8 step-by-step master classes on making dog beds (70+ photos)

A bed is necessary for any domestic four-legged animal, just like horseshoes are for a horse. The reason is the same: the floor or road surface is harder than earth or living wood; after all, they are not subject to the requirement of the greatest wear resistance. A do-it-yourself dog bed can be made in an evening or even in 15-20 minutes, and will cost much less than a store-bought one. For dog beds this is more significant than for cat ones - the price of any product, among other things, depends on its size. Structurally, beds for dogs and cats are similar, but dogs are on average larger than cats. And finally, by making a bed for your dog yourself, you can accurately take into account the habits and habits of your friend.

Dogs on beds

What you need to know

A dog bed is designed in the same way as a cat bed. But in order to properly make a dog bed, you need to keep in mind that:

• The dog was domesticated by man much earlier than the cat. If domestic cats freely interbreed with wild forest cats and produce viable fertile offspring, then nothing is heard of dog-wolf hybrids. Therefore, genetic connections with ancestors (ancestral memory) in dogs are much weaker than in cats.
• Dogs are exclusively terrestrial animals. A poodle or lapdog can jump on a cabinet, but they cannot climb a tree.
• Dogs' claws do not retract. They are thicker, stronger, less curved than cat ones and therefore almost never get tangled or stuck.
• The skin glands of dogs, by their nature active pack hunter-drivers, are more developed than those of cats - ambush predators. If a wild cat needs to hide and wait in order to feed itself, then a wolf or wild dog must clearly mark its path so that the leader can properly organize the hunt of the pack.
• A pack of canine predators is a terrible force in nature: neither a bear, nor a tiger, nor a wild buffalo or elephant can cope with it. Dogs do not need to disguise themselves while on vacation. On the contrary, members of the pack must smell each other. All dog lovers have smelled a dog, but who has ever heard the smell of a cat? Therefore, dogs are not as neat as cats: they do not wash themselves and their toilet skills are less developed.

At home, these differences do not affect so much and a cat bed will generally fit a dog of the same size. The main difference is the padding. Sintepon or holofiber are definitely not suitable: they tightly hold grease and fall off from it. Furniture foam rubber grades from 35 to 45 are more suitable. But the best option is coconut fiber. Under the dog it is practically forever, and the padded bed does not need to be washed: just rinse vigorously in hot water or rinse under a strong hot shower; The coconut filling dries quickly, almost simultaneously with the fabric. You can often buy coconut fiber much cheaper than new at a car service center. Due to the same qualities, coconut is used to make the top padding of car seats.

Note: the upholstery fabric for a dog bed is the same as for a cat bed, except for fleece, flock, microfiber, etc. fluffy, retaining grease and other secretions. Jeans, linen, any synthetics will do - thanks to the same skin glands, dogs are less sensitive to static electricity, less than us. Experienced villains know that putting a guard dog down with a stun gun is impossible.

The second is the origin of the dog breed. We will touch on some nuances of this kind further, but for now let’s wrap it up: dogs of indoor decorative breeds have almost completely lost the memory of their ancestors and, while resting, sometimes fall apart in the most shameless way, see fig. on right. Therefore, a bed for a miniature lap dog should be approximately the same size as for a medium-sized mongrel.

How to make a large bed for a small dog, see the video below:

Video: bed-pillow for a small dog

With bigger ones there are more problems

With a bed for a large dog, the situation is more complicated, but not much, you just need to know what’s what. And the main thing is that the dog is sleeping. He will not sleep well, will not feel the full care of his owner and will not be able to respond with the same canine affection.

Each dog has its own preferred sleeping position, see fig. And depending on the breed and personal, individual.

How do dogs sleep?

But, just like humans, a dog’s favorite sleeping position can change with age and depending on circumstances. It is advisable to arrange a sleeping place for a dog so that the dog can sleep sweetly on it once and for all, from puppyhood to senile decrepitude. There is a way, this is a transforming bed, see below.

