Help: Indoor vs Outdoor Pen/Kennel for Yorkie? - YorkieTalk.com Forums

CaliYorkie23 · 11-13-2008, 10:22 AM

I was originally planning on building or purchasing a nice dog run / pen for our side yard which would be completely enclosed to protect from other animals so our yorkie can freely run around throughout the day while we are away at work each day...however, my wife HATES the idea of our yorkie being outdoors while we are away and insists on an indoor solution - open ceiling enclosed pen in one of the rooms.

My questions are:
-Are Yorkies too "fragile" to be outside during the day when at work?
-Please share any personal experience/stories to help with this decision.

Oh yea, our Yorkie is 2.5 yrs old.

Thanks in advance!

Little Bit · 11-13-2008, 10:46 AM

I would not leave a yorkie outside all day unattended.

MeAndMyOlivia · 11-13-2008, 10:49 AM

I wouldn't leave a yorkie outside when I'm not home either....just too many things that could happen....

BamaFan121s · 11-13-2008, 10:58 AM

A Yorkie shouldn't be outside during the day in an case...for reasons other than being 'fragile.' I would take your wife's advice and look for an indoor solution... Why not just pick one or two rooms to leave your little one in if you don't want to give him(?) free run of the house while you are out...? Is there a reason why your dog would need to be outside vs inn during the day?

Welcome to YT, BTW.

CaliYorkie23 · 11-13-2008, 11:15 AM

Thanks to all for your replies thus far...

The reason why I was opting for an outdoor solution was more room for the dog and less confinement, hoping for a better living arrangement for our yorkie while we are at work.

Felina · 11-13-2008, 11:17 AM

I definitely wouldn't leave my yorkies outside. In fact, mine are only out like five minutes at a time in the backyard and I'm with them when they're out there.

Lexi Rae · 11-13-2008, 11:26 AM

please!! no out door living for your yorkie.. they are inside dogs..

Brodi mom · 11-13-2008, 11:38 AM

I wouldnt leave them outside all day either.. On is any animal can hurt the or big birds can come down and pick them up ... not to mention they are to tiney to be left out.. I went to Toys R US and got a play yard and it is perfect...

Potter · 11-13-2008, 11:44 AM

It is not safe. Yorkies loves to dig and may just dig and escape. There are also people out there who are always looking to steal a dog. I would agree to your wife and leave the dog in the house.

Yorkies4life4ev · 11-13-2008, 01:16 PM

My husband and I have 2 Yorkies of which we keep outside during the day. We originally kept them inside in a round pen during the day, but after having several issues with house breaking and chewing, we contacted a breeder who provided the following advice...

1. Get the dogs a large enough pen so they can run and play, BUT make sure it's covered from all elements.
2. Provide the dogs with a safe place to rest ie. dog house which needs to include blankets for comfort (especially since they struggle with separation anxiety).
3. Make sure the dogs have adequate food and water, changed daily.
4. Clean area thoroughly every day (pickup the poop)

Once we incorporated this area into our dogs lives they became much happier. Their anxiety has decreased and their ability to focus during training has increased drastically

Good luck!!

speleogirl37 · 11-13-2008, 01:18 PM

Indoor, without a doubt!!!!

Erin · 11-13-2008, 02:19 PM

If you have the ability to build an outdoor kennel, why don't you just build a secure dog run with a doggie door and then the dog can stay inside all day but still have access to the outside to potty. At 2.5 years old I would assume the pup is house trained? Or maybe not or you wouldn't want to confine it?

Mine are 2.5 and 4 and have access to the whole house. We aren't gone all day, but we can't be because they don't have a doggie door in this house. It's in the plans for the new one!

browniesmom622 · 11-13-2008, 02:21 PM

Small dogs do not belong outside Alone!

Sugar's Mom · 11-13-2008, 02:23 PM

yorkies are inside dogs and most breeders will not even sell to you if they know that you are planning on keeping your yorkie outside.

PANAMA69 · 11-13-2008, 04:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CaliYorkie23

Thanks to all for your replies thus far...

The reason why I was opting for an outdoor solution was more room for the dog and less confinement, hoping for a better living arrangement for our yorkie while we are at work.

I can see you care for your pup, you just want the best and less confinement, but I will NOT ever leave my girls outside is to risky, there is in the news that yorkies are one of the most popular breed that thief are looking to rob not to mention the weather conditions, is hard on this little ones since they only have one coat like human not much to it.

11-13-2008, 10:22 AM	#1
CaliYorkie23 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Ysidro Posts: 2	Help: Indoor vs Outdoor Pen/Kennel for Yorkie? I was originally planning on building or purchasing a nice dog run / pen for our side yard which would be completely enclosed to protect from other animals so our yorkie can freely run around throughout the day while we are away at work each day...however, my wife HATES the idea of our yorkie being outdoors while we are away and insists on an indoor solution - open ceiling enclosed pen in one of the rooms. My questions are: -Are Yorkies too "fragile" to be outside during the day when at work? -Please share any personal experience/stories to help with this decision. Oh yea, our Yorkie is 2.5 yrs old. Thanks in advance!

