Sleep Number Beds for Dogs

[GaitedGloryRider]

Anyone here with a sleep number bed ever taken their dog in to get their sleep number? If so, did it make any sort of difference?

I’ve got a 230lb English Mastiff and recently purchased a sleep number bed. I’m loving it, my dog not so much. I’ve noticed he gets up through the night, moves around in bed more and just generally doesn’t seem to sleeping well. The bed is the only thing in his life that has changed. It’s been two weeks now so I’m thinking if it were just a matter of getting used to it he would have done so already.

Given the fact he’s literally the size of a large person I’m thinking getting his sleep number might help make him more comfortable. He’s getting on in years too and while he hasn’t had any history of joint problems the possibility that the bed as it is set now is making his joints sore is nagging at the back of my head. He hasn’t looked stiff thus far…but it’s still in my head this could be the issue. This dog has slept in bed with me from day one, getting out of bed in the middle of the night is unusual for him.

Feel free to call me a crackpot for putting so much thought into my dog’s sleep patterns. I know it’s probably not normal :lol:

[chestnutmarebeware]

Can’t help with your question—sorry!!!—but please, please post a picture of your boy! I’m dying to see him!

[GaitedGloryRider]

[QUOTE=chestnutmarebeware;7019913]
Can’t help with your question—sorry!!!—but please, please post a picture of your boy! I’m dying to see him![/QUOTE]

LOL, okay. Here he is hogging the old bed and my memory foam pillow. It was a tight squeeze with both of us. We are now in a queen.
http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy145/mariafrs122/DieselDoggy/IMG00051-20100918-0826.jpg

And crashed out on the couch: http://i786.photobucket.com/albums/yy145/mariafrs122/001.jpg

Those pics are kind of old, he’s since gone grey in the muzzle.

[chestnutmarebeware]

"When he sits around the house, he sits around the house… :lol:

He’s fantastic! I have such giant-breed envy — any giant breed — but my combo of tiny house and mild antique-furniture addiction has forced me to keep to smaller critters.

[GaitedGloryRider]

[QUOTE=chestnutmarebeware;7019950]
"When he sits around the house, he sits around the house… :lol:

He’s fantastic! I have such giant-breed envy — any giant breed — but my combo of tiny house and mild antique-furniture addiction has forced me to keep to smaller critters.[/QUOTE]

That he does:lol:

I had your same concerns regarding space, I was living in an apartment when my dog was literally dumped on me by a family member. Did a lot of reading and asking around, turns out Mastiffs do alright in small spaces with moderate exercise due to their lazy nature. If you ever take the plunge and get a big dog I’d highly recommend an English Mastiff or Bullmastiff. Added bonus they make excellent security systems!

[Nootka]

LMAOOOOO I have no help but OMG that made me laugh. My mother has sleep number and I love them. I like to sleep accross the bed with the one with my top a harder number than the bottom I would NEVER even think to bring the dog in to get his sleep number. Wow … if you do we must hear the response from the store

[callmegold]

I don’t think its strange at all to pay so much attention to his sleep patterns. But maybe I’m weird too

I know that my dogs appreciate my 4 inch mattress topper, and it makes sense that as an older giant breed dog that his joints are getting stiff. My suggestion would be to play around with the number instead of taking him to a store. He can’t tell you it feels better so you’ll just have to guess from his movements in the morning. Is it set very hard or soft? I would call the store and ask what arthritic people usually set it at.

[Equibrit]

Check this out; http://www.overstock.com/Pet-Supplies/Extra-large-Orthopedic-Memory-Foam-Dog-Bed-36-in.-x-52-in./4583622/product.html

[GaitedGloryRider]

He’s got the giant memory foam dog bed…he lays in during the day but doesn’t really sleep in it. Maybe I’ll try putting that on his side of the bed I don’t know, he likes to sleep on his back stretched out plus he’s a serious cuddler and usually sleeps right up against me.

I know Sleep Number does (or used to?) sell pet beds and that is why I was thinking maybe it wouldn’t be such a crazy idea to take him in and get his number. I’ve been playing around with the setting on his side and so far haven’t been able to make him happy. He definitely prefers a softer mattress, if I set his side on a number higher than mine he’ll get up, stand at my head and bark until I move over so he can sleep on my side.

I think he may a bit spoiled on top of it all.:lol:

[VaqueroToro]

[QUOTE=GaitedGloryRider;7020466]
I think he may a bit spoiled on top of it all.:lol:[/QUOTE]

Ya think? :lol:

He’s a cutie!! Any chance you can find a happy medium number that will suit you both or add a mattress topper to the bed (on at least his side)? If he prefers to sleep cuddled up to you, I doubt his own sleep number bed would get much use.

