How do you leave them at home? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

remus · 12-08-2009, 04:35 AM

It has been over a year since I moved back to my parents house, so Rocky is very safe and comfortable at home while I am at work, sometimes for 12-13 hours a day. But I am getting ready to buy a place of my own and hope to move by summer.
Even when I am gone now, he comes out of my room, plays a bit in the morning, gets fed and then he spends the rest of the day in my room in his little bed waiting for me to come home. I was gone for 2 weeks on a trip and he would not come out of my room. So I know he misses me a lot.

I am wondering, how will he cope with me being gone in a new apartment when he is left all alone for 8-12 hours a day. I already feel guilty for leaving him alone at home, but someone has to make money.
I know my pops will drop in for lunch to check up on him from time to time, but not everyday.

How do you guys do it? And how does it work out for pups?

MI Yorkielover · 12-08-2009, 04:42 AM

That is a long time to leave your little guy alone. I would check into the doggie day care facilities near you or perhaps have a dog walker come by for a morning and afternoon walk. Would your parents be up to puppy sitting a couple of days a week? Rocky is a little cutie!

Sweet Apple · 12-08-2009, 04:46 AM

I get up 3 or 3 1/2 hrs., before I have to go to work, so the pups can play...Then I come home, after about 4 or 5 hrs. to let them out and play for about 15 minutes and let them outdoors...Then it's back to work for another 3 1/2 or 4 hrs....They're usually up, in the evening from about 6-9:30 or 10, and then they're ready for bed....They seem to be o.k. w/it...I am getting ready to turn one of my bedrooms into their room, in case they want to play, while I'm at work...On my days off, they follow that pattern, pretty much anyway...I do spend every possible minute w/them, when I'm home...The only time they're not w/me, is nails/hair/grocery shopping, etc...Dogs are amazing, and I think they adjust to most situations, if they're given lots of love, good food, a warm and safe environment, and a few little toys to play with...

jeanm1963 · 12-08-2009, 04:56 AM

Our local craigslist has a lot of dog walkers listed , maybe check them out. I would maybe condsider day care 2x a week also... that really does seem like a very very long day with no one home. Maybe when you move into your apartment you will find a responsable teenage who you could trust to come over a play for a 1/2 hour each day.

remus · 12-08-2009, 05:00 AM

Interesting.
I am up at 5am, spend some time with Rocky, leave food for him and leave home at 5:30. He goes to sleep after that according to my parents and wakes up around 8 along with them. Runs around like crazy, plays with toys, then goes to my room at around 10 and naps till I come home at 2-3PM. then he is with me most of the time, or goes to his bed to nap a little. On weekend we go walking the moment I open my eyes, at 7am. So he gets plenty of time on weekends. Plus I take him with me on drives and nature outings.

On days that I will be gone for more than 8 hours, I send my dad to hang with him for an hour, he would be happy to.

It's just so unbearable to know that a little one is sitting at home waiting for you to come home.

remus · 12-08-2009, 05:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jeanm1963

Our local craigslist has a lot of dog walkers listed , maybe check them out. I would maybe condsider day care 2x a week also... that really does seem like a very very long day with no one home. Maybe when you move into your apartment you will find a responsable teenage who you could trust to come over a play for a 1/2 hour each day.

Not a bad idea, but I am not fond of strangers and Rocky is even worse, he will not come near anyone new unless I am there. I will have to ask my parents to help out, they are semi retired anyhow.

orchid25 · 12-09-2009, 07:08 AM

We wake up at 6:30ish....take Ralphie out to potty, feed him...and play with him for a bit. By 7:30....we are out the door..and Ralphie goes into his crate with his toys. My hubby or I will come home for lunch usually around 12 or 1PM..let him out, play....and he eats a little more. We then get home between 4:45 and 5:30. Then he's out of his crate for the night with us around the house. I think he mostly sleeps when we're not home...which I hear is okay. I felt bad about leaving him in his crate at first...but he's too young to have the whole house to himself(5months) and I can only imagine the things he would get into. He seems fine in his crate...which make me feel better about it. Good Luck...just find a good schedule for him to get used to. I would recommend trying to come home during lunch...or getting someone to do that. But I think he'll be fine. Leave some music on or the tv on for him. BTW, I have a friend and she leaves her yorkie in his crate for about 9 hours....and he seems to be fine. =)

