From Human Bed to Dog Bed on floor - YorkieTalk.com Forums

BellaYorkie · 06-02-2008, 01:37 PM

Hello all!

Well it has been awhile since I have posted because everything with my little one has been going really well.

My question is if anyone has had the experience of moving their yorkie from sleeping in your bed to it's own dog bed on the floor at night? My husband has put up with her up until now and is insisting that she wakes him up at night...(I don't believe it, but I have to respect his sleep). I told him we would try having her on the floor but my concern is that we will not wake up when or if she needs to go out.

On the bed she is good all night and if she ever needs a potty break I can hear her jump off the bed and that ques me to let her out.

I would hate for her to regress and have accidents in the night, any suggestions to make this tranistion a smooth one?

marcerella02 · 06-02-2008, 01:49 PM

while i have never done this, and don't want to be negative. I'm not sure this can be done without the use of a crate. She is on the bed for 2 reasons 1) because she likes your company but 2) because she feels that she is alpha and that is where she belongs. From what i've read (and i've read a lot.. we had alpha issues in our house!) if you let a dog sleep where you sleep you are saying at the very least, that she is equal to you in the pack order. So you can put a bed on the floor but she probably won't sleep on it. I woudl suggest getting a crate and putting it on a table that is at the same level as your bed so she can at least see you at night. It will be many nights of crying i'm sure.. but she'll be ok

and then if you need to you can put the crate on the floor. Again i've never done this

so maybe it can be done without using a crate. Layla has been in her crate from day one and loves it! i'm sure your sweet girl can adjust

blueeyes_jd · 06-02-2008, 02:02 PM

I had Gracie on my bed when we first got her... then I put her in her bed on the floor and she slept the WHOLE NIGHT!!! now... any tiny little whimper and my hubby picks her up and puts her on the bed... lol Gracie will whine and cry if she needs to go potty... but she can hold it until the morning... so I have not had that problem... good luck!

BellaYorkie · 06-02-2008, 02:05 PM

Bella started out in a pen at night and only after 5/6 months of age was she allowed on the bed. The only reason I started her on the bed was because I was at work all day and she was penned up all day. To crate her at night as well just seems cruel. I don't have room in the bedroom for the crate so I think I may just try a bed on the floor and a pee pad in the bethroom. If she does not use the pee pad I will eventually take it away.

My only problem with that is I dont want her to get confused and think that peeing in the house is encouraged, but at the same time I can not teach her to bark at the door.

Maybe the bell training would work....

Thanks for the insight. I agree with the Alpha comment, my partner and her are in a battle for dominance.

Sandysbabies · 06-02-2008, 02:06 PM

Kayla sleeps with us and I would hate to try to get her to sleep in her bed. I never thought about her thinking she was Alpha although she pretty well runs things. lol!! My husband would die if I put her in a crate. Most of the night he holds her and gets up a 2:00am to take her to potty. Our other two sleep in their beds beside ours. Wonder if he could be alittle parcel??? lol!!

marcerella02 · 06-02-2008, 02:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

Bella started out in a pen at night and only after 5/6 months of age was she allowed on the bed. The only reason I started her on the bed was because I was at work all day and she was penned up all day. To crate her at night as well just seems cruel. I don't have room in the bedroom for the crate so I think I may just try a bed on the floor and a pee pad in the bethroom. If she does not use the pee pad I will eventually take it away.

My only problem with that is I dont want her to get confused and think that peeing in the house is encouraged, but at the same time I can not teach her to bark at the door.

Maybe the bell training would work....

Thanks for the insight. I agree with the Alpha comment, my partner and her are in a battle for dominance.

the bell training is WONDERFUL! Layla knows to go down the stairs and hit the little bell with her nose! you should give that a try! good luck with the bathroom. She will be crying a lot. Dogs are pack animals and like to sleep with their pack (not necessarily IN the bed.. but in the same room) so she might have a very hard time with this. This must be a very hard situation. Keep us updated!

BellaYorkie · 06-02-2008, 02:10 PM

I dont know how I ended up with a guy who doesnt just love the dog, but I am trying to be open and compromising. All of you with men who dont mind the dog in the bed count yourselves lucky! What I wouldn't give! It is a very frustrating situation because I love sleeping with her and she takes up no space. She is a great sleeper in the bed as well so why mess up a good thing??!

bchgirl · 06-02-2008, 02:19 PM

I think dogs consider themselves the alpha when they position themselves higher than you in the bed. All three of mine sleep at the foot of my bed...although sometimes Reese gets in his bed on the floor....and trust me...they know who the alpha is here. Reggie just started sleeping in the bed...if you wake up or move....he lies so still. Please don't see me...please don't make me sleep in the x pen.

