Expert advice needed, please! - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Sarahlizzie · 04-21-2009, 04:58 PM

Hi!
I am very, very interested in adopting a Yorkie and since I’m not experienced with this breed, I thought I would come to the experts with some help with a question.

I am an elementary teacher, and so if I were to get my puppy as soon as school is out, I would have three months of “quality time” to spend with him/her. BUT once school starts again in late August, I would be gone for eight hours a day. From all the research I’ve done on the breed, they don’t do well with too many hours of alone time.

So my question is this…can you have a full time job and still have a Yorkie?

My hope is that since he/she will be a little older and we will really have bonded and established a strong set of ground rules by the time I have to go back to work; the transition will be an little easier.

Any advice you have would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for your help!

Sarah

megansmomma · 04-21-2009, 05:02 PM

Hello and Welcome to YT!

There are plenty of people that have full time jobs and own yorkies. IMO the spring would be an excellent time to add a new puppy to your home. Make sure you do plenty of research and purchase from a reputable breeder. As lots of questions and make a well educated choice. Good luck and again welcome!

Karrie · 04-21-2009, 05:16 PM

I had the same concerns as you do - and now I have a full time job and yorkie!! It works just fine for us. We keep Bailey in an expen (exercise pen) during the day so that she won't get into things around the house and get hurt.

I leave between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; hubby gets home between 3:30 and 4:00 - after the potty training stages, Bailey held her pee all day.

This site is a wonderful resource for all your questions; Yorkshire Terrier for Dummies & Housetraining for Dummies are a couple good books, too.

Good luck!!!

Gennies · 04-21-2009, 05:20 PM

We work full time and my 17 yoa daughter gets home from school at 2:30. It works just fine....but I didn't stay home for three months with them when we first got them. I took the week off and stayed with them then, but I didn't want them to think I was home all the time and every day. I'd recommend leaving on your own for an hour or more frequently so they don't end up having seperation anxiety when you return to your students in the fall.

I also recommend you do some research on your rescue group as well to insure they are reputable. I got Barley from a rescue and they were the opposite of what a rescue should be. Barley was skin and bones, had kennel cough, ear mites and ear infections in both ears, ulcer scars on each eye, a lump on his neck and a broken canine tooth. They also promised me he'd come microchipped and he wasn't. When I picked him up it was love at first site. I swore I'd protect him no matter what. When I told them what my vet found they refused to help with any vet expenses and said they'd take him back. I said no way is he coming back to you to be abused again. So please, look at references for any rescue group you chose and check with the SPCA in their area so that you'd know if they've been reported for any reasons. Thanks for chosing a rescue.

Hollee · 04-21-2009, 07:37 PM

I am also a teacher (assistant technically, but same hours). I am also getting my yorkie in May so I'll have lots of time in the beginning with her. Also, my school is just down the street so I can go home and check on her during the day if I need to. I'm hoping it will work out! Will you keep it in a kennel or ex pen?

chellemabelle · 04-21-2009, 07:45 PM

Yes, of course, you can still work full time and have a Yorkie! Mine does fine in her crate when we are gone. And, once potty training is set, you shouldn't have to worry about accidents too much.

Michelle

LunasMomma · 04-22-2009, 05:25 AM

I definitely recommend getting and x-pen and keeping her crate, pee pads, food and water in there. That's where my girls spent the first few months when I couldn't watch them, until they could be trusted with full run of the house. Then I just left the door of the pen open so that they could go in and out when they wanted. After a month of that, I put the pen in front of our front door so when it's opened, they can't get past me and outside.

You may want to leave your baby for a few hours a day, so that she gets used to you being gone for a while, so it's not such a shock when you return to work.

I'm so excited for you, Yorkies are just the best!!!!!!!

Sarahlizzie · 04-22-2009, 04:47 PM

I really appreciate all of you taking time to give me your advice. I will definitely purchase an exercise pen for my puppy and I feel very reassured about leaving him or her alone during the day once school starts again.

Thanks again for your help!!

msjagg · 04-22-2009, 04:53 PM

Hi SarahLizzie and Welcome to Yorkie Talk...

