Welcome to YT! Best to you when you get your pup
for #3 - I'm getting the girls one big bed to share for X-mas, either a Jax & Bones or a Bessie and Barnie bed. It is really a matter of what you like. The first little bed I got Lucy, she rarely ever used. I am with you on not using a crate, but again, some people like them.
for #4 - I have the tag on their harness where the lead connects. I only have their harness on when we are going somewhere away from the house.