The second problem is the weight of the dog. More precisely, the mass of her body, which may be greater than that of a human. If you've ever slept on the floor, have you woken up stretching sweetly? And why? Because people toss and turn in their sleep. Dogs too. And the hard floor seems to transfer every movement of the sleeper back into his body.

Simply put, for a more or less large dog to sleep normally, he needs a kind of bed that “plays” a little under the one lying on it. Therefore, branded dog beds are often made on a rigid frame (item 1 in the figure) with an elastic bottom raised above the floor.

Beds for large dogs

For a puppy, it is possible to replace this with a wooden cat bed (item 2), only the mattress padding needs to be different, see above. For an adult dog, it is advisable to make a simple bed (item 3) with slats from planks or strips of plywood 6-12 mm thick. Dogs do not understand human aesthetics, and ergonomics are simpler for them, so a dog bed can be a very simple wooden frame with slats and a mattress, pos. 4.

Note: the bed-bed is also good because the place for the dog can be located anywhere in the house - the dog will not be blown out from below, but from above it will warm his own fur well.

From a dog’s point of view, a rookery on slats is generally a royal luxury, but not completely obligatory. And a person could have a great night's sleep on a wide bench in an old peasant hut, if there was at least some kind of damper between the mattress with the body and the floor, a kind of spring of at least 2 plates. Therefore, a bed for a large dog can be made in different ways, see for example. video clip:

Video: bed for large dogs

Option 2, warmer and softer

The steps are the same, but you need to lay the top and bottom layers with insulation. Woolen fabric or an old blanket, batting, sheet padding polyester, grandfather's overcoat or grandmother's padded jacket will do (these are indestructible things that are simply a sin to throw away!). If you want something softer, but not too warm, use old bed linen and towels. We also sew all the layers together.

Batting and padding polyester are collected during sewing, so the pieces should be slightly larger than the outer parts. The excess needs to be trimmed off at the very end, when it’s time to fold the edges.

It is not recommended to wash such a mattress too often, although delicate washing does not damage the product in any way. But if you are sewing a bedding for a large dog or for a pet that has a habit of jumping onto the mattress immediately after going outside, it is better to stock up on zippered covers. Or buy a water-repellent material for the top layer of the mattress, which can be easily cleaned with a damp sponge.

A bed for all occasions

The presentation of any educational material is usually carried out from simple to complex. And we’ll start with a soft transforming bed: sewing it is even easier than the simple sewn ones described below.

The pattern and appearance of a Spanish-designed transformable dog bed is shown in Fig. Dimensions are given without allowance for processing, see below.

The advantages of this bed are as follows:

1. The dimensions can be changed proportionally according to the size of the dog;
2. With all the sides raised, this bed is suitable for puppies and small playful lap dogs;
3. By folding back the front and, possibly, one of the side sides, the transformable bed can be adapted to any favorite sleeping position of a dog of any size, except giant;
4. A transforming bed is placed on a wooden bed for a large dog in the same way as a regular bed;
5. When folded, the transformable dog bed can be taken with you in your luggage if your dog accompanies you on a trip.

Modernization

Many owners know the pleasant feeling of stepping on a mat and riding it across the room! The dog can also get injured - it will take a running jump or jump up sharply when it smells an inviting sandwich. Such somersaults often end in fractures and dislocations, not to mention bruises and other minor things. We'll tell you how to sew a bedding so that you won't end up riding a magic carpet.

• a rug or piece of carpet with a rubber backing;

• tailor's Velcro (contact tape, Velcro) with medium-hard tabs. Small soft paws will not hold the bedding;

• a piece of carpet or rubber-backed mat.

We sew the part of the Velcro that catches along the perimeter of the mattress, from the bottom side. And a few pieces in the center to make it hold more securely. We press the bedding onto the rubberized mat, the pile of which replaces the second part of the Velcro - ready! The mattress can be removed for washing, the rug can be knocked out. Velcro is easy to replace if, over time, hair and dust reduce its grip.

