The Better Sleep Study

Dogs need quality sleep just like we do. It affects everything from their energy levels to their joint health, especially for large breeds, seniors, or dogs in recovery. That’s why Barker Beds partnered with LinkMyPet to launch a first-of-its-kind in-home sleep study, using pet wearable technology to track exactly how well dogs sleep on a Barker Bed versus a standard orthopedic bed.

The goal was simple: measure the real impact of better sleep on a dog’s health and daily life.

Read the Full Study »

How it Worked

The study followed 42 dogs across 36 households. Each dog experienced both a Barker Bed and a non-Barker bed in a rotating schedule to compare rest and recovery on each surface. Dogs wore LinkMyPet’s smart collars throughout the process and followed this five-week protocol:

Week 0: Acclimation to wearable device.
Weeks 1–2: Sleep tracked on the dog’s original bed.
Weeks 3–4: Bed swapped with either a Barker Bed or matched-size competitor bed.
Week 5: Choice week where dogs could pick either bed.

This crossover approach let each dog serve as its own control to eliminate bias and isolate the impact of the bed itself.

LinkMyPet’s device collected 30 data points per second, giving a highly detailed picture of each dog’s sleep and behavior.

The Outcome

The results were clear: Dogs who slept on Barker Beds showed clear improvements, across all ages and sizes!

Compared to competitor beds, when sleeping on a Barker Bed:

Dogs had a 42% decrease in disturbed rest.
Dogs had a 25% improvement in their sleep quality score*
Dogs had a 15% reduction in time awake.
Dogs had an 11% improvement in sleep efficiency score**

*Sleep Quality Score reflects how well a dog sleeps overall, combining factors like restlessness, frequency of waking, and depth of rest. A higher score means more restorative sleep and stronger recovery.

**Sleep Efficiency measures the percentage of time a dog is truly asleep while lying in bed. Higher efficiency means less tossing and turning and more meaningful rest.

More Rest, Less Restlessness

Better sleep isn’t just a perk; it’s essential! Dogs that sleep better move better, feel better, and show fewer signs of restlessness and discomfort. This study proves that Barker Beds are more than just comfortable. They are clinically supportive, data-backed tools that help dogs rest, recover, and live healthier lives.

Thanks to the precision of LinkMyPet’s wearable technology, we now have real-world data to back up what pet parents have been saying for years: Barker Beds truly make a difference in a dog’s comfort, health, and overall quality of life.

Read the Full Study »

Barker Beds vs. The Competition

Dogs who switched from a non-Barker bed to a Barker Bed showed a 60.5% decrease in disturbed rest and a 42.1% decrease in active awake time.
Dogs who started on a Barker Bed and switched to a non-Barker bed showed a 28% increase in active awake time.
Both groups demonstrated an 18–22% improvement in overall Sleep Quality Score when sleeping on a Barker Bed.

Both groups demonstrated a 18-22% improvements in Sleep Quality Score on Barker Beds.

Trusted by Experts

Better sleep is better health. Just like your vet recommends.

Barker Beds are the Highest Quality Beds Available

"As a veterinarian, I know firsthand that large and giant dogs need extra joint support, which is why I love Big Barker beds, especially for large breeds."

- Dr. Matt Schiffman, DVM, Oakhurst Veterinary Hospital

This Study is Groundbreaking

This study is a groundbreaking application of advanced, interconnected technologies to evaluate and illuminate pet behavior and the critical impact of healthy sleep in home environments. For the first time, we have an ability to measure and report quantitative data in any environment, and this is critical to learning how we can truly improve the lives of pets and their families. With the Better Sleep Study, we have new, pivotal insights on the impact of Barker Bed technology and the value of quality sleep to pets, people, and the human animal bond.

- Sarah Cutler Tew, PhD, Scientific Advisor

Sleep is Essential for Your Dog’s Physical and Mental Health

Now this study by Barker Beds and Link proves just how much their bed can impact it. Barker Beds improved sleep quality in dogs of all ages, not just seniors. Better sleep means better energy, recovery, and quality of life. With proven results, Barker Beds are the only dog bed I recommend.