Ah yes, the bed eating. And we thought bed wetting was a problem, HA! My Malamute/Husky, Julie, was a terror in her crate when we first got her. She'd paw at the floor and scream for hours before finally settling in to chew the living daylights out of mat. We sewed it and sewed it and finally just took it out. It isn't really necassary to have one if the chewing becomes a major problem, but I know they're nice to have. Perhaps it's just the puppy stages? Julie no longer has problems with being in her crate, as a matter-of-fact, she loves it in there and she doesn't bother with any type of matting we lay down for her anymore. Sometimes its just the puppy mentality..."When you're bored...CHEW!!!!"....