Leaving Yorkies Home Alone
 

Since I've had Chewy, I've been a stay at home mom and this summer I had planned to stay home from work and spend time with my son. Well, I just got a call from someone I met 3 months ago and they offered me a job, out of the blue! It is something I don't want to turn down and it is in my field - real estate. I will probably start in 3-4 weeks and Chewy will have to stay home alone. i am worried about this and need some feedback. How do those who do this cope? Are your babies OK alone? Do you leave a pee pad in their crate? Please write with feedback and advice. Thanks!

I was really nervous when I got Coco because I felt bad for leaving her home alone in an itty bitty little crate. But you know what? They love it in there. It's their security blanket, and their home. They might cry when you leave initially but I waited outside the door for 15 minutes and she only cried for like 1 minute, thinking I would change my mind. She went right to sleep within a couple of minutes. So I would get up at 6am for work. Let her out of her bed (it's a plush zip-up that I highly recommend it). Then I would take her to the puppy pad and make sure she did her poo poo and pee. Then she was allowed to run around my room only AFTER her business was done. While I get ready for work she usually plays around me. Right before I leave I poor her food/breakfast, that way as I'm leaving she's too hungry to notice. I would put her and her food in her crate along with some toys. Make sure the crate is only big enough for her to sleep in, not wander around in. If it's too big, they will go potty in it. Trust me I learned that the hard way. They will hold themselves till you get home. Then I would come home let her out to go potty. She again would have to do her business before running around the room. I only let her run in one room at a time, not the entire house. They become very dominant and don't listen if they think they got run of the house. Now because she's been so good, I put a gate in my hallway of about 4 feet. I put 2 puppy pads there, with her crate, toys food and water. I also turn on the tv for her for background noise. Even when I come home she's napping. So don't worry, they don't really mind. Of course they would prefer to be with you, but they would nap anyway...haha..please let me know if you have any questions or concerns. I would love to help.
Nobella and Coco

Thanks for the great advice Nobella. I have Chewy in a travel crate now and he's only been alone for about 3 hours in one stretch. When I go back, I plan to get one of those large wire crates or an xpen (can they climb out of those?). I will be gone the whole day and wonder is it ok to put the pad in there or will it confuse him? Does Coco really hold it all day? How many hours are you gone? C'mon YTers, I really need you here...

Tucker (and Bandit before him) have been in the crate from 8:30 to about 3:15 every day and they both held it with no problem. In fact, with the kids home and Tucker running around he has started to pee in the house! He sleeps most of the time and has his favorite chew toy in there to play with. Of course, he has never known any better but it might be harder for you since you are changing his routine. He'll get used to it. I know how hard it is to leave your baby! I sit at work wishing I was home with him. I was the same way when I had my son 15 years ago! Just be prepared to give him your undivided attention when you get home! Good luck.

We got a small cage. It folds out to be 4' x 4' and 2' high. It has no top or bottom and hooks together. I put the open crate, a floor mat with their food and water on it, a pee pee pad and toys in there. They hardly ever potty in there, but if they do, it is easy cleanup.

Laura: Have they ever tried to climb out? Nervous about that. My only concern is giving them the mixed message about pottying in the crate. Thanks for responses.

Sammi was left home alone from 14 weeks old...I have a full time job (8-6)...And for a month I kept her in her Pet Play-yard...With her toys, food and water on one side...Wee wee pad on the other...After a month I let her loose in the bedroom...I kept the tv on for her and all she did was sleep...Even when I would take the day off, she would sleep...I never had any problems with her at all...

Good Luck! and congrats on the job offer!

XoXoXo
Fran and Sammi

I leave Baby out with free run of the house. I just couldn't bear the thought of locking her in a crate for that long. I have read about other people locking them into one room, which doesn't seem too bad. I just don't want Baby to get bored during the day!

It is two feet high. sometimes i just set the side against the wall, when they stand up, they dont even push it. They can't climb or jump out. Sometimes I think Bronx could jump out, but he never has. It is not a crate, their crate is IN the cage.

