welcome,
i'm not sure that this is with all puppies but my parents have 3 dogs. the older dog has always ran the house but the other 2 since they were puppies have always been crated. both my parents work 8-10 hour days and now the dogs are older they still can't be trusted to roam the house. also i believe they have social issues they are way to hyper, when my parents get home they are so happy to see someone they just don't know how to react. i think it would be a good idea to find him a new home until you are able to spend more time with him. he probably misses people dearly.

It sounds very unfair and lonely for the puppy. I am glad you are considering what is best for him. This just may not be the perfect time for you to own a pup. I am absolutely sure you wont be happier but I am sure your pup would be much happier if he didn't sit alone in a crate all day.

I for one understand your dilema. Several years ago hubby bought me a peekapoo for our anniversary. We both worked but we did live in a 2 story house with 10 rooms and it was way too big for us actually so it isnt the apt thing I would even worry about. Its the leaving the puppy alone for so many hours with no attn like we had to do. I had 2 girls that cleaned my house once a week for me but once a week just wasnt enough for the puppy to have someone in the house for a few hours to me. One of the girls had a son 7 yrs old and she would bring him over sometimes when he was out of school, while they cleaned. Well he fell in love with Gizmo. Not too long after, I came down with the flu and needless to say, I was in bed for pretty much of that week and so gizmo was still actually left alone and I would hear him crying while I was in bed and couldnt take care or him and I felt so sorry for him, It broke my heart to hear him crying and I started wondering if he did that all day when I was at work, so I gave him to her little boy. She was related to us and kept me informed and he was such a happy dog and her son was her only child and gizmo slept with him at night and they took him everywhere they went that was within reason. I was really glad I gave him up later for his benefit. He had a much better life. but I did love him even tho I only had him for a few months. I think the earlier they get use to a new home the better, than waiting for the dog to get sooooooooo attached to your family then have to go to another family. goodluck with whatever decision you make and I do understand and I realize it is hard either way for you and the pup for a while. But things will get better. Now I dont work so I have plenty of time for Kizzy. So sometimes things we have to do even tho it breaks our heart works out in the end.

First let me welcome you to YT. You are being very honest with yourself
by realizing your pup is alone more than it should be. When I bought Buddy
I knew he would be alone while I was at work for 9hrs daily. Dogs adjust
eventually to your schedule. However I went home at lunch time to take
him out and cancelled any get togethers after work. My priority was now my
pet. That was 2 yrs ago and I missed out on alot after work but I made
my priority Buddy. Unless you can make your pet your priority you should
rehouse him and think of a pet later on when you are home more. Good luck
to you and your pet.

[QUOTE=kevin17]My wife and I need some help and opinions on this.


What a heartwrenching decision! Kudos to you for being brave to admit this is probably not the best way for your puppy to live his days.

If it were me...I would find him a home where he would have more of the one and one puppies need...

Why not consider two older dogs? That way...they could keep each company and not be lonley!


Francie:)

No a Yorkie or any dog for that matter needs people around. Is it possible to arrange for you and your wife to work different shifts? Even as he gets older actually the demand is higher.
Can you get in touch with the breeder and ask if she could take him back and rehome? Other than that I would strongly consider finding him a new home.
As a breeder, I know you are going to run into problems. Any puppies or dogs I place, the amount of time the owners are home is among the first three questions of a long list that I ask. I would have mentioned that you should consider your work schedules and delay getting a puppy until that might change.
Many behaviour problems in dogs develop due to no one being around too many hours in the day. You are going to have a hard time housebreaking him and it really is not good for him to be in a crate that many hours.
Good for you for recognizing a problem. Now you really must consider rehoming him.

