Home Alone....What Can I Do? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Holly · 12-20-2006, 09:23 PM

I am going crazy right now...please someone help me! Benji is now 1 years old. I started a full-time job in August and work at least 8 hours a day. At first, I sectioned off the hallway and the kitchen and Benji was doing great. Until, he would poo in the same spot everyday. So I thought he was bored and I gave him more space. I let him have run of the family room, kitchen and hallway. I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment that is not even 700 sq ft so it is not that big. Well, he went on a chewing frenzy. He chewed my roommate's tv stand (both corners), baseboards, futon, books, shoes, hats and the straw that broke the camel's back is a hole in the wall! A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WALL! So I thought, he has too much run of the house and figured I should just crate him during the day considering I did for months and stopped for some reason, because I trusted him. Well, now all he does is pee and poo in his crate. Messes it up everday. I don't know what to do. I had him in a pen for sometime but this new apartment really doesn't have room for it at all..it is so tiny. I have lost my routine with him and my patience. Any comments...I am going crazy! PLEASE HELP!

ChestersMom · 12-21-2006, 03:26 AM

First, all the changes have probably confused him. Whatever you decide, stick with it, however, 8+ hours a day in a crate is too long IMO. Have you thought of a playpen? What about a Kong filled with yogurt or peanut butter to keep him busy? Bitter Apple works well to keep him from chewing things. Remember, dogs chew by nature. If he's still a pup, hang in there, it will get better.

LIL MIS' MAGIC · 12-21-2006, 05:32 AM

With our new baby boy, we have him in a X Pen with a bed on one side and a potty pad on the other. This works well because he has plenty of room to play, go potty on the pad and sleep in his bed.

Too much space can be a problem, as can too little space. You need to find what works for your little one. I work full time and am gone 8 eight hours a day too and my three do great at home alone, so it can be done. Try and stay patient with him it is a new change for him!!

izzy816 · 12-21-2006, 08:51 AM

Hollie, OMG, I felt your pain a few weeks ago! Im in a small place too about 800 sq ft. Ive had Izzy for almost 2months. (he's 4 months now) The first month or so I had him in his crate and my cousin would check on him mid day. But she started working again so I was back to leaving him all day. I tried going home during lunch but that was too much driving. I live in Detroit, work in Warren...and gas is way to high for that.

When I left him in his crate all day, he did the same thing, pooping and peeing.

My second try was to put him in one of the rooms and section it off but he ended up getting out one day and the other day he climbed over boxes and chewed the heck out of a cardboard box, tore up some of my files! (I jsut moved so i have boxes everywhere) The good thing was he peed and pooped on his pad and was able to eat and drink. So I ended up buying an ex pen. While waiting for it to deliver, I put him in my bedroom with his pad, food, and crate. My room is pretty much puppy proof. He's been doing fine ever since and that has been a couple of weeks. I think he likes it in there because he sleeps in my room in his crate at night. So he's comfortable there. Ive only used the ex pen once when I was home and needed him to be contained.

So after all of that mumble jumble, my advice is to:

1. get an ex pen. They have resonable pens at dig it pet.com. Here is the url of the one I bought:

http://www.digitpet.com/product_grou...FQ8TSQodYk6OQg
I paid like $31 for it. At the pet stores they ranged from $60-$100. That is why I took so long to get one until I found this website.

2. Dont crate him for 8hours + its not good for them. He is confused with all of the changes especially since you were home for so long.

3. If you can put him in a room where there is nothing for him to tear up I would try that. Put shoes, clothes, rugs away.

4. Also before you leave give him a small treat, so that he knows you leaving is not a bad thing. Or the kong idea is a good one. Im going to try that with him too.

5. Turn music or tv on. It doesnt have to be loud, they have supersonic hearing.

Sorry for the long response, I hope this information helps! I understand what you are going through. I hate leaving him all day. Good luck and let us know how hes doing!