This is his current cage set up. I change them around all the time, this way he has about 6' x 6' and it just leans against the wall. We have Zowie and the pups in another cage, so Bronx needs extra attention since Zowie won't let him play with her or the babies.

Ilovebaby, we are in the same boat. my lil guy has free range of the living room, currently the kitchen (im considering putting a gate there after my parents leave) the hallway and the bathroom. thats a lot of space and his crate is located in the living room. i tried to gate him to only the hallway and he would cry in the beginning. he does sleep in the morn so im alil more assured in leaving him alone when the time comes.

You didnt ask me the question, but My little 3 month old Texie can climb over her baby gate and escape from the room. She just hooks her paws into the gate and shimmies over.

thanks TEXIE'S MOMMA. I think I'm going to just get an enclosed crate. But anyway, I decided not to go back to work until September. When am I going to be able to stay at home for a whole summer and teach my son to swim, play tennis and read. I can't pass this up! :)

The puppy will only get a mixed message about pottying in the crate is it is locked in the same size area/crate that is used for sleeping. I tell buyers of my puppies to PLEASE do NOT let them have the run of the house when owners are away. There are way too many chances to be injured-furniture, cords, wooden moulding door frames or plaster off the walls and so on. There are other dangers on the thread that Pat started in one of the other categories on YT.
I start them at an early age-after weaning- in an X pen in the middle of the kitchen floor. So far, no complaints about them climbing over. I use wire folding pens that are 2 feet tall and 8-2 ft. section. I put their crate in that, along with wee pads, food, water, toys. kongs with peanut butter stuffed into the small end.
I have a friend who bought 2 pens and used the second one as a cover..

Thanks for advice, I want to get it straight. It's OK to put a pee pad in the wire crate that they are in during the day but NOT in the crate where they sleep? Because if that's the case, i will continue to use his current crate for his bed and set the wire one up in the living room and have 2.

Sorry I just saw this....I am not much help because I nevere crate trained Maximus...I gate hom off in the living room and he pee pee pad trained REALLY quickly....he has free roam of the living room while I am at work and basically sleeps all day...my bf has attested to it (Maximus didn't realize he was still home)..good luck with Chewy and the Job!!!

My dogs HATED their crate - so I got rid of it fast. I've never heard of a Yorkie or Maltese who actually hated their crate as much as my 2 dogs - even the breeder I got them from was completely surprised. They are too spolied! Anyway, what I do is leave the bedroom and bathroom door closed during the day. I have a baby gate up to block them from going into the living room because Katie likes to poop on my couch!! I allow them to have free run of the kitchen, dining room and hallway. I have a HUGE bed and tons of toys in the kitchen, in their own private little spot. I also leave out dry food and water during the day. In the summer, I leave the air conditioner on low (in the kitchen) so that they don't get over-heated in the house all day.

Now, there are lots of options out there for assistance while you're not home. My boss has a nanny come to her house everyday for 1 hour to take her dog for a walk and play with her. That is a bit expensive for me, so what I do is either have my mom babysit them - I drop them off at her house in the morning before going to work - or I have my cousin, Robert, come over my house and hang out w/ my dogs for an hour or so. I don't have someone come over EVERY SINGLE day because I want my dogs to be comfortable being left alone. But on vey hot and humid days I do because I am always worried about hypoglycemia (especially because Katie is only 2.6 lbs).

I hope this helps a bit! Good luck and don't worry - everything will work out just fine! :D

Thanks for advice, I want to get it straight. It's OK to put a pee pad in the wire crate that they are in during the day but NOT in the crate where they sleep? Because if that's the case, will continue to use his current crate for his bed and set the wire one up in the living room and have 2.

Yes, that is what I am saying. They will associate the open area with activity and their crate with the bed if they sleep in it all day...If you have a way to barricade the puppy in an uncarpeted room and not behind a door--they will chew wood, walls, bottoms of doors, and anything else they can wrap their teeth around...
That might not work for others but it has for me for many dogs...sometimes, we have to outsmart these furbabies..

