Finding the right bed for your furry family member can be a difficult process, but here at Big Barker we try our best to make that process as smooth as possible. Many people wonder how to choose the right bed, and get worried that their dog might not love their Big Barker bed once it arrives. Check out the following questions and our answers!
What does the Big Barker 10 Year Warranty Cover?
Our 10 year, “can’t flatten, won’t flatten” warranty covers the foam. We guarantee it will not flatten and will retain at least 90% of its shape or we replace it free for 10 entire years!
Are the beds chew proof?
No, the cover is not made from chew resistant material. We use a furniture grade microfiber. It's "tear resistant" - meaning, it holds up better against nesting/digging than most types of dog bed covers. However, dogs can chew through it if they're determined.
Having said that, - we don't get many reports of chewed up beds. That's partially because we do a good job of hiding the zipper and sewing the seams properly, which eliminates some of the attractive things to chew at. Also, we find that dogs are less likely to chew into a big block of foam than a bag of fluff that can be nested and moved around.
So, the bed is not chew proof. But if there's ever a tear, we gladly send out extra fabric if you'd like to patch the rip (no cost to you). We also have replacement covers.
One other option: we make a chew resistant crate pad. We can make a custom bed cover out of that material if you'd like. It's NOT 100% chew-proof, but it's built to take much more abuse than a normal dog bed cover. It's an extra $50, and we've done quite a few custom beds with this material recently.
Please contact us if that's something you're interested in.
Are the beds waterproof?
The microfiber covers are water-resistant, but not 100% waterproof. Things like drool, licking, small potty accidents, or a wet dog coming in from the rain will NOT get through the fabric.
Microfiber is a very tightly woven fabric, so the "holes" are very very tiny. Drool, wet fur, etc will be blocked by the microfiber cover.
However - if you spilled an entire glass of water on the cover and let it sit for a long time, it WILL get through.
We do have 100% waterproof liners available as an accessory. We highly recommend the waterproof liners if your dog has house training or bladder issues. But for most dogs, the waterproof liner is not necessary.
How do I know what size bed is best for my dog?
The most important measurement is the width of the bed. What you want to do is have your dog stand up straight, and measure from the bottom of the paw to the top of the hip or shoulder.
This measurement is the amount of room that your dog needs to be in a full 100% stretch position.
Compare that measurement to the width of our sizes. You'll want an extra 3-4 inches.
For example, if your dog measures 25", you'll do great with the Large, which is 30" wide. But if your dog is 28", you'll want to bump up to the 36" wide XL.
Note: the foam composition is the same between the Large, XL, and Giant sizes. All 3 sizes can easily support a 300 lb dog if they have to.
Also be sure to check out our specific sizing charts for each type of Big Barker bed:
Sizing Guide for Big Barker Sleek Beds:
Sizing Guide for Big Barker Headrest Beds:
Sizing Guide for Big Barker Sofa Beds:
Also here’s a helpful video if you want more information:
How do I know what SUV bed is the right size for my car?
The Backseat Barker: SUV Edition is designed for flexible sizing as the pillow wings adjust to the width of your SUV.
Ideally, the total width of the Backseat Barker (including the pillow wings) should be wider than your SUV. This way the pillow wings can lean against the side walls. Yet the foam should not be wider than the back of your SUV so it easily fits in your vehicle.
The most important measurement is the depth, which is the amount of space needed between the backseat and the trunk door. There is a 10 inch depth difference between each size.
The measurements below will help:
Medium:
Dimensions: (including pillow wings) 55” wide x 25” deep x 3” thick
Inner Foam: 30” wide x 25” deep x 3” thick
Examples: Ford Escape, Chevy Equinox, Jeep Latitude
Large:
Dimensions: (including pillow wings) 58” wide x 35” deep x 3” thick
Inner Foam: 33” wide x 35” deep x 3” thick
Examples: Ford Edge, Honda CRV, Jeep Grand Cherokee
Extra Large:
Dimensions: (including pillow wings) 61” wide x 45” deep x 3” thick
Inner Foam: 36” wide x 45” deep x 3” thick
Examples: Ford Explorer, Chevy Suburban, Dodge Grand Caravan
Do you have Big Barker beds for smaller dogs?
Yes, we do carry smaller beds as well! They are called Barker Jr beds. We have Small, Medium or Large. Be sure to check out the Barker Jr size chart for some helpful sizing information too!
How do I know what crate pad is the right size?
Please note that your pad does NOT extend all the way to the wall of the crate. Your pad is sized to fit exactly inside the raised lip of the plastic tray at the bottom of your crate.
This is to ensure that any accidents stay on the tray, and don't run off the pad, soiling your carpet or ruining your hardwood floor.
You should expect roughly 1 inch of space between the pad and the wall of the crate.
Measure your crate and use the following guide to choose the proper size:
Small: For 30" x 21" crates (pad dimensions: 27" x 18.2" x 4")
Medium: For 36" x 24" crates (pad dimensions: 33.2" x 21.2" x 4")
Large: For 42" x 28" crates (pad dimensions: 39" x 25.5" x 4")
Extra Large: For 48" x 30" crates (pad dimensions: 44.8" x 27" x 4")
XXL: For 54" x 37" crates (pad dimensions: 50" x 32" x 4")
What if my dog won't use the bed?
While most dogs love the bed right away, it's not uncommon for some dogs to take up to a few weeks before getting used to a new bed. Don't worry, almost all dogs fall in love with the bed, it just takes some dogs longer than others.
Here are a few tips that have worked for other dog owners:
1) Rub your hands all over the cover. It often helps to get your own scent on the bed.
2) Lay on the bed yourself. This might get your dog interested in approaching and possibly stepping onto the bed.
3) If your dog's old bed has a removable cover, take it off and lay it on top of the new bed. This can sometimes make the new bed seem more familiar.
4) Put the bed in the exact spot where he lays while you're home. In my house, it's often right next to the couch. It doesn't need to stay in this spot, but it can often jump start the "trying out the new bed" process.
5) Old fashion bribery. Get your dog to lay down on it, then bribe with a treat. Bribe every few minutes it stays on without getting up.
Most importantly though, just give it time. Our return policy is very liberal, we want you to take as much time as you need. And if it just so happens that your dog just never warms up to the bed, no problem… we'll gladly take it back for a full refund.
What colors are the Big Barker beds?
Our covers for the standard Big Barker beds come in Khaki, Chocolate, Burgundy, and Charcoal Gray. For the Backseat Barker, the covers are available in Khaki and Charcoal Gray. The Big Barker Crate Pads are only available in Tan.
Can you make custom beds?
Absolutely! Common custom requests include:
1) Sewing your dog's name into the cover
2) Specific sizing
3) Different color covers
If you're interested in a custom bed, please call or email us at info@bigbarker.com for a price quote.
[UPDATE: During COVID-19, we are temporarily unable to make custom beds. We'll resume once we're operating back at full capacity!]
What’s Big Barker’s Return Policy?
We have a 1 year trial on all of our beds. Your dog can try it out for up to 1 year, and if you want to return the bed you can do so for a full refund.
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