My wife wants our pet out on the porch!!

[ARCHIE]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

All:

Thank you for all of your comments! They were quite encouraging and also allowed me to look at the reality of the situation. After talking with my wife on the phone and telling her about all the comments from various owners on this forum, she got defensive and basically it ended up in an argument. I've decided to give Peanut to a more loving and patient home. My daughter and I love him, but it's not going to do any good for our household if my wife doesn't have the same feelings.

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.

-M

Wise decision. I am so very glad you have feelings for this little guy.
Good luck in finding him a forever home which he so deserves. Is should not be hard in doing that. He is still such a little guy.


Happy Thanksgiving. Carol & Buddy

[yougetthesmiles]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

Well, after another long talk with the wife, I've decided to keep Peanut. We are going to keep him in the apartment and I'm going to get him an x-pen. My wife and I don't see eye to eye on our feelings toward Peanut, but she is willing to compromise for the sake of our daughter's love for Peanut. Hopefully our feelings for him will come to a common ground the longer we have him..

-M

wow, I just read this thread and I'm in shock here! I can not beleive she would want to put him out on a porch, your talking about a 3-4 lb baby!

Maybe if you have the funds, you could take him to a trainer for some help. really it's patients, Yorkies are very hard to potty train, and some never do get fully potty trained, but if you keep at it, with a lot of hard work you will get him trained. I agree, you need to check into belly bands, this will help when he is out of the pen.

You really need to read up on Yorkies and the care that they require. Yorkies should be kept clean, they require a bath about every 1-2 weeks, they need there teeth brushed once a day and hair combed 1-2 times a day.

As far as her saying that the kitchen is unsanitary if Peanut is in the kitchen, I think thats hog wash, if you keep Peanut well groomed, you should not have any problems, lord I let my dog lick my same spoon!

Please do your reseach on this breed!

[Diego]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

All:

Thank you for all of your comments! They were quite encouraging and also allowed me to look at the reality of the situation. After talking with my wife on the phone and telling her about all the comments from various owners on this forum, she got defensive and basically it ended up in an argument. I've decided to give Peanut to a more loving and patient home. My daughter and I love him, but it's not going to do any good for our household if my wife doesn't have the same feelings.

Thanks again for the comments and suggestions.

-M

I am very glad about your decision . I am sure Peanut will be happier .

[Friley]

I agree that Peanut shouldn't be left out on the porch, so many things could go wrong even if you plan for the best. Although be wary as to how high your x-pen is, I would recommend a 36" for height, and the reason is that yorkies learn to climb! I never believed my yorkie would so we stuck with a 24" high x-pen, but he learned how to get out of his x-pen within 2 weeks just by climbing the walls! We ended up buying a top for the x-pen to keep him in and so far its working well, now we just need to work on his separation anxiety :P.

I have to confess though, that even when we got Baloo, our puppy, I wasn't terribly fond of him. When we went to pick out our puppy, there were 2 and I wanted his littermate because the littermate was friendlier and came right up to me and started licking my face. My husband did [B]not[B] like the littermate because he was fat, he looked like a sausage with 4 legs sticking out, so we nicknamed him Snausages. My husband was afraid that Snausages would look like his grandpa's shizh tu, he would be over weight, not as cute and have health issues due to his weight and he wanted the smaller yorkie. So we ended up picking the smaller, cuter, less interested in humans, feisty, dominant (he was humping other dogs) Baloo....I think I knew he was the right dog though during our pit stop on the way home. We stopped at a gas station to let him outside to do his business, I went inside and when I came back out, he was shivering and sitting on the grass, afraid to move, but when he saw me and I got closer he ran right up to me and hid in my arms. The first few weeks were rough and I mean we seriously had doubts and wanted to give him to my mother-in-law or back to the breeder, but we didn't.

I just wanted to give you more background so you know that I can relate to your wife in that I did not really like Baloo at first (it lasted for a few weeks) it just took getting used to. Growing up in my parent's house dogs were dogs they weren't children/toddlers, but with a yorkie I had to make changes and they were all worth it, as corny as it may sound I don't want to imagine life without Baloo, we've helped change him into a sweet submissive dog and he's helped us change our perspectives about whats important in life. And even better news we're picking up our little girl tonight now Baloo won't be so lonely during the day!

I hope you've found some advice that works for you and your family, good luck and although I'm still pretty new Welcome to YT!

[chachi]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

Well, after another long talk with the wife, I've decided to keep Peanut. We are going to keep him in the apartment and I'm going to get him an x-pen. My wife and I don't see eye to eye on our feelings toward Peanut, but she is willing to compromise for the sake of our daughter's love for Peanut. Hopefully our feelings for him will come to a common ground the longer we have him..

