Bed vs Crate vs Room - YorkieTalk.com Forums

deonk1 · 02-27-2012, 11:08 AM

Ok so Harley has his own bedroom, he has a crate in there, and sleeps in it but I don't close the crate door. He has never been allowed to sleep in our room for three reasons 1) the bf is scared he'll squish him 2) our room isn't 100% puppy proofed, Harley gets under the bed and I consider this a fire hazard cause I can't call him out from there, so I only allow him in our room when I"m supervising him (I have boxes under the bed, but he can still squeeze between them) 3) he's an energizer bunny that doesn't let us sleep.

So lately I've been letting him take afternoon naps with me if I'm tired and for the most part he sleeps with me, waking up every 30 min-an hour to readjust himself.

I'm moving in September to law school (bf is staying here for a few months) so we'll be on our own in an apartment, I likely wont have space to give Harley his own room so I'm thinking of taking the plunge to letting him sleep with me, I plan on 100% puppy proofing the place (new bed) and finally giving him free-rein of the apartment. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to teach him to sleep at night with me, do I ease in slowly or just take a few sleepless nights with him jumping all over me? lol.

Thanks.

navillusc · 02-27-2012, 11:26 AM

He's already taking naps with you...nights will likely be more of the same. Mine like to play a bit on the bed before sleeping and after their last nighttime outside potty walk, which helps tire them out. Then, when the light goes out, they snuggle down and sleep. They do wobble around on the bed a bit at night, sometimes sleeping on my head or bum-to-DH's (mostly) face...lol...they like to 'spoon' with me, but you get quickly used to them adjusting. Plus, they adjust when I do, and if there's thunder or anything, I achieve enough consciousness to pull them closer and snuggle more so they won't worry. I think you and Harley will do fine at law school!

deonk1 · 02-27-2012, 11:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navillusc

He's already taking naps with you...nights will likely be more of the same. Mine like to play a bit on the bed before sleeping and after their last nighttime outside potty walk, which helps tire them out. Then, when the light goes out, they snuggle down and sleep. They do wobble around on the bed a bit at night, sometimes sleeping on my head or bum-to-DH's (mostly) face...lol...they like to 'spoon' with me, but you get quickly used to them adjusting. Plus, they adjust when I do, and if there's thunder or anything, I achieve enough consciousness to pull them closer and snuggle more so they won't worry. I think you and Harley will do fine at law school!

So far during the naps the thing I need to get used to is his desire to sleep under the blankets... first he'd start under the blankets then get up and grab a toy, then come back and paw on my face to be let in the blankies

I wasn't too happy about that, now he just resorts to licking the crap out of my face when he wants in. I'm hoping he and I can work out a better system than that...lol.

navillusc · 02-27-2012, 12:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deonk1

So far during the naps the thing I need to get used to is his desire to sleep under the blankets... first he'd start under the blankets then get up and grab a toy, then come back and paw on my face to be let in the blankies

I wasn't too happy about that, now he just resorts to licking the crap out of my face when he wants in. I'm hoping he and I can work out a better system than that...lol.

Plop him and a couple teddies under the blanket to start with. You may have a few adjustments to make, but as he gets more used to sleeping with you, and, if he's young, gets a little older, he'll find his own rhythm with you. Everything new at first takes a little time to get used to. We also keep several small fleece throws on the bed and they will snuggle into them as well. Mia will hop and dig and nose the fleece blankies until they are custom comforted to her specifications.

The good thing, if you start with him sleeping with you alone, will be less adjustment when you are joined at law school. Of course, by then, Harley will have claimed HIS half of the bed!

deonk1 · 02-27-2012, 12:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by navillusc

The good thing, if you start with him sleeping with you alone, will be less adjustment when you are joined at law school. Of course, by then, Harley will have claimed HIS half of the bed!

His side of the bed??? thus far, he's delegated one corner of the bed for me... I'm not privileged enough to have a whole side of the bed yet... lol

although this time I convinced him that I wanted to be in the middle, he hasn't pushed me off the bed yet... lol. He's curled up in the blankets with me right now.

SMCW1 · 02-27-2012, 01:00 PM

I have been very lucky with Shesha. She sleeps on my bed and goes to sleep as soon as she gets on top of the bed. I tried leaving her downstairs with her cousin but she got upset one night and she wouldn't settle. Since I brought her up I have had no problems with her. When she wakes she normally comes up and lies on my face to tell me to move. I think you will both be fine.x

DBlain · 02-27-2012, 01:39 PM

before getting him used to sleeping in bed with you make sure it will continue once you are back with your boyfriend. Changing back is very hard once they get used to sleeping with you. One thing you could try if you felt that he would eventually have to sleep back in his crate is to have the crate in your bedroom, that's what we did. I also draped a blanket throw around all but one side at night and she sleeps quietly.. Or I should say did sleep all night long. My DH likes having her in bed with us, so little by little she has become a permanent fixture between the both of us.

navillusc · 02-27-2012, 01:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by deonk1

His side of the bed??? thus far, he's delegated one corner of the bed for me... I'm not privileged enough to have a whole side of the bed yet... lol

although this time I convinced him that I wanted to be in the middle, he hasn't pushed me off the bed yet... lol. He's curled up in the blankets with me right now.

