Dogs often prefer the floor over a bed for temperature control (cooling down on hard surfaces), comfort (if the bed is too soft/firm/small), territorial awareness (better vantage points), or simply because the hard, cool floor feels good on their joints or for stretching out, especially with thick fur, though some may choose beds for security or support.
Dogs often seek out cool surfaces to help regulate their body temperature, especially in warmer climates. Hard floors, like tile or hardwood, provide a cooling effect that soft beds may lack. This natural instinct helps them stay comfortable and avoid overheating.
The bottom part of your mattress, being limited by the bedding, is usually warmer. Additionally, if your dog sleeps under your bed when you are in it, your body heat will be transmitted through the mattress, making them feel very warm and cozy down there, especially if it's cold outside.
Short answer: dogs choose sleeping spots for reasons beyond comfort; temperature, scent, safety, joint pain, routine, or environmental cues often make the floor more appealing even when they ``like'' their bed. Floors (tile, hardwood) are cooler than beds and help dogs dissipate heat.
Teach your dog to leave it
If you have a dog who is constantly licking the floor, it's important to look at the underlying cause that's causing the floor licking, be it behavioral or physical. if they are experiencing pain, and if there is any sickness or diarrhea it's definitely worth checking in.
Anxious dogs may exhibit signs such as excessive barking, destructive behavior, panting, pacing, or hiding. On the other hand, bored dogs often engage in repetitive behaviors like chewing, digging, or seeking attention.
The 3-3-3 rule for dogs is a guideline for the adjustment period after adoption, representing 3 days (overwhelmed/hiding), 3 weeks (settling in/testing boundaries), and 3 months (feeling at home/bonding) to help owners manage expectations and provide patience, routine, and a calm environment, understanding that anxiety is normal as they decompress from a stressful past. It's a framework for recognizing stress and fostering trust, not a rigid timeline, but it helps owners understand why a new dog might seem timid or act out initially.
The hardest "commandment" (command) to teach a dog is often considered Recall ("Come"), due to powerful natural instincts to explore or play, followed by impulse control commands like "Leave It/Drop It", and complex obedience actions like the "Finish" (positioning at the handler's side) or "Heel", requiring intense focus and self-control, especially with distractions like other dogs or interesting sights/smells.
In a crate: Even for dogs who haven't been crate trained before, a crate can serve as a comfortable, safe den at night. Ensure the crate is spacious enough for them to stand, turn around, and stretch out.
To say "I love you" in dog language, use soft eye contact, raise your eyebrows, give gentle massages (especially ears), lean into them, and engage in play or shared activities like walks, which build trust and affection through shared experiences and physical connection, releasing oxytocin for both of you.
Do dogs know how long you are away? They can't tell how many hours, days, or weeks you have been absent. But they can sense the passage of time through many mechanisms while you are gone. Because dogs tend to focus on the current moment, it could be a case of you either being there or not.
You can tell if a dog is sad by noticing changes in behavior, body language, and energy, such as lethargy, loss of appetite, hiding, lack of interest in play, a low or tucked tail, flattened ears, excessive licking/pacing, or increased inappropriate urination, all signaling potential depression or unhappiness that often requires a vet visit to rule out medical issues.
Signs your dog is attached to you include following you everywhere, wanting physical closeness (leaning, cuddling, sleeping near you), bringing you "gifts" like toys, making soft eye contact, showing extreme happiness when you return, and displaying relaxed body language like belly-up sleeping, indicating they see you as their secure pack and provider. They may also exhibit separation anxiety or jealousy when you're with others.
His bed is too small, lumpy, or dirty and he feels claustrophobic or uncomfortable in it. You've recently moved his bed and he doesn't like the new location. He's too hot and is trying to regulate his body temperature by lying on a cool tile or wood surface. Or he might be searching for a less drafty sleeping spot.
They may choose a cooler or warmer spot depending on their comfort level. This behaviour is a nod to their primal instincts – finding a cosy spot that's just right can help them relax and sleep soundly. Dogs have a remarkable sense of smell that allows them to detect scents we could never imagine.
The "10 10 10 rule" for dogs refers to two main concepts: a potty training method for puppies (10 mins outside, 10 ft space, 10 mins supervision/reward) and the 80/10/10 guideline for raw feeding (80% muscle meat, 10% bone, 10% organ), both offering structure for training or diet. Another interpretation is the 10% rule for treats, limiting them to 10% of daily calories to maintain a balanced diet, ensuring most nutrition comes from complete dog food.
I like to do a mix of " parlour tricks " and tricks that have value in real world applications.
The Top 10 Hardest Dogs to Train
The most commonly surrendered dog type is the "pit bull type" (including mixes), often due to negative stereotypes, breed-specific legislation, and high energy levels, followed by other popular breeds like German Shepherds, Huskies, and Labrador Retrievers that may not fit owner lifestyles. Breeds like Staffordshire Bull Terriers (especially mixes) also top surrender lists in some regions like Australia.
Keep introductions short by following the “three second rule”; count to three as the dogs sniff each other, say thanks or nice to meet you to the owner, and then excitedly call your dog away and continue your walk.
Some common concerns reported by guardians of aging dogs are increased sensitivity and irritability, increased fear of unfamiliar pets and people (sometimes accompanied by aggression), decreased tolerance of touch and restraint, increased following and desire for contact, and increased anxiety when left alone.
An hour for a dog feels much longer than an hour for a human because dogs perceive time more slowly due to their faster metabolism and heightened awareness of routines, so a 10-minute wait can feel like 70 minutes to them, and your hour-long absence feels like an eternity, though they don't grasp clock time but rather the intervals between events like meals, walks, and your return.
A red flag dog behavior signals deep fear, stress, or potential aggression, going beyond normal misbehavior, and includes intense growling/snapping without cause, sudden aggression in a calm dog, persistent hiding, resource guarding (food aggression), freezing, destructive behavior linked to separation anxiety, or signs of extreme anxiety like trembling, lip-licking, and tail-tucking, indicating underlying problems needing professional intervention.
The dog breeds that are more likely to have this problem are the German Shepherd, Australian Shepherd, Border Collie, Jack Russell Terrier, Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, Bichon Frise, Toy Poodle, Labrador Retriever, Cocker Spaniel, and German Shorthaired Pointer.