Where should a new puppy sleep? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

TamTam · 07-27-2006, 08:24 AM

Ooh, I just thought of another question! I'm taking a few days off work when we first get Teddy, but after that he'll be in a fenced area in the house - about 5'x6' - the breeder recommended having an area for him to move about, potty, and have his crate in it so he can crawl in and out to lay down. She said he would need his downtime, and it was actually a good thing that we'd be away at work (?). I was a little concerned at first, but I think he'll be okay provided he can run and potty in the area. In a couple of weeks my boyfriend's brother is moving in with us and he'll be around more during the day so Teddy can have company and walks.

My question is about sleeping arrangements - should Teddy be left in the area downstairs with the crate door open so he can crawl out and potty? Or would it be better for him to be crated (crate door shut) in my bedroom upstairs where I can get up and take him to the pee pad every few hours? I'm a deep sleeper - will he whine when he needs to go? Would it be cruel to have him sleep apart from us?

I'm interested in your opinions! Thank you!

TLC · 07-27-2006, 08:47 AM

Tough one to answer.

Roxy was 6 months and TJ was 4 months when we got them. At first they slept in 1 crate, zipped up, on the floor next to me in bed. Didn't last very long. They would bark and cry at various hours...NO SLEEP FOR ME
Then I moved the crate into the spare room that they were contained to during the day with a baby gate. I left the crate open and they could sleep in the crate or out on their beds, they could go potty, etc. Ok, this worked for a little while, but then they started to stand at the gate and bark for me...which meant NO SLEEP FOR ME...
Then I resorted to putting them both inside the crate, in their room and zipped it up. I let them bark for me, but ignored them until the morning (which was anywhere from 5-6 am). I had to deal with sometimes pee and poop in the crate, but soon, they learned to sleep through the night and hold their potty till morning. GREAT!!! I had about 2-3 month of VERY NICE SLEEP FOR ME!!!
Until, we went away on our honeymoon for 2 weeks. My stepfather babysat and they slept with him in his bed. Plus, we missed them so much when we got home, that what started out as a treat to sleep with us in our bed has turned into the norm now...

Roxy is 20 months old and TJ is 18 months old. They are good in bed with us (NOW), they settle down and sleep, TJ will let me know when he has to go potty (which is good, b/c there were quite a few times that he would have to go so bad and he just couldn't hold it and he would pee on my husbands feet

). So, I get right up and take them to the spare room where the wee wee pads are and they go and then they look at me like: "ok, mom, we are sooooooooo tired can we go back to bed now?"

It is a growing and learning process. Best of luck to you!

yougetthesmiles · 07-27-2006, 08:54 AM

dont laugh at me, but for the 1st 5 days Lillie slept under a laundry basket with her blanky, she was right next to my bed, I could not bare putting her anywhere else, but now she is a big girl and sleeps in her expen!!!!

typerk · 07-27-2006, 08:54 AM

He should be left in the crate with the door left closed. He won't be potty trained so he will likely go anywhere at first until he is, and leaving him to roam in too big an area will only stunt potty training in my opinion.

wasabiprincess · 07-27-2006, 11:52 AM

Maybe we're just too soft, butttt.....Pilla came to us when she was 12 weeks old. We tried the first night to put her in the cage to sleep. It was obvious NO ONE in the house was going to sleep. We took her into our bed, and she's been there ever since! All three of us love to snuggle up!

MyTrixie143 · 07-27-2006, 12:46 PM

I think if you are planning on housebreaking her in the future, crating is the best thing. It teaches them to hold it rather than to go anywhere and anytime they feel like it. Mine all sleep in crates in my room. If they have to go to the bathroom they will whine and bark which will wake me up. If you are a deep sleeper, I would suggest setting an alarm clock to go off every so many hours so that you can give her a chance to go potty. Mine don't sleep on the bed with me, because it is really high and if one of them tried to get down on the floor while I was sleeping they would hurt themselves which I don't want. They can easily break a leg or something more serious just by jumping off the bed. JMO

Sadie's Mom · 07-27-2006, 01:46 PM

Mine has always slept with me

YORKIEMOM2B2006 · 07-27-2006, 05:07 PM

Dixie sleeps in her crate and wakes once a night to potty

07-27-2006, 08:24 AM	#1
TamTam Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Minnetonka, MN Posts: 39	Where should a new puppy sleep? Ooh, I just thought of another question! I'm taking a few days off work when we first get Teddy, but after that he'll be in a fenced area in the house - about 5'x6' - the breeder recommended having an area for him to move about, potty, and have his crate in it so he can crawl in and out to lay down. She said he would need his downtime, and it was actually a good thing that we'd be away at work (?). I was a little concerned at first, but I think he'll be okay provided he can run and potty in the area. In a couple of weeks my boyfriend's brother is moving in with us and he'll be around more during the day so Teddy can have company and walks. My question is about sleeping arrangements - should Teddy be left in the area downstairs with the crate door open so he can crawl out and potty? Or would it be better for him to be crated (crate door shut) in my bedroom upstairs where I can get up and take him to the pee pad every few hours? I'm a deep sleeper - will he whine when he needs to go? Would it be cruel to have him sleep apart from us? I'm interested in your opinions! Thank you!

