Getting Mason Tommorrow- Crate vs. My Bed
 

I'm really excited about getting my new Yorkie tommorrow. She is only 7 1/2 weeks old and her name is Mason. I think I've got everything I need for her and am ready to make her the best dog in the world, I just have one thing I can't decide... whether to have her sleep in her crate or in my bed.
I have a 13 year old dacshaund who has always sleeped with me ( i can keep her out if i need to) and I've loved having her next to me. I would love for Mason to sleep with me when she's older, but of course, I need to crate/potty train her. Also, I have read that having them sleep with you makes them more loveable and cuddly. But, I want her to use the crate and teach her that she is not to use the bathroom in it and she will definately spend some time in it, I just can't decide about at night. :confused:
Thanks

Since your baby is very young to be coming home..I would let her sleep in her crate at least till she gets a little bit bigger as well as potty trained etc., I would keep her crate in your room next to your bed so that she can see you..also I would try putting something in there that has your scent on it so she is comforted at night...do you live close to the breeder?...maybe she can go see her mom and litter mates during the day?..because it is still very early for her to leave them I think

Oh.....GOOD LUCK AND CONGRATS

That's awful young to be bringing a puppy home.

I have to agree with luzangela. Since she's so young and so tiny, its best to not have her in bed with you as of yet. You could roll over on her, or kick her off then bed (or she could fall off on her own).

The crate is a good idea. Hopefully she will sleep there without howling all night (some dogs just dont like it). Worst case scenario...you make a bad for her on the floor next to your bed (where you wont step on her if you get up in the middle of the night) with some blankets.

Please let us know how it goes, and congrats on your new furbaby!

Congratulations, good luck, and welcome to Yorkie Talk!!

Congrats. I would definitely keep her in the crate at night. When Chewy first came home I would stuff blankets at the back of the crate and let him sleep in the front. No room to go potty. I would go to bed at 11 and then set my alarm for 3:30 AM to take him to potty and then wake up again at 7AM. After 2 or 3 weeks, he slept through the night. Your pup is very young to be leaving mamma so I would wrap up a ticking alarm clock and put it in the crate. This really helps. Good Luck with your baby.

Yes, I know she is young, but the breeder told me last weekend when I went to visit, that I should call on Saturday(tommorrow) and see if she's ready to go. She also said that she thinks she will be fine and ready. I was pretty concerned myself when she told me that, but at the time I was holding Mason and couldn't say no. If I feel she needs to stay longer I may ask if thats alright. Unfortunately I am not too happy with the breeder, as far as living conditions and all, so I kinda want to get Mason home with me so I can take care of her. I just want to do whatever is best for her, of course.

I have a blanket and a stuffed animal I was going to put in her crate with her. Sounds like putting a ticking clock next to the crate would be good as well. Thanks

Yes, her breeder does live near. I may take her to see her mom if she needs it, but her 2 brothers will prolly be gone Saturday, because I know they have been sold.

I can tell you what I did. Maggie is 4 months old. She is crate trained. Her crate is in my bedroom, right beside my bed. The reason for crate training is that, our bed is very high, and I was afraid of her falling or jumping off. I didn't want to roll over on her, or for her to PP on my bed. When she was a very young puppy, I took her outside every hour, then at night time--it was every two hours. I never failed one outing. Each time she was on a leash, so when her business was done, it was back in the house. Sometimes I do take a nap with her. She is one, very happy, adjusted baby. We only use her crate for night time sleeping only. She has just enough room to stand, lay down or turn around. She has a soft blankie and toy in there with her. If they have more room than that, they will use it as a bathroom. Trust me, I learned the hard way on that one. I also made a cover for it, so it has a more den like atmosphere. Along the walls of the crate, I use old small throw pillows. I made sure they were wedge really tight. Her crate interior is more like a padded room. She really likes it. It's cozy, dark and warm. During the day, it's on my lap, on the recliner, or in her fluffy bed in the den. I'm looking forward, when she moves to the big bed, but not until she is 100% potty trained and I have a stool for her to use to get up and down from the bed.

I'm sorry ...are the living conditions bad at the breeder?...does she not take care of her dogs?...were you able to see mom and dad?

Well Yes and No. Her breeder's house, yard, and environment is a mess. But, she seems to really love the puppies and I think she knows how to take care of them. She seems to have a lot of experience and knowledge. I have not seen mom or dad. I think I could see mom if I wanted to. I don't know if she owns dad. I asked to see mom the first time we went and she acted hesitant and said that she was just shaved and looked funny or something. I didn't want to step on her toes and was in love with Mason no matter what...so I told her not to worry about it. Hope that wasn't a mistake.

Hmmmm....I would really ask to see MOM..if possible I think it is important and at this point it will not chagne the way you feel about Mason...but you don't want to have a surprise later on...also it will halp you get an idea of coloring and weight etc. and post lots of pic.. :)

Yeah, sounds like a good idea.
The breeder told me that the mom is 6 pounds and the dad is 4.
Also, Mason has two brothers and they are much bigger than her already.
Does this have any indication of her future size?

If the mother and father are those actual sizes and she is the runt (the itty bitty baby)..then I would say she would be 4lb ish----but I am not a breeder and there is no way to tell for sure..even seeing both parents, but it can help give a round about idea...usually you double the weight at 12 weeks and then should be an apporx. weight..but since she is so young it's a little harder..how much does she weigh now?

Well, Im not sure of her weight. I'll find out tommorrow when I get her. Thanks for all your help!