[VroomGrrl]

So far, so good with the beds. The dogs like them just fine, and show no interest in chewing them. So a big yay for that! Finally a way to get Rosey off her bad knees.

Re: behavior issues, if you read my original post, you will see that I noted their behavior issues. We took them both in knowing their issues - nobody else wanted them. Tess (Aussie) was basically feral, having been beaten (apparently often) and left out in the country to fend for herself. Debilitating people anxiety was her thing at first. Rosey (GS mix) was injured and needed a $2,000 knee surgery when we adopted her from the Humane Society - and she had her own behavior issues, also pretty much feral when picked up. Surgery & long confinement for recovery that followed got her behind a bit, but she seems pretty well caught up now.

They're both "special needs" dogs, and we are happy to provide them the best home we can. They have made tremendous progress, with the help of the pro trainer we have consulted with from time to time to keep us all on track. It's been a long, slow road with Tess. On the trainer's first visit, she said, "Keep doing what you're doing and call me back in a year." And it did take that long to get her acclimated to living happily with humans. They're both generally well-behaved dogs, obedience school grads X2.

Neither dog has ever shown any interest in traditional "toys." Rosey is finally out of puppyhood and her chewing has dropped almost to none. Tess is still very high-strung and has some lingering anxiety issues which partly drive her chewing. They both love their rawhide chews. It's been awhile since they hurt anything, except any bed we try to put in their pen, they rip the stuffing right out of it!

They do both need lots of activity, which can be a challenge for us to provide, both working during the day. We walk them a lot, and they get a field trip about once a week to really get out in the country and romp all they want. They have a large yard here, plenty of critters to chase and things to guard against.

I wanted to start them both in agility training, but Rosey's "good" knee has started to fail (which got me looking for an indestructible bed in the first place) and she's probably going to end up having surgery. And we are now in the middle of moving. Once we're settled and Rosey's knee is looked after, I do want to pursue agility training with them. It'll be great fun & good exercise for all of us.

Bottom line: Eight paws up on the indestructible dog beds - so far!