-M

He has decided to keep Peanut now. Hopefully it works out for them

[furby2000]

I hope it works out for Peanut and for your family. If in the future you reconsider finding him a new home I am sure you could post here on YT and perhaps one of us can take him off your hands...

[SweetCuteness]

Originally Posted by I Love Bailey

First of all Welcome to YT........
Please don't leave your baby on the porch, I had a co-worker that left her 4mo old yorkie on her porch (while she went in to answer the phone)and she squeezed between the railing and the wall and fell off and broke her leg. She is fine now but puppies do seem to find a way to get in trouble.
The other story I have is my girlfriend was working in her garden with her 6mo old puppy(this one was a doxy) and an eagle swooped down and took off with her dog.....true story....
The point is it is not safe and yorkies are small.
Try an xpen, but first have a serious talk with your wife about the puppy.
I would also invest in a steam cleaner...you will need that regardless of how closely you watch your dog.

Michele & Bailey

I was sitting here reading this, and thought about the same thing. No one ever mentioned that the pup could fall off the balcony and be killed. I have a similar story. One of my boyfriend's friends had two yorkies at one point. Their owner let them out to go potty, and down swooped an owl and attacked and killed their puppy. I never leave my pup outside if he can't be watched - there are too many ways that they can get hurt or even killed.

I'm glad your wife will "allow" you to keep the puppy in an x-pen now. I hope you and your daughter are able to provide the little guy all the love he deserves.

[Josie's Mom]

Welcome to YT!

Josie's my very first pet. I tried several different things with her. Not everything worked. At first it was really frustrating. You have to have a lot of patience. This little girl was just everywhere. She was full of energy. (still is ) and just the way I like it.

I also didn't want her in the kitchen, at first. It just didn't seem right to have a pet there. I grew up in a home, where pets were just not allowed. Very sad but, true. Till this day (almost 3 years later) my mother, won't come over 'cause I have an "animal" in my house. Yep, the dog over my Mother!
Josie has the whole house to herself, she is part of our family. Nothing is off limits (unless it's un-safe).

The greatest joy, is the happiness this dog, brings to my life EVERYDAY. Wait, she more than a dog, she's my Baby! I could not imagine life with out her. Unfortunetly, this has been put to the test, when she went missing/ kidnapped for a few days. It was horrible. Thanks to everyone here at YT, I got through that. I love hearing my children talk "When I have my own house, I'm going to have this kind of pet" I feel that's great

I guess what I'm trying to say is give your wife, a chance. She won't be able to help, but fall in love. Yorkies are amazing. They are very playful, great with kids and funny. I hope everything goes well.

Good luck and best wishes,


I hope you to see around .


p.s. Josie loves being outside in the deck, sometimes for hours. She just loves it. She loves sniffing the air and sun bathing in the sun. When I bring her in she cries . Do what's best for your puppy.

[LittleBits Mom]

I am sorry, but this person is new to YT and we are here to help not bash! Its obvious that he doesnt think it's a good idea, but wanted some feedback to explain to his wife. Come on guys....give him some slack and some positive ways to help this situation, we all agree that there is no way ever we would put our Yorkie out on the porch, but he needs positive reimbursement here and to know that he can come to us for advice. We really are good people here who are just crazy about Yorkies and sometimes we get bent out of shape when we think something bad may happen to one.

[JACKSON'S MOMMY]

And we wonder why newbies make threads about Yorkie owners being mean

[Katys mom]

Welcome to YT! I think if you ask, you will find that in a lot of cases, one or the other parents of a new yorkie puppies family did not want the puppy. However; the puppy did its job! It gets the whole family to love them.

My DH was determined not to like my Katy. "Its your dog" he said. "She stinks!" I heard it all, for a while. But Katy did not give up. We went to puppy school, worked on potty training (it takes time and consistancy), Katy never let up, she wanted my DH's attention.

Now, they are team. She is at his side when he is working in the yard, in the garage. He even has cute nicknames for her.

I have had a lot of different dog types, but, I have to tell you, I think this one is the best. Don't give up yet. Hopefully the puppy will bring your wife around.

At 4 months he is old enough to start puppy school. I would get him enrolled.

Good Luck!

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

Well, after another long talk with the wife, I've decided to keep Peanut. We are going to keep him in the apartment and I'm going to get him an x-pen. My wife and I don't see eye to eye on our feelings toward Peanut, but she is willing to compromise for the sake of our daughter's love for Peanut. Hopefully our feelings for him will come to a common ground the longer we have him..

-M

[Saleswman]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

I think some of you people are being a little harsh with the responses.

I don't think my wife knows much about dogs and especially about little ones. That's why I'm asking on these boards to see what the general consensus is.