Dara311 · 12-09-2009, 09:17 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

That is a long time to leave your little guy alone. I would check into the doggie day care facilities near you or perhaps have a dog walker come by for a morning and afternoon walk. Would your parents be up to puppy sitting a couple of days a week? Rocky is a little cutie!

Perfectly said and thought out!

Fiona is usually home for about 6 hrs, however, I come home at lunch to let her out and run around, she is crate trained and does well with it.

LuvmyYorkies2 · 12-09-2009, 09:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by orchid25

BTW, I have a friend and she leaves her yorkie in his crate for about 9 hours....and he seems to be fine. =)

Wow! That seems so long to leave them alone in such a confined space

...I wouldn't recommend that. I just don't think forcing a dog to hold his urine, let alone, not having any "real" space to stretch his legs for so long is good. I usually recommend babygating in a kitchen or room with a few toys, chew bone and pads and water.

ARCHIE · 12-09-2009, 09:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MI Yorkielover

That is a long time to leave your little guy alone. I would check into the doggie day care facilities near you or perhaps have a dog walker come by for a morning and afternoon walk. Would your parents be up to puppy sitting a couple of days a week? Rocky is a little cutie!

Buddy's alone for 9hrs Mon-Fri. My past dog's were as well with no
problems. I did have Bud in day care, couple days a week but all
they did was carry him around because he was so cute they told me
and he wanted to be up off the floor. The local dog walker in my
neighborhood get's $15.00 for 15mins. I only use him for a wedding
or event. Buddy's fine. He sleeps during the day and has full run
of the condo, well the DR, LR and kitchen. I close the bathroom doors
and bedroom doors so he dosent' feel he has to protect so much.
He's done well for 5 1/2 yrs. He does cry alittle when I leave and I have
been using Rescue Remedy for about 1mo. I think it relaxes him at least
for awhile. My neighbors never complained so I know he does not bark
after I leave. Just sleeps. It's so important to make up for the time
your gone. We play 1/2 in the am and 1/2 hr after dinner with 4
15-20 min walks daily.

LuvmyYorkies2 · 12-09-2009, 09:30 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by remus

It has been over a year since I moved back to my parents house, so Rocky is very safe and comfortable at home while I am at work, sometimes for 12-13 hours a day. But I am getting ready to buy a place of my own and hope to move by summer.
Even when I am gone now, he comes out of my room, plays a bit in the morning, gets fed and then he spends the rest of the day in my room in his little bed waiting for me to come home. I was gone for 2 weeks on a trip and he would not come out of my room. So I know he misses me a lot.

I am wondering, how will he cope with me being gone in a new apartment when he is left all alone for 8-12 hours a day. I already feel guilty for leaving him alone at home, but someone has to make money.
I know my pops will drop in for lunch to check up on him from time to time, but not everyday.

How do you guys do it? And how does it work out for pups?

Awwww. I know it's hard. Sounds like he has free roam which at least he's not in a crate for that long. I guess it's easier for me because I have more than 1 so they can at least keep eachother company. I still miss them all when I have to leave & can't wait to get home to see them again.

On the days I work from home, I notice that after their morning walk & play & treat time, they usually play with eachother for a bit, then go down for a long days nap so I'm assuming the majority of the time I'm gone(I leave around 8:30AM), they're sleeping. They get up in the afternoon some time for more play, water break, etc. when I still would be at work so I understand your concern with all that time him being by himself.

