You are very considerate about the needs of your Yorkie, that's good... I think you don't have to be that afraid of him getting hurt while you're away. I know Pepper sleeps most of the time when I'm not home (which is Mon-Fri appx 7 hours), I don't gate him though, he's not chewing on anything he's not supposed to anymore. He has all his toys around the whole apartment too, and the radio on. Hubby gets home first and plays with Pep until I get back (or not, they 'hang out'
).