Yorkies unleashed?

[Athina]

I know it would be nice to have your Yorkie off leash but as long as you have a Terrier it is not a good idea because it's in the Terrier's blood to run and explore. They just can't help it.
My two Yorkie's are the first Terriers i have ever owned and i didn't know how much they can't help themselves when the chance comes up where they can run. I took Ruby to a very nice, BIG conservation area when she was 6 months old and i let her off leash thinking nothing of it because she was always by my side anyways. Well she saw a chipmunk and ran like H*@#. She was gone with out a trace or sound for about 10 min. I felt like i was going to die if i didn't find her. Sure enough with 10 min of yelling her name and going crazy there she comes running to me with a face full of burrs. From then on she has been on a leash and my other Yorkie Bella has never been offleash since i'v gotten her. I'm very luckey she ound her way back and i'll never put her or myself in that situation again.
I just don't think it's worth the risk.

[orinskye]

I let toby off leash all the time.... it was my moms fault first, i was an overprotective mama and then his grandmother came along and let him off leash while we were all on vacation at fernwood ... BUT he knows the come command... AND he doesnt EVER get too far away, i have had such a hard time of it with my arthritus and my mobility the last year that he always stays close to me "to make sure im ok" (its very cute... when we were camping i had trouble climbing over a tree and toby (who could just go uner it) sat and waited on the other side of the tree like he was saying "CMON MOM!!!!" HURRY UP...lol)
Anyways, ive trained him not so much to answere to Come (which he does respond too, and he does come) but also to sounds. I use the 'ch' sound when i want him to pay attention and stay with me (when hes getting to far away) and i use two short 's' sounds to tell him to come (which he obeys as well) i find it easier than yelling at him because we live in an apartment complex.
Anyways, getting off track.... The one restriction that i put on myself is to not EVER let him offleash at night... he is a small dog and gets lost in the dark easily.. but he gets to go in our courtyard off leash after he does his potty thing

[forgetful]

The first time I took Harley outside after we got him, He took off like a banchee.....omg... I was running after him in my husbands flip flops size 12 and I never dreamed a puppy yorkie could run so fast , finally I stopped and said no real firm, and he layed down. Never again, I was horrified... I also seen a Hawk just today circleling the yard. I can just imagine that.My sheltie was 14 and I could leave her in the yard and come back 4 hrs later and she would still be there. We would let her in and out and she never left the yard.That will not ever be the case here.

[SnowWa]

My little Yorkie has gotten away from me twice in my unfenced yard. Both of these times, I was scared to death - there is no way he'll come back to me until he wants to. But, luckily I caught him quickly. This was only because he stopped to smell something.

I have even thought about putting two leashes on my dog instead of just one. I live in fear of his getting away. He loves being outside and is the fastest thing in the world. I couldn't catch him in a hundred years if he didn't want to be caught.

He comes to me when I call him in the house --but for some reason, this doesn't work outside.

I'm sure he'll get away a few more times before my life is over. But, believe me, it won't be because I'm not careful.


Carol Jean

[Kate]

I will not let Sadie out without being on a leash (if it is in the yard), or a harness if walking her.

She is such a good kid, but when she gets outside, off leash, it is a different story. She turns into a wild woman.

She has no fear. She absolutely loves people, esp. children. She was brought up on a farm, with cows, horses, lots of Yorkie pups,
and two grandchildren.

When I got her, she had never been on a leash and she was almost three years old. To my amazement, she loves the leash, and will stand still for me to put it on.

My parents live across the street. I used to live next door, but six mos. ago moved across the street from them. She has two homes, and loves my parents. So, if she is off leash, the first thing she does is run like a wild woman to their front door. I live on a dead-end street, but will not take any more chances.

Just three days ago, I was walking with my parents, and she was on a leash. A huge dog came from nowhere out by the airport,
and by the time I picked her up, this dog was on my shoulder.
It seemed like a friendly dog, after I got a good look at her, but the four of us were shaking. Some guy was running this dog, while he drove in his pickup. I find this very disrespectful.

Just because I have a small animal, I am intimidated by these big dogs, and for good cause. Some are super gentle, but then there are others.

My girlfriend was dying, in the hospital, and her Dad was taking care of her two Yorkies. Unfortunately, he took them out for a walk, at her home, and a dog attacked one and killed it.

My friend came was able to come home a few more times before she ended up back in the hospital where she died. Her Dad told her what happened, and she took it very well. I think she was just too ill to comprehend what happened. So sad!

If I take her out late at night, and she hears something, she will dart off in a flash. For all I know, she could hear a burglar, and she would go to them. I don't need to put myself in this position.

That is my two cents. I just would not let a Yorkie off leash.

Kate