2 questions regarding nighttime routine - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Pammy2016 · 09-15-2016, 05:23 AM

My yorkie is just about 6 months old. I know she is still very young, but I have a few questions regarding her nighttime routine. I have no idea what to expect.

1. When she sleeps in our bed for the night, she'll sleep the whole night through with no issues. She'll snuggle up right between us or in our necks and be knocked out. Doesn't wake up until we wake up around 7am to go potty. No issues. But when we put her in her crate some nights, she'll poop and pee in her crate and bark about every hour, and she's especially relentless between 6-7am. Will she ever be able to sleep in her crate without going potty or barking?

2. On the heels of the last question, will she ever become "independent" during nighttime when she is eventually potty trained? Obviously without her being trained, she needs to be with us in bed or in her crate so she wouldn't make a mess throughout the house. But when she is eventually trained, will she ever be able to roam around at night and sleep on her own in her own bed, without being dependent on us being there?

We're first time dog owners, so we really don't know what we should expect. Thank you for any input!

Maximo · 09-15-2016, 07:40 AM

I think it is really hard to train a dog, especially a Yorkie, to accept sleeping in bed with you some nights, and sleeping in the crate others. Sounds like she prefers being with you. It's the Yorkie way.

Max slept in his doggy bed in his xpen next to my bed his first year. His choice. Then he started sleeping with me. He is now 7 years old and often goes to his doggy bed because I move around too much or he gets hot.

I think most dogs will sleep longer at night if they are near their humans.

Potty: are you doing strict outdoor training, or using pads too? My boys have pads available, so they pee when they need to and don't wake me up. They will wake me up to poop because they want that taken care of right away.

Pammy2016 · 09-15-2016, 08:00 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Maximo

I think it is really hard to train a dog, especially a Yorkie, to accept sleeping in bed with you some nights, and sleeping in the crate others. Sounds like she prefers being with you. It's the Yorkie way.

Max slept in his doggy bed in his xpen next to my bed his first year. His choice. Then he started sleeping with me. He is now 7 years old and often goes to his doggy bed because I move around too much or he gets hot.

I think most dogs will sleep longer at night if they are near their humans.

Potty: are you doing strict outdoor training, or using pads too? My boys have pads available, so they pee when they need to and don't wake me up. They will wake me up to poop because they want that taken care of right away.

We have been strictly doing outdoor potty training since we ditched the xpen. (she learned the climb it like a ladder and get out when she was about 3 months old). should i consider using pads at night? although, if we ever lay down in bed or even on the couch, she'll just stand there and try to get up with us, unless it's her play time. but during nighttime hours, she MUST be with us. she's really not relaxed unless she is.

is it something she'll "grow out of", or is it just the way she is? i'm fine with it either way. i love how snuggly and close she is to us. i just want to know if this is normal behavior.

Maximo · 09-15-2016, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pammy2016

We have been strictly doing outdoor potty training since we ditched the xpen. (she learned the climb it like a ladder and get out when she was about 3 months old). should i consider using pads at night? although, if we ever lay down in bed or even on the couch, she'll just stand there and try to get up with us, unless it's her play time. but during nighttime hours, she MUST be with us. she's really not relaxed unless she is.

is it something she'll "grow out of", or is it just the way she is? i'm fine with it either way. i love how snuggly and close she is to us. i just want to know if this is normal behavior.

Stick with the strict outdoor training.

Having pads only at night will cause confusion.

If you are okay with her sleeping/snuggling with you, keep doing that. It is normal. Yorkies typically want to be close to their humans. Usually they do not grow out of wanting to sleep with their humans at night. I would say my boys are unusual going to their own beds, next to mine. They do it when they get hot or tired of me moving around.

My boys usually don't roam around at night. Sometimes they wake up before my alarm, but usually they sleep until I get up. They are early risers though. They would never let me sleep until 7 because they want their breakfast and potty break at 5 am.

Then they want to go back to bed to cuddle.

canana · 09-15-2016, 09:21 AM

I agree with Maximo, it's super hard for any Yorkie to be allowed to sleep on the bed sometimes and then crated through the night other times.

At 6 months old, the potty training stuff is crucial. Think at this point, you may want to decide one or the other and stick to it. Though, you might find that crate training her right now will be harder and more work...

If you choose to let her sleep on your bed and she sleeps through the night every night, then scrap the crate. And I guess that's it

I think many people choose this, because it seems easier and they actually like sleeping with their Yorkies.

