Wants to buy a Yorkie Puppy so badly but works full time (8 hrs.)
 

Hi Guys!

I've been wanting to get a Yorkie for the longest time and since I have the financial capabilities to do so already, I'm planning on getting one. Before I do so, I really want to ask you guys if it's a good decision to make.

First Issue:

I work from 10 AM - 6 PM but there are also times where I have to do overtime or have meetings that are at 6 pm, which means I won't be home within 8 - 12 hrs. per day. I plan on taking leave for about a week or two in order to spend time with my puppy. I was thinking of leaving her in a play pen while I'm gone which has toys, food and a toilet area. I'll give her lots of love and attention when I get home and will always walk her in the morning. Plus, I have weekends to spend all day with her. What do you guys think? :(

Second Issue:
I actually live in a condo from Monday - Friday by myself, then on Saturday - Sunday, I go home to my parent's house. Would this confuse/mess up my puppy's potty training? :confused: I plan on having a play pen here at my condo, as well as at my parent's house. I have no relatives that lives near my condo as well, so nobody would be able to check on my puppy.

I really want your advice on this. This is my second time getting a dog, but she passed away last year. My situation right now is really different from before.

All advice would be much appreciated. :)

I work full time as does my fiance. I think owning a dog is definitely doable even working full time hours. You just have to be willing to make time for the dog. Also, I always took at least a weeks vacation each time I brought a new puppy home to help get them adjusted.

Some things for you to think about:

Do you get a lunch break where you could come home and let the pup out?

Do you have Doggy Day cares in your area?

Are you willing to hire a dog walker/pet sitter?

My husband and I both work full time too. We take turns playing ball with Alfie when we are getting ready in the mornings and take him to the park for a run as soon as we get home from work, then there is usually a lot of "gimme that" tugging while we watch tv He seems to sleep most of the day when we are gone.

I don't know about your first question, my Yorkie was a potty trained adult when I got him, and I only worked part time. Fast forward 4 years, I work full time and we seem to make it work. Kaji just naps while I'm away.

As for your second question, I did that when I first got Kaji. I lived in a condo off campus during the week, and at my parents' place on the weekend. When I was doing the same potty schedule in both places, he did fine. When I tried 2 different things (outside potty for condo, piddle pads at my parents' place) it was confusing for him.

Sounds like you'll be a great Yorkie parent. I echo the advice given by the others. I don't think 8 or 10 hours is bad if you carve out a couple hours of quality time the rest of the day. A morning walk and evening walk would give the dog a routine to look forward to.

Daycare would be ideal, but a lunch break visit or visit from a neighbor would be a nice treat. Personally, I work 8 hours but generally keep alone time to 5 hours with a visit. When I have to go 8 or 10, they do fine.

It's definitely doable...before we pcs'd we got a bulldog while my husband was deployed and I did school part time and work full time. I took a week off of work her first days with us and I had every weekend off. Since you visit ur folks I would have a designated potty area at each home. Good luck! Sounds like you'll be an excellent owner!

I wanted a yorkie for years just like you but I worked full time and was on call 24/7 as I owned the business. My husband worked but his schedule wasn't as tight as mine. I waited many years before I got my first yorkie and glad I did. My breeder would not sell her pups to anyone who worked full time. I just hate to see a pup left along all day especially when they need to eat 3/4 times per day.

Home Alone
 

Hi I live in a condo, I have had Gideon for a little over 3 months. It is just the two of us. I work full time. I block off the kitchen and half bath so he can run and play.


I know it's not ideal and I wish I could have gotten two pups at the same time so they would have someone to play with during the day.


He definitely wants all my attention when I get home at night. We walk on the treadmill to get out some of his energy. Can't wait for warmer weather so we can go outside more.


But we make it work.

I think the majority of dog owners in this country work. I've always worked full time until I retired and always had dogs, sometimes even several rescues. You can work it out and the dogs quickly learn if trained properly to sleep during the time you are away at work and now with webcams, you can check on them during the day. You and the dog have the first thing in the morning, the whole evening and night to spend together. It's only during puppyhood you need to have someone who can come in if possible and take it out and play with it, check on it. That's why it's important not to get a very young 8 - 10 week old puppy but one old enough and big enough to be safe alone for several hours during the day and not go into a coma from hypoglycemia, etc. Best of luck finding your Yorkie baby!

I am lucky now// my husband is retired but when we both worked/ I had a pen for them and left out food and water for them but we worked shift work and were on opposite shifts so someone was usually was home but once in awhile we were on shift together

Thank you everybody for the replies! :)
 

Hi Guys!

I am simply overwhelmed how helpful you all are for helping me. Not all forums are this active as well. Thanks a lot!

Here are my answers to some of the suggestions:

Do you get a lunch break where you could come home and let the pup out?
I think I can come home, my office is 6.2 kms. away from my condo but the thing is, the Philippines has horrendous traffic. It can take me 30 mins - 1 hr. just to get to the condo. I'll be late when I get back at the office.

Do you have Doggy Day cares in your area?
Sadly, doggy day cares here is a rare establishment. The one nearest to my place is a lot farther from my office.

Are you willing to hire a dog walker/pet sitter?
I'm willing to get someone in the building to walk my dog everyday if he/she is someone who I can trust. Sadly, I can't find someone right now.

I want everything planned out when I get my puppy. I'd prefer a low-energy Yorkie, how do you guys select one? I'm having trouble on how to determine whether a dog is high,medium, or low-energy. :)

and would indoor potty training would confuse my puppy? I hope the x-pen would work in the condo as well as my parent's house. The x-pen would always be constant but the location will only differ. I hope it works. :(

If you're looking for specific traits like size, coloring, or even temperament, it's best to select an adult dog, in my opinion. Some dogs are hyper as puppies, but can mellow out with age. Others never do. My dog was adopted at a year old. He's always been the quiet, couch potato type of dog, yet, when he is engaged in an activity, like fetch or jogging with me, he keeps up pretty well. It's like he knows when to be active and when to be calm. He has even gone hiking with me!

I agree, and adult dog can be so much better and they don't have the social needs that a young puppy has.

Training a dog takes constancy. All the hours you are away from home are hours that the puppy is learning nothing. When the pup is not crying it will be sleeping. You will have a lot of cleaning up to do when you get home and your pup will need a lot of interaction and exercise.

It is rough on a pup to be alone several hours a day but it can be done. I really think that a person that is gone 9 to 12 hours a day does not normally need a dog. By the time they get off work they are tired and need to get to the store, take care of social obligations, and the many other priorities that life throws at us. A dog is a very social creature that craves the attention of it's owner's. Unless there is someone else in the home to help care for the dog it is going to be difficult on the dog and owner.

Cannot even begin to tell you of the number of people who rehome pets because they find they do not have time for them.

If you really feel you need a dog consider getting one that is already an adult and house trained. A more mature dog is sometimes more willing to sleep while you are gone but will still need a lot of exercise and interaction when you get home.

A couple of oriental breed cats is also something to consider. They interact much like a dog but do not require the kind of work a dog needs.

I realize you really want to get a puppy but think about what you have to offer a pup and count the number of hours you have to give that pup.

I agree with Gracie. What happens if a puppy out of loneliness or boredom starts barking incessantly? Can your condo board make you rehome your pup? Maybe you have a nice understanding condo board and great neighbors though. A side note my daughters Siamese are very dog like. One retrieves a wad of paper andis extremely clingy and affectionate when she is home but sleeps when she is gone.