds well to positive feedback, therefore this was the perfect type of encouragement.

Teaching her to sit and stay on the bed required patience and consistency. Here’s how I did it:

  1. Sit: I lured her onto the bed with a toys, and as soon as she sat down, I rewarded her. We practiced this multiple times until she associated the bed with the “sit” command.
  2. Stay: Once she mastered sitting, I extended the time she needed to stay on the bed. Gradually, she learned to stay put even when I moved away. Consistency was key—I practiced the sit and stay commands daily.

To make the bed even more appealing, I added her favourite blanket and a soft toy. The raised design made her feel secure, and she started spending more time there. It became her go-to spot for napping, relaxing, and watching the world go by.

In the end, patience and positive reinforcement paid off. My dog now happily sits and stays on her raised bed. If you’re looking to create a safe and comfortable space for your furry companion, consider investing in a raised dog bed. Your dog will thank you!🐾




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  The Importance of Sleep for Dogs: Why Phoebie Needs 16 Hours a Day If you’ve ever watched your dog snooze away the afternoon, you might have wondered, Do dogs really need that much sleep? As it turns out, they do! Sleep is essential to a dog’s physical health, emotional well-being, and overall happiness. My dog, Phoebie, has taught me first hand just how important it is for our furry friends to get the rest they need and why it’s something we as pet owners should prioritize. Why Do Dogs Sleep So Much? Dogs aren’t like humans when it comes to sleep. While we often operate on an eight-hour cycle, dogs need about 12–16 hours of sleep per day, depending on their age, breed, and activity level. Puppies, like Phoebie when she was younger, often sleep even more up to 20 hours! Unlike humans, dogs don’t consolidate all their sleep into one long session. Instead, they nap throughout the day and night. This pattern allows them to recharge and remain alert for short bursts of activity....
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Positive Reinforcement and Structure

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