Sewn classic

Using the same scheme, you can make a dog bed of a slightly different type. With folding sides with ties or zippers, it will also be transformable, and if sewn tightly, it will be a permanent home item. Of course, in this case it can also be placed on the frame for a large dog.

Patterns of simple soft beds for medium-sized dogs are shown in Fig. On the left is “for growth”, with an entrance for the puppy; on the right - for an adult dog. Dimensions are for solid foam padding; textile parts should be given a processing allowance of 2-3 cm.

Patterns of simple soft beds for dogs

The usual sewing method is reversed:

• On the sides of the parts mating in the product, opposite the fold lines, the allowance is doubled;
• The modules (cushion, sides) are stitched from the inside out, leaving armholes for the stuffing;
• The mating sides of the modules are stitched with a double seam to further form a wing 2-3 cm wide, free from stuffing;
• The sewn modules are turned inside out through the armholes;
• The side wings and pillows are folded onto the inside (where the dog will be) and sewn together with a front seam;
• Stuffing is placed through the armholes into the sewn modules;
• The armholes are sewn up with a facial stitch;
• The sides are sewn together according to step 5.

Bed from a stool or table

Using the same principle, an upside down stool or bedside table can also be used to make an excellent dog bed. Primer, paint, decoration, pad - all remain unchanged. The peculiarity of such a house is in the long legs that rise up. Complete the design with a light, airy canopy - and you will get a real royal bed!

Photo: pinterest.ru

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Round beds

Indoor decorative dogs prefer round beds; this is another feature of them besides their tendency to lay out for show. In addition, the round soft bed fits more conveniently in luggage. You can whip up a round bed for a small dog from an old sweater, see at the end. And it would be better to sew a permanent one, which is no less decorative than its occupant, using a universal pattern.

Universal pattern of a round dog bed and options for its use

The pattern for a round dog bed is shown on the left in the figure, and on the right are options for products made using it. The basic size in any case is the bottom diameter. It lies in the range of 25-60 cm, depending on the breed and its particular representative. The basic size is determined simply: wait until yours settles down better and freezes. Measure it along the bottom from the ends of the front paws to the sacrum, and add 5-10 cm.

Quite simple

For a simple bed (top right in the figure), 3 different parts are cut: 2 on the bottom (with an allowance for processing, see above), and a side along the contour of the white circle in the figure. There are 2 allowances on the side: outward and in the cutout under the bottom. The bottom parts are made of different fabrics: the bottom one, which will lie on the floor or somewhere else, made of burlap, jeans, etc. The upper one is made of decorative fabric. The bottom is sewn together with a pillow, the side with a donut, and then everything together with the wing folded inward, see above. The padding of such a bed should not be dense and solid, otherwise it will not be sewn and laid beautifully. The best option is old knitted items or coconut fiber cut into shreds, see above.

On a cord or elastic band

With low side and bow

For this design option (for very small dogs, bottom right in the figure) you need 2 different parts made of soft, well-stretchable fabric: one along the contour of the white circle (the white rim is the allowance), the other along the green circle + the same allowance. Filler – fibrous or crumbly; The side padding is loose. The sewing procedure is the same as before. case, but after stitching the bottom and filling the side, the outer wing of the sidewall is folded inward, a braid (ribbon) is inserted into the sleeve and a double seam is made; external - 0.5-1 cm from the bend. You can sew it in one seam, but then the assembly will be messy when tightening the tape.

Types: people are cunning at inventions

If you want to create something like this, you can use the “recipes” you found: repeat all the steps exactly or let your imagination run wild and bring in original ideas.

Everything for your pet - sweater, sweatshirt

This option is good because it does not require fiddling with patterns, which means the manufacturing process will not take much time. Minimum required:

Clothes are turned inside out. Sew up the collar, leaving a small area. Turn it right side out again. Having laid out the product on a plane, draw a line connecting the lower parts of the armholes. Having basted along it, the sweater is sewn. The inner seams of the sleeves are manually sewn to the side seams, not reaching their end.

