[Yorkiemom1]

Originally Posted by matese

welcome to YT, Yorkies were originally breed to flush out vermin, so yes, they are lil hunters, if it's there, they will find it, mouse, mole, rabbit, chipmunks, etc. IMHO I would never let one of my yorkies off their leash. You have to think about cars, loose dogs, if they see a cat or squirrel!!!!! they are off and running, but, that's not to say they are un-trainable, I just wouldn't do it, call me over protective, just my opinion. I have retractable leash for walks. Do you have any dog parks in or around your area, that would be a good starting point and gives your baby freedom to run and play with other dogs. Good luck, you selected an awesome breed.

Out in public, that leash is really the only line of defense you have with your baby! If someone tries to steal the pup, at least you have them attached to you by a leash.....we actually had a member on here that experienced this very issue and if she had not had a leash on that pups halter, she would have lost her baby! If a large dog / dogs attacks your pup, you can actually use that leash attached to your pups halter, to jerk your baby up out of reach of the attacking dogs! If a hawk or owl swoops down and tries to carry off your pup, you have the baby on a leash so that you can hopefully save its life! They will dart after any fast moving animal they spot running and you can loose your baby to traffic. Just a few things to run around in your mind before anyone allows their pup to run unleashed in public.