11-13-2008, 10:46 AM	#2
Little Bit Tiny Dog Big Heart Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Texas Posts: 6,205	I would not leave a yorkie outside all day unattended. __________________ Little Bit

11-13-2008, 10:49 AM	#3
MeAndMyOlivia YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Southern Indiana Posts: 414	I wouldn't leave a yorkie outside when I'm not home either....just too many things that could happen.... __________________ Terri and Olivia (R.I.P. my sweet little girl)

11-13-2008, 10:58 AM	#4
BamaFan121s Donating YT 10K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Alabama Posts: 11,432	A Yorkie shouldn't be outside during the day in an case...for reasons other than being 'fragile.' I would take your wife's advice and look for an indoor solution... Why not just pick one or two rooms to leave your little one in if you don't want to give him(?) free run of the house while you are out...? Is there a reason why your dog would need to be outside vs inn during the day? Welcome to YT, BTW. Last edited by BamaFan121s; 11-13-2008 at 11:00 AM.

11-13-2008, 11:17 AM	#6
Felina Donating Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Jacksonville, Florida Posts: 328	I definitely wouldn't leave my yorkies outside. In fact, mine are only out like five minutes at a time in the backyard and I'm with them when they're out there. __________________ Toby, Shelby Rose, Kasey & Oliver's Mom

11-13-2008, 11:15 AM	#5
CaliYorkie23 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Ysidro Posts: 2	Thanks to all for your replies thus far... The reason why I was opting for an outdoor solution was more room for the dog and less confinement, hoping for a better living arrangement for our yorkie while we are at work.

11-13-2008, 11:26 AM	#7
Lexi Rae Gina, (Lexi's Mommy) Donating Member Join Date: May 2005 Location: LONG ISLAND,NY Posts: 10,455	please!! no out door living for your yorkie.. they are inside dogs.. __________________ Gina & Lexi CLICK HERE for our Photo Album ...

11-13-2008, 11:38 AM	#8
Brodi mom Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Charlottesville virginia Posts: 171	I wouldnt leave them outside all day either.. On is any animal can hurt the or big birds can come down and pick them up ... not to mention they are to tiney to be left out.. I went to Toys R US and got a play yard and it is perfect...

11-13-2008, 11:44 AM	#9
Potter YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Canada Posts: 2,583	It is not safe. Yorkies loves to dig and may just dig and escape. There are also people out there who are always looking to steal a dog. I would agree to your wife and leave the dog in the house. __________________ http://www.dogster.com/pet_page.php?j=t&i=410379 "No matter how little money and how few possesions you own, having a dog makes you rich."

11-13-2008, 01:16 PM	#10
Yorkies4life4ev YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: San Diego Posts: 1	My husband and I have 2 Yorkies of which we keep outside during the day. We originally kept them inside in a round pen during the day, but after having several issues with house breaking and chewing, we contacted a breeder who provided the following advice... 1. Get the dogs a large enough pen so they can run and play, BUT make sure it's covered from all elements. 2. Provide the dogs with a safe place to rest ie. dog house which needs to include blankets for comfort (especially since they struggle with separation anxiety). 3. Make sure the dogs have adequate food and water, changed daily. 4. Clean area thoroughly every day (pickup the poop) Once we incorporated this area into our dogs lives they became much happier. Their anxiety has decreased and their ability to focus during training has increased drastically Good luck!!

11-13-2008, 01:18 PM	#11
speleogirl37 ♥ Luv My Lil' M&M ♥ Donating Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: USA Posts: 1,572	Indoor, without a doubt!!!! __________________ Angie Madison Chance Our Future Baby Tatum

11-13-2008, 02:19 PM	#12
Erin Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Chicago Suburbs Posts: 3,306	If you have the ability to build an outdoor kennel, why don't you just build a secure dog run with a doggie door and then the dog can stay inside all day but still have access to the outside to potty. At 2.5 years old I would assume the pup is house trained? Or maybe not or you wouldn't want to confine it? Mine are 2.5 and 4 and have access to the whole house. We aren't gone all day, but we can't be because they don't have a doggie door in this house. It's in the plans for the new one! __________________ Erin, Sammy & Loki Sewing patterns and tutorials @ www.dogundermydesk.com

11-13-2008, 02:21 PM	#13
browniesmom622 Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: ny Posts: 11,253 Blog Entries: 5	Small dogs do not belong outside Alone! __________________ We Love our Yt Angel! My Website< > FB page

11-13-2008, 02:23 PM	#14
Sugar's Mom BANNED! Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Kentucky Posts: 9,248	yorkies are inside dogs and most breeders will not even sell to you if they know that you are planning on keeping your yorkie outside.