The bed is the first thing many dogs claim in a new run, and the reason the kennel asks owners to leave theirs at home.
What it is
Kuranda makes elevated beds in which a fabric or mesh surface is stretched on a sturdy frame, so a dog rests above the floor instead of on it. Raised beds let air move underneath, which keeps a dog cooler in summer, and they keep a sleeping dog off cold concrete in winter. The beds clean easily with a wipe-down and dry quickly, which suits a kennel.
Why Happy Paws provides them
The runs are heated in winter and air-conditioned in summer inside, with an outdoor section reached through a doggie door. The kennel supplies a Kuranda bed and blankets so each dog has a dry, warm place whichever way the weather goes. The agreement notes a cot, air conditioning, heat and blankets as supplied, and says the kennel is not responsible if comfort items brought from home are damaged or lost.
Should I bring my dog's bed?
The kennel does not recommend it. Beds get dirty and wet, and a playful dog, or a neighbor, can tear one apart. A bed from home also may not fit the run. If you feel you must send a bed, send an old one you can accept losing and mark it with your name. A blanket or a worn T-shirt that smells like home often works as well and takes less room.
Getting a dog used to a raised bed
Most dogs take to a cot at once, but a dog that has never used one may need a day. You can practice at home by putting a low cot or a firm raised pad in a quiet corner and rewarding your dog for lying on it. Older dogs with stiff joints may prefer a padded cot or extra blankets; tell the staff about arthritis or mobility problems on the pet information page.
Related pages
Read Kuranda beds, can I bring my dog's bed and indoor/outdoor run.
Caring for a raised bed at home
If you buy one for home, put it where your dog already rests, in a corner or by a window out of drafts. Wipe it with a mild cleaner and let it dry fully. Small dogs may need a low model, and large dogs a sturdy one with a wider frame. Cats sometimes take a raised cot too, which makes it a rare piece of gear that suits the whole household.