I inherited my Mother's 2 Yorkie Sisters

[SatsyNana]

They are precious & I adore them & drove my mother to get them 8 years ago. She recently died and my "sisters" now live with my husband & me. He loves them, too, but they are use to sleeping with her. Problem? I'm allergic & back on antihistamine PLUS they scratch & chew on their feet all during the night. It's been two months & we need sleep. They need relief & so do we. I bathe them with anti itch shampoo & anti itch conditioner & they are on flea control once a month. Two questions: how do I get them to sleep on their own bed (not ours) AND what can I do for their itching. Vet visit & shot did not stop the itching. Love our girls but need suggestions.

[rubymoon2072]

what kind of food are they eating..is it possible they are allergic to something in the food??If they are used to sleeping with your mother it may be very hard to transition. One suggestion i put the stroller we have for lola at the end of our bed and she sleeps in there. Sometimes she wants to sleep on top of my pillow but if I put her in the stroller she will sleep in it all night at the foot of the bed. I know they also make mini beds that come up to the height of your bed..ive seen them on etsy, pricey but if you or hubs are diy'ers than maybe you could make one custom to your bed.

I want to say thank you for taking these two babies into your home and loving them. so many times i read how a family didnt want them and sent them to a shelter or rescue so kudos to you for making a huge effort and change in you life to love these to babies!!

[Deb1]

Bless you for taking these precious girls into your home! So, sorry for the loss of your mother, too.

You might have to crate them or place them in another room at night. Your health is just as important as theirs. I would bathe them weekly and keep their hair short or manageable. Yorkies are generally free of dander. It might be something you are using on them that is the cause of your allergies. Maybe a scent free, gentle puppy shampoo when help. Just depends on "what" you are allergic too.....

[Oddsock]

Could you handle them in your room if they were crated? (We started Caleb out, in a crate, that was secured to a hospital table, that we placed over the bed. That way I could put my fingers in the crate to comfort him, so he didn't feel alone and he could see me. Hospital table could be moved low, so it touches the mattress or higher so I could move my legs)
I think whatever you decided to do, they will get used to in time, did they bring beds with them? If not I'd buy them their own bed and get them used to them during the day first and a good place to go, give them treats ect. Then put the bed(s) in our room at night and slowly move the bed to where you want them to sleep over the next few weeks.


From reading here, I understand foot chewing can be caused by a food allergy or grass allergy. Our black lab would chew his feet, when he stole or was given some human foods. Good luck finding the cause, hope you are able to make your and their lives easier.

So sorry for you loss, thank you for taking these little ones in.

[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by rubymoon2072

what kind of food are they eating..is it possible they are allergic to something in the food??If they are used to sleeping with your mother it may be very hard to transition. One suggestion i put the stroller we have for lola at the end of our bed and she sleeps in there. Sometimes she wants to sleep on top of my pillow but if I put her in the stroller she will sleep in it all night at the foot of the bed. I know they also make mini beds that come up to the height of your bed..ive seen them on etsy, pricey but if you or hubs are diy'ers than maybe you could make one custom to your bed.

I want to say thank you for taking these two babies into your home and loving them. so many times i read how a family didnt want them and sent them to a shelter or rescue so kudos to you for making a huge effort and change in you life to love these to babies!!

They may very well be allergic to something in their food....that would warrant a change in their diet. What are you feeding them now? It may be very hard to get them to sleep in their own bed after having slept with your momma all those years. I am so sorry for the loss of your mother....and thank you again for taking these babies in. Do they jump up on your bed? I woul;d put a bed for them on the floor, beside your bed....you can put a pillow case or a tee shirt that has your bed/smell on it, in their little bed.....that will make them feel like they are close you you.....good luck with this re-training process...it will take patience and consistancy on your part!

[SatsyNana]

Your suggestions are great & well worth trying. My mother insisted the "only foods they will eat are Chef's moist (with a list of their preferred) with 1 divided between them 2x a day plus Chef Michael's dry (left out all day)". I plan to slowly wean them to Canidae which I read helped dogs with food allergies or Blue Buffalo small breeds. Their itching resolution takes precedence over anything right now. The girls seem to love their new short hair cuts & have adjusted beautifully to their farm home living with our rescue beagle, 2 inherited cats, chickens, guineas, ducks & geese. They best love their Farmer & rush to greet him each time he comes in. Wish us luck with resolving their itching/scratching & sleeping issues! Thank you again!

[Patti]

I am sorry for the loss of your Mom. You're Mom would be so grateful that her babies are with you.
I would see if getting them a couple of comfy beds and but them in your room on the floor. If they can get up on the beds by themselves you may have to put them in a confined area. A little expen or playpen can work.
Mine sleep with me but I also have a walk in closet that I have beds, crates and carriers in. They move around between my bed and the closet. It may take a little bit but I think you can work something out that allows you to get your sleep. The important think is they are with you. Also, they have each other so they won't be alone at night.

[MomtoJasper]

I just wanted to say how sorry I am for your loss. You are a wonderful "sister" for taking in your siblings and giving them such a good home.

I hope you will stick around and let us know how things are going. It's really a great community with tons of great people and great info. And all things yorkie!!

[cummins]

For their itching I would change to a grain free dog food.

[Maximo]

Originally Posted by Patti

I am sorry for the loss of your Mom. You're Mom would be so grateful that her babies are with you.
I would see if getting them a couple of comfy beds and but them in your room on the floor. If they can get up on the beds by themselves you may have to put them in a confined area. A little expen or playpen can work.
Mine sleep with me but I also have a walk in closet that I have beds, crates and carriers in. They move around between my bed and the closet. It may take a little bit but I think you can work something out that allows you to get your sleep. The important think is they are with you. Also, they have each other so they won't be alone at night.

I am sorry for the loss of your mother, and I think it is wonderful that you have welcomed her babies into your home.

I agree with Patti's advice to use an xpen/playpen with some comfy, cozy beds.

I don't have allergies, but last night, I was coughing with Max curled up under my nose. The doggies spent some time playing in the fallen leaves yesterday and must have picked up a lot of allergens. Time for a bath!