Leaving my baby overnight - YorkieTalk.com Forums

Zoejane · 04-03-2012, 06:50 PM

Help I need advice. I got my baby Zoe when she was 12 weeks old and I've had her for 4 weeks. She is my provide and joy. I am very fortunate in that I work most of the time out of my home, so for the past 4 weeks she has been with me constantly. However my job requires I travel occasionally for 1 or 2 nights. I knew this when I got her and had a plan all lined out, but I just found out today I have to be gone for 2 days in 2 weeks and I am spazzing out. I don't want to leave her and am making myself sick. I originally had my neighbor lined up to check on her morning noon and night, she loves yorkies and has 2 of her own. So I am wondering about gating off my kitchen and leaving her there during the day and then having her stay all night with my neighbor. Then I am wondering if she would be better off staying all night in her own surroundings, or would it be better to take her to a pet hotel so she has someone around all day too? I didn't think it would be this hard to leave her. She sleeps with me and when I am working during the day she is usually sleeping at my feet. I plan to start this week leaving her for short periods of time to try to get her used to it. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated. For the most part I feel very lucky that I don't have to leave her for 8 hours a day every day while I go to work, but the overnight thought is killing me. She will be 17 weeks old.

Patti · 04-03-2012, 07:18 PM

That's a tough decision. I always feel mine do better in their own environment. Is it possible to have someone stay at your place? If not she is pretty young and may do ok in a pet hotel. I personally would be too nervous leaving her alone with some one checking on her several times a day. Any possibility of the neighbor taking her home overnight?

maggiefromnj · 04-03-2012, 07:52 PM

If the neighbor is agreeable you should start having playdates at her house and get her used to it. Then hopefully she can just stay there the whole time you are away.

The only consideration would be regarding her shots. Maybe others can tell you if it would be ok, assuming the other dogs are up to date on their shots. If there is a risk, healthwise, is it a small risk compared to her mental state at being left alone?

My lil friend · 04-03-2012, 08:01 PM

I agree that someone in your home or baby staying at the neighbors might be a better idea than leaving her by herself. 17wk old puppys can get into alot of stuff when left to themselves.

shelimcallister · 04-03-2012, 08:07 PM

Uhhh!! That stinks! Sneak her in your bag.

I agree with everyone. Where will she be watched the best? I like the idea of own environment but only if she will still get enough love. Personally, I don't trust dog boarding places. I had to board my Boxers at "Preppy Pets" and they never gave them the bag of new toys, bones, and blankets I sent with them. They were hair free and not chewed when I got them back.

nanahas3 · 04-03-2012, 08:47 PM

I would be worried leaving her alone that long. When Laddy was that age we went on a 6 hour trip to see my dying aunt. We thought we were being so smart. Set his xpen up, plenty of food, water and peepads. When we got home ....no Laddy in the pen.

I was frantic yelling and searching. The little stinker had scaled his xpen and was hiding under the bed lol. Anyway I said all that to say, sometimes with some of them even gates won't keep them in.

Harrysmum · 04-04-2012, 12:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nanahas3

I would be worried leaving her alone that long. When Laddy was that age we went on a 6 hour trip to see my dying aunt. We thought we were being so smart. Set his xpen up, plenty of food, water and peepads. When we got home ....no Laddy in the pen.

I was frantic yelling and searching. The little stinker had scaled his xpen and was hiding under the bed lol. Anyway I said all that to say, sometimes with some of them even gates won't keep them in.

Exactly

We had the same thing with Harry - he can scale gates and even now knows how to open his crate door

Someone staying at yours is the best idea in my opinion. If that's not possible - does your Vet have a list of puppy-sitters/boarders?

You've still got a couple of weeks, enough time to get interviewing (in their homes!) and to check out any references. I would leave her in your chosen place for the odd few hours, then a full 9-5 day - before you have to go. Good luck (horrible, isn't it?!!?)

Sally + Harry x

southernbelle04 · 04-04-2012, 03:51 AM

We have a local doggy daycare that KS has stayed at overnight twice. There is someone on staff there 24/7 and she loves it there! They take good care of her and we love it! I would take her there or take her with me if I had to go out of town. Has she stayed with the neighbor before? Maybe you could take her there for short periods of time before so he could get used to her surroundings? That might help and then it'd be like going on vacation for her. Good luck!

