Ok, I am all straightend out now. LOL I am so glad I found this site when I got my baby yorkies Harley, now 6 mos and Sophia 4 mos.
I dont know what I would have done without all the help I have received on here.
Thank you, Ronda, Harley and Sophia :aimeeyork :)

I would never let KiKi run with out a leash...I have heard too many horror stories...and other dogs in the area run around unleashed...they could get a hold of her in seconds and that would be it...I just don't take any chances...even in the back yard that is fenced...I get nervous....hawks can come down quite quickly....they are just so small and vulnerable...better to be SAFE than SORRY...

Its not an option for us here, too much Wildlife here :rolleyes:

That is why we have a fenced yard. Kacee never gets outside of it without her harness and leash.

I am so glad you read about them, and decided against them, I can't believe people think these are a good idea. I can't believe an animal would ever feel safe knowing that it could get shocked at anytime.

You're most welcome Rhonda, not a problem at all. Just wanted you to be informed about things from a different point of view and what these things can do.

I think it depends on the dog. My Ella is 5 months and I never put a leash on her. I take her outside without one every time...and she's pretty much glued at my side. I make sure to stay close to her due to birds and stuff, but birds don't generally like humans around when they prey on other animals. I also cross the pavement from one patch of grass to another in our apartments where cars drive in by making her sit down next to me, while I look across, and then give her the "go" with me. She's really good at staying close.

Seth and Sasha are on a leash every time they go out, snow, sleet, rain it does not matter. I will not take the chance of them running. We live in the country and have to worry about "wildlife" too! I can only say "I" would never tie them out.

It seems that their natural instinct is to go after small animals and birds (but correct me if I'm wrong). Yorkies are tiny, but they're fast as heck. When my Gus goes after a rabbit or a bird, he could be gone in a flash if he weren't on a leash. Better safe than sorry.

You folks tell me, but doesn't an electric fence sound a little harsh for such a tiny creature?

Our front yard is fenced..... but each side of the house is open to the back which is not.

With Jaya.... I trust her implicitly - she listens very well. I watch her like a hawk though, and anytime she gravitates to an area that she shouldnt be in, I just call her back. I am very lucky with her because she has no interest in other people or anything outside of her "family" which is Jenna, me, and my hubby.

Jenna on the other hand :rolleyes: is untrustworthy.... lol I can't trust that one at all. I keep her on the leash, or occasionally let her run around with her leash - its easier to catch her.

But what we do is, my husband stands guard at one side of the house, and I stand on the other. And we just stand there prepared for anything, and loaded with their favorite and forbidden treats - to lure them back to us...though we have not yet had to use them.

For longer playtimes outside, we bring out their xpens and attach them together and make a big circle.

You are right on that one. We have half an acre in our backyard fenced but I never leave Slade outside by himself unless I'm right there in the livingroom where I can see him while he's out. I always worry about something getting him or stealing him.

I agree we have to be especially protective of our little ones. I always have her on a leash or in the outdoor pen under supervision. As far as inconvenience, I use a small retractable leash with a velcro harness. Its nice and easy to put on, especially for those 3am potty calls. :)

I would never let Smokey out without a leash cause I know he'd run away. Chip I can drop the leash and I know he'd stay with me, but I don't like to take the chance.

Katy only goes on the leash when we take a walk. I am training her to walk with me with out one. (she does really good and its only because its the law, that we keep her on one). We are practicing stopping at the corner and looking for cars, before we cross.

She has a 8 ft fenced (that sits on a concrete base) in back yard, but she plays in the front all of the time. She knows the property lines. When we are out side, she is free to roam the front yard. If someone walks by, she runs to one of us and sits at the right side of our feet. Once we give her permission to play, she will go play. If a car comes, she will do the same. The she knows the safe spot in the garage by the entrance to house if she does not see one of us.

Katy is going to be 3 in July. Like with potty training, they can be stubborn about this, we worked with her for a while to get her where she is today.

When she was a puppy we had to put her on a leash in the front, in order for her to be out there with us. But as she learned we gave her more freedom. (she really would just prefer to be at our feet, or playing with a ball, no matter where we are).

I should ad that we are always with her.

Good Luck!