This was the right place to come and get your ??'s answered. When you get your Yorkie, please post pictures... Good-Luck...

jmd284 · 04-22-2009, 05:09 PM

I teach kindergarten and have a 4 month old yorkie. He has been crate trained from the get go due to his accidents on the carpet and comfort/safety for him. At first he didn't really like the crate but now he LOVES it. Sometime when I am home and can't find him I go in his room and he is all snuggled up in the crate chewing on a chew stick. I bought a xlarge crate so that I could make him a living area and an area for the restroom. I got the crate with the divider in it and cut a small portion out so that he can walk through to use the restroom and then back through to his bedding/living area. It work perfect and he loves it. Its like a one bedroom, one bath condo for him.

I think they are fine with being left for up to 7 hours but I try to get home right at 3 to take him out and play. But it's different with all dogs.

babybuddy · 04-23-2009, 05:07 AM

Both my fiance' and I have full time jobs...and we have a yorkie and a 4 month old maltese. We got our yorkie, Buddy, first...and we would leave him with a babygate in our bathroom during the potty training stages when we went to work. Usually my fiance' would be home within 6-7 hourse after I left for work. Now Buddy has full run of the house since he reliably goes on his pad. He still cries and tries to get through the door when we leave, but that lasts only a little bit, and then he's off sleeping, playing, eating, or sitting in our low windowsill watching the world go by. Don't worry....sometimes it's our anxiety that can influence our babies, so as long as you yorkie is in a safe area, no worries.

Fancy_Pants · 04-23-2009, 06:18 AM

Hello & Welcome to YT! I think you have got some great advice thus far. Don't worry! I know there are other members that work outside the home and just keep their furkid in a safe place during the time they are gone. You will be fine! Good luck and when you get him or her be sure a post some pictures! We love pictures!

04-21-2009, 04:58 PM	#1
Sarahlizzie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Abilene, KS USA Posts: 2	Expert advice needed, please! Hi! I am very, very interested in adopting a Yorkie and since I’m not experienced with this breed, I thought I would come to the experts with some help with a question. I am an elementary teacher, and so if I were to get my puppy as soon as school is out, I would have three months of “quality time” to spend with him/her. BUT once school starts again in late August, I would be gone for eight hours a day. From all the research I’ve done on the breed, they don’t do well with too many hours of alone time. So my question is this…can you have a full time job and still have a Yorkie? My hope is that since he/she will be a little older and we will really have bonded and established a strong set of ground rules by the time I have to go back to work; the transition will be an little easier. Any advice you have would be much appreciated. Thanks so much for your help! Sarah

04-21-2009, 05:02 PM	#2
megansmomma Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: S. W. Suburbs of Chicago, IL Posts: 12,235	Hello and Welcome to YT! There are plenty of people that have full time jobs and own yorkies. IMO the spring would be an excellent time to add a new puppy to your home. Make sure you do plenty of research and purchase from a reputable breeder. As lots of questions and make a well educated choice. Good luck and again welcome! __________________ “Never argue with a fool, onlookers may not be able to tell the difference.” Mark Twain

04-21-2009, 05:16 PM	#3
Karrie Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Missouri Posts: 903	I had the same concerns as you do - and now I have a full time job and yorkie!! It works just fine for us. We keep Bailey in an expen (exercise pen) during the day so that she won't get into things around the house and get hurt. I leave between 7:00 a.m. and 8:00 a.m.; hubby gets home between 3:30 and 4:00 - after the potty training stages, Bailey held her pee all day. This site is a wonderful resource for all your questions; Yorkshire Terrier for Dummies & Housetraining for Dummies are a couple good books, too. Good luck!!! __________________ This is Bailey's world and we just live in it!

04-21-2009, 05:20 PM	#4
Gennies Donating YT Addict Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Virginia Posts: 2,865	No expert, but.... We work full time and my 17 yoa daughter gets home from school at 2:30. It works just fine....but I didn't stay home for three months with them when we first got them. I took the week off and stayed with them then, but I didn't want them to think I was home all the time and every day. I'd recommend leaving on your own for an hour or more frequently so they don't end up having seperation anxiety when you return to your students in the fall. I also recommend you do some research on your rescue group as well to insure they are reputable. I got Barley from a rescue and they were the opposite of what a rescue should be. Barley was skin and bones, had kennel cough, ear mites and ear infections in both ears, ulcer scars on each eye, a lump on his neck and a broken canine tooth. They also promised me he'd come microchipped and he wasn't. When I picked him up it was love at first site. I swore I'd protect him no matter what. When I told them what my vet found they refused to help with any vet expenses and said they'd take him back. I said no way is he coming back to you to be abused again. So please, look at references for any rescue group you chose and check with the SPCA in their area so that you'd know if they've been reported for any reasons. Thanks for chosing a rescue. __________________ Gennie, mommy to my two loves: Bambi & Bijou