Improvised sides are filled with filler, for example, padding polyester. A pillow (foam rubber) is placed in the middle of the future bedding, the bottom of the sweater is sewn up, and the cuffs are connected to each other. The place where they meet is covered with a piece of fabric, which is also quilted by hand. To fix the side at the front in several places, sweep it with a cushion bottom.

The simplest “hiking” option

This is a good choice for those dogs whose owners often travel with their four-legged friends. And such bedding will not hurt at home. To make it, you need to add a pencil (crayon) and pattern paper to your sewing supplies.

After measuring the “dimensions” of the tailed household member, the dimensions are transferred to paper. The shape is usually either square or rectangular. The pattern is cut out and transferred to fabric folded in half with the wrong side up. Trace the contours, not forgetting to leave seam allowances (1 cm). The material is sewn together, leaving space on one side for filling with sawdust or a more noble filler.

After joining, the bed is turned right side out, the filling is placed inside, and the hole is sewn up. If the owners want to periodically change the “insides” of a product, it is recommended to sew in a zipper to make it easier to change the filling. A few pillowcases made of soft fabric will not be superfluous. One of the sides is left unsewn or also provided with zippers.

More “advanced” model

This bedding is suitable for those housewives who are allergic to sewing work. Necessary materials to create a stationary bed:

Using a pattern, the dimensions are transferred to fiberboard, foam rubber and fabric. On the last one, be sure to leave allowances for hemming. The filler is placed on the slab and secured with tape. Then the “semi-finished product” is wrapped in fabric, which is secured with a stapler.

Pieces of foam rubber are wound onto rolls. Having secured them with tape, they are also wrapped in fabric, then fixed with a stapler around the perimeter of the litter. One side is left without sides. A necessary element that will still have to be sewn is a pillowcase-cover; it is better to make several at once for a change.

Round cozy “nest”

This kind of bedding can be called “professional”, so it requires a pattern. However, the work cannot be called super complex.

Absolutely identical parts are cut out for the top and bottom. The area includes two sizes at once - the bed and the sides, so calculating what you are looking for is not difficult. Before stitching both parts, a circle cut filler is placed on the bottom of the lower part. Both parts are sewn together in the inner circle.

Then the outer edges are ground down, leaving space for stuffing. After filling, thread a cord or elastic along the outer edge and sew up the hole. By tightening the lace, the sides are raised, and the ends are tied with several knots. To make it even more beautiful, some people make radius stitches that divide the sides into segments. In this case, stuffing is difficult, and the outer edge is sewn last.

Real soft sofa with sides

This is the next DIY dog bed. It can rightfully be “christened” perfection, but you still don’t need to be a super seamstress to make it. The only potential difficulty is the ties. The drawing is suitable for a small dog, but anyone can enlarge it by adding a certain number of centimeters on all sides.

To avoid the “pancake being lumpy,” first make a paper pattern, then transfer the drawing to the fabric. First of all, sew the ties and turn them right side out. Basting along the perimeter, their raw ends are sewn in at the same time.

Having turned it inside out, the bedding is stuffed with padding polyester, additional seams are laid (a rectangle in the center) and the hole on the side is sewn up. The final chord is tying bows. Such serious “furniture” definitely requires some kind of cover, otherwise the product will quickly get dirty, and changing the filling and washing the upholstery is a long process.

The simplified model is no worse

Moreover, it will take less time. The pattern is transferred to two separate panels. Having cut them out, they are combined. Lay a line along 3 sides of the bottom, leaving a smaller line for stuffing the filler. Having done this, it is stitched up.

The same goes for sides. At the corners, zippers with an automatic lock are sewn in or laces are attached. Both options are equally convenient, since they allow you to lower the sides in hot weather and raise them in cold weather.