Could you get a bigger bed??

BellaYorkie · 06-02-2008, 02:24 PM

SHe sleeps at the foot of the bed as well, by my feet. She is pretty aware that he does not like her there and stays away from his side. We have a queen and at the moment we aren't in a position to upgrade. I think it is more the idea and principle of the dog on the bed, not the logical facts of it. It is a battle I am tired of fighting so I am going to try it his way. I am betting he will fold when she starts whining like crazy and his sleep is really interrupted! I will put her bed on my side so she can see me and leave a pee pad on the bathroom floor for her to access.

I will start looking into the bell training, but she is 2 years old so I dont know if she will pick it up.

marcerella02 · 06-02-2008, 02:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BellaYorkie

SHe sleeps at the foot of the bed as well, by my feet. She is pretty aware that he does not like her there and stays away from his side. We have a queen and at the moment we aren't in a position to upgrade. I think it is more the idea and principle of the dog on the bed, not the logical facts of it. It is a battle I am tired of fighting so I am going to try it his way. I am betting he will fold when she starts whining like crazy and his sleep is really interrupted! I will put her bed on my side so she can see me and leave a pee pad on the bathroom floor for her to access.

I will start looking into the bell training, but she is 2 years old so I dont know if she will pick it up.

i started Layla a little late on the bell training... and she will totally get it. I used to ring the bell myself.. and then bring her out. after doing it myself for a while i would make her nose touch the bell.. give her a treat and we would go out. Soon she was doing it herself. She STILL gets HUGE praise every time she does it!

Erin · 06-02-2008, 07:17 PM

OK Personally I don't believe in the whole alpha thing in the sense of the "higher" vs. "lower" Now, if your dog isn't letting YOU sleep in the bed or guarding it, that is a different problem. If your dog happily moves over when you lie down you don't really have an issue. Anyway, I can understand how sleeping with them might be a problem. Mine are hot so they are sleeping on the floor right now but by morning Sam will be on my pillow and Loki will be cuddled up next to me. My husband loves them but does not want them next to him because they are hot so he just moves them over by me when they get too close and 90% of the time they sleep by me. Loki actually has a "move" command but Loki is brilliant.

Anyway, here's how you do it. First, get her a REALLY comfy bed. My dogs LOVE their beds so they don't mind sleeping in them. Then, every time she gets on the bed just say "off" and set her back down on the floor. Once you do this 20 times she should start to get it.

As far as the housetraining thing, we have a tell bell upstairs in the bedroom and we close our bedroom door. Sammy wakes up super early and needs to pee right away so she will hop off and frantically ring her bell to wake us up. Loki just sits on my head and stares at me until I get up

The other thing you can do is put her in a crate (it's not that bad.. Sammy is sleeping in her crate right now - on a HUGE fluffy pillow - and she will probably sleep there most of the night...) and she will bark or otherwise wake you up when she needs to go out.

BTW Sammy was 1 year old and not housetrained at all and she figured out the bell. It's pretty easy for most dogs because it's an immediate gratification thing. If they ring the bell they get attention, and they get what they want. The first time they do it I swear a lightbulb goes off and they are like, WOW COOL! Ding ding ding ding...ding ding..dingdingding......

LoveMyJake · 06-02-2008, 09:20 PM

Both of mine sleep with my husband and I, and we don't have any alpha issues. I think as long as they don't sleep higher than you, it's okay. Jackson sleeps against my legs. He prefers to sleep toward the bottom of the bed. Jake sleeps curled up next to my chest or stomach. Wjhen Jake was a baby, he tried to sleep on my pillow above my head, but I wouldn't let him because I had read about the alpha issues.

I would try putting her in a crate at night with a comfy bed and blanket in it, and put the crate next to your bed where she can see it. She will probably cry or bark the first few nights. Maybe then your husband will just let her in the bed lol.

y0rkiesR0ck · 06-03-2008, 06:27 AM

Kash sleeps with my bf and i in the bed... and it DOES bother my bf, but he just tolerates it. we have a queen size bed, and we really need to upgrade to a king, but can't afford one right now.

we do have a guest bed though, so if my bf is REALLY adament about Kash bothering him, he just sleeps in the guest room.

