Yorkies and Working Full Time...

[brusiersmom]

I also work full time i put a gate at the end of my hallway and close all the doors and my baby has room to play until my son comes home from school. he does just fine.

[cekaai]

I am also in the same boat, I graduated college in May and got my pup in July she's been with me literally 24/7. I start my job Monday a 9-5 five days a week. Nyx has never been alone so I don't know how it's going to go on Monday, I think I will also have separation anxiety. lol

[Buffalogirl]

I'm glad I found this thread. I got Freyja when she was 10 wks old and stayed with her 24/7 for the first 3 months (during the summer). I returned to work in the beginning of September and we also moved house (one of the reasons was to get out of our dog-unfriendly condo). My husband is retiring from full time work at the end of September. Anyways, sorry for the long intro...
I have been so concerned about Freyja the last couple of weeks. I have to leave her for 7 hours or so, and some days my son is home from university in the mid-afternoon, so that makes me feel a little better. She has been howling for long periods so the neighbour tells me.
Also, Freyja doesn't really mind my husband who will be "stay at home" puppy parent. He gets frustrated that she runs from him and poops somewhere, and he HATES picking it up. I am trying gently to show him what we are learning in obedience class but he thinks it's too much hassle. He hasn't been able to attend classes because of his work. In his defence, he is VERY LOVING to Freyja and is never harsh with her.
Has anyone any experience like this? Any advice?
Patti & Freyja

[hooliacasa]

Before I got my yorkies (I have 4 now) we used to have a bassett hound and she was wonderful- just a good ole rug dog. She was left home alone for 6 hours til my kids got home and we couldnt leave her outside since she howled all day (per the neighbors) but if you get two (and I sure would) and baby gate them in an area with piddle pads and such, they would be just fine. Of course, some people can't afford two at the same time so if you do have just one, i'm sure he/she will be just fine but if you can't come home at lunch then please don't crate your baby. Most people who crate can come home half way thru their day to let them out and excercise. I can't- I work too far from home with my one hour lunch so I baby gate them in our house on tile with piddle pads, oh and I leave the TV on or a radio too Don't worry, your baby will be just fine as long as he/she isn't left home all day long all the time. If this is your worry, then you are already a great fur mommy who will be just fine.

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by Buffalogirl

I'm glad I found this thread. I got Freyja when she was 10 wks old and stayed with her 24/7 for the first 3 months (during the summer). I returned to work in the beginning of September and we also moved house (one of the reasons was to get out of our dog-unfriendly condo). My husband is retiring from full time work at the end of September. Anyways, sorry for the long intro...
I have been so concerned about Freyja the last couple of weeks. I have to leave her for 7 hours or so, and some days my son is home from university in the mid-afternoon, so that makes me feel a little better. She has been howling for long periods so the neighbour tells me.
Also, Freyja doesn't really mind my husband who will be "stay at home" puppy parent. He gets frustrated that she runs from him and poops somewhere, and he HATES picking it up. I am trying gently to show him what we are learning in obedience class but he thinks it's too much hassle. He hasn't been able to attend classes because of his work. In his defence, he is VERY LOVING to Freyja and is never harsh with her.
Has anyone any experience like this? Any advice?
Patti & Freyja

I just wonder if your little one has been given too much freedom too soon? Just guessing. I don't know your situation or what you're doing...

[Sadie's Mom]

I would get two if you can. If not, the one should be ok. I have one...would love to have another. I am single & work full time. I work too far away from home to go home at all during the day. I leave Sadie in the bathroom...never had the heart to crate her for so many hours. She does fine by herself all day while I'm gone. I leave the radio on for her, so there's noise around. She's VERY excited while I come home & hates when I leave in the morning, but she does ok while I'm gone. Most days, she has "sleepy face" when I come home, which means that she's just been asleep all day! (It's soooo cute) Hope this helps. I want another one, but won't do it until I get out of my apartment and into a house.

[Buffalogirl]

Originally Posted by yorkieusa

I just wonder if your little one has been given too much freedom too soon? Just guessing. I don't know your situation or what you're doing...

I was experimenting during the summer, leaving her for 2 or 3 hours at a time but I think it might be all the changes as well that are upsetting her. Fortunately, I have one place I work 1 day a week that is extremely dog-friendly and I was able to take her to work with me. She did awesome, I brought her crate (left open) and tied her leash to me as I sat at my desk and had a piddle pad nearby (not one accident!). She also got lots of cuddles and I walked her at lunchtime.
I work about 20 minutes away and have an option for a 1 hour lunch so I could try to come home to see her. That worksite is not so sympathetic.

[KELLY353]

I say TWO!

[chelbuddy]

I admit I went a little overboard with Buddy - I originally thought I would be able to take him to work, but suddenly a co-worker said he was "allergic" so I couldn't do it - I panicked but I decided to look at Daycare for him. It makes sense for me because I am not able to get home at all, and he is just too smart (and he barks too much!) to be left at home all day alone.

I have no kids, and am not planning on it, I have no car payment, etc - so the expense is OK with me - but also, the money I've spent on it has paid for really excellent and consistent training. He is *so* well behaved and sweet - is well socialized - plays really well with other dogs and people.

