[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by RLC12345678

I am getting my 2nd yorkie on Sunday, and for some reason I feel like I am a first-time mom! I am freaking out!

So, I am trying to decide where I'll keep my new puppy when I have to leave her at home sometimes during the day. I want her to feel safe and secure, so would it be better to put her in a crate by herself, or to leave her confined to an x-pen with Hobbs so she'll have company? I let Hobbs have full run of the house right now bc he is fully potty trained, so I don't think Hobbs will appreciate being locked up again, but I'll definately do it if it will help my new baby to adjust.

If it is better to put her in a crate, is it safe to keep a heating pad on low in the bottom of the crate with a towel on top of the heating pad? I obviously would not leave any wires accessible to chewing. I would just want her to feel warm and secure in the crate if crating her is the best option.

Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated! I just want her to feel safe and secure. Look forward to hearing your ideas!

I just got Annika on May 21st and our arrangement has been working really great so far. The first week I had Tiger in the basement whilst Annika tries to get adjusted in the laundry room. She is in an expen with her day bed on one side, a pee pad on another corner and water in another corner. She is pretty good at potty training and always goes to the pad. I put a pillow case to protect her white furry pillow and then a fleece blanket for added warmth.

After a week of Tiger being confined to the basement, I moved him up to the laundry room over the first weekend to see how they are doing together in the same room, but him being outside the expen and Annika inside. They seem to be behaving pretty well so that has been my permanent arrangement now. Tiger is great at holding it for about the first 7 hours so when I come home for a late lunch, his pad is clean. He has a crate in the laundry room but the door has been taken off. I think they are mellow and just relaxing when I am gone . . .when I say my goodbye's and give them hugs and kisses, Tiger automatically goes into his crate and I think he stays there until I come home. Annika does the same . . . she loves her day bed so she is pretty much in there the whole time.

Both are completely different the minute I come home . . .they are fully energized and play actively. I move Tiger inside the pen so they can play for a long time . . .when I go down to the basement to work, they go with me as there is another expen set-up there for them to play with.

I am sure you will be able to eventually figure out what is best for your babies . . .but initially it is good to get them separated. Good luck!