In any case, can someone send a screenshot of an x-pen? I don't know how those look. Also, we did section off a small portion of the kitchen for Peanut. I'm fine with it, but my wife doesn't want him in the kitchen. If we can section off a small part of the apartment, with this x-pen, then that would be the best option for us. Otherwise, if my wife can't compromise with me, we may have to find it another home.

-M

I do agree with you about SOME of the responses. Let me be the first to apologize for the "tone" of some of them. You came asking for advice, not condemnation..........

Go to Ebay and search "x-pen" there will be pics of options for you.

I must admit, I do understand your wife's issue, now let's just find a remedy....

Good Luck

[doortego]

Welcome to YT. If you can overlook all the bashing, there is really some great knowledge and experience here. First of all, give your wife a great big hug. Fighting over the pup's domain, is not going to help your marriage. I can understand your wife's problem with the kitchen if she is having to crawl over an x pen or crate to open her kitchen cabinets every time she wants to cook or clean.

I have had yorkies before so I knew how bad potty training was going in but it is still quite aggravating and frustrating at times. I do use the x pen with a crate inside for when we are not here. I think a tarp or something underneath would be advisable if you are putting it on carpet. The reason I use the crate & the xpen is because although the x pen keeps them from using the floor, if you don't confine them to the crate for some times (but 8 hrs is too long), you are not really teaching them to "hold it" at all.

I am sure that if you can get past this difficult time, (and it will take much time and patience) your wife will begin to love your puppy as well. They are just so cute, I don't know how anyone cannot!

However, everyone is not as animal crazy as Yters nor are they willing to surrender their house and finances to the family pet. But after you take out all the enraged comments, most of the advice is quite sound. You don't have to put your wife out on the porch or dress your dog in clothes to be a good animal owner.

I sincerely hope that your wife has not been reading these posts (and that you had sense enough not to tell her everything that was said). I think some of the suggestions could give her a bad feeling about Yorkies & Yorkie fans. You, obviously are taking your pet ownership seriously or you would not have asked the questions and been willing to take abuse to get the information you needed.

I love my Yorkie to death but she is not as important as my husband and/or children If your wife is willing to give it a try and you and your daughter are in love with the puppy, I don't see any reason why you cannot be a good pet owner.

I do understand that the weather in CA is totally different from the weather in the northern states & you probably had no intention of putting a 4 month old puppy out in freezing cold weather. What you probably didn't realize is that Yorkies are climbers and can get through the smallest opening. You wouldn't want to take the chance of the puppy falling from the balcony.

Also, I have heard stories from people whom I have no reason not to believe of Yorkies being attacked by birds of prey. Therefore, I don't leave my pup outside unattended. I don't know what size your pup is but some of the smaller ones could be seriously injured by just about anything. What if your pup is in the pen alone outside and a stray big mean tomcat comes into his pen to eat the food you have left outside for your pup. You could come home to a blinded if not dead puppy. I have never seen it happen but if a bird can get a rabbit or similar sized animal, there is no reason to think it couldn't get my puppy.

I have french doors across the back wall of my house and I have set up an x pen outside alongside the french doors and underneath the covered porch and have put my pup out there when I was cleaning the wood floors inside. I could see her and she could see me and it was a pretty sunshiney day. I think she enjoyed it but you still have to watch for a stray cat or squirrel. You have to be careful even of leaves blowing up or sticks. I tell you she will eat anything. Don't drop a dime or a nail or anything on your floor. You have to patrol the floor just like you had a crawling baby.

In all honesty, raising a Yorkie pup sometimes feels like raising a small baby. If your wife isn't totally sold on this idea, you are going to have to take on the lion's share of the work. I'm sure you are the exception but my husband's share of owning a pet is playing fetch and teasing her with chew toys and bobos until she is excited & growling, quickly followed by wetting on the floor (the puppy, not my husband).

I'm sorry to be so long-winded. Actually all I wanted to say was if you really want the pup, you can do it, but eight hours a day is a long time for the pup to be left alone every day and it is going to be really tough getting it housebroken under those conditions.

Please let us know what your family decides to do and don't be scared to come back with more questions anytime.

Good luck

[JiggityJig]

That was a very nice and thoughtful post, doortego.

[Baby Blessing]

Originally Posted by shaderhacker

Yeap. I saw one of those at the pet store. I think that would work well.. A shower curtain for the under it? Hmm.. how would that work?

-M

I haven't read the other posts but I would much rather go to a flooring store and buy a remnant of the vinyl flooring and put under the pen. It can be washed and cleaned very easy and no chance of chewing up a shower curtain, and will last thru the duration of the pee pad training. We did this once with a puppy when we first got her and it worked out really well. Best of luck to you and the Mrs. and also to your little yorkie, they are such a precious breed, it takes a lot of patience and work but the reward is endless. Kind Regards, Patti and Baby Blessing