I stand by what I said. The only point to having a dog in the garage, heated or with AC, is if that is where you want him/her to live forever. My uncle keeps his two chi mixes in the garage, why? Because they are NOT ALLOWED in the house. Sure, when he and his family are home they spend time with the dogs outside, or in the garage. Don't get me wrong, they are wonderful dogs, obedient with my uncle, and they crack me up when they play with my cousin's slide, but if you bring them inside, everything scared them. They don't know how to act inside a home. The garage thing started as a temporary thing when they were puppies for the same reasons the OP's co-workers claim. Then when they wanted to bring them inside, it turned out to be to much work to teach them to be inside dogs, so the easy way out was to just send them back to the garage when they were done spending time with them. Troy and Weezy are not part of the family, and knowing how the yorkie breed loves to be with their people, I don't think it's fair. Just my opinion.

Well I disagree. I think if a garage is safe (heated and air conditioned) and you don't want your house stinking of dog sh*t and piss when you are not home to supervise then it's fine to leave your dog in a heated/air conditioned/safe garage, which is attached and part of your house. And also even to use it as a crate or training method providing the dog still gets to go inside one's house and gets tons of love and attention and family socialization. ABSOLUTELY - yorkies love to be with their people/owners and love attention and it's important that they receive tons of it! :):)

However, I don't see a difference at all between using a safe garage vs. a living room when one is not home. I also think it's absurd to not allow your dog in your house at all. That's where people spend a bulk of their time and if you can't allow your dog to be in your house with you then you should have never gotten a dog to begin with.

I just think that all the facts are not known with the OP and not enough information was provided and it's unfair and rude for people to jump to conclusions and say nasty things. Now if the OP said the puppy is confined in the garage the time and not allowed in the house at all - well then of course that's just awful! :)

I'm glad we can agree to that! :D
I guess it was easy to jump to conclusions because the OP tried to educate, they had the information and went ahead with getting a pup too young to even know where it is ok to potty or not. So yes, this sounds really bad.
But, I think these people also have to remember, this is a little living breathing thing. Of course it's going to pee and poop! It's the owner's job to teach them where it's ok to go potty. The house might smell a little off for a while, but it's temporary. If you're wondering, no my house does not smell. I'm a clean freak and I even clean my boy's Mr Peeper every time he goes pee pee. Call it obsessive, but he learned to co-operate and even "shows me his belly" when I tell him to. :)

ok...op here. so let me staighten this out (i just got home from work)...the garage is insulated but not heated or air conditioned. the puppy stays there while they are at work, when taking their kids to after school activities and at night, yes, the puppy sleeps in the garage. so except for a few hours a day this is where the puppy is..in the garage. hope that clears it up. i can't imaging leaving sophie in those conditions for even 15 minutes, let alone all day and night.
so anyway...i talked to her tonight about how a yorkie can not live in a garage. and no they will not sell the puppy or give it up. i even offered to train her and then give her back....nope they are determined to do it their way. so i told my co-worker that chloe (that's her name) will always have a home to come to no matter what. i am not going to push the issue but will continue to reiterate the fact that i will always be willing to take her. i spoke to my mom about it and she said to just keep reminding my co-worker that I am always here because in a few weeks the "oh look, i have a yorkie syndrome" is going to wear off. so should they decide this was a bad choice (which i hope they will) i will take her and love her and i'll post on here that Chloe was rescued. thank you all for your advice and time.

I cannot believe what you just said :eek: If this is how you feel about pet ownership then you my friend should not own a dog! I am just speechless that you even would suggest that you puppy or dog should spend time locked in a crate in the garage! Speechless:eek:

Then to go on and call names! Wow! :thumbdown

well, if they leave the puppy in the garage when they are GONE and when they are SLEEPING - i have one question.

what's the difference in a garage and a crate?

most people who know what they're doing use crates - is that cruel? obviously not since it's reccomended by professionals.

i do with my puppy exactly what was reccomended by trainers and my vet. she is in her crate any time i can't give constant supervision. i let her out anytime i am in the living room. i get her out to go outside and play. i even take her with me in the car most of the time. i also let her out to sleep with me (which is by NO means required) as the crate is reccomended for sleeping as well. point being - when i CAN'T watch her COMPLETELY and UNDIVIDED, i put her in her crate. why is a garage worse?

a garage is worse when it is not air conditioned or heated. and b'c of the chemicals there. you car could be leaking antifreeze, oil etc..and what happens when the puppy finds it and licks it up? a very sick or by the time you get home,dead puppy. that is why a garage is worse. and we are talking about a baby who is spending most of its time in a garage. have you met an unsocialized yorkie...it's not fun.

