curious - YorkieTalk.com Forums

jazz87 · 11-24-2014, 09:19 PM

I have been researching adopting a yorkie from a local rescue for a few months now, and have fallen more in love with the yorkie breed. My question is this: I am a nurse who works 12 hours at night, would there be a way to leave the dog at night? Possibly doggy day care? Securing an area of my house for the dog to play, eat, and pee if necessary? I would appreciate advice from owners who have been in this position before.

SirTeddykins · 11-25-2014, 12:08 AM

I have been in your position and my own experience means that my opinion is that I suggest you not get any dog when working long hours. You will come home after twelve hours and then need to sleep. That leaves very little time for the dog and these Yorkies are terriers so they do require socialization and they do require companionship.

That is just my opinion from experience so hope that has helped!

LunarBerry · 11-25-2014, 12:09 AM

I'd say it depends not only on the age of the yorkie but also what the yorkie themselves are used to or capable of. In the beginning, in my personal opinion, is the most crucial in bonding and also creating a sense of security for them. If you can't give the time or at least not mind that someone else could cover for you (which might cause them to bond more with that person) then it's best not to do it. Such situations would have to be gradual to allow them to get used to solitude (unless they naturally or already prefer solitude)
These furbabies, rarely deal with being alone very well for so long the younger they are, at least in my experience. It's not as bad if there's other dogs/playmates with them. But from experience I had my yorkie baby by herself completely for the first time (at the age of 5 months) when taking the other older dogs for nail trimming for 30min to almost an hour and she was literally crying when we came back. Not all yorkies are like this, of course, but the younger they are, the most likely they'll need the have someone there with them often., if not at all times.

BobbiB · 11-25-2014, 01:23 AM

I'd say that unless there is someone else in the home or arrangements were made for the dog to have human companionship during those long hours, it's probably not in the best interest of the dog.

Personally, I couldn't get a dog to only spend 3-4 hours a day, tops, with it most days if I knew that there wasn't at least another family member in the household for the dog to share a strong bond with.

matese · 11-25-2014, 03:45 AM

When adopting a rescue dog, any breed you have to keep in mind it's past, which 99% of the time is not known. With a rescue you need to spend time with them, so they gain trust in you and can bond. Yorkie breeds are very social babies, they NEED championship, especially in a rescue situation. I adopted a 2 1/2 y/o yorkie last year, I was lucky, I knew his back ground and he was NOT an abused dog. He was loved much but had to be surrendered. Again very lucky the bond was made with in a few days, however, I am retired, home all say. It was weeks before he had to be left totally alone. As others have suggested / advised, unless this baby will have someone with him while you are at work, I would not advise getting a dog that will be totally alone for 16 hours. Good luck.

matese · 11-25-2014, 03:53 AM

When adopting a rescue dog, any breed you have to keep in mind it's past, which 99% of the time is not known. With a rescue you need to spend time with them, so they gain trust in you and can bond. Yorkie breeds are very social babies, they NEED championship, especially in a rescue situation. I adopted a 2 1/2 y/o yorkie last year, I was lucky, I knew his back ground and he was NOT an abused dog. He was loved much but had to be surrendered. Again very lucky the bond was made with in a few days, however, I am retired, home all say. It was weeks before he had to be left totally alone. As others have suggested / advised, unless this baby will have someone with him while you are at work, I would not advise getting a dog that will be totally alone for 12 hours. Good luck.

Rachael1983 · 11-25-2014, 03:53 AM

Do you work the 3 days on, 4 days off schedule? or a variation thereof even though you work 12 hours 3 days a week you might be home 4 of those days. For those night time hours your away a pet sitter to come by around 10 or 11 do a bit of play and then sleep and you'll be home by 7ish and you can do about 2 hours of play before you have to dose off. I know you're sleep schedule may not necessarily even be a full 8 hours before you have to get ready for work again so I think you MAY have the time and resources for the pet youre seeking.

As other's have mentioned, you also have to keep in mind the history of the animal so you're not making the mental situation worse. Which could lead to more problems down the road.

Jkpal · 11-25-2014, 11:40 AM

Piper is 4 yrs old and I adopted her about 7 months ago. Though certainly not her favorite thing, she is left alone for about 9 hrs/day five days a week while I work my graveyard shift. Piper has free run of my (tiny) place, water, and I leave the blanket we share on the couch. When I'm not at work, Piper and I pretty much spend every minute together and I think she counts at that...we run errands, walk, hang out at home, shop at Wal-Mart and the home improvement stores. It's working for us, she seems none the worse for her alone time--although I now understand where the phrase 'hang-dog' came from...About 15 minutes before I leave, Piper slinks off couch, drops her head and goes under couch or bed--where she continues to hang her adorable little head, facing the wall. Ouchh!!! But oh the crazy chaos of bouncing, twirling, flipping and dashing back and forth Piper displays when I get home. I've got the greatest little girl ever, whom I love beyond everything and I am truly blessed she is so reasonable and good. I believe having a sweet yorkie and working full-time is possible--however, I gotta believe that age is a big, big factor. All the best!

11-24-2014, 09:19 PM	#1
jazz87 YorkieTalk Newbie! Join Date: Nov 2014 Location: atlanta, ga Posts: 1	curious I have been researching adopting a yorkie from a local rescue for a few months now, and have fallen more in love with the yorkie breed. My question is this: I am a nurse who works 12 hours at night, would there be a way to leave the dog at night? Possibly doggy day care? Securing an area of my house for the dog to play, eat, and pee if necessary? I would appreciate advice from owners who have been in this position before.