Yep...that's what I meant...his side of the bed is whatever part of the bed he wants. Your space is whatever is left. lol So far neither DH nor I have fallen out of nor been pushed out of bed, but after I get up and look back to see how much space in a CA King waterbed was mine for the night, I find it hard to believe there was room for me at all. lol They are so much fun to cuddle with though!

R_Z · 02-27-2012, 03:11 PM

I think he'll be fine!

Pookie1w · 02-27-2012, 04:10 PM

Coco transitioned from crate to bed primarily because she and I are 5 am risers Mon-Fri and I couldn't get her to sleep in on the weekends or holiday's. I broke down and let her in bed just to get more rest.

I keep her blanket on the bed and other than a few adjustments during the night, she stays on her blanket.

southernbelle04 · 02-27-2012, 04:10 PM

Katie Scarlett doesn't sleep all night in the bed with us. But I do let her come up there with me right before bed and early in the morning. Usually she will lay in the bed with me for about 20 minutes at night. I then put her in her big girl bed in the kitchen. She can see me from there though. Our hallway is short and she has a straight view of our bed. Then I usually wake up around 5 to 6 am to go tee tee. I check on her and if she has pottied, I bring her back to bed with me and we cat nap for a bit longer. I think if I let her, she would stay in the bed with me all night. She loves sleeping with me and my husband. She does get right in between us, but so far, she has done great. So maybe easing your Yorkie in for short amounts of time will help? Good luck!

deonk1 · 02-27-2012, 05:59 PM

Thanks all.. oh and someone mentioned to make sure it's a permanent thing, yes, I've notified the BF that the bed from hell is NOT coming with us when he joins me. I'm buying a new bed exactly how I want, so the little mischief causer cannot get under it. Oh and I told the BF that seeing he wont be in bed with me in Toronto, Harley will be, and he's ok with it... he has no choice... lol.

At least that means I get first dibs on any remaining bed space after Harley has taken his pick.... lol BF must wait 8 months before he gets to take over what the two of us have left for him... maybe that new bed we order will have to be King sized :P.

Tina21 · 02-27-2012, 06:40 PM

I have always let Chloe sleep with me and I admit there have been a few nights when she INSISTED on playing lol. Aside from that I love having her in bed with us. My DH isnt a fan of dogs in bed and even he loves having her sleep with us. Its nice to have a little furball to cuddle with and Chloe is happiest when she is with me. I think you will learn to love having Harley with you. Of course like others have said its a permanent decision. Chloe gets out of bed sometimes and she cries to be brought back in (I really need stairs or a ramp lol)

BabyGirl Rosie · 02-27-2012, 06:45 PM

Well with Rosie we just picked her up at 6 months old and put her in bed with us. And that is where she has been every since. She only wakes me up when she needs to go potty. I think you will end up loving having Harley with you. I love to have my girls beside me. I have a yorkie on each side. And Rosie makes sure that DH stays on his side of the bed.

So, I think just forget the easing in. Just go straight in to the sleepless nights!

02-27-2012, 11:08 AM	#1
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	Bed vs Crate vs Room Ok so Harley has his own bedroom, he has a crate in there, and sleeps in it but I don't close the crate door. He has never been allowed to sleep in our room for three reasons 1) the bf is scared he'll squish him 2) our room isn't 100% puppy proofed, Harley gets under the bed and I consider this a fire hazard cause I can't call him out from there, so I only allow him in our room when I"m supervising him (I have boxes under the bed, but he can still squeeze between them) 3) he's an energizer bunny that doesn't let us sleep. So lately I've been letting him take afternoon naps with me if I'm tired and for the most part he sleeps with me, waking up every 30 min-an hour to readjust himself. I'm moving in September to law school (bf is staying here for a few months) so we'll be on our own in an apartment, I likely wont have space to give Harley his own room so I'm thinking of taking the plunge to letting him sleep with me, I plan on 100% puppy proofing the place (new bed) and finally giving him free-rein of the apartment. I'm wondering if anyone has any advice on how to teach him to sleep at night with me, do I ease in slowly or just take a few sleepless nights with him jumping all over me? lol. Thanks. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