Not a litter, but a whole house

Those housewives who are too protective of their small dogs will embark on such an adventure. They (both) really like these fortified houses. The contours are first transferred to the pattern, then to the fabric folded in half. However, it is easier to cut out all the elements separately, remembering to leave seam allowances.

Filler parts are prepared in the same way, only they are made 1-2 cm smaller than the dimensions of the fabric upholstery. All elements are stitched on three sides, foam rubber is inserted, the hole is sewn up and joined together. Zippers are sewn along the dotted lines; this solution will make it possible to wash and dry the house. As an additional feather bed, use a pillow of the same size as the base of the home.

A DIY dog bed is an item that is made from various, even completely unexpected, materials. A person with imagination can bring something new even to the described models.

You can see the original litter in this video:

Beds with a house

A house-bed for a dog is not at all the same as a house for a dog. Just a house - it is for play or serious matters, for example, for a puppy with a litter. A dog needs a bed with a house in other very specific cases.

Houses-beds for dogs

A dog of northern origin, sledding or herding, needs a durable home kennel, on the left in Fig. Her closest ancestors (possibly her parents) lived in monstrous conditions: they were fed from hand to mouth, they had to spend the night in the snow at -40 and below. Their owners beat them to death for the slightest offense; the sick or exhausted were abandoned to their fate, in the tundra, which was very angry and short-lived. The owners themselves could have eaten it. Amundsen's expedition to Antarctica only reached the South Pole and returned back in full force and good health, because along the way he abandoned the sleigh that had been freed from its luggage, and the sled dogs that were freed from them... ate! This caused great indignation in the world at the time, but the Norwegian polar explorers were only surprised: how could this be? What's wrong with that? These are dogs! They are not only draft power, but also food!

Note: Northern peoples do not eat hunting dogs. Training a hunting dog takes a lot of hard work and requires a lot of experience, and a hunting dog is too valuable.

These horrors are firmly ingrained into the northern canine gene pool. This is why huskies and Russian reindeer huskies respond so warmly to care and do not forgive evil. And if the owner has endowed him with a reliable shelter worth a lot of work, he will not abandon him, he will not eat him, and he must reciprocate in full. Dog logic is simple and extremely rational.

The puppy also needs a bed with a shelter house (in the center in the picture) or a cradle bed, see below. For similar reasons: he is still small. If you don’t like it, they can throw you out or give it to someone bad. And they made the house - everything took root! You can sleep peacefully.

The miniature adult lap dog has settled in quite well and knows that she is loved. But she is too small, they could accidentally step on the sleeping one. Therefore, she also needs a house over the bed, but not a soft embroidered one, like a puppy, but something stronger (on the right in the picture), so that if something happens, she has time to wake up and jump out. The sensitivity in sleep and the reaction of all dogs are quite wild, this is the instinct of self-preservation at work.

Crib house

A bed with a house for a puppy or miniature dog can be completely sewn soft. These creatures are too small and light to excite and feel the “return” of the sex to their movements and even pampering.

Patterns and sewing patterns for a dog bed-cradle are shown in the figure:

Patterns and sewing patterns for a dog bed-cradle

Due to the fact that it is all zippered, you can take this bed with you to the dacha and on long trips. The sizes are designed to be suitable not only for young animals and small animals, but also for an adult medium-sized dog.

How to make another version of a dog bed house with a cradle, see the video below:

Video: dog cradle house

“It’s a dog, what difference does it make to it what it sleeps on?!” - think those who are then surprised that the pet jumps into the bed of its owners at every opportunity. Choose the right bedding, and you won’t have to wonder why your dog won’t go to his place.

Option 1, the simplest

It's easier to just throw an old blanket to the dog. You will need two pieces of fabric: the top is nice, soft and cozy, the bottom is denser, since the bottom rubs against the floor. To hold the two pieces together, stitch along the edges and across them several times (diamonds or waves). To prevent the edges from fraying, cover them with a edging made of a strip of durable material. No pattern, no complex calculations or manipulations - why reinvent the wheel when your pet needs a banal mattress?

