How Do You " YORKIE PROOF " Your Home?

[annamalyssa]

I am in desperate need of help on how to Yorkie Proof my home. Gucci has always been kept by my side, but he completed his last round of shots last week and I STILL HAVE YET TO LET HIM EXPLORE THE HOUSE.. We don't have anything laying around but I worry about even the most ordinary things! Tile Floors, Dresser Edges, Walls ...It's making me feel like he can NEVER run around

I used to think I was nutso until the other day he ran out of his x-pen from behind me and wouldn't let me catch him... He was going really fast and Smashed his face into the edge of my mattress frame where the metal was exposed (I was washing my sheets and bedskirt etc.) OH MY GOODNESS he was freaking out and I just knew his jaw was broken, eye popped out .. SOMETHING because he hit is SOOOOO HARD

Luckily he was fine, it just hurt him pretty bad.. But, I mean really? are you serious? .. WHERE DOES THAT HAPPEN? we have the worst luck so now I am stressing about even letting him run around

(**thank you Shauna aka LIL MISSY for being there when I needed you!!!!** )

He weighs 4.6 lbs BUT he is very short and very small I am scared he'll smash into something while running or jumping (and we have tile everywhere except the Smal T.V Room, our room and the kids rooms).

What do you do to make sure your Babies don't get hurt?

Do I keep him leashed with me? Gate him into just the T.V room?
Just let me know what you do and maybe I can find some ideas from there

[Yorkiekids]

I think he's just acting like a pup. Let him in one room at a time with you. There's no way to puppy proof your whole house. Their going to get into things they shouldn't, but as long as your reasonable about what you leave lying around he should be just fine.

[LilMissy]

(**thank you Shauna aka LIL MISSY for being there when I needed you!!!!**)

No prob! I have a soft spot for your cutiepie Gucci, and I know you'll be there for me when I'm stressed about my baby girl

Missy has free reign of the upper floor when we are home, which is pretty much always. She is NEVER unsupervised though, which is easy being the fact that we are a family of 5. She didn't get free reign until after her first couple of weeks home because we needed to get the potty training down pat. She has done SO well with using her pee pads that I just let'er rip now. She RARELY has a potty accident, and when she does it's a poop. She doesn't chew on anything that she shouldn't. We just make sure our stuff is picked up off the floor and only her toys are laying around. She really only has the option of chewing on her own stuff then. I have said a million zillion times how fortunate I am that Missy is so well behaved *knock on wood* I keep waiting for the "rebellious stage" because she really has been the best puppy I've ever had. The rare time she does have to stay home alone I just put her in her x-pen. I always come home to her stuck standing on top of her crate trying to peer out. She doesn't do well with being left alone. I even have to drag her with me twice a day to bring my kiddo to school!

I think that you should start giving Gucci some supervised free reign of the house. It's the only way he's going to learn the house rules, and how to maneuver around furniture

GOOD LUCK! Give Gucci a snuggle from me

[Yorkiekids]

I think he's just acting like a pup. Let him in one room at a time with you. There's no way to puppy proof your whole house. Their going to get into things they shouldn't, but as long as your reasonable about what you leave lying around he should be just fine.

[RebelBelle]

It's just like with skin kids. You make it as safe as you can and then work to teach them what's safe and what's not safe. Then all that's left to do is pray and know that things will happen that are beyond your control!

If you get down on all fours and crawl around, then it'll be easier to see what's appealing for your baby to get into. I'm still working to teach Jamie to stay out of the kitchen while I'm cooking (so he won't get burned if I spill or drop something hot). I also always try to open anything hazardous (i.e.) pill bottles over the sink so that they can't drop on the floor.

You're a great mommy, so just have a little faith...

[Nancy1999]

Somethings are easy, but so much depends on the dog. We keep the trash container in a cabinet, it's just too much of a temptation for most dogs, I suppose if your container has a lid that would be enough for some dogs, but not all. We would watch Joey when he was in a room and see what he'd go for. Nearly all the cords are pulled out of sight, and as he's gotten older, cords aren't a temptation for him, but for some dogs, it's always a problem. Be careful of window cords, it's possible for them to wrap themselves in these. We kept baby gates by the steps, and we didn't want him to have access to the front door, I think this is especially important before a dog is neutered; they go from being glued to your side to a wild teenage pretty quick. I use lots of those different insect baits, and have made sure that he can't get any of those. Apparently, the thing that attracts insects also attracts doggies, and many dogs have been poisoned from these, but they seem safer than sprays if you keep them hidden. They say the number one cause of poisoning is prescription medicine, and especially when they are a pup, anything that hits the floor, they will run toward and swallow, so many people say be careful when you remove a pill from a bottle and do it over a sink or drawer. I keep my cleaners stored in a high cabinet.

[annamalyssa]

Originally Posted by LilMissy

No prob! I have a soft spot for your cutiepie Gucci, and I know you'll be there for me when I'm stressed about my baby girl

Awgh I will most definately be there when you need anything just PM away!! I think introducing one part of the house at a time is a great way to start, as you said he does need to learn to maneuver around the furniture and get used to everything around him. I just pray we have NO MORE ACCIDENTS, I don't think I could handle anything more lol

YorkieKids - Great piece of advice thank you so much!

RebelBelle -

You're a great mommy, so just have a little faith...