GeorgiesMomma · 04-04-2012, 07:27 AM

I wouldn't leave her alone overnight (me personally). I would look into a pet hotel with video cameras and great references (preferrably from small dog parents). I do agree she is better in her own surroundings but only if someone is there with her or at least there with her all night.

Tayluvheryorkie · 04-04-2012, 08:21 AM

I would be worried because she is so young. I agree with he others, she might fair better being home, with someone taking her at night. Someone suggested that she goes over to your choice home for a few hours a day, so she will not be shocked.

dawn27 · 04-04-2012, 08:29 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by maggiefromnj

If the neighbor is agreeable you should start having playdates at her house and get her used to it. Then hopefully she can just stay there the whole time you are away.

The only consideration would be regarding her shots. Maybe others can tell you if it would be ok, assuming the other dogs are up to date on their shots. If there is a risk, healthwise, is it a small risk compared to her mental state at being left alone?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tayluvheryorkie

I would be worried because she is so young. I agree with he others, she might fair better being home, with someone taking her at night. Someone suggested that she goes over to your choice home for a few hours a day, so she will not be shocked.

I Agree !!

Brewfilek · 04-04-2012, 08:52 AM

that's a tough situation.

if i were you i would leave her for short periods of time to get her used to the idea that you leave....and come back....leave...and come back.

it's actually a good thing i think to teach at as young of an age as possible (as long as they aren't missing meals) to it's ok to be alone for a bit.

when we got Brew i took off a few days to get him used to his new life (about 4), but then i had to go back to work. i work 8-4 monday to friday, and i'm able to come home on my lunch break to let him out to pottty/play for 35 mins. the very first day my sister was able to come over and sneak upstairs just to listen and peak to make sure he was safe.

he's now 9 months old, and he is such a good boy when we leave. he doesn't go wild when we arrive home or when he leave. it's just routine. we leave..we come back. dogs do very well with routine. i didn't want to have a dog that was heart broken every time we left him be. that's no fun for anyone.

i'd let him stay with the neighboor if she is willing. i bet your pup would have sooo much fun with her other yorkies, and you know she is used to taking care of the breed as well. it's always hardest on the owners.

best of luck with whatever you deciede.

04-03-2012, 06:50 PM	#1
Zoejane Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Louisville! Ky Posts: 178	Leaving my baby overnight Help I need advice. I got my baby Zoe when she was 12 weeks old and I've had her for 4 weeks. She is my provide and joy. I am very fortunate in that I work most of the time out of my home, so for the past 4 weeks she has been with me constantly. However my job requires I travel occasionally for 1 or 2 nights. I knew this when I got her and had a plan all lined out, but I just found out today I have to be gone for 2 days in 2 weeks and I am spazzing out. I don't want to leave her and am making myself sick. I originally had my neighbor lined up to check on her morning noon and night, she loves yorkies and has 2 of her own. So I am wondering about gating off my kitchen and leaving her there during the day and then having her stay all night with my neighbor. Then I am wondering if she would be better off staying all night in her own surroundings, or would it be better to take her to a pet hotel so she has someone around all day too? I didn't think it would be this hard to leave her. She sleeps with me and when I am working during the day she is usually sleeping at my feet. I plan to start this week leaving her for short periods of time to try to get her used to it. Any thoughts or ideas are appreciated. For the most part I feel very lucky that I don't have to leave her for 8 hours a day every day while I go to work, but the overnight thought is killing me. She will be 17 weeks old.

04-03-2012, 07:18 PM	#2
Patti Donating YT 30K Club Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Illinois Posts: 35,509 Blog Entries: 6	That's a tough decision. I always feel mine do better in their own environment. Is it possible to have someone stay at your place? If not she is pretty young and may do ok in a pet hotel. I personally would be too nervous leaving her alone with some one checking on her several times a day. Any possibility of the neighbor taking her home overnight? __________________ Cali Pixie Roxie : RIP Nikki; RIP Maya;RIP my sweet Dixie girl 1/17/08 http://callipuppyscastle.bravehost.com/index.html

