What do you suggest?...I'm new to this

[MOM2CHLOE]

I have a Yorkie that I got from a lady on Craigslist,it is a long sad story the condition she was in when I got her( I feel that I rescued her from a bad situation and my vet agrees). It is the first one I have ever had(the first inside dog ever). I got her when she was 4 or 5 months old and I have had her about a month. My question is this....We are usually gone all day and she has been staying in her kennel while we are gone. I have an outdoor large kennel and I was thinking about putting her outside in it while we were gone so she wouldn't be so bored. I am just wanting some advice to whether this is a good idea or not.

[Saeka]

My vote is no, keep her inside. I would worry about her possibly being stolen, attacked by any stray animals coming in the yard, inclimate weather, etc. Give her some toys and maybe a Kong filled with treats that she can work on.

[ArmaniMan]

I would not leave a Yorkie outside alone all day- for a number of reasons.

If you are concerned about her being bored- look into an expen for inside, or find a room you can keep doggy proof and keep her in. Give her access to different toys, like mentioned above- KONGS are great and can be filled with a large variety of things. Petstages offers great toys for dogs. Nina Ottoson provides good interactive toys. Do you have a radio or tv close to where she is that you can leave on? Have you considered hiring a dog walker to stop in and take her for a walk in the afternoon sometimes? its getting close to summer, you might be able to find a local high school student who would do it for you as well.

[AlicetheYorkie]

Ya, I agree, I wouldn't leave a dog that small outside alone all day for the above mentioned reasons. An idea if you want her to have more room to play and move around while your gone is you can get an indoor pen (it's like a couple baby gates attached together) or confine her to a room like the kitchen with a babygate (as long as she can't possible get to anything dangerous that is). That way she can have access to water, safe toys (like a Kong or something else that's basically indestructable), and maybe food and a piddle pad As long as you're providing an area that is comfortable and has any necessary items that she'll need for an extended period of time, she'll do well while you're at work and get used to it. And congrats to you for rescuing her

[SWHouston]

I have a Doggy Door, and mine have access to the outside when they need.
BUT, its not for everyone, specially those with very small animals.

I'd definitely suggest the "expanded" area inside !

When conditions (rain/weather) make outside trips troubling, I have a
Utility Room, which is fairly large, and the door can be closed to the
rest of the house. I haven't used that in quite a while, since both of
mine are reliably "houseworthy". (potty/electric cords/all)

[AlicetheYorkie]

Originally Posted by ArmaniMan

I would not leave a Yorkie outside alone all day- for a number of reasons.

If you are concerned about her being bored- look into an expen for inside, or find a room you can keep doggy proof and keep her in. Give her access to different toys, like mentioned above- KONGS are great and can be filled with a large variety of things. Petstages offers great toys for dogs. Nina Ottoson provides good interactive toys. Do you have a radio or tv close to where she is that you can leave on? Have you considered hiring a dog walker to stop in and take her for a walk in the afternoon sometimes? its getting close to summer, you might be able to find a local high school student who would do it for you as well.

LOL I must have been typing my post as you were posting yours

[MyPann]

Originally Posted by Saeka

My vote is no, keep her inside. I would worry about her possibly being stolen, attacked by any stray animals coming in the yard, inclimate weather, etc. Give her some toys and maybe a Kong filled with treats that she can work on.

I agree, my vet even told my when I first got Pann to never leave him outside alone because as awefull as it sounds people love to steal small dogs, especially one's they think could make them money like our babies

[DvlshAngel985]

Lots of great responses. I just wanted to point out since this is your first yorkie, you should know how much their world revolves around their people. I think a lot of us yorkie moms and dads work during the day, and when we come home, we dedicate special time to our babies.

For my dog, no amount of toys, tv, radio, or treats is enough to make it better when I'm gone. After a while, he was use to the routine and now knows what time I get home. He'll nap most of the day, or hang out with my parents.

You've only had your pup for a month. There us still some adjusting you both need to do to get into a routine that works for you.

[gidget529]

I agree - their owners are these dogs' world!! I use a Kong toy also to help occupy my dog while I'm gone. She loves this toy!

[BabyGirl Rosie]

I agree with the no votes. Too many things can happen to these little ones. I agree with DvlshAngel985. When we are leaving, Rosie jumps on our bed and goes to sleep. I really think she sleeps most of the time. However, when we get home it is play time! I don't even let her go potty by herself outside but we live in the country. Too many animals lurking around. So, I say keep your new baby inside.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I've always read and heard that Yorkies are susceptible to overexposure due to their surface-to-size ratio and can overheat/overchill very easily so that is yet another reason for indoor living for them. I think they mostly nap while we are away and save themselves and all their energy for when mommie and daddy come home!!! And how typical a Yorkie owner you sound - worrying about her boredom, wanting to improve her life, on here asking questions. One thing so many Yorkie owners seem to have in common is always trying to improve on how their baby lives its life.

[MOM2CHLOE]

Thanks so much for the advice. I left her outside for awhile today on her leash because i thought she would enjoy the warm weather but she got hot. She had a bowl of water close to her and she was still panting. I don't think she would like it outside all day. She was whining and barking ready to come back in.
In a couple of weeks my schedule will be changing so she will only be home from 10am until 3pm when my kids get home from school. I will check on the kong to keep her busy.
Thanks again!!!!

[manolos mom]

Yorkies can not tolerate the heat or cold weather. Please keep her inside. Also with small dogs you must watch for Hawks, Owls, Coyotes. These little dogs are very different than owning a medium to large breed dog. I would look into buying her an XPEN where she can have a bed, toys and a piddle pad. Good Luck to you and keep us updated... Amazon.com: x pens for dogs

[smepperson]

Originally Posted by DvlshAngel985

Lots of great responses. I just wanted to point out since this is your first yorkie, you should know how much their world revolves around their people. I think a lot of us yorkie moms and dads work during the day, and when we come home, we dedicate special time to our babies.

For my dog, no amount of toys, tv, radio, or treats is enough to make it better when I'm gone. After a while, he was use to the routine and now knows what time I get home. He'll nap most of the day, or hang out with my parents.

You've only had your pup for a month. There us still some adjusting you both need to do to get into a routine that works for you.

Originally Posted by manolos mom

Yorkies can not tolerate the heat or cold weather. Please keep her inside. Also with small dogs you must watch for Hawks, Owls, Coyotes. These little dogs are very different than owning a medium to large breed dog. I would look into buying her an XPEN where she can have a bed, toys and a piddle pad. Good Luck to you and keep us updated... Amazon.com: x pens for dogs

[yorkieusa]

Please don't even tie her outside by herself on her leash. As Manolo'smom stated, hawks, owls, coyotes, and other animals are predators that carry yorkies away. It happens often. Please, please, please go out with her. None of mine have ever been left in the yard alone. They have always been accompanied by someone. It's not safe, even with a fenced-in yard. We see hawks almost daily around here.