Kash has never tried to sleep higher than me. he's always at the foot of the bed or curled up right next to me. he doesn't guard the bed when either me or my bf get in it. Kash is pretty submissive.

is it the size of your bed that's the problem, or do you already have a king size? is it in your means to buy a bigger one? do you have a guest room? and do you mind sleeping apart from time to time?

06-02-2008, 01:37 PM	#1
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	From Human Bed to Dog Bed on floor Hello all! Well it has been awhile since I have posted because everything with my little one has been going really well. My question is if anyone has had the experience of moving their yorkie from sleeping in your bed to it's own dog bed on the floor at night? My husband has put up with her up until now and is insisting that she wakes him up at night...(I don't believe it, but I have to respect his sleep). I told him we would try having her on the floor but my concern is that we will not wake up when or if she needs to go out. On the bed she is good all night and if she ever needs a potty break I can hear her jump off the bed and that ques me to let her out. I would hate for her to regress and have accidents in the night, any suggestions to make this tranistion a smooth one? __________________ *Miss Bella*

06-02-2008, 01:49 PM	#2
marcerella02 Loved by Layla Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 11,257	while i have never done this, and don't want to be negative. I'm not sure this can be done without the use of a crate. She is on the bed for 2 reasons 1) because she likes your company but 2) because she feels that she is alpha and that is where she belongs. From what i've read (and i've read a lot.. we had alpha issues in our house!) if you let a dog sleep where you sleep you are saying at the very least, that she is equal to you in the pack order. So you can put a bed on the floor but she probably won't sleep on it. I woudl suggest getting a crate and putting it on a table that is at the same level as your bed so she can at least see you at night. It will be many nights of crying i'm sure.. but she'll be ok and then if you need to you can put the crate on the floor. Again i've never done this so maybe it can be done without using a crate. Layla has been in her crate from day one and loves it! i'm sure your sweet girl can adjust __________________ http://misscanam.blogspot.com/ Layla 's Simon

06-02-2008, 02:02 PM	#3
blueeyes_jd YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Utah Posts: 1,451	I had Gracie on my bed when we first got her... then I put her in her bed on the floor and she slept the WHOLE NIGHT!!! now... any tiny little whimper and my hubby picks her up and puts her on the bed... lol Gracie will whine and cry if she needs to go potty... but she can hold it until the morning... so I have not had that problem... good luck! __________________ Jessica, Gracie's mommy PROUD MEMBER OF THE SPOILED ROTTEN CLUB! and now YTTA

06-02-2008, 02:05 PM	#4
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	Bella started out in a pen at night and only after 5/6 months of age was she allowed on the bed. The only reason I started her on the bed was because I was at work all day and she was penned up all day. To crate her at night as well just seems cruel. I don't have room in the bedroom for the crate so I think I may just try a bed on the floor and a pee pad in the bethroom. If she does not use the pee pad I will eventually take it away. My only problem with that is I dont want her to get confused and think that peeing in the house is encouraged, but at the same time I can not teach her to bark at the door. Maybe the bell training would work.... Thanks for the insight. I agree with the Alpha comment, my partner and her are in a battle for dominance. __________________ *Miss Bella*

06-02-2008, 02:10 PM	#7
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	I dont know how I ended up with a guy who doesnt just love the dog, but I am trying to be open and compromising. All of you with men who dont mind the dog in the bed count yourselves lucky! What I wouldn't give! It is a very frustrating situation because I love sleeping with her and she takes up no space. She is a great sleeper in the bed as well so why mess up a good thing??! __________________ *Miss Bella*

06-02-2008, 02:06 PM	#5
Sandysbabies YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Dallas, Texas Posts: 2,234	Kayla sleeps with us and I would hate to try to get her to sleep in her bed. I never thought about her thinking she was Alpha although she pretty well runs things. lol!! My husband would die if I put her in a crate. Most of the night he holds her and gets up a 2:00am to take her to potty. Our other two sleep in their beds beside ours. Wonder if he could be alittle parcel??? lol!!