If you choose to crate train her, don't let her on your bed again (at least for the next year or so until she's all potty trained). You'll have to use several training techniques to have her accustomed to the crate, LOVE the crate, and not have separation anxiety while in the crate (this is really the first step to prevent the barking). If she potties in the crate right now, it'll also mean you need to potty train her from the start again so she can get through the night (i.e. let her out to pee midway through the night and then gradually increase the time until she can sleep through the entire night without accidents; let her out to pee at 6am as soon as she's awake). With time, she'll start to be less anxious and will start to sleep through the night once she accepts it.

My personal experience...
I never let mine on my bed for cleanliness / allergies reasons and the fact that I'm scared I'll squish them in my deep sleep! I chose the crate training route from day one (the both potty outdoors as well). Heads up: it can be a total nightmare!

Through this process, I fed all meals in the crate so they'd like the crate and wouldn't soil themselves in the crate. I made sure the crate is large enough just so they can lie down and turn around.

With Scottie, I had to use ticking alarm clocks to sooth him, cover a few sides of the crate with a towel, ignore his barking for a couple months when I knew he was all pottied out. It was rough! 1.5 years later, with Casie, I had to take away the towel in her crate because she felt comfortable to keep peeing inside because the towel would soak up her pee and she was fine with that.

I had different challenges with both. Scottie barked through the night for a good 2-3 months. Eventually we made it through. I could have sworn my condo neighbors all hated me. His cries were as if his limbs were being torn off one by one. Casie was somehow amazing from the first week onwards and didn't bark through the night. Her issue was soiling the crate.

Lesson learned though, both can be potty/crate trained. Just needs A LOT of patience.

Scottie is currently 2.5 years. He has free reign of my entire condo. He sleeps on his own bed, near my bed. I waited until 1 year 3 months before letting Scottie out of his crate and in a isolated space near my bed. And then very gradually earning more and more space within my condo. He's able to hold in his potty until I'm ready to take him out before getting ready for work.

Casie is turning 1 year old next month and still sleeps through the night in her crate. She wakes me up every morning at 6am and I take her potty right away! For her, potty has been a challenge, so I will wait longer until she seems to be able to sleep in and hold it. She's far from reliable as of right now.

So as for your second question, the answer is yes

Your Yorkie will eventually be independant and able to roam freely and sleep on her own bed beside your bed once she's potty trained. It's a matter of time. Some learn faster - like before they turn 1 year old. Key is, if they have any accidents, then it was too soon and you need to go back a few steps. Slow and steady wins the race.

Pammy2016 · 09-15-2016, 09:44 AM

thank you for your help!

whenever she sleeps with us, she seems more pleasant to be around, more energetic, more fun, absolutely no accidents, has a much better routine. when she sleeps in the crate, she doesn't sleep as well, goes in her crate (which throws her off the rest of the day), and you can tell she gets visibly angry with us the first few seconds after we let her out. it's kind of funny

i think i'll just stick with her sleeping in bed with us. we've been crate training since we ditched her pen, and it doesn't go well. she hates it in there. that's what led us to trying her sleeping in our bed. and she does wonderfully.

Jkpal · 09-15-2016, 10:01 AM

Piper has always slept with me--I'd be devastated and lost if she didn't! She wakes me with little ga-ruffs when she wants to go out. It sounds like sleeping with you makes for one happy and secure little gal!

ritapatt · 09-15-2016, 10:01 AM

Sounds like she convinced you of the best place for her!
My two were trained to crates, altho the younger one isn't fond of it the older loves it. I like to have the crates(plastic airline style) available in case of hurricane,camping,travel, and health emergency. Maybe you can find a special use for it (special treats) so she will be used to it "just in case".

Jkpal · 09-15-2016, 10:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritapatt

Sounds like she convinced you of the best place for her!
My two were trained to crates, altho the younger one isn't fond of it the older loves it. I like to have the crates(plastic airline style) available in case of hurricane,camping,travel, and health emergency. Maybe you can find a special use for it (special treats) so she will be used to it "just in case".

Hey now!! 'Just in case..,' that's a good idea!!

canana · 09-15-2016, 01:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ritapatt

Sounds like she convinced you of the best place for her!
My two were trained to crates, altho the younger one isn't fond of it the older loves it. I like to have the crates(plastic airline style) available in case of hurricane,camping,travel, and health emergency. Maybe you can find a special use for it (special treats) so she will be used to it "just in case".

Was the "case" intended to be a pun?

crates are definitely good for carrying them around in for safety and convenience reasons!