ETA: Oops, I missed the part where you said you were playing with the numbers. Could it be it kinda smells weird/new and irritates his nose?

[GaitedGloryRider]

I think I’m just going to go for it and give the store a call tomorrow. Doesn’t hurt to ask and the worst they can say is “no you flaming nut job, you can’t bring that beast in here”.

I just spent all that money on the new bed, I’d hate to go out and buy a mattress topper too. For the dog.

Never considered the smell aspect…he’s got his pillow and blankies which I think would take care of that but I don’t know…

Here’s hoping the store manager is a dog person!

[Catsdorule-sigh]

I know Sleep Number does (or used to?) sell pet beds and that is why I was thinking maybe it wouldn’t be such a crazy idea to take him in and get his number. I’ve been playing around with the setting on his side and so far haven’t been able to make him happy. He definitely prefers a softer mattress, if I set his side on a number higher than mine he’ll get up, stand at my head and bark until I move over so he can sleep on my side.

We love our sleep number and it’s proven a very good investment for our, not so in great shape, backs.

But they can come in several configurations, so need to confirm that yours is a single mattress with separate sides, i.e., you can change the firmness of each side- that’s what it sounds like. Other than setting his side to the same setting as yours, it’s possible that the middle part, which should be firmer as that’s the channel that separates the two mattresses,(Even if the bed looks like a single) is what’s bothering him if he’s trying to snuggle up next to you. I think that’s how it’s done in a single mattress. It’s also possible that he won’t like it at all, as it does not act like a regular mattress. (Thank goodness) Not like a water bed in any way, but not like what he’s used to. Also wondering if you’ve got both sides calibrated right.

Finally, since the mattresses should be separate, you can do your own sleep number test right at home, if you can get him to lay there long enough. It would be the same as in the store. If he likes your setting, try that. But what’s comfortable for you may not be for him!

But I’m wondering about the middle part being a little more firm. I think you have to have the bladders in separate channels to work, and that would be firm foam, I believe.

Other than that, let him have your side and see if that solves the problem. :rolleyes:

[jetsmom]

I DARE you to dress him in PJ’s when you bring him in to get his sleep number. Complete with night cap.

[GaitedGloryRider]

It’s definitely a single mattress with separate sides.

The guy I talked to at the store was really nice, acted like bringing Diesel in would be no big deal. So this afternoon doggy is getting his sleep number!

[Catsdorule-sigh]

Maybe I’m failing to see something here…

You don’t have to go in to the store to “get your number.” Once you have one at home, you can do it right there.

The controls should show you the number. Unless something has changed recently, the controller used in the store will be the same one you use at home. Unless you have a separate controller for each side, you have to indicate which side the controller is affecting.

Is this really a Sleep Number?

When DH tried it first time in the store, he ran through some settings and hit the one that matched the (Really good) mattress we had at home- it was the most painful spot. Immediately sold. (DH has a lot of back issues) We had been going through mattresses about every 2-3 years. No matter how good they are or the toppers put on them, they get a dip and that dip caused us both pain. For most people that’s not an issue, I know.

The beauty is, that you can vary your “number” too. I’m pretty much on just one but once in a while, it’s nice to be able to adjust.

But I can’t figure out why, if you’ve got the bed at home, you’d have to go back to the store to get “your number.”

[Laurierace]

I wondered the same thing but figured she meant thermal imaging.

[GaitedGloryRider]

Yes I meant the thermal imaging.

An update for anyone who cares…I took Diesel into the store and they treated him like a king :lol: We went in early, only ones there. Got lots of loving from the staff and they did the whole sleep number thing with him, since I’ve set his side of the bed at what they recommended he seems to be sleeping a little better through the night. Maybe the mattress is more comfortable, maybe the newness is just wearing off but he’s up and down much less now through the night. I know it is silly, I know it is stupid, I know I put way too much thought into it but he’s my dog and I love him and frankly don’t mind making a fool of myself over him.

And a big shout out to the Sleep Number store, who knew they would be so accommodating to a crazy dog lady?

[chestnutmarebeware]

That’s good news! Maybe they’ll use him in an ad campaign one day…

[Mosey_2003]

How cool! I’d think it were rather silly for a ‘normal’ dog, but your boy is the size and weight of a significant other, so why not???

[Bicoastal]

[QUOTE=GaitedGloryRider;7030297]
An update for anyone who cares…[/QUOTE]

I care! I think it is neat. And I agree with Mosey: he is the size of a large human.