My baby is home alone from about 8:30 a.m. until 6:30 or 7 p.m. He is is a big exercise pen with his toys, food & water, his crate with the door open, and his piddle pads (this is a big pen). The pen has a rug in his "living area." I leave the TV on for him so he can hear voices (he also loves music). He does fine. When I first got him, he cried when I left -- now he's used to the routine. When I get home, he's out of the pen, I put down fresh food and we play. I put him to bed (in his crate) at around 9:30 0 10 p.m. every night. He's a happy little guy and doesn't seem to feel deprived. I would advise you, though, to leave your puppy some toys to play with during the day. I put in stuffed toys without the squeakers with all the tags removed, also rubber toys like Kong or rubber balls are pretty indestructible. I do not leave him in with his Nylabone, because I worry he will chew off a piece and swallow. As long as you snip off any tags, or other features of the stuffed toy that look like he could chew off, he should be fine with toys. Dogs adjust to just about any routine you give them -- remember -- he doesn't have any idea of how long he's in the pen -- he's just happy to be with you when you come home -- for however long that is.

All of those suggestions sound great! I wish I got the Kong instead of this other blue medium rubber thing with a rope that I got at Target. It says its for puppies with chewing needs etc...It had 2 hole inserts to put treats in...I was hesitant but it said for puppies to chew on and had holes like the kong to put treats in...Luckily I am home all day...I gave it to Milo who is 10months and stuck a treat inside..he had it chewed off in less than 20mins..I looked down and he chewed the blue hard rubber off too...I became worried that maybe he ate some because some was missing( not on floor) but he seems to be pooping ok..Just be careful-some rubber toys say ok for puppies chewing needs and it really is not. I paid $8.00 for that toy too..the kong was less expensive..should have gotten that one. ha ha oh well.:)

Your Doing Fine :)
 

I think your doing fine... I also think the treat ball is a great Idea. Along with the TV ... most dog owner’s work and your baby will get used to your schedule. :goodluck: :thumbup:

Personally, I think it is very important to pen our babies when we are not at home. Your pen is a great solution. If there were an emergency in your home, your puppy would be safer in a confined area that running and trying to hide. I would suggest getting Kong-type toys. Wal-mart has toys that you put treats in as Pat describes and that keeps them busy. They need a challenge while you are away. Some toys make noise when they bat them around. Nylabones (non-digestible) are a good choice. Again, these are my opinions and some of the things that work for me...
Remember, if you feel guilty when you leave, that can transmit to your baby and later on, might cause separation anxiety. So, be upbeat and not sad when you leave your baby for the day..He/she will be fine..

Hello,

Thank you all of you for your precious advice . Indeed I made changes since monday i leave the tv on "the cartoon channel " and I live 3 toys with him 1 rubber dog and 2 stuffed toys . I wil fo this week end to a pet store to buy him very hard plastic toys sothat he has more toys to play with when Im away . I think he is doing fine because he is not chewing his pee pee pad when i gate him in kitchen when i'm away so he must be playing with toys .
Another thing I would like your feedback on is that we go to sleep at around 11pm and I wake him up at 6 in the morning because I think this way he wil be lacking sleep and he will sleep during the day, do you think this is a good idea ? I wake up at 6 so that we have 2 hours together before i go to work .
I can't wait till end of June i will start working part time sothat i can spend more time with him i hate leaving him at home alone and i wish i dont have to work at all :mad:

Oh that's so cool. I wanted to find out how you were doing with him. That's great! :thumbup:

Don't worry about the sleeping thing. Badger works according to my routine, so he's up when I am and naps with me or goes to bed when I do. That's fine to do that, sure. If Royce is tired, he'll have a little kip when he needs to.

Let us know how it's all going! :)

This reminds me of when I was single and left my yorkie all day. I eventually bought him a playmate yorkie. They had a puppy door back then in another house. Now I have a family and have to worry about the little humans hurting them, stairs, cords (new pup) etc :confused:

You are very considerate about the needs of your Yorkie, that's good... I think you don't have to be that afraid of him getting hurt while you're away. I know Pepper sleeps most of the time when I'm not home (which is Mon-Fri appx 7 hours), I don't gate him though, he's not chewing on anything he's not supposed to anymore. He has all his toys around the whole apartment too, and the radio on. Hubby gets home first and plays with Pep until I get back (or not, they 'hang out' :rolleyes: ).

It sounds like he gets more attention than mine do and I'm home with mine all day.

Although he probably sleeps most of the time, a few toys would be nice and also the TV as someone else mentioned.

I have to work too and feel bad about leaving mine so much each day. So I understand how you feel. He too gets my total attention at night and he sleeps with me. I do leave toys out but am not sure if he really plays with them when I'm not there. Most days everything is where it was when I left.

How about finding a playmate (Another Yorkie)? That will keep him busy and happy.:)