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  1. #1
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    Has anyone made an elevated dog bed (using PVC)?

    If so, what plans did you use?

    We are building some agility jumps and while we are at it we were thinking of maybe making a bed since we'll be working in the same pieces.

    Thanks!

  2. #2
    Senior Dog Snowshoe's Avatar
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    ARe you using pvc? You can find plans on the internet. I know several dogs who will not use the elevated bed. I have seen some that are a bit tippy and rickety when the dog first gets on them, puts them off. I think the pvc ones are tippy. Lumber could be tippy too. Could you try one out before going to the effort of making it? Or you might have to make it really heavy and solid. Or anchored down somehow.

    ETA: Note to self: read whole title, yes you are using pvc.

  3. #3
    Best Friend Retriever emma_Dad's Avatar
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    I haven't but I've seen a few. The problem I've seen with them is some dogs like to rip the fabric off the corners, so you need to find a safe/tight way to get it wrapped around them.

  4. #4
    Senior Dog charliebbarkin's Avatar
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    I think Jeff did if he doesn't see this you might want to PM him.
    Charlie and Burton


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    Tanya (03-27-2015)

  6. #5
    Senior Dog Tanya's Avatar
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    thanks everyone

    ok we might end up making weaves from the extra pvc (seeing if 1.5" is too big for a weave).

    Neither dog has tried an elevated bed, not sure they would use it. I think rocky will not for sure. Not sure if Penny would and not sure I watn an elevated bed in the living room haha. But I'll keep looking into the plans

  7. #6
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    I am your man, I do a lot for Hemi with PVC, including weaves ;-) I got some great plans for those as well if you need them.

    Funny you should ask too I am actually building Hemi a new bed this weekend, one to just keep in the RV so I don't have to move them in and out all the time when packing for camping. So I can write down the exact measurements if you want.

    For the bed I do buy the actually cloth for the them to lay on. Coolaroo has excellent replacement ones, which I have no idea why you would need replacement ones as I have several that have been well used for couple years now, Hemi breaks the frames which started my quest on PVC cheap beds.

    The Coolaro covers are here, or anywhere but cheap.
    Amazon.com : Coolaroo Elevated Pet Bed Replacement Cover, Brunswick Green, Large : Dog Bed Cover : Pet Supplies

    Anyway brief History.
    This is what we started with Coolaroo bed we went through 2 of them, Hemi like to run full blast and leap and jump into his bed. @95 lbs the metal tubes just don't hold up.


    So after the second one broke, I started with iteration 1. Which while good and satisfied Hemi, you can see it bows under his weight as just plain PVC is not that strong. Fixed in later versions by putting Oak Dowel rods inside the PVC before gluing it up.


    Another downfall of version 1, Hemi still loves to run and leap into his bed at full speed and eventually broke the legs on the PVC one as well. So I needed better stability and shock absorption.
    Hence Version 2 which is currently stable. It still bows a little under his weight, I have really considered putting another leg in the middle for more support but not sure, will be rethinking it this weekend.


    One thing to note i use 1 inch PVC for the bed.

    Hemi has an agility ladder for training footwork


    Then he has jumps too.

    Weaves though I built them with 3/4inch PVC to make them more nimble and portable.

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    Tanya (03-27-2015)

  9. #7
    Senior Dog Jeff's Avatar
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    Took me a bit to find the plans.

    Here are the plans I used for weaves and jumps and pause table base. You need to put a wood top on the pause table. But thats easy enough to build too.
    Free PVC Pipe Projects and Plans | FORMUFIT

    They also have a bedding plan different from mine but might interest you as well. You supply your own bedding material and attach with screws. I was afraid Hemi would jump in and blow out a screw and then pick it up so I chose the complete gluing method.

    Oh side note, my weaves in the picture I just realized are put together backwards, you want the stabilizer legs on the opposite sides so they are out of their feet when they enter. I just put it together wrong that day. I didn't glue my weaves and I have connections to make a full set of 12 weaves. They all fit in an old chair bag you see on the floor in the pic. This way we can take them to the off leash park and camping and things to practice.

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    roro (03-27-2015)

  11. #8
    Senior Dog smartrock's Avatar
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    I haven't made one, but we do have both a kuranda bed and a coolaroo bed and one or the other of my dogs is pretty much always in residence on one of them. Both dogs like them and got onto them without much encouragement. The beds will skid across the floor if the dog makes a running jump onto it so they are both in a corner or up against a wall or otherwise not amenable to skidding. I also have a rubber backed bathroom rug on top of each bed because in addition to the legs of the bed skidding, the fabric on the kuranda bed is slippery. I think the PVC used by the kuranda manufacturer is wider in diameter than Jeff used- it seems to measure about 1 3/4" in its outer diameter. There's no sagging with 88 pound Chase aboard. I look forward to seeing your finished product!
    Sue

    Chase 9/29/2006- 6/30/2017 Always in our hearts
    Lark 12/25/2012- 2/2/22
    Henry 7/14/18
    Joey 5/14/2022

    “Because of the dog's joyfulness, our own is increased. It is no small gift. It is not the least reason why we should honor as well as love the dog of our own life, and the dog down the street, and all the dogs not yet born. What would the world be like without music or rivers or the green and tender grass? What would this world be like without dogs?”

    Mary Oliver, Hidden Content

  12. #9
    House Broken roro's Avatar
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    Thanks for the link Jeff! I need this type of stuff for the backyard when we can't get out for a walk. I would love to try and make a bed too.

  13. #10
    Senior Dog POPTOP's Avatar
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    DH made weave poles and an adjustable jump; it was not difficult at all. He did not made a raised bed as we already had two kuranda beds.

 



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