Seeking advice on Schedule :)
 

Hi all, I'm looking to get your opinions on this schedule I have laid out for a puppy. We don't have a puppy yet, but when we do (hopefully soon!) we want to make sure we're prepared. I started in reverse, night first so I apologized if that throws anyone off. I mean, I'm sure we'll be flexible with down time, but very strict with feeding and assigned potty times. :)
(activities in no order)
10:30/11-Last Potty-Bedtime
2:30- Potty
6:00- Wake-up-Potty-breakfast, play a little w/mom
6:20-6:45- Hang w/mom while she gets ready (confined to bathroom)
6:45-Potty, cuddle, play (whatever)
7:00- Crate- Mommy leaves for school :(
7:30-7:50 Daddy wakes up, says goodmorning
7:50- Daddy leaves-potty if need be
1:00/1:10- Mommy home! Potty, lunch
1:20-2:30- play, cuddle, whatever w/mommy
2:30-4:30- playpen while Mommy studies close
4:30-5:30- snack-play/cuddle
5:30-6:30- playpen while mommy cooks dinner, freshens up for daddy ;)
6:30- Daddy home! Playtime
7:00-Dinner
7:10-7:30- playpen while parents eat
7:30-8:30 hang with daddy (or mommy)
8:30- playtime or just experience some outside (being held, of course until all vaccines complete)
8:45- Water goes up
9:00- playpen if need be or just hanging w/parents
10:00-Quiet/cuddle time (if possible) ;)
10:30-11:00- Last potty, bedtime

My main concern is the time from 7:50 til 1:00 which both my husband will be gone (I'm prenursing and my husband works an hr away). Is this too long? eek! :confused:

Just for reference: We live in a condo that we rent our and our layout is completely open, so we will have an insert in our sliding door with a dog door out to our patio. The playpen(which have its own rug (or 2!) underneath for comfort and cleanliness) will be gated to the slider w/the dog door so the furbaby can get out onto the patio to potty ( I know she won't learn right away, but all we can do is try). The potty area will also be fenced off to a small area around and of the potty area (haven't decided if going to fake grass or potty pads).

What do you guys think??

Sounds ok but just be consistent. You don't really have to have such a rigid schedule. If you can get her to use the doggy door, that will be great.

I figured I had probably taken it to an extreme ;) I just want my furbaby (when I get one) to be happy but also trained.

I think the dog door will be nice too! Once she gets a handle on it and gets older, we can just let her take herself out. :)
How should the play pen be? I've heard that if its too big they'll pee and poop AND sleep in it? But I also want her to be able enjoy it too....

Advice anyone? Anyone at all? This thread is lonely! lol :)

Myself, I would not use a doggy door for a new Yorkie pup. Is your condo ground level or upper? Have you thought about screening in the patio? They usually just have the normal spaced columns that a baby yorkie can easily slip through. My son and DIL found nice white mesh fencing that they added around their patio railing for their poodles. Might also consider things can come in from above. Here where I live, birds of prey are a big concern for me. Depends on your area, but definately need to secure around the railing with smaller opening material.

I agree, that you really don't need such a rigid schedule. But then I never held my human babies to a rigid schedule either. We were very flexible! I let my human babies tell me when they were hungry and let them nurse as long or as little as they wanted. Made for some very healthy boys. The only time I really held to a schedule was when I had to hand raise a litter of 5 puppies. Then I had to stay on track in those first weeks to ensure every feeding was on time and all got adequate nutrition and pottying. But once they were 6 weeks old or so -- I let them set the schedule. I understand though, that many people LIKE to have things timed to the minute and if so, then your schedule looks great!

When I brought Annie home, I just tried to take her outside every 2 hours. Even numbered hours, she went outside and I free fed. That was my "schedule" -- everything else -- I just winged it. :)

I would personally suggest to wait until you get your pup and then set the schedule. Puppies are like human babies and things don't always go exactly as planned. Persistence is key as well as treating and positive reinforcement! I wish you all the best! You will love having a little one around!