This bedding can be washed, it does not deform and retains its decent appearance for a long time, even if the dog is not too neat. Of course, if the fabric is good quality and not shabby.

Important little things

A bed or bedding is both a personal space in the house, a corner for privacy, and a mandatory attribute during the educational process.

When choosing a bedding or lounger, pay special attention to fabrics and fillings. They must be resistant to wear, tolerate washing well, dry quickly and regain their shape.

The best option would be: furniture matting, flock, corduroy. If the label contains information about the results of the Martindale test (shows how resistant the fabrics are to external influences), then choose a material with a rating above 35 thousand.

Natural fabrics (for example, thin cotton) are good and environmentally friendly, but they quickly become thinner and lose their appearance.

Synthetics last longer. But wool sticks to the upholstery. Plush and faux fur also suffer from the same problem.

Among the fillers, you should choose holofiber. It has many advantages:

• does not absorb odors;
• it does not harbor ticks or parasites;
• hygienic;
• safe;
• hypoallergenic;
• lasting;
• durable;
• warm;
• comfortable, etc.

A good filler is foam rubber (grade 35-45), which is used for furniture. A bed filled with coconut fiber does not need to be washed at all. It is enough to rinse vigorously in hot water. You can buy coconut fiber at a car service center - it is used to stuff car seats.

But what color the lounger is is important only for you. Choose the one that will suit the setting.

Main requirements for a sun lounger:

• comfort;
• reliability;
• corresponding size.

• with right angles, round, oval;
• closed (houses) or open;
• with and without frame;
• soft or hard.

Your favorite sleeping position determines the shape of your bed. If the dog sleeps curled up, buy a round or oval one. If he likes to sleep stretched out - square or rectangular.

Also, when choosing a form, take into account the age, habits, and temperament characteristics of the pet. If he likes to frolic in his seat or, stretching out, roll from side to side, you will have to choose a more spacious mattress. If he likes to bury his nose in a corner - a bed with sides, a house or an envelope. For a puppy, it is better to take synthetic bedding slightly for growth.

The basket can be purchased from plastic or wicker. However, it is imperative to place a soft bedding, pillow or mattress at the bottom of such a model.

A sofa or crib is a new modern form. They are made using the same technology as for people. If desired, additional accessories can be ordered for them: pillows, bumpers, blankets, additional removable covers, etc.

The house can be closed or semi-closed. Some dogs, especially small breeds, prefer their own “kennel”. They are made from a wooden frame or wood, cardboard, and the top is covered with plush, leather, and other soft fabric. Some are made entirely of dense and soft fabrics.

A blanket is a universal bedding. It can be placed both on a cold floor and on a sofa, which it will protect from dirt and wool.

To correctly determine the size of the bed, you need to measure your dog. This is done when the animal falls asleep in its favorite position. To find out the length, measure the distance from the tip of the nose to the tail and add from 5 to 15 cm if you plan to buy a bed, and 20-30 cm if you have a mattress. To determine the width, measure the distance from the toes of the front paw to the croup and multiply by two.

We sew a mattress for a dog

I would like to suggest sewing a comfortable and practical mattress for a large dog, made from calico and soft holofiber.

A little background: my dog ​​is 7 years old, and during this time she has had all kinds of mattresses: expensive and cheap store-bought ones, sewn by me personally, old blankets, rugs. Nowadays there is a great variety of bedding for animals in stores - from budget to premium, beautiful and cozy, even in the form of an armchair or sofa.

All this is wonderful, but! After a week or two, the mattress needs to be washed, and this is where a whole problem appears. It is not easy to wash, it takes a long time to dry, if it is not washed or dried well, the mattress will have an unpleasant smell. I don’t wash it in the machine (for example, a light blanket), because then I have to “wash” the machine, and the black needles will “delight” me on my clothes for a long time.

My dog ​​can sometimes try to “dig a hole” out of the mattress, and she’s not bad at it. Stuffing out, mattress in tatters