Plus, we get to leave together in the morning and come home together at night, which I love! Maybe there is dog daycare (or someone who does it) nearby?

Here is where Buddy goes: http://www.everydog.com

Good luck! It took me a long time to make the decision. Looking back, though - I probably should have adopted an older show dog than a puppy, but it has been worth it!

[yorkieusa]

Originally Posted by chelbuddy

I admit I went a little overboard with Buddy - I originally thought I would be able to take him to work, but suddenly a co-worker said he was "allergic" so I couldn't do it - I panicked but I decided to look at Daycare for him. It makes sense for me because I am not able to get home at all, and he is just too smart (and he barks too much!) to be left at home all day alone.

I have no kids, and am not planning on it, I have no car payment, etc - so the expense is OK with me - but also, the money I've spent on it has paid for really excellent and consistent training. He is *so* well behaved and sweet - is well socialized - plays really well with other dogs and people.

Plus, we get to leave together in the morning and come home together at night, which I love! Maybe there is dog daycare (or someone who does it) nearby?

Here is where Buddy goes: http://www.everydog.com

Good luck! It took me a long time to make the decision. Looking back, though - I probably should have adopted an older show dog than a puppy, but it has been worth it!

Ah! You made a great decision in choosing your baby. You can grow up together or grow older together. I don't quite know how to state it.

[Tiggerwit]

Maybe consider adopting an older yorkie, that's not a puppy.????

[Julez]

I'm in the same situation. I'm single and am away at work all day. For the first week I had Dolce, I took vacation time so I could get her settled. Then for about a month I went home on my lunch hour to spend some time with her. I stopped doing that, because she would be upset when I had to leave after being there such a short time. I'm pretty sure she just slept while I was gone, because I always woke her up when I came home, so I decided it would be better to let her sleep than wake her up just to leave again. In the beginning I left her in an x-pen, but now she has run of the living room and kitchen, and she's never damaged anything. From the evidence I've seen, she just sleeps all day. She doesn't seem to be suffering any ill effects from being home alone all day, but man, does she have energy when I get home! She just wants to play all night long!

[SnowWa]

Right from the start - my Yorkie has been home while I worked four 6-hour days. I do have another dog - but my Yorkie is confined to the kitchen and the other dog really has free roam of the house. (I really don't think they pay much attention to one another while I'm gone.) But - when I get home, they are totally excited about getting together to play.

I think the very best scenario is for us to be home with our little dogs - but in today's world - this just isn't going to happen. So - the next best thing is to make them comfortable while we're gone.

My pup has his food, water, bed, toys, a light on, and a radio on while I'm gone. I can assure you that he is comfortable - and because of my neighbors, I know he doesn't cry while I'm gone....never has. And - there is no doubt that he sleeps most of the time I am gone. (To be honest, if I'm home, he lies around the house and sleeps most of the time -- this is just a dog thing!)

You also mentioned that your brother might be there some of the time you're gone. So -- I'm sure your little puppy will be fine.

Just don't spoil him from the get-go. Don't fuss over him constantly - and don't make a big issue every time you leave the house. A lot of the way that you deal with him and your being gone a lot will affect the way he handles it. When I first had to start living mine alone - I left quickly and quietly - we certainly didn't have long tearful goodbyes.

**** And - let's face it - all of our little dogs have different personalities and different temperments and behave differently. My little pup adapted quickly and very well to my having to leave him home alone....but this doesn't mean that all pups will.

So --- Good luck!

Carol Jean

[blondflava]

I went overboard with thinking I'll be bringing my pup to work everyday etc etc as well... Well, turns out it's not that easy. First, I don't have a sitting job and can't be with him all the time. He ended up confined in an xpen for a few hours at a time as well... My work schedule is not set as well and there's no consistency with it at all and it became very hard for me to know Pepper's 'with me' but I can't tend to him. He probably stays alone 'at my work' the same amount of time while left at home. I started leaving him at home then, the good thing is hubby works different hours and gets home 4 hours after I leave. So it's not that bad and his xpen is set up with everyhting he needs, a lot of toys, 2 beds, food, water, pad and a few chewies. The funny thing happened last weekend, since I was sick we hang around the house the whole time and I thought Pepper will be up and playing all day since everyone was home.... He went to sleep around noon (time I leave for work weekdays) and woke up after 3 (time hubby gets home). So I guess that's what he does everyday as well...... They do adjust easily huh

[Lexi Rae]

as a single girl, let me tell you its rough, all i did all day when i had to work
was worry about my baby, i cried and cried,but lexi got used to it. my mom
comes over for a few minutes during the day to spend time with her before she goes to work, so thats ok...but the rest of the day she is home alone and i feel so bad... right now she has the run of the house and she is good with that... in the begining i couldnt really leave her in the crate for so many hours so i blocked off a long hallway with everything she needed inside, it worked out pretty good, good luck to you, i think you should get two, but
let me tell you , it kinda makes your single life hell...i never want to do anything cause i dont want to leave her alone cause shes home alone all day.
even til this day i have a problem going out and i have a b/f now, its rough...