I think it is wonderful that you are wanting to put your puppy's needs first. You have been given lots of opinions and I wanted to add mine. I have four Yorkies and I've had them all since they were babies. I can not imagine them being happy at all without all the interaction and attention we give them. They need that as puppies. I honestly believe that if you or your wife must work and at times be away in the evenings, it would be best to find a home where a puppy can have all the attention he/she can get. I do wish you the best in making your decision. :)

What about a Puppy Day Care?? I know when I took Teddy to get his hair cut...They had a Puppy/Dog day care where they watched the babies while people worked? Ours was in town too. U said U live in town. I don't know maybe it's just a thought. :animal36

Thanks So Very Much & Hugs, Lee & Babies
:aimeeyork Tiffanie "Tiffy" Ranae: :aimeeyork
http://www.dogster.com/?316369
:aimeeyork Theodore "Teddy" Roosevelt: :aimeeyork
http://www.dogster.com/?316383

I believe that you are being very sensible and mature about the needs of your puppy. I would definitely find him a new home while he is still young enough to make the adjustment easily.

If some time in the future your situation changes, you can always get another puppy.

Yorkies need companionship. And a working couple with a busy social life is not the best home for them. They hate being alone.

Good luck

I think you are very wise in realizing that this is not a good time in your life to have a dog. Any dog. If it is going to constantly be left with someone else, then what enjoyment are you getting out of the dog and visa versa. It's like having a child. If you're not ready then you're not ready. The good thing about a dog is that you canf find a new home for it.

If you are seriously considering rehoming the pup, it DEFINATELY better to do it now that he is still young and potty-trainable. It would be a lot harder to give away an older dog that isn't potty-trained and more set in his ways.

I agree. People would love a Yorkie puppy. It would be best to do it soon, in my opinion, that way you won't be too attached. You know what is best for the puppy. Good luck. :)

My opinion on this one...
 

Well I agree in that you could hire someone to come in and let him out to go potty, play with him a little during the day, etc. BUT, you have to think about whether or not this is something that you want to do with him for the REST of his life? I mean REALISTICALLY, if you are only going to see the puppy for a couple of hours a day, is it worth it? And no I don't mean that YOUR PUPPY isn't worth it...because I KNOW that he is. However, what I mean is that it is going to get very expensive paying someone to come in every single day for the rest of the dogs life. Not to mention, you want to be able to spend time with him, play with him, bond with him, etc. and in reality, you won't be able to do that very often. Also, the likely hood of him becoming successfully potty trained with the two of you being gone all day is pretty slim :( If he gets used to pottying on the floor, that's what he is going to stick with. Unless of course you were to train him to use a puppy pad or litter box. Those are some other options. But in all honesty, puppies need ALOT of attention, love, and care...and it takes alot of work!

I totally agree with what everyone else said in that you are obviously thinking about the puppy and whats good for him. And having his BEST interest at heart is totally the right thing to do! :) Now, that being said, *I personally* feel (and this is just my honest, and personal opinion) that it wouldn't be fair to the poor little guy to keep him cooped up all day long, only to have someone come in to let him out to go potty and play with him for a few minutes and then leave him again. Puppies need soooooo much more than that! :( I can completely understand you and your wife not wanting to part with your new little guy, because I myself would feel the EXACT same way...but honestly, the kind of lifestyle he would be forced to have just wouldn't be at all fair to him in my opinion :( I too wish that there was another way for you guys to keep him, but if there isn't, then there just simply isn't :( I personally feel that he (as well as ANY puppy!) deserves to have someone who can be with him, play with him, feed him, love him, bond with him, etc. and I KNOW that there is someone out there (maybe even someone on YT! :D) who can do just that ;)

Please keep us updated and let us know your final decision! Good luck to you, your wife, and your little guy :)

I think it is great you are looking at all your options. Im sure it is a very hard decision to make but I think I would really consider finding him a good home. Unless you decide on a doggie daycare. If you frequently go out after work that is a long time for your puppy to be crated. I know when we go out for a long time I will gate macy in the big bathroom with her toys and food dish and water dish etc..... This way if she does mess on the floor it is easy to clean because it is tile. I also leave the tv turned on to animal planet for my dogs lol. What ever decision you make I wish much luck, and dont be afriad to ask any other questions there are so many wonderful people here that will be more than willing to help you out