Transitioning

[lydiaach]

How do I go about transitioning my dogs from our bed to the floor? I feel so unbelievably guilty doing this but I know when DH and I have a baby, it will be necessary. We are moving to a new house in 4 weeks and I was thinking we could do it then. Should I have them sleep in the same room on the floor? In a different part of the house? Sallie is not quite housetrained yet and all our carpeting is going to be brand new. I keep them in crates all day right now but that may change in our new house. It's more than twice the size of where we live now. I don't want them to have to be crated at night too.

[jwestoverpug]

If they like their crates that may be the easier way to do it. It's really hard once they're in the bed to get them out, especially if they're in the same room, and can jump up by themselves.

Jesse

[lydiaach]

Well, none of them can jump into the bed, but we are putting it up on risers to be safe. We will have a dog room for them in our basement once we finish it but it won't be for a while. Maybe we'll block them off in the kitchen with some beds and they'll "get it" eventually that that's where they sleep? This is tearing me up.

[Imon]

Is there a special treat that they really love that you could restrict to only giving them when they are in their crates in whatever room you decide they will sleep in? Or a special toy?

When Otto was a puppy, I used to try to catch him and put him into the crate when I left for work. Then I started giving him a liver treat only when he went into the crate - I'd toss the treat in first and he'd happily follow it inside. Then, he would run into the crate on his own and wait for the treat. Now he runs in and I can give him any treat- it helps that pugs are opportunistic feeders!

I know it is making you feel bad to separate them from you at night, but if you make it into something they like and look forward to, you'll feel better and they'll be happy. You know them best, so you'd need to decide what would work for them and for you. (but I'll bet it will be food related, since they are pugs!)

[Almandine]

I know you must feel just awful, but I am sure it will be harder on you than on them! I bet they will be snuggling down with eachother in their new night time zone sooner than you think.

I give everyone a "bedtime biscuit" just as I put the light out and I KNOW it is so salve MY guilt at not having ALL of them on the bed with me! Good luck with the move!

[lydiaach]

I could give them treats like a Kong or something but they need to be watched whenever food is involved. Sallie and Nina have been known to snap at each other on occasion if there is something they could inhale around. I'll have to think of somethign really smelly and good, like deli roast beef or something.

[lydiaach]

Just an update-it's been going pretty well, having the girls sleep in the living room while we sleep upstairs. I think they are getting more independent every day.