You've gotten some good advice. You can try a couple things out & see what works best for you & the little guy. Good Luck!

viviansnickers · 12-09-2009, 10:05 AM

I have massive guilt issues leaving Snickers home alone so I know exactly what you mean! Snickers gets up about 7am (I'm up at 6am, he snoozes with his Dad) and at 7am he needs to pee/poop. Then he runs right back to bed with Daddy and sleeps in bed until my husband showers until about 8:00. Then my honey feeds, plays, and walks him. Snick is then home alone from about 8-11am. My husband comes home for lunch from 11-12:15pm and then Snick is home alone again from about 12:30-3:45pm. We close all bedroom doors and he spends most of his time in our grandroom in his bed and looking out the window in the kitchen.

Then from 3:45pm onward someone is home and he has a blast. On the weekend if we try to leave him home he has a fit and barks up a storm b/c he knows it's the weekend. On weekdays he doesn't make a peep as long as his routine is followed. On weekends, if we are going out late, we will ask Snicks grandparents

to watch him and they always do. Both sets of grandparents adore him so we are lucky with that.

We are planning on getting a 2nd puppy this summer in June 2010. I can't wait to feel less guilty leaving Snick home alone with his new brother.

Hugs-
Snick & Viv

ziggy925 · 12-09-2009, 12:04 PM

I don't know a lot about this, but what if you got another dog, maybe from the shelter, and let your dog pick him or her out. From what I'm hearing, as others have said, that's a long time to leave a dog alone.

I've watched my girlfriend's dog when she goes out, and often he will just lie by the door waiting for her return, no matter how long, assuming I don't get his attention.

Good luck. I know this is gonna be hard on both of you.

12-08-2009, 04:35 AM	#1
remus Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 586	How do you leave them at home? It has been over a year since I moved back to my parents house, so Rocky is very safe and comfortable at home while I am at work, sometimes for 12-13 hours a day. But I am getting ready to buy a place of my own and hope to move by summer. Even when I am gone now, he comes out of my room, plays a bit in the morning, gets fed and then he spends the rest of the day in my room in his little bed waiting for me to come home. I was gone for 2 weeks on a trip and he would not come out of my room. So I know he misses me a lot. I am wondering, how will he cope with me being gone in a new apartment when he is left all alone for 8-12 hours a day. I already feel guilty for leaving him alone at home, but someone has to make money. I know my pops will drop in for lunch to check up on him from time to time, but not everyday. How do you guys do it? And how does it work out for pups? __________________ Rocky http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...lisi79/8-1.jpg

12-08-2009, 04:42 AM	#2
MI Yorkielover Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: May 2009 Location: Michigan USA Posts: 3,317	That is a long time to leave your little guy alone. I would check into the doggie day care facilities near you or perhaps have a dog walker come by for a morning and afternoon walk. Would your parents be up to puppy sitting a couple of days a week? Rocky is a little cutie! __________________ Jackie Loves Sophie R.I.P ."Baby"* our little girl 1993-2009* Last edited by MI Yorkielover; 12-08-2009 at 04:43 AM.

12-08-2009, 04:56 AM	#4
jeanm1963 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Weymouth, Ma Posts: 2,584	Our local craigslist has a lot of dog walkers listed , maybe check them out. I would maybe condsider day care 2x a week also... that really does seem like a very very long day with no one home. Maybe when you move into your apartment you will find a responsable teenage who you could trust to come over a play for a 1/2 hour each day. __________________ I Support http://www.yorkiesinc.com/

12-08-2009, 05:00 AM	#5
remus Donating YT Addict Join Date: May 2006 Location: NYC Posts: 586	Interesting. I am up at 5am, spend some time with Rocky, leave food for him and leave home at 5:30. He goes to sleep after that according to my parents and wakes up around 8 along with them. Runs around like crazy, plays with toys, then goes to my room at around 10 and naps till I come home at 2-3PM. then he is with me most of the time, or goes to his bed to nap a little. On weekend we go walking the moment I open my eyes, at 7am. So he gets plenty of time on weekends. Plus I take him with me on drives and nature outings. On days that I will be gone for more than 8 hours, I send my dad to hang with him for an hour, he would be happy to. It's just so unbearable to know that a little one is sitting at home waiting for you to come home. __________________ Rocky http://i247.photobucket.com/albums/g...lisi79/8-1.jpg

