What's your opinion on....

[cribal]

giving your yorkie freedom to go inside and outside through a doggy door while your at work?

Here's the deal. This weekend my husband and I fenced in our back yard for our pups. We both work all day and he suggested putting in a doggy door so they can go inside and outside as they please. I'm not sure if I like the idea, but I'm an overly paranoid parent when it comes to my dogs. So I would like your opinions.

We live a mile off the road in the woods, so I don't have to worry about someone coming and stealing my dogs. (Plus if anyone would happend to come down our driveway by accident then they would get greeted with 8 Great Danes and I think they would turn around)

Crystal

[bchgirl]

I'd be paranoid to let them use it when I wasn't home. But my brother has one for his dashuand. They let her come and go with no problems. I'd just be too much a worry wart.

[Tiger's Mom]

you've got 8 great danes

I don't think there is nothing wrong with those pet doors . . what is important is that it is safe when they are outdoors. I live in a woodsy area and no fence. I could get a fence but am too scared for my babies to be outside as they could be eaten by an owl or something.

Good luck on whatever you decide.

[cribal]

Originally Posted by Tiger's Mom

[COLOR="Magenta"]you've got 8 great danes

Well, 1 is mine and the other 7 are my in-laws. We live on the same 40 acres down the same driveway and I can see their house from my back door so they come back and forth between houses.

Crystal

[JeanieK]

Living out in the country next to a wooded area, I would be afraid of another animal or a bird of prey getting it.

[Rem&Silkmom]

Me personally I would not. I worry we live next to water and sometimes if I see a big bird - Hawk I make the boys come in the house. I have heard so many stories of tragic things that can happen. I crate both of mine while not home. I feel like it is the safest for my boys and keep them out of trouble.

[mikey]

dont underestimate owls and such. they can easily kill and eat a rabbit. and yorkies arent much bigger than rabbits.. soooo be careful.

[Tiger's Mom]

Originally Posted by Rem&Silkmom

Me personally I would not. I worry we live next to water and sometimes if I see a big bird - Hawk I make the boys come in the house. I have heard so many stories of tragic things that can happen. I crate both of mine while not home. I feel like it is the safest for my boys and keep them out of trouble.

My boss lives down the street from me and his neighbor had a yorkie that was swooped up by an owl . . and they were all right there hanging in the yard

I crate both my babies too and they certainly keep out of trouble . . it nearly cost my Tiger's life which i would rather not talk about . . .

[tpaxton23]

I allow my yorkie, chihuahua and jack russell to use the doggie door while I'm at work during the day but it only allows them access to our upper deck. I do worry about owls but have put up chicken wire surrounding the deck and wind chimes and flags that are suppose to scare birds off.

I did read about someone's yorkie being taken from their fenced in back yard by a fox that had climbed the neighbors woodpile and got in the yard. The poor yorkie was a new mother too and the babies had to be bottlefed after the loss of their mother.

Now I'm nervous about mine being out there. I would hope the jack russell would scare any birds off but what if she didn't? Maybe I'll set the xpen up on the deck so they can go out the doggie door directly into it. Then they can still go out and sun themselves. Better safe than sorry.

[Zoe'smom]

I would be absolutely against it for the simple fact that more and more dogs are being taken from their own backyards. A very good friend of mine just lost her Champion Yorkie Stud to theft in the broad daylight. She not only lost her friend but also a $4000 investment.

[vainchick5]

I am too paranoid for that. I have a closed off balcony on the second floor, but I'm still too paranoid and worried to let her out there, and nothing can really get her there, but still you never know. I would rather not take a chance.

[cribal]

Thanks, everyone for your responses. At least I know I'm not just being paranoid. Or who knows, maybe were all just toooo paranoid about our babies...LOL

Crystal

[JCarlson2004]

My concerns would be:

1. Digging underneath the fence and escaping

2. Birds -- owls, hawks, etc.

3. Coyotes and foxes

4. Squirrels or racoons with RABIES!

5. Sitting outside in the sun too long and getting heat stroke

6. Eating something poisoness that blew into your yard

7. Eating and then choking on a leaf or twig

8. Strangers stealing your baby -- I know you said you live in an isolated area, but there is still a risk

These are only a few of my concerns -- I'd be WAY too paranoid to let my babies outside alone during the day while I work!

[stinky]

Originally Posted by JCarlson2004

My concerns would be:

1. Digging underneath the fence and escaping

2. Birds -- owls, hawks, etc.

3. Coyotes and foxes

4. Squirrels or racoons with RABIES!

5. Sitting outside in the sun too long and getting heat stroke

6. Eating something poisoness that blew into your yard

7. Eating and then choking on a leaf or twig

8. Strangers stealing your baby -- I know you said you live in an isolated area, but there is still a risk

These are only a few of my concerns -- I'd be WAY too paranoid to let my babies outside alone during the day while I work!

All of these worries^^^^^^^^ and, what if something other than your dog crawls in through the doggie door? Like one of those nasty possums that other Yorkie Talker found in his kitchen last week.

[MyTrixie143]

The only way I would allow them to use the dog door freely while I am gone is if I set up an xpen on the outside to where if they were to use the dog door to go outside they would walk directly into the pen which of course would have a roof or some top on it so that no bird or anything could get to it. This way they are able to go outside to go to the bathroom safely without having to worry about anything.