02-27-2012, 11:26 AM	#2
navillusc Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: FL, USA Posts: 2,767	He's already taking naps with you...nights will likely be more of the same. Mine like to play a bit on the bed before sleeping and after their last nighttime outside potty walk, which helps tire them out. Then, when the light goes out, they snuggle down and sleep. They do wobble around on the bed a bit at night, sometimes sleeping on my head or bum-to-DH's (mostly) face...lol...they like to 'spoon' with me, but you get quickly used to them adjusting. Plus, they adjust when I do, and if there's thunder or anything, I achieve enough consciousness to pull them closer and snuggle more so they won't worry. I think you and Harley will do fine at law school! __________________ - Cat Brody Mia BriaStormy

02-27-2012, 01:00 PM	#6
SMCW1 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: May 2010 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 32 Blog Entries: 4	I have been very lucky with Shesha. She sleeps on my bed and goes to sleep as soon as she gets on top of the bed. I tried leaving her downstairs with her cousin but she got upset one night and she wouldn't settle. Since I brought her up I have had no problems with her. When she wakes she normally comes up and lies on my face to tell me to move. I think you will both be fine.x __________________ Shesha and her Mummy

02-27-2012, 04:10 PM	#11
southernbelle04 Katie Scarlett's Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 7,554 Blog Entries: 1	Katie Scarlett doesn't sleep all night in the bed with us. But I do let her come up there with me right before bed and early in the morning. Usually she will lay in the bed with me for about 20 minutes at night. I then put her in her big girl bed in the kitchen. She can see me from there though. Our hallway is short and she has a straight view of our bed. Then I usually wake up around 5 to 6 am to go tee tee. I check on her and if she has pottied, I bring her back to bed with me and we cat nap for a bit longer. I think if I let her, she would stay in the bed with me all night. She loves sleeping with me and my husband. She does get right in between us, but so far, she has done great. So maybe easing your Yorkie in for short amounts of time will help? Good luck! __________________ Aymee & Katie Scarlett

02-27-2012, 05:59 PM	#12
deonk1 YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Location: Winnipeg, MB, Canada Posts: 1,795	Thanks all.. oh and someone mentioned to make sure it's a permanent thing, yes, I've notified the BF that the bed from hell is NOT coming with us when he joins me. I'm buying a new bed exactly how I want, so the little mischief causer cannot get under it. Oh and I told the BF that seeing he wont be in bed with me in Toronto, Harley will be, and he's ok with it... he has no choice... lol. At least that means I get first dibs on any remaining bed space after Harley has taken his pick.... lol BF must wait 8 months before he gets to take over what the two of us have left for him... maybe that new bed we order will have to be King sized :P. __________________ Kendra Harley, you were the light in my life, rest peacefully my love!

02-27-2012, 01:39 PM	#7
DBlain Donating YT Addict Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Oakland County MI Posts: 6,190	before getting him used to sleeping in bed with you make sure it will continue once you are back with your boyfriend. Changing back is very hard once they get used to sleeping with you. One thing you could try if you felt that he would eventually have to sleep back in his crate is to have the crate in your bedroom, that's what we did. I also draped a blanket throw around all but one side at night and she sleeps quietly.. Or I should say did sleep all night long. My DH likes having her in bed with us, so little by little she has become a permanent fixture between the both of us.

02-27-2012, 03:11 PM	#9
R_Z Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: Memphis, TN USA Posts: 1,078	I think he'll be fine!

02-27-2012, 04:10 PM	#10
Pookie1w Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Central, NJ Posts: 268	Coco transitioned from crate to bed primarily because she and I are 5 am risers Mon-Fri and I couldn't get her to sleep in on the weekends or holiday's. I broke down and let her in bed just to get more rest. I keep her blanket on the bed and other than a few adjustments during the night, she stays on her blanket.

02-27-2012, 06:40 PM	#13
Tina21 Donating YT Addict Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Hamilton, Ontario, Canada Posts: 408	I have always let Chloe sleep with me and I admit there have been a few nights when she INSISTED on playing lol. Aside from that I love having her in bed with us. My DH isnt a fan of dogs in bed and even he loves having her sleep with us. Its nice to have a little furball to cuddle with and Chloe is happiest when she is with me. I think you will learn to love having Harley with you. Of course like others have said its a permanent decision. Chloe gets out of bed sometimes and she cries to be brought back in (I really need stairs or a ramp lol) __________________ Mommy to Chloe RIP Georgie 98-2012

02-27-2012, 06:45 PM	#14
BabyGirl Rosie I ♥ my girls! Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: With My Yorkies Posts: 18,980	Well with Rosie we just picked her up at 6 months old and put her in bed with us. And that is where she has been every since. She only wakes me up when she needs to go potty. I think you will end up loving having Harley with you. I love to have my girls beside me. I have a yorkie on each side. And Rosie makes sure that DH stays on his side of the bed. So, I think just forget the easing in. Just go straight in to the sleepless nights! __________________ Momma to three sweet Yorkie girls Rosie Marie, Mikki Leigh , and Lily Mae Grace!