Those of you keeping track of Ted’s fascinating life will remember that we bought him a new crate for some roomier digs. For the time being, we spread out old beach towels on the floor of the crate and had every good intention of padding it up with a pillow … or a cushion … or something … Um, yes, that was five months ago, and I’m sure that in the eyes of some, that time lapse makes us terrible dog owners.
Anyway! JG and I agreed to get Ted some sort of dog bed to pad the crate, and I found a cushy one that was fairly inexpensive while I ran my errands last weekend. When I got home, I made sure that it would slide in and out of the crate without any fussing, and we discussed how to introduce Ted to his new cratemate.
See, Ted is a bit, uh, sensitive to changes in his environment. When something unusual enters the domestic atmosphere, he automatically launches into “INTRUDER INTRUDER” mode in the form of frantic, incessant barking. Can’t we see that there is a large, cooler-type item in the kitchen?! Isn’t it obvious that these boxes of Christmas decorations pose a very serious threat?! It helps us understand whoever said that Westies would make excellent watch dogs if they weren’t so comically small.
With that in mind, I was hesitant to put the dog bed straight into Ted’s crate and leave it to fend for itself in the dark of night. Instead, we decided to keep the dog bed in the living room and let Ted sniff it out on his own. As we observed, Ted had a specific method of determining the safety of this new addition:
1. Proceed with caution
One never knows what sort of hostile newcomers might be lurking, so Ted sniffed the dog bed timidly before stepping in slowly.
2. Investigate thoroughly
Ted made a great show of sniffing and pawing, but we had to reprimand the inevitable chewing. I was determined that the bed would not become Ted’s most expensive chew toy yet.
3. Size up the situation
I was a little concerned that Ted would be too big for the bed, but he wriggled around in it until he found the position to suit him the most. The sides are supportive but soft, and he figured out how to use them as pillows. The chewing subsided, and occasional sniffs remained.
4. Approve accordingly
If Ted does not like something at this point, he will resume his barking alert. However, in the case of the dog bed, he assumed a stance of hesitant acceptance. Every so often, he chewed on the edge, but he eventually fell asleep, with obvious resulting cuteness.
We haven’t left Ted alone with the dog bed in his crate yet, but I think we’re on our way. With each introduction, Ted needs less acclimation time to remember that the bed isn’t a dastardly intruder or a chew toy. I’m sure that our reasoning with him — “I don’t chew on my bed when I go to sleep, Ted!” — makes all the difference.
8 comments
He’s so cute in his new bed!! I have yet to get a “real” dog bed for Delilah’s crate, but I sewed her a pillow for it and there is a real bed pillow and a few blankets in her crate. She usually pushes them aside and lays on the crate floor though- silly dog.
Oh, and my roommate had a dream the other night that Delilah (a basset hound) was a Westie. Hehe. Her Dad has Westies. I guess that’s where that came from. Still amusing.
Nolan drags his bed into the middle of the living room floor. Then he lays on the floor where the doggie bed should be. If I put it back in the corner, he’ll go lay on it. Next morning – it’s in the middle again.
I think this is his version of the baby throwing the toy in the floor so the parent picks it up. I’m being owned by a greyhound.
What a cutie! Our new puppy was crate trained when we got him but we’re trying to let him roam the house more and more. Our other dog was never in a crate so we’re hoping they can hold the fort down safely while we’re gone without any accidents!
Okay, he is seriously cute. I love the fact that he needs to alert you to the danger of the coolers. I used to have a cocker spaniel that was also very protective. You never know when a leaf might blow into the yard. And there is always the dangerous toads lurking on the step.
I think Ted and Ben would get along very well. Once they each very cautiously investigated the other’s presence, of course. Glad Ted likes his new bed!
No matter how hard I try, logic never really seems to work with my dog.
Hi Ted! The internet has missed you!
I’m glad he seems to like his bed. I am convinced I should just toss a couple of towels in a laundry basket and call it a catbed from now on, since my felines prefer to sleep in the dirty laundry pile and leave their cute bed unloved in the corner.
Heh. I love the reasoning… And I find myself doing that with my puppy, too
People look at me oddly when I say things like, “Now, what do we do in the elevator?” instead of “SIT!” but… It works. Most of the time. 
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