12-20-2006, 09:23 PM	#1
Holly Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Detroit Posts: 31	Home Alone....What Can I Do? I am going crazy right now...please someone help me! Benji is now 1 years old. I started a full-time job in August and work at least 8 hours a day. At first, I sectioned off the hallway and the kitchen and Benji was doing great. Until, he would poo in the same spot everyday. So I thought he was bored and I gave him more space. I let him have run of the family room, kitchen and hallway. I live in a small 2 bedroom apartment that is not even 700 sq ft so it is not that big. Well, he went on a chewing frenzy. He chewed my roommate's tv stand (both corners), baseboards, futon, books, shoes, hats and the straw that broke the camel's back is a hole in the wall! A HOLE IN THE MIDDLE OF THE WALL! So I thought, he has too much run of the house and figured I should just crate him during the day considering I did for months and stopped for some reason, because I trusted him. Well, now all he does is pee and poo in his crate. Messes it up everday. I don't know what to do. I had him in a pen for sometime but this new apartment really doesn't have room for it at all..it is so tiny. I have lost my routine with him and my patience. Any comments...I am going crazy! PLEASE HELP!

12-21-2006, 05:32 AM	#3
LIL MIS' MAGIC Yorkie Lover Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Location: Midlothian, Texas Posts: 4,080 Blog Entries: 3	With our new baby boy, we have him in a X Pen with a bed on one side and a potty pad on the other. This works well because he has plenty of room to play, go potty on the pad and sleep in his bed. Too much space can be a problem, as can too little space. You need to find what works for your little one. I work full time and am gone 8 eight hours a day too and my three do great at home alone, so it can be done. Try and stay patient with him it is a new change for him!! __________________ Kristin, Mom to: Yorkies Lil Mis Magic & Sailor and Silkies Captain & Heaven

12-21-2006, 08:51 AM	#4
izzy816 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Washington, D.C. Posts: 845	Hollie, OMG, I felt your pain a few weeks ago! Im in a small place too about 800 sq ft. Ive had Izzy for almost 2months. (he's 4 months now) The first month or so I had him in his crate and my cousin would check on him mid day. But she started working again so I was back to leaving him all day. I tried going home during lunch but that was too much driving. I live in Detroit, work in Warren...and gas is way to high for that. When I left him in his crate all day, he did the same thing, pooping and peeing. My second try was to put him in one of the rooms and section it off but he ended up getting out one day and the other day he climbed over boxes and chewed the heck out of a cardboard box, tore up some of my files! (I jsut moved so i have boxes everywhere) The good thing was he peed and pooped on his pad and was able to eat and drink. So I ended up buying an ex pen. While waiting for it to deliver, I put him in my bedroom with his pad, food, and crate. My room is pretty much puppy proof. He's been doing fine ever since and that has been a couple of weeks. I think he likes it in there because he sleeps in my room in his crate at night. So he's comfortable there. Ive only used the ex pen once when I was home and needed him to be contained. So after all of that mumble jumble, my advice is to: 1. get an ex pen. They have resonable pens at dig it pet.com. Here is the url of the one I bought: http://www.digitpet.com/product_grou...FQ8TSQodYk6OQg I paid like $31 for it. At the pet stores they ranged from $60-$100. That is why I took so long to get one until I found this website. 2. Dont crate him for 8hours + its not good for them. He is confused with all of the changes especially since you were home for so long. 3. If you can put him in a room where there is nothing for him to tear up I would try that. Put shoes, clothes, rugs away. 4. Also before you leave give him a small treat, so that he knows you leaving is not a bad thing. Or the kong idea is a good one. Im going to try that with him too. 5. Turn music or tv on. It doesnt have to be loud, they have supersonic hearing. Sorry for the long response, I hope this information helps! I understand what you are going through. I hate leaving him all day. Good luck and let us know how hes doing! __________________ Peace and Love, Karla and Izzy! Check out Izzy on Dogster: http://www.dogster.com/dogs/433985

12-21-2006, 03:26 AM	#2
ChestersMom YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Bacliff, TX Posts: 943	First, all the changes have probably confused him. Whatever you decide, stick with it, however, 8+ hours a day in a crate is too long IMO. Have you thought of a playpen? What about a Kong filled with yogurt or peanut butter to keep him busy? Bitter Apple works well to keep him from chewing things. Remember, dogs chew by nature. If he's still a pup, hang in there, it will get better.