Is it ok to leave yorkie at home alone for 12-14 hours on a regular basis?

[jackie200]

I don't have a yorkie yet but thinking about one...

I work 8-5 and on nights when I take yoga I don't get home until 9pm or 10pm and this is around 3 x during the weekdays... There may be other times when I do stuff after work and won't get home until 10 or 11 pm etc. Can a yorkie stay home alone on a regular basis around 12-13 hours a day?

I did a search on the board and a few folks said their dogs were ok with it once in awhile; but what if it's on a regular basis? (no sitter or neighbor to check in, just me).

[Britster]

No. I personally don't see a point in getting a dog if you're just going to leave it for 12-14hrs a day anyways. Just my honest opinion.

I LOVE spending time with my dog and most of my free time is given to Jackson, as when I got him, I knew I had an added responsibility to my life and could no longer just go out after class or work and not be home until late. That's something you give up in order to be a good dog owner. Not only does he need to potty but he needs love, exercise and attention, as all dogs do.

With that said, I think it's certainly possible to own a dog while working long hours. There's doggy daycare, in-home dogsitters, etc, that could make things work. Longest I'd leave Jackson is 8hrs but that is even pushing it. I really don't like to leave him longer than 4-6hrs.

[NUmOmmie]

Would love for you to get a Yorkie!!! With your work schedule most will tell you maybe a cat? YIKES! LOL

[cally930]

Really why get a dog if you don't have time for it. Because the way I see it those three times a week that you are coming home late - you are most likely showering and going to sleep - so really those days are basically 24 hrs that the dog won't have any companionship. Look at it from the dog's side. Would it be fair?

[Britster]

Originally Posted by NUmOmmie

Would love for you to get a Yorkie!!! With your work schedule most will tell you maybe a cat? YIKES! LOL

... or a hamster.

[IsabelleOllie]

It would be cruel to get a dog if you will regularly leave it alone for 12+ hours a day. Dogs are social creatures, they need love and attention. And Yorkies live to be with their people.

[jencar98]

I can't imagine leaving a small dog home alone for 12-14 hours per day on a regular basis. After your 12-14 hour day, you're probably tired and ready for bed when you get home, so then the dog gets little to no attention.

[cj125]

NO!

[dinkyweil]

Yorkies really do great with lots of attention, and they get pretty sad when left alone. You are smart to ask. Once you know this breed, you would know that they are not suited at all to that kind of alone time.
I don't know which breed would work for you, but you should definitely find out as much as possible before you get a dog.

[Taryn0405]

Gizmo is in the cage at max 4 hours. And, that's max. Please don't get a dog if you plan on doing that to him. It's not fair to you, or the dog.

[vbmapes11]

I am a nurse and work 3 twelve hr shifts a week but I have a pet sitter who comes twice during the day to get her out and play with her. This way she is only alone for 4 hrs at a time. Why don't you try that. I found her on sittercity.com.

[Rhetts_mama]

Aside from the emotional/social issues listed above, there are physical issues that do not lend themselves to being left for 12+ hours on a regular basis. Hypoglycemia is a big problem. Potty training is another.

Yorkies are also extremely smart. When bored (or feeling ignored) they can get destructive.

[yorkietalkjilly]

I know you want the companionship, but really, what kind of a life would the little Yorkie have left all alone with no one for all that time? Yorkies are so involved with their people and so full of life, it would probably just sap the little one's spirit. Just wait until you have a better situation and then you can give all your love and devotion to a sweet baby that you can really share a life with. That is aside from all the physical and health issues and potty training problems you could run into with a dog left alone so long. Plus, you would feel so guilty the whole time you knew that poor baby was home alone for so long you probably couldn't concentrate well enough on your work. I know when I just leave for a very few hours I worry and feel guilty about Tibbe home alone.

When I couldn't yet get another dog after I lost my last one, I got into collecting teddy bears in a big way. It helped.

[kionini]

Originally Posted by jackie200

I don't have a yorkie yet but thinking about one...

I work 8-5 and on nights when I take yoga I don't get home until 9pm or 10pm and this is around 3 x during the weekdays... There may be other times when I do stuff after work and won't get home until 10 or 11 pm etc. Can a yorkie stay home alone on a regular basis around 12-13 hours a day?

I did a search on the board and a few folks said their dogs were ok with it once in awhile; but what if it's on a regular basis? (no sitter or neighbor to check in, just me).

Please reconsider Don't do that to a poor little dog. They live for human touch and companion. Getting a puppy to leave him/her alone all day is CRUEL. Remember Karma, what you throw out there comes back to you
When I worked long hours, even my plants died.
Wait until you have the time to give and you and the puppy will be very happy You'll be at work worried sick about the puppy and the puppy will be sick with sadness

[TexasKat08]

I'm sorry, but I'm not sure why you would want any pet, much less a Yorkie that REQUIRES so much attention. Occasionally, I think you would be fine. But it sounds like your lifestyle won't allow you any time to spend with a pet so I'm wondering why you might want one - for those occasional times you will be able to spend with it? Doesn't seem fair to the pet and honestly you would have a mess on your hands with an unsocialized, ignored Yorkie. Maybe wait until your life slows down a bit and you can dedicate the time needed to ensure your Yorkie will be well loved.