Shicks · 09-15-2016, 02:53 PM

Yorkies just want & need to be with their people. She feels secure & protected with you when the house is quite and dark. And she's there to protect you, her pack. You said she does better during the day after she slept with you, because she knows everyone was together having sweet dreams.
My little one sleeps with me every night. Nothing like cuddling with a warm soft Yorkie. Oh, & by the way, my husband has his own bed, not because of our Yorkie, big snorers. ha!

GregB · 09-17-2016, 05:36 AM

Our Lilly sleeps in her crate (airplane type) on my side of the bed on my bedside table, and has done so since day one.
She woke us for the first two nights for a wee but went straight back to sleep. After those first two nights she has slept straight through (it's been ten weeks now).
We have been very strict with her routine.
We play with her for about half an hour before bed time then take her to her pad for a wee then strait to her crate. Some nights she niggles for a minute or two but generally she settles very quickly.
Over weekends we might let her fall asleep with us in the bed but once she is asleep I put her strait in her crate.
We go to sleep between 21:30 and 22:00 and get up at 06:00. I wake her up and take her for a wee strait away.
I did a lot of reading on this forum and a few books before we got her and routine seemed to be the key to potty as well as crate training.
From our experience this seems to be true unless we have been really lucky with our fur baby.

09-15-2016, 05:23 AM	#1
Pammy2016 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 35	2 questions regarding nighttime routine My yorkie is just about 6 months old. I know she is still very young, but I have a few questions regarding her nighttime routine. I have no idea what to expect. 1. When she sleeps in our bed for the night, she'll sleep the whole night through with no issues. She'll snuggle up right between us or in our necks and be knocked out. Doesn't wake up until we wake up around 7am to go potty. No issues. But when we put her in her crate some nights, she'll poop and pee in her crate and bark about every hour, and she's especially relentless between 6-7am. Will she ever be able to sleep in her crate without going potty or barking? 2. On the heels of the last question, will she ever become "independent" during nighttime when she is eventually potty trained? Obviously without her being trained, she needs to be with us in bed or in her crate so she wouldn't make a mess throughout the house. But when she is eventually trained, will she ever be able to roam around at night and sleep on her own in her own bed, without being dependent on us being there? We're first time dog owners, so we really don't know what we should expect. Thank you for any input!

09-15-2016, 07:40 AM	#2
Maximo ♥ Maximo and Teddy Donating Member Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Northern Virginia Posts: 25,041	I think it is really hard to train a dog, especially a Yorkie, to accept sleeping in bed with you some nights, and sleeping in the crate others. Sounds like she prefers being with you. It's the Yorkie way. Max slept in his doggy bed in his xpen next to my bed his first year. His choice. Then he started sleeping with me. He is now 7 years old and often goes to his doggy bed because I move around too much or he gets hot. I think most dogs will sleep longer at night if they are near their humans. Potty: are you doing strict outdoor training, or using pads too? My boys have pads available, so they pee when they need to and don't wake me up. They will wake me up to poop because they want that taken care of right away. __________________ Kristin, Max and Teddy