YOU NEED TO LEARN HOW TO READ. I said it's fine to leave them their if it's safe and air conditioned and heated and attached to your house when YOU are not around aka at work. Or it's okay to use as a crate or training methods along with making sure they get proper socialization and are allowed in the house too and not left their for extended periods of time. You have no idea how I feel about pet ownership or care. You need to learn to read everything before making such statements. How RUDE. I'm speechless at your nasty comments! I owned a German Shepard for over 20 years (which is almost a record I'm sure for such a large breed dog) and I owned a Calico cat for 22 years! They received more love and care then you would ever know as obvious with your rude words, and stupid ways of jumping to conclusions and not being able to fully read things. While at Cornell University as an undergraduate I volunteered my time at their vet school and even thought about going to vet school after my undergrad studies. My current puppy is with me almost 24 hours a day in every room I'm in. I never leave her side except when going to the bathroom. How luck she is to have a owner she is with constantly and by their side every minute! THANK YOU VERY MUCH!

Ha ha for a second I thought you were serious, good one. :clapsmile

I completely agree. Thanks for the OP clearing up things. It sheds new light on the situation which I just was asking for. The garage should be heated or air conditioned. Insulation is not enough IMO too. Maybe they don't park their cars in the garage though and in the driveway. God I hope so! I know many people that don't and just use their garage as storage purposes only. Antifreeze is an awful thing for a cat and dog to get a hold of!

OMG! THAT POOR PUPPY:mad: ZELAH, I HOPE YOU ARE FINALLY ABLE TO WEAR HER DOWN ABOUT GIVING THAT PRECIOUS PUPPY TO YOU. THAT PUPPY NEEDS TO BE AROUND HUMANS & SOCIALIZED! I FEEL SO BAD FOR HER AND MY HEART ACHE KNOWING THAT SHE IS TERRIFIED AND MISSING HER MOMMY AND LITTERMATES:eek:

I WISH I KNEW WHICH CITY YOU LIVED IN AND WHAT HER ADDRESS IT:mad:

That's a very smart thing to do. Instead of being a nag, it's better to be a fly on the wall. You did a great job of trying to educated them before Chloe was brought home, and now that she is home. I agree with your mom, just wait them out. One of two things will happen then:
-they'll come to your for real advice
-they'll tell you to come get Chloe
Mom's are smart that way aren't they? :)

i AM serious - who's to say these people have a garage that has dangerous chemicals or leaking cars? i've been in garages that look better than some living areas! just because your car needs a tune up, doesn't mean everyone's does.

AGAIN - what's the difference in putting a pup in a small crate vs. the garage (assuming it's not a garage in a trailer park).

well - don't know how this turned into a debate but I'll add a comment.

I also disagree with keeping dogs in garages .. I don't understand why someone would get a pet then leave it alone -

big dogs can be outside dogs - and some are HAPPY outside - not that I'd keep an outside dog but still I DO understand it in some cases - but this is a tiny dog and weather - boredom and lonliness is def going to come into play here. Poor thing is never going to train being left alone like this -

Besides -- what does a dog DO in a garage ? Look at the walls ?:( It sounds like a very sad little life

good for you trying to talk to these people - I hope they do listen and will try to do right by their pet

edited to add .....I noticed people saying it's no different than a crate - from my understanding - crates are used inside and dogs at least know we're right there. (I didn't crate train) but my feelings are being outside apart from the home isn't the same.

I think you've done all you can at this point. You are a very caring young woman| I hope for the best for little Chloe.