Working Woman needs advice!!

[nneessaa]

I'm sorry, I should not have said that. I do not have a Yorkie and therefore only know what I have been told on this forum. I still believe you should consider an older dog, but I think that if you truly have the desire to have a dog than things will work out. I know dogs are a lot of work, but in the end, the love they give is priceless. I wish you good luck in your search for a dog. On a side note, I would try an exercise pen and leave food/water/pee pads/bed out like everyone suggested.

Vanessa

[Marilize]

Hi. Cash and I used to live on our own while I was studying fulltime. I managed to have him socialised, professionally trained and well adjusted without adding another dog or jeopardizing my career or social life. It is difficult, I won't lie, but totally worth it. Just make sure that you don't go into it lightly. I also got Cash at the age of 8 week, but he is a bigger yorkie (about 8lbs now - he is almost 2 years old).
At the age of four months, I almost gave up and thought about letting him go because of some anxieties he had (he threw over my trashcan, chewed my shoes and though he was confined, he turned into a Houdini). I simply stopped free feeding him (he is the dominant type and this makes it more difficult) and he did a lot better.
What I am trying to say is that it is going to be tough and you and your husband should be aware of this, but I think having someone else to help you, helps a lot.
Sorry for the long post, but I have been where you are (well, factor in studying to the wee hours of the night) and you will make it. It is just gonna be hard.

[Yorkiedaze]

Originally Posted by staciesouza84

My husband and I are planning on purchasing a yorkie soon. We are both working people and will be leaving our Yorkie at home alone most of the day. From what I have read already the best plan seems to be to get a crate and leave it open in a bathroom/kitchen area that is gated off from the rest of the house. Leave potty pads or a litter box in the room as well.

My question is the food. We will obviously feed it before we leave for work but from there we seem to be stuck on what to do as far as a midday feeding. Some say leave food out and available all day. Some say only leave water out all day, no food. The puppy will probably be 8-10 weeks old so I know it needs to be fed 3-4 times a day.

I guess we need some advice from people who work full time. What worked for you? What didn't? etc? Hope someone can help!! Thanks!

I don't think getting a puppy that young then leaving it alone all day is such a good idea. That puppy will need to be house trained and when finished with all the shots then it should be obedience trained by you or a trainer. Leaving a young puppy like that will only cause problems for it. They are social animals and need company all the time or will take on some destructive behaviors.
Have you thought about getting a cat instead? Or even a senior dog?

[Dreamer74]

Originally Posted by staciesouza84

My husband and I are planning on purchasing a yorkie soon. We are both working people and will be leaving our Yorkie at home alone most of the day. From what I have read already the best plan seems to be to get a crate and leave it open in a bathroom/kitchen area that is gated off from the rest of the house. Leave potty pads or a litter box in the room as well.

My question is the food. We will obviously feed it before we leave for work but from there we seem to be stuck on what to do as far as a midday feeding. Some say leave food out and available all day. Some say only leave water out all day, no food. The puppy will probably be 8-10 weeks old so I know it needs to be fed 3-4 times a day.

I guess we need some advice from people who work full time. What worked for you? What didn't? etc? Hope someone can help!! Thanks!

That is exactly what worked for us. They have a half bathroom with an area to sleep, thier litterbox and food and water. They get a measured amount of food once a day and are free to eat it whenever. They have actually scheduled themselves and eat first thing in the morning and at supper time. I know some people disagree with this but our yorkies have had no problem with weight issues and I was less concerned about hypoglocemia when they were pups. My one recommendation is that you monitor your puppy being alone with the litterbox for long periods of time. Some of them get bored and will chew on the litter. Also do not use the Petco brand pet litter. It has smaller pieces which seem to stick in their paws and then they track it out of the box.