09-15-2016, 09:21 AM	#5
canana Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Canada Posts: 1,903	I agree with Maximo, it's super hard for any Yorkie to be allowed to sleep on the bed sometimes and then crated through the night other times. At 6 months old, the potty training stuff is crucial. Think at this point, you may want to decide one or the other and stick to it. Though, you might find that crate training her right now will be harder and more work... If you choose to let her sleep on your bed and she sleeps through the night every night, then scrap the crate. And I guess that's it I think many people choose this, because it seems easier and they actually like sleeping with their Yorkies. If you choose to crate train her, don't let her on your bed again (at least for the next year or so until she's all potty trained). You'll have to use several training techniques to have her accustomed to the crate, LOVE the crate, and not have separation anxiety while in the crate (this is really the first step to prevent the barking). If she potties in the crate right now, it'll also mean you need to potty train her from the start again so she can get through the night (i.e. let her out to pee midway through the night and then gradually increase the time until she can sleep through the entire night without accidents; let her out to pee at 6am as soon as she's awake). With time, she'll start to be less anxious and will start to sleep through the night once she accepts it. My personal experience... I never let mine on my bed for cleanliness / allergies reasons and the fact that I'm scared I'll squish them in my deep sleep! I chose the crate training route from day one (the both potty outdoors as well). Heads up: it can be a total nightmare! Through this process, I fed all meals in the crate so they'd like the crate and wouldn't soil themselves in the crate. I made sure the crate is large enough just so they can lie down and turn around. With Scottie, I had to use ticking alarm clocks to sooth him, cover a few sides of the crate with a towel, ignore his barking for a couple months when I knew he was all pottied out. It was rough! 1.5 years later, with Casie, I had to take away the towel in her crate because she felt comfortable to keep peeing inside because the towel would soak up her pee and she was fine with that. I had different challenges with both. Scottie barked through the night for a good 2-3 months. Eventually we made it through. I could have sworn my condo neighbors all hated me. His cries were as if his limbs were being torn off one by one. Casie was somehow amazing from the first week onwards and didn't bark through the night. Her issue was soiling the crate. Lesson learned though, both can be potty/crate trained. Just needs A LOT of patience. Scottie is currently 2.5 years. He has free reign of my entire condo. He sleeps on his own bed, near my bed. I waited until 1 year 3 months before letting Scottie out of his crate and in a isolated space near my bed. And then very gradually earning more and more space within my condo. He's able to hold in his potty until I'm ready to take him out before getting ready for work. Casie is turning 1 year old next month and still sleeps through the night in her crate. She wakes me up every morning at 6am and I take her potty right away! For her, potty has been a challenge, so I will wait longer until she seems to be able to sleep in and hold it. She's far from reliable as of right now. So as for your second question, the answer is yes Your Yorkie will eventually be independant and able to roam freely and sleep on her own bed beside your bed once she's potty trained. It's a matter of time. Some learn faster - like before they turn 1 year old. Key is, if they have any accidents, then it was too soon and you need to go back a few steps. Slow and steady wins the race. __________________ ~ laughter is an instant vacation ~ https://scottieandcasie.com/ :: Custom Pet Portrait Paintings

09-15-2016, 02:53 PM	#11
Shicks YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Friendsville Tn. Posts: 879 Blog Entries: 1	Yorkies just want & need to be with their people. She feels secure & protected with you when the house is quite and dark. And she's there to protect you, her pack. You said she does better during the day after she slept with you, because she knows everyone was together having sweet dreams. My little one sleeps with me every night. Nothing like cuddling with a warm soft Yorkie. Oh, & by the way, my husband has his own bed, not because of our Yorkie, big snorers. ha! __________________ Yorkies makes us happy

09-15-2016, 09:44 AM	#6
Pammy2016 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Florida Posts: 35	thank you for your help! whenever she sleeps with us, she seems more pleasant to be around, more energetic, more fun, absolutely no accidents, has a much better routine. when she sleeps in the crate, she doesn't sleep as well, goes in her crate (which throws her off the rest of the day), and you can tell she gets visibly angry with us the first few seconds after we let her out. it's kind of funny i think i'll just stick with her sleeping in bed with us. we've been crate training since we ditched her pen, and it doesn't go well. she hates it in there. that's what led us to trying her sleeping in our bed. and she does wonderfully.

09-15-2016, 10:01 AM	#7
Jkpal YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 2,776	Piper has always slept with me--I'd be devastated and lost if she didn't! She wakes me with little ga-ruffs when she wants to go out. It sounds like sleeping with you makes for one happy and secure little gal!

09-15-2016, 10:01 AM	#8
ritapatt YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Merritt Island,FL Posts: 1,400	Sounds like she convinced you of the best place for her! My two were trained to crates, altho the younger one isn't fond of it the older loves it. I like to have the crates(plastic airline style) available in case of hurricane,camping,travel, and health emergency. Maybe you can find a special use for it (special treats) so she will be used to it "just in case".

09-17-2016, 05:36 AM	#12
GregB Yorkie Talker Join Date: May 2016 Location: East London, South Africa Posts: 21	Our Lilly sleeps in her crate (airplane type) on my side of the bed on my bedside table, and has done so since day one. She woke us for the first two nights for a wee but went straight back to sleep. After those first two nights she has slept straight through (it's been ten weeks now). We have been very strict with her routine. We play with her for about half an hour before bed time then take her to her pad for a wee then strait to her crate. Some nights she niggles for a minute or two but generally she settles very quickly. Over weekends we might let her fall asleep with us in the bed but once she is asleep I put her strait in her crate. We go to sleep between 21:30 and 22:00 and get up at 06:00. I wake her up and take her for a wee strait away. I did a lot of reading on this forum and a few books before we got her and routine seemed to be the key to potty as well as crate training. From our experience this seems to be true unless we have been really lucky with our fur baby.