Sleeping in bed: did they sleep or play at first?

LoveLilly · 11-10-2006, 01:35 PM

When I transition my papillon from her crate to our bed my fear is she will not sleep but rather play and keep us up. Currently her bedtime is 10pm when my husband puts her to bed but with her early wake up I can only make it till 9-9.30pm so at that time she gets her last potty break and comes to bed with me. It takes her a good 15 minutes to settle down but then she will hunker down under the covers and sleep with her head on my tummy!!!

But the minute a cat jumps on the bed or my husband enters the room she is up and ready to play.

So did your dog sleep right away when they transitioned to the bed or did they play?

LoveLilly · 11-10-2006, 01:36 PM

I forgot to mention that when my husband puts her to bed it is in her crate in our bedroom.

Curbside Prophet · 11-10-2006, 01:51 PM

Elsa's always on duty when it comes to play. So unless I tell her otherwise she will drag all her toys into my bed...a definate attention seeker. Most puppies I believe react like yours, and in my mind that's what makes puppies so adorable. I'm sure as you all grow together you'll be able to direct her to settle down as needed. Until then, enjoy her puppydom, they grow out of it fast!

Dulce · 11-10-2006, 01:51 PM

When you put her on the bed, tell her to "down" and "Quiet" or "Settle". Find a word to use for that, and be consistant.

Stroke her gently for a few minutes to calm her down. Ignoring her may help also. She will get bored, and want to sleep if you ignore her when she gets rowdy.

A combination of the two ideas I suggested should do the trick

LoveLilly · 11-10-2006, 03:47 PM

Great thanks. She already knows down and settle so I will associate quiet with bedtime.

cheyenne · 11-11-2006, 06:57 PM

Teach her to settel and quiet!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Dulce · 11-11-2006, 08:57 PM

Why don't YOU settle and quiet!

Chemikal · 11-15-2006, 09:36 PM

The playfullness is contributed to nerves. They tend to be more nervous when moved to a different spot. My Cockerspaniel slept in a toxbox (dont ask) he would always go to the box and go to sleep. When he got too big for it. We took it outside and made him sleep on the floor by the bed. Dont worry this is just nerves and will pass soon.

Just wait until your dog has a nightmare.

LoveLilly · 11-16-2006, 08:52 AM

We transitioned her to the bed 2 nights ago and she was such an angel. In fact, she slept longer in the bed before needing to go out than in her crate. She is so funny....she likes to lay under the covers and burrow, but when she gets all settled in for the night she likes to lay under the covers with her head sticking out. Sometimes during the night I looked over and she was just laying there like a good girl with her eyes open, just being patient. She is such a sweetie.