I'm going to get the wire crate tomorrow because I had planned to leave Chewy for 3 hours today - never a problem - but I got caught out for 6 hours :eek: Totally unavoidable and i got home and Chewy peed in his crate, his little crate that he sleeps in. I bathed him and cleaned the crate with lysol but I feel so bad for the little guy!

Gerry- How big is your Yorkie? When mine were puppies I used an ex pen that is made for a guinea pig that I got at PetSupermarket. It worked great for me and was a LOT less expensive than the larger pens. Here are some pics...

Tara: Chewy is still tiny, 2 1/2 lbs. By look of your pics this is what Whispersmom also described and I need to do this tomorrow! Thanks for the pics you have a great setup.

Gerry- This ex pen was only $20 and it has worked great for me bc it folds up and you can also open it up and use it to block off an area as well! Good luck!

20 bucks! That's a bargain. The one I was looking at was $75. I'll have to check the small animal isle.

I think you made a great decision to spend the summer with your son - you will never regret it!
Have you considered a companion for Chewy? :D I seriously think two are just as easy as one! And when you are gone, they have each other & you aren't as anxious. Kodah used to cry AFTER we would come home from leaving her at home alone (which was never more than an hour or two), but once we got Stormy, they just bounce with excitement when we come home. Just a thought!! Whatever you decide, I am sure Chewy will adjust and be fine. (The second puppy just gives ME some "peace of mind" when gone. :)

When we first got Gus it was hard leaving home. But little by little it got easier. After his accident we have not been seperated. I take him everywhere with me. And if can't there is someone always here with him. Today my youngest daughter had a fieldtrip and usually chaperone or help out the schools when needed. I really did not want to leave but my daughter really wanted me to be there. I was worrying about Gus the whole time. When I got home he was the happies little boy. And he was just fine. I leave him in the family room which his crate is located. He is inclosed with plastic (not wire) baby gates on each side of enterance. I leave potty bads out for him but he usually waits till I get home. I make sure there is nothing on the floor but his toys, his food and water.

Your baby will be fine...
 

It might take a little time since your baby is used to you, but Stomper has adapted just fine. It took time though. He used to cry when I left for work. Now at 7 months, he doesn't even watch me leave! Stomper has TONS of toys and a doggy door. The doggy door is what has made the difference. He doesn't have to hold his bladder (he did not like to go on the pads) and he can have fun outside to release his energy. Stomper is large and we are in a safe area for him to be outside. He tends to bring leaves, bark,etc. into the house but that is just a puppy thing (at least I hope). Good luck. Don't feel too guilty!!! Dogs sleep so much he will be fine!

I wish, but my husband would kill me if I came home with another dog!!! I love hearing what everyone does because I get so many ideas. For the summer we'll be fine because I usually bring Chewy to the park with us and he just sits on my lap or we go once around for a little excercise.

I am pro large cage. I have yet to have a problem of a dog messing in it's large cage.
10 dogs, no problem. Working with the humane society they are pro large cage as well. Half the cage to sleep in/half the cage to play in. If you have them on feeding schedule they will poop before you go to work and when you get home and before bedtime. Some dogs only poop once a day. My Dog Comic only pees twice a day. I walk him several times. What if you are late from say a major accident on the freeway and your are delayed hours in getting home? What if the dog has no choice but to go in the crate/cage. Should it have to lay in it? I like the large cages because it has a top and so the dog does not try to jump out of it with danger of getting hung. Maybe you could borrow a cage/pen/crate and see what works best for you and the dog. The cage does become like a dog house, the dog or puppy will go in it when the door is open. I had one dog that used to go in his cage and shut the door with his paw when we had kids over. You can also leave a radio on if the dog is used to lots of noise.

When I go to work I have the same set up as LvMyYorki but I have her in them in the bathroom. She will be fine it just takes time to get use to it in both parts