04-03-2012, 08:07 PM	#5
shelimcallister Max Main's Mamma Donating YT Member Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Orlando, Florida, United States Posts: 1,101 Blog Entries: 1	Uhhh!! That stinks! Sneak her in your bag. I agree with everyone. Where will she be watched the best? I like the idea of own environment but only if she will still get enough love. Personally, I don't trust dog boarding places. I had to board my Boxers at "Preppy Pets" and they never gave them the bag of new toys, bones, and blankets I sent with them. They were hair free and not chewed when I got them back. __________________ Max and Sheli

04-03-2012, 08:47 PM	#6
nanahas3 ♥Love My Snuggle Bugs♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jan 2009 Location: Missouri Posts: 4,290	I would be worried leaving her alone that long. When Laddy was that age we went on a 6 hour trip to see my dying aunt. We thought we were being so smart. Set his xpen up, plenty of food, water and peepads. When we got home ....no Laddy in the pen. I was frantic yelling and searching. The little stinker had scaled his xpen and was hiding under the bed lol. Anyway I said all that to say, sometimes with some of them even gates won't keep them in. __________________ *CharleneMama to Laddy and Kyra and Always in our hearts Lolita*

04-04-2012, 03:51 AM	#8
southernbelle04 Katie Scarlett's Mommy Donating Member Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Sweet Home Alabama Posts: 7,554 Blog Entries: 1	We have a local doggy daycare that KS has stayed at overnight twice. There is someone on staff there 24/7 and she loves it there! They take good care of her and we love it! I would take her there or take her with me if I had to go out of town. Has she stayed with the neighbor before? Maybe you could take her there for short periods of time before so he could get used to her surroundings? That might help and then it'd be like going on vacation for her. Good luck! __________________ Aymee & Katie Scarlett

04-03-2012, 07:52 PM	#3
maggiefromnj YT Addict Join Date: Nov 2011 Location: nj Posts: 497	If the neighbor is agreeable you should start having playdates at her house and get her used to it. Then hopefully she can just stay there the whole time you are away. The only consideration would be regarding her shots. Maybe others can tell you if it would be ok, assuming the other dogs are up to date on their shots. If there is a risk, healthwise, is it a small risk compared to her mental state at being left alone?

04-03-2012, 08:01 PM	#4
My lil friend Donating YT 1000 Club Member Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: FtWorth,TX,USA Posts: 3,269	I agree that someone in your home or baby staying at the neighbors might be a better idea than leaving her by herself. 17wk old puppys can get into alot of stuff when left to themselves.

04-04-2012, 07:27 AM	#9
GeorgiesMomma I love TBCG! Donating Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: MD Posts: 7,227	I wouldn't leave her alone overnight (me personally). I would look into a pet hotel with video cameras and great references (preferrably from small dog parents). I do agree she is better in her own surroundings but only if someone is there with her or at least there with her all night. __________________ Morgan Mommy toGeorgie boy & Isaiah RIP sweet Coco 10/12/99-8/1/12 Read About Georgie's Experience with Atlantoaxial Instability (AAI) Here!

04-04-2012, 08:21 AM	#10
Tayluvheryorkie Senior Yorkie Talker Join Date: Mar 2011 Location: Pooler, GA USA Posts: 200	I would be worried because she is so young. I agree with he others, she might fair better being home, with someone taking her at night. Someone suggested that she goes over to your choice home for a few hours a day, so she will not be shocked.

04-04-2012, 08:52 AM	#12
Brewfilek YT Addict Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Canada Posts: 304	that's a tough situation. if i were you i would leave her for short periods of time to get her used to the idea that you leave....and come back....leave...and come back. it's actually a good thing i think to teach at as young of an age as possible (as long as they aren't missing meals) to it's ok to be alone for a bit. when we got Brew i took off a few days to get him used to his new life (about 4), but then i had to go back to work. i work 8-4 monday to friday, and i'm able to come home on my lunch break to let him out to pottty/play for 35 mins. the very first day my sister was able to come over and sneak upstairs just to listen and peak to make sure he was safe. he's now 9 months old, and he is such a good boy when we leave. he doesn't go wild when we arrive home or when he leave. it's just routine. we leave..we come back. dogs do very well with routine. i didn't want to have a dog that was heart broken every time we left him be. that's no fun for anyone. i'd let him stay with the neighboor if she is willing. i bet your pup would have sooo much fun with her other yorkies, and you know she is used to taking care of the breed as well. it's always hardest on the owners. best of luck with whatever you deciede.