12-09-2009, 10:05 AM	#12
viviansnickers Snick&Viv= BFF Donating Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Location: Michigan Posts: 1,755	I have massive guilt issues leaving Snickers home alone so I know exactly what you mean! Snickers gets up about 7am (I'm up at 6am, he snoozes with his Dad) and at 7am he needs to pee/poop. Then he runs right back to bed with Daddy and sleeps in bed until my husband showers until about 8:00. Then my honey feeds, plays, and walks him. Snick is then home alone from about 8-11am. My husband comes home for lunch from 11-12:15pm and then Snick is home alone again from about 12:30-3:45pm. We close all bedroom doors and he spends most of his time in our grandroom in his bed and looking out the window in the kitchen. Then from 3:45pm onward someone is home and he has a blast. On the weekend if we try to leave him home he has a fit and barks up a storm b/c he knows it's the weekend. On weekdays he doesn't make a peep as long as his routine is followed. On weekends, if we are going out late, we will ask Snicks grandparents to watch him and they always do. Both sets of grandparents adore him so we are lucky with that. We are planning on getting a 2nd puppy this summer in June 2010. I can't wait to feel less guilty leaving Snick home alone with his new brother. Hugs- Snick & Viv __________________ -Vivian Mommy to my cuddlebug baby boys-Snickers & Reesie

12-08-2009, 04:46 AM	#3
Sweet Apple Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Houston, Texas USA Posts: 2,473	I get up 3 or 3 1/2 hrs., before I have to go to work, so the pups can play...Then I come home, after about 4 or 5 hrs. to let them out and play for about 15 minutes and let them outdoors...Then it's back to work for another 3 1/2 or 4 hrs....They're usually up, in the evening from about 6-9:30 or 10, and then they're ready for bed....They seem to be o.k. w/it...I am getting ready to turn one of my bedrooms into their room, in case they want to play, while I'm at work...On my days off, they follow that pattern, pretty much anyway...I do spend every possible minute w/them, when I'm home...The only time they're not w/me, is nails/hair/grocery shopping, etc...Dogs are amazing, and I think they adjust to most situations, if they're given lots of love, good food, a warm and safe environment, and a few little toys to play with...

12-09-2009, 07:08 AM	#7
orchid25 Yorkie Yakker Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Texas Posts: 27	We wake up at 6:30ish....take Ralphie out to potty, feed him...and play with him for a bit. By 7:30....we are out the door..and Ralphie goes into his crate with his toys. My hubby or I will come home for lunch usually around 12 or 1PM..let him out, play....and he eats a little more. We then get home between 4:45 and 5:30. Then he's out of his crate for the night with us around the house. I think he mostly sleeps when we're not home...which I hear is okay. I felt bad about leaving him in his crate at first...but he's too young to have the whole house to himself(5months) and I can only imagine the things he would get into. He seems fine in his crate...which make me feel better about it. Good Luck...just find a good schedule for him to get used to. I would recommend trying to come home during lunch...or getting someone to do that. But I think he'll be fine. Leave some music on or the tv on for him. BTW, I have a friend and she leaves her yorkie in his crate for about 9 hours....and he seems to be fine. =)

12-09-2009, 12:04 PM	#13
ziggy925 YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2009 Location: Aspen, CO, US Posts: 544	I don't know a lot about this, but what if you got another dog, maybe from the shelter, and let your dog pick him or her out. From what I'm hearing, as others have said, that's a long time to leave a dog alone. I've watched my girlfriend's dog when she goes out, and often he will just lie by the door waiting for her return, no matter how long, assuming I don't get his attention. Good luck. I know this is gonna be hard on both of you.