04-21-2009, 07:45 PM	#6
chellemabelle Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Indiana Posts: 26	Don't worry so much! Yes, of course, you can still work full time and have a Yorkie! Mine does fine in her crate when we are gone. And, once potty training is set, you shouldn't have to worry about accidents too much. Michelle

04-21-2009, 07:37 PM	#5
Hollee ♥ Ella Belle ♥ Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: NM, United States Posts: 851	I am also a teacher (assistant technically, but same hours). I am also getting my yorkie in May so I'll have lots of time in the beginning with her. Also, my school is just down the street so I can go home and check on her during the day if I need to. I'm hoping it will work out! Will you keep it in a kennel or ex pen?

04-22-2009, 05:25 AM	#7
LunasMomma Izzy's Momma Too! Donating Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Stuart, Florida Posts: 8,799	I definitely recommend getting and x-pen and keeping her crate, pee pads, food and water in there. That's where my girls spent the first few months when I couldn't watch them, until they could be trusted with full run of the house. Then I just left the door of the pen open so that they could go in and out when they wanted. After a month of that, I put the pen in front of our front door so when it's opened, they can't get past me and outside. You may want to leave your baby for a few hours a day, so that she gets used to you being gone for a while, so it's not such a shock when you return to work. I'm so excited for you, Yorkies are just the best!!!!!!! __________________ Tracy, Mom to Izzy and Luna

04-22-2009, 04:47 PM	#8
Sarahlizzie YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: Abilene, KS USA Posts: 2	Thank you all! I really appreciate all of you taking time to give me your advice. I will definitely purchase an exercise pen for my puppy and I feel very reassured about leaving him or her alone during the day once school starts again. Thanks again for your help!!

04-22-2009, 04:53 PM	#9
msjagg YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Lancaster, PA. U.S.A. Posts: 1,449	Hi SarahLizzie and Welcome to Yorkie Talk... This was the right place to come and get your ??'s answered. When you get your Yorkie, please post pictures... Good-Luck... __________________ Jodi G. Mum to : -Sammy,:-Baron Georg, :-Sophie Kennedy, and Carys Bella...

04-22-2009, 05:09 PM	#10
jmd284 Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Gardendale, Alabama, USA Posts: 23	I teach kindergarten and have a 4 month old yorkie. He has been crate trained from the get go due to his accidents on the carpet and comfort/safety for him. At first he didn't really like the crate but now he LOVES it. Sometime when I am home and can't find him I go in his room and he is all snuggled up in the crate chewing on a chew stick. I bought a xlarge crate so that I could make him a living area and an area for the restroom. I got the crate with the divider in it and cut a small portion out so that he can walk through to use the restroom and then back through to his bedding/living area. It work perfect and he loves it. Its like a one bedroom, one bath condo for him. I think they are fine with being left for up to 7 hours but I try to get home right at 3 to take him out and play. But it's different with all dogs.

04-23-2009, 05:07 AM	#11
babybuddy Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Trevose, PA, USA Posts: 103	Both my fiance' and I have full time jobs...and we have a yorkie and a 4 month old maltese. We got our yorkie, Buddy, first...and we would leave him with a babygate in our bathroom during the potty training stages when we went to work. Usually my fiance' would be home within 6-7 hourse after I left for work. Now Buddy has full run of the house since he reliably goes on his pad. He still cries and tries to get through the door when we leave, but that lasts only a little bit, and then he's off sleeping, playing, eating, or sitting in our low windowsill watching the world go by. Don't worry....sometimes it's our anxiety that can influence our babies, so as long as you yorkie is in a safe area, no worries.

04-23-2009, 06:18 AM	#12
Fancy_Pants YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Oklahoma Posts: 972	Hello & Welcome to YT! I think you have got some great advice thus far. Don't worry! I know there are other members that work outside the home and just keep their furkid in a safe place during the time they are gone. You will be fine! Good luck and when you get him or her be sure a post some pictures! We love pictures! __________________ Shelly & Fancy♥