An Old Cardboard Box and a Rumpled Towel Became the Best Bed in the House
A plain cardboard box on the floor, lined with a rumpled old towel, has become the most peaceful place in the house. Two cream puppies are curled up inside, wrapped around each other so closely it's hard to tell where one ends and the other begins. One rests his chin on his sibling's shoulder, and both have their eyes squeezed shut, ears folded back, tiny paws tucked in. Around the box, the room is a happy mess of a knitted sweater, a coffee mug, a rope toy, and a crumpled blanket.
Dogs have a natural instinct to seek out small, enclosed sleeping spaces, which feel safe and help hold in warmth. That's one reason many puppies settle so well into a cozy box, bed with raised sides, or a properly sized crate. Used kindly, crate training can give a puppy its own secure den and help with house training, since most dogs prefer not to soil where they sleep. The key is making the crate a pleasant place with soft bedding and treats, never using it as punishment, and keeping time inside appropriate for the puppy's age. Toy breed puppies also appreciate extra warmth, so a blanket they can burrow into is a welcome touch.
These two have clearly found their perfect den, and they've brought along the best heater possible: each other.
Sometimes the box is more exciting than whatever came in it. Sometimes it's simply the coziest bed in town.
