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Originally Posted by Mandyangel  She's doing good now, last night was night #2 of no accidents, she's nice and cozy. She uses her pup pads during the day and goes outside when offered. While I agree that the laundry basket setup is by far a non-permanent setup, it is working for right now. She's nice and cozy in her bed with her blanket. I'd like to at some point have her sleep on/in the bed with us, right now due to my 1 year old having health issues I don't have room for any sort of kennel in my room, when my little one moves into her room, then I'll be able to set something up like that. But right now, Stella has to be in something, I'm sure if she was loose on our bed she would have accidents. |
I know how it is to be up with a sick child several times a night. I did it for 4 years besides having other children to care for. I used to do it on my own as my husband was out like a light at night and would have slept though a bomb. Thankfully, I was able to stay at home and did not work outside the home when the kids were young. We had dogs and cats and kids and all that goes with them. It was wild at times but I would not have had it any other way. Now that my kids are grown (mostly) I miss all the activity. I think I just got used to sleeping with one ear open and having only a few short hours of sleep. Nap time was enforced in the afternoon though. I don't think I could have survived the day if they did not all go lay down for a couple of hours when they were babies to age 4. They would protest but would all end up falling asleep after I read them a story.
Sorry this is long. You have taken on a challenge at this time in your life. I hope you can work things out. There are wonderful xpens that would be a big help to you with the puppy and may actually help protect the pup at times and protect your floors at other times. Here are some examples:
Amazon.com: dog exercise pen
I don't believe in keeping a puppy/dog in them for long periods of time but when you cannot watch the puppy for a little while and at night they come in handy.
My Gracie has slept with me since the first night but that is a whole different sort of training.
People usually buy a small piece of linoleum to put under the x pens that do not have bottoms when you need to put it on carpeting. Best wishes on your new family member. She is very tiny and will need to be watched closely around small children. I know your older daughter has already been taught to be kind to animals but when a small dog gets excited and starts wiggling sometimes they accidentally fall and get hurt. Chi's are rugged as adults usually and can actually be kind of protective of the family if trained properly. They have a different sort of personality, much like a terrier, so reading up on training methods for a Chi might help.
Glad to hear she is doing better.