07-27-2006, 08:47 AM	#2
TLC Slave to My Rug-Rats Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Long Island Posts: 7,247	Tough one to answer. Roxy was 6 months and TJ was 4 months when we got them. At first they slept in 1 crate, zipped up, on the floor next to me in bed. Didn't last very long. They would bark and cry at various hours...NO SLEEP FOR ME Then I moved the crate into the spare room that they were contained to during the day with a baby gate. I left the crate open and they could sleep in the crate or out on their beds, they could go potty, etc. Ok, this worked for a little while, but then they started to stand at the gate and bark for me...which meant NO SLEEP FOR ME... Then I resorted to putting them both inside the crate, in their room and zipped it up. I let them bark for me, but ignored them until the morning (which was anywhere from 5-6 am). I had to deal with sometimes pee and poop in the crate, but soon, they learned to sleep through the night and hold their potty till morning. GREAT!!! I had about 2-3 month of VERY NICE SLEEP FOR ME!!! Until, we went away on our honeymoon for 2 weeks. My stepfather babysat and they slept with him in his bed. Plus, we missed them so much when we got home, that what started out as a treat to sleep with us in our bed has turned into the norm now... Roxy is 20 months old and TJ is 18 months old. They are good in bed with us (NOW), they settle down and sleep, TJ will let me know when he has to go potty (which is good, b/c there were quite a few times that he would have to go so bad and he just couldn't hold it and he would pee on my husbands feet ). So, I get right up and take them to the spare room where the wee wee pads are and they go and then they look at me like: "ok, mom, we are sooooooooo tired can we go back to bed now?" It is a growing and learning process. Best of luck to you! __________________ Adopt Donate Foster www.yorkie911rescue.com

07-27-2006, 08:54 AM	#4
typerk YT Addict Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 252	He should be left in the crate with the door left closed. He won't be potty trained so he will likely go anywhere at first until he is, and leaving him to roam in too big an area will only stunt potty training in my opinion. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/?156534.

07-27-2006, 11:52 AM	#5
wasabiprincess Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2006 Location: Arizona Posts: 27	Maybe we're just too soft, butttt.....Pilla came to us when she was 12 weeks old. We tried the first night to put her in the cage to sleep. It was obvious NO ONE in the house was going to sleep. We took her into our bed, and she's been there ever since! All three of us love to snuggle up! __________________ Debbie Pilla Chica's Mom!

07-27-2006, 12:46 PM	#6
MyTrixie143 Mom to 6 Beautiful Furkids Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Ohio Posts: 5,409	I think if you are planning on housebreaking her in the future, crating is the best thing. It teaches them to hold it rather than to go anywhere and anytime they feel like it. Mine all sleep in crates in my room. If they have to go to the bathroom they will whine and bark which will wake me up. If you are a deep sleeper, I would suggest setting an alarm clock to go off every so many hours so that you can give her a chance to go potty. Mine don't sleep on the bed with me, because it is really high and if one of them tried to get down on the floor while I was sleeping they would hurt themselves which I don't want. They can easily break a leg or something more serious just by jumping off the bed. JMO __________________ A dog is a furry person! http://www.dogster.com/?300866 Tracey and the gang DestinyHarmonyScamperGracieLillieKiwi Hershey Peppi

07-27-2006, 08:54 AM	#3
yougetthesmiles BANNED FOR NOT MAILING PRODUCTS PURCHASED Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Indiana Posts: 9,295 Blog Entries: 3	dont laugh at me, but for the 1st 5 days Lillie slept under a laundry basket with her blanky, she was right next to my bed, I could not bare putting her anywhere else, but now she is a big girl and sleeps in her expen!!!!

07-27-2006, 01:46 PM	#7
Sadie's Mom Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: May 2006 Location: Irving, TX Posts: 3,180	Mine has always slept with me __________________ Christie and Sadie

07-27-2006, 05:07 PM	#8
YORKIEMOM2B2006 Owned by 3 furbabies Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Reading, Pennsylvania Posts: 2,546	Dixie sleeps in her crate and wakes once a night to potty __________________ Elaine, mom to 2 Yorkies Peanut & Dixie