Awgh you are too sweet! I need to learn to have some, I am just so used to having the worst luck that it's like a sure thing to me now .. SO SAD BUT SO TRUE. I think the kitchen will be the LAST place I introduce him to.

Nancy1999 - All of your suggestions are great!! I am learning from everyone.

We keep the trash container in a cabinet, it's just too much of a temptation for most dogs

That's one thing that I most definately will have to do, once we start allowing any roaming in the kitchen because Gucci is a VERY interested, curious and HUNGRY BOY lol. I will also have to make sure the cords are out of sight, I could see where this would be a problem.

[Gracie2006]

If it can be chewed up or shredded, it is kept out of reach. Block off electrical outlets and masses of cords. Otherwise put gel deodorant on exposed electrical cords that you can't hide. Give them plenty of appropriate things to chew. Remember a Yorkie's number 1 rule: If it's on the floor, it's mine. And #2, If I can reach it, it's mine.

[Britster]

he's just being a puppy! it's just like with children, you can't be there 24/7 to completely protect them from something. they have to learn what to do/what not to do. let him explore. obviously still keep a close eye in case of accidents, chewing things, etc but don't worry so much! they're dogs.

[Britster]

Originally Posted by RebelBelle

It's just like with skin kids. You make it as safe as you can and then work to teach them what's safe and what's not safe. Then all that's left to do is pray and know that things will happen that are beyond your control!

If you get down on all fours and crawl around, then it'll be easier to see what's appealing for your baby to get into. I'm still working to teach Jamie to stay out of the kitchen while I'm cooking (so he won't get burned if I spill or drop something hot). I also always try to open anything hazardous (i.e.) pill bottles over the sink so that they can't drop on the floor.

You're a great mommy, so just have a little faith...

agree

[NewYorkieLover]

I agree with the one room at a time. As was already suggested, watch carefully, and see what he's interested in.

I just let Lexi into the living room two days after Christmas. I couldn't believe that she didn't go after the ornaments on the tree!

When she is exploring new areas, I keep her harness and an old leash on her. (Old, so the beautiful leash from chattiesmom doesn't drag around on the floor and get all dirty!) That way, if she gets into something she shouldn't, or tries to get away, it's easier to catch her by grabbing or stepping on the leash. In my room, she loves to go under the bed. Without the leash, I might have a heck of a time getting her out. She will usually come out when I tell her to, but if she's not in the mood...I still have the leash!

Good luck! I bet it will go better than you think.

[JoJos Mama]

They are worse than babies aren't they? JoJo just turned 7 months old and he is doing better about chewing on things he shouldn't. At 5 months, I thought we must have a woodchuck or beaver because he was really loving to chew on everything even though he had lots of chew toys. We are now into another stage of teething - losing baby teeth. So, I guess we still have some more chewing to look forward to. Hope things get better for you soon.

[annamalyssa]

Gracie2006 -

Yorkie's number 1 rule: If it's on the floor, it's mine. And #2, If I can reach it, it's mine.

Ha great rule to live by I love that! I will definately keep that in mind when doing my final run of Yorkie Inspection lol

Britster -

you can't be there 24/7 to completely protect them from something

I think this is what I need to "work on" realizing the most, I always blame myself for stuff and I KNOW I shouldn't but I do. Thank you for the input as well!

NewYorkieLover -

When she is exploring new areas, I keep her harness and an old leash on her. (Old, so the beautiful leash from chattiesmom doesn't drag around on the floor and get all dirty!) That way, if she gets into something she shouldn't, or tries to get away, it's easier to catch her by grabbing or stepping on the leash.

Super Good Idea!! I always hold the darn thing, I never thought of just leaving it on him while I supervise .. I will do that when I let him into the T.V room, we tried last night but he was going BUH-NANUZZZZ lol... Thank you for the Good Luck Wishes!! & I sure hope it goes better than I am anticipating

JoJosMama -

They are worse than babies aren't they?

lol You got that right, I think mostly because they are far more fragile and I worry about that alot!

I have gotten a lot of advice so far , so I hope it goes smoothly! I can tell you, I have a bit more faith now

[tallulahsmom]

I would do all the same things you do for a baby. Put up things that are small or easily broken, especially things that your pup could joke on. Find a way to close of your trash bins or put them in cabinets because they loooove the trash. Leave things out that you want him to play with, like his toys, so he begins to understand what's okay and not okay. Most of all you need to be patient with him and be willing to teach him what's acceptable. Just like babies they get into things. 90% of puppy/baby proofing is teaching whats okay and not okay and not leaving them unattended. The other 10% is putting up things that are dangerous. Good Luck! I'm sure your little guy will be fine!

[LoveMyJake]

Introduce one room at a time and let him explore and see what he does. Make sure there's nothing around that he can get choked on, and nothing poisonous, like ant traps or something like that. Also, be careful of any wiring. When you first let him start exploring, make sure to tell him no if he tries to chew on something. He will learn. It's pretty much like baby proofing the house. Also, make sure he can't get to any wastebaskets or toilet paper. They love to take the end of the roll and run with it.

In the beginning, I kept mine on a leash in the house. That way, they got used to the leash, and I could keep an eye on them until they got a little bigger.

If you're not home, it's better to keep him crated or confined to one room where there's nothing he can get into. I gated mine in the kitchen, but now they both have free run of the house, and they never bother anything.

Good luck!