06-02-2008, 02:19 PM	#8
bchgirl Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: at da beach Posts: 15,444 Blog Entries: 2	I think dogs consider themselves the alpha when they position themselves higher than you in the bed. All three of mine sleep at the foot of my bed...although sometimes Reese gets in his bed on the floor....and trust me...they know who the alpha is here. Reggie just started sleeping in the bed...if you wake up or move....he lies so still. Please don't see me...please don't make me sleep in the x pen. Could you get a bigger bed?? __________________ Deb, Reese, Reggie, Frazier, Libby, Sidney, & Bodie Trace & Ramsey who watch over us www.biewersbythebay.com

06-02-2008, 02:24 PM	#9
BellaYorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 81	SHe sleeps at the foot of the bed as well, by my feet. She is pretty aware that he does not like her there and stays away from his side. We have a queen and at the moment we aren't in a position to upgrade. I think it is more the idea and principle of the dog on the bed, not the logical facts of it. It is a battle I am tired of fighting so I am going to try it his way. I am betting he will fold when she starts whining like crazy and his sleep is really interrupted! I will put her bed on my side so she can see me and leave a pee pad on the bathroom floor for her to access. I will start looking into the bell training, but she is 2 years old so I dont know if she will pick it up. __________________ *Miss Bella*

06-02-2008, 07:17 PM	#11
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	OK Personally I don't believe in the whole alpha thing in the sense of the "higher" vs. "lower" Now, if your dog isn't letting YOU sleep in the bed or guarding it, that is a different problem. If your dog happily moves over when you lie down you don't really have an issue. Anyway, I can understand how sleeping with them might be a problem. Mine are hot so they are sleeping on the floor right now but by morning Sam will be on my pillow and Loki will be cuddled up next to me. My husband loves them but does not want them next to him because they are hot so he just moves them over by me when they get too close and 90% of the time they sleep by me. Loki actually has a "move" command but Loki is brilliant. Anyway, here's how you do it. First, get her a REALLY comfy bed. My dogs LOVE their beds so they don't mind sleeping in them. Then, every time she gets on the bed just say "off" and set her back down on the floor. Once you do this 20 times she should start to get it. As far as the housetraining thing, we have a tell bell upstairs in the bedroom and we close our bedroom door. Sammy wakes up super early and needs to pee right away so she will hop off and frantically ring her bell to wake us up. Loki just sits on my head and stares at me until I get up The other thing you can do is put her in a crate (it's not that bad.. Sammy is sleeping in her crate right now - on a HUGE fluffy pillow - and she will probably sleep there most of the night...) and she will bark or otherwise wake you up when she needs to go out. BTW Sammy was 1 year old and not housetrained at all and she figured out the bell. It's pretty easy for most dogs because it's an immediate gratification thing. If they ring the bell they get attention, and they get what they want. The first time they do it I swear a lightbulb goes off and they are like, WOW COOL! Ding ding ding ding...ding ding..dingdingding...... __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

06-02-2008, 09:20 PM	#12
LoveMyJake I love Jackson too! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Ohio Posts: 2,905	Both of mine sleep with my husband and I, and we don't have any alpha issues. I think as long as they don't sleep higher than you, it's okay. Jackson sleeps against my legs. He prefers to sleep toward the bottom of the bed. Jake sleeps curled up next to my chest or stomach. Wjhen Jake was a baby, he tried to sleep on my pillow above my head, but I wouldn't let him because I had read about the alpha issues. I would try putting her in a crate at night with a comfy bed and blanket in it, and put the crate next to your bed where she can see it. She will probably cry or bark the first few nights. Maybe then your husband will just let her in the bed lol. __________________ Selina, mommy to Jake and Jackson. RIP baby Lily Coming soon: Gracie

06-03-2008, 06:27 AM	#13
y0rkiesR0ck YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Fairborn, OH Posts: 345	Kash sleeps with my bf and i in the bed... and it DOES bother my bf, but he just tolerates it. we have a queen size bed, and we really need to upgrade to a king, but can't afford one right now. we do have a guest bed though, so if my bf is REALLY adament about Kash bothering him, he just sleeps in the guest room. Kash has never tried to sleep higher than me. he's always at the foot of the bed or curled up right next to me. he doesn't guard the bed when either me or my bf get in it. Kash is pretty submissive. is it the size of your bed that's the problem, or do you already have a king size? is it in your means to buy a bigger one? do you have a guest room? and do you mind sleeping apart from time to time? __________________ Mae, Kash & Milan