11-25-2014, 12:09 AM	#3
LunarBerry YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Jun 2014 Location: GA, USA Posts: 693	I'd say it depends not only on the age of the yorkie but also what the yorkie themselves are used to or capable of. In the beginning, in my personal opinion, is the most crucial in bonding and also creating a sense of security for them. If you can't give the time or at least not mind that someone else could cover for you (which might cause them to bond more with that person) then it's best not to do it. Such situations would have to be gradual to allow them to get used to solitude (unless they naturally or already prefer solitude) These furbabies, rarely deal with being alone very well for so long the younger they are, at least in my experience. It's not as bad if there's other dogs/playmates with them. But from experience I had my yorkie baby by herself completely for the first time (at the age of 5 months) when taking the other older dogs for nail trimming for 30min to almost an hour and she was literally crying when we came back. Not all yorkies are like this, of course, but the younger they are, the most likely they'll need the have someone there with them often., if not at all times. __________________ R.I.P. Mick & Mandy (before 2010), Mila - 4/3/15, Chloe - 2/18/16, Kimchi - 6/2/2021

11-25-2014, 03:45 AM	#5
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 68,183	When adopting a rescue dog, any breed you have to keep in mind it's past, which 99% of the time is not known. With a rescue you need to spend time with them, so they gain trust in you and can bond. Yorkie breeds are very social babies, they NEED championship, especially in a rescue situation. I adopted a 2 1/2 y/o yorkie last year, I was lucky, I knew his back ground and he was NOT an abused dog. He was loved much but had to be surrendered. Again very lucky the bond was made with in a few days, however, I am retired, home all say. It was weeks before he had to be left totally alone. As others have suggested / advised, unless this baby will have someone with him while you are at work, I would not advise getting a dog that will be totally alone for 16 hours. Good luck. __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

11-25-2014, 03:53 AM	#6
matese Donating YT 3000 Club Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: E.Stroudsburg, Pa. Posts: 68,183	When adopting a rescue dog, any breed you have to keep in mind it's past, which 99% of the time is not known. With a rescue you need to spend time with them, so they gain trust in you and can bond. Yorkie breeds are very social babies, they NEED championship, especially in a rescue situation. I adopted a 2 1/2 y/o yorkie last year, I was lucky, I knew his back ground and he was NOT an abused dog. He was loved much but had to be surrendered. Again very lucky the bond was made with in a few days, however, I am retired, home all say. It was weeks before he had to be left totally alone. As others have suggested / advised, unless this baby will have someone with him while you are at work, I would not advise getting a dog that will be totally alone for 12 hours. Good luck. __________________ Joan, mom to Cody RIP Matese Schnae Kajon Kia forever in my A House Is Not A Home Without A Dog

11-25-2014, 03:53 AM	#7
Rachael1983 Donating YT 500 Club Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Burbs of DC Posts: 2,198	Do you work the 3 days on, 4 days off schedule? or a variation thereof even though you work 12 hours 3 days a week you might be home 4 of those days. For those night time hours your away a pet sitter to come by around 10 or 11 do a bit of play and then sleep and you'll be home by 7ish and you can do about 2 hours of play before you have to dose off. I know you're sleep schedule may not necessarily even be a full 8 hours before you have to get ready for work again so I think you MAY have the time and resources for the pet youre seeking. As other's have mentioned, you also have to keep in mind the history of the animal so you're not making the mental situation worse. Which could lead to more problems down the road. __________________ Owned by Troy(RIP) & Emma

11-25-2014, 12:08 AM	#2
SirTeddykins aka ♥SquishyFace♥ Donating Member Join Date: Jul 2014 Location: n/a Posts: 1,875	I have been in your position and my own experience means that my opinion is that I suggest you not get any dog when working long hours. You will come home after twelve hours and then need to sleep. That leaves very little time for the dog and these Yorkies are terriers so they do require socialization and they do require companionship. That is just my opinion from experience so hope that has helped!

11-25-2014, 01:23 AM	#4
BobbiB No Longer a Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Palmetto, FL Posts: 615	I'd say that unless there is someone else in the home or arrangements were made for the dog to have human companionship during those long hours, it's probably not in the best interest of the dog. Personally, I couldn't get a dog to only spend 3-4 hours a day, tops, with it most days if I knew that there wasn't at least another family member in the household for the dog to share a strong bond with.

11-25-2014, 11:40 AM	#8
Jkpal YT 2000 Club Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Lake Geneva, WI Posts: 2,776	Piper is 4 yrs old and I adopted her about 7 months ago. Though certainly not her favorite thing, she is left alone for about 9 hrs/day five days a week while I work my graveyard shift. Piper has free run of my (tiny) place, water, and I leave the blanket we share on the couch. When I'm not at work, Piper and I pretty much spend every minute together and I think she counts at that...we run errands, walk, hang out at home, shop at Wal-Mart and the home improvement stores. It's working for us, she seems none the worse for her alone time--although I now understand where the phrase 'hang-dog' came from...About 15 minutes before I leave, Piper slinks off couch, drops her head and goes under couch or bed--where she continues to hang her adorable little head, facing the wall. Ouchh!!! But oh the crazy chaos of bouncing, twirling, flipping and dashing back and forth Piper displays when I get home. I've got the greatest little girl ever, whom I love beyond everything and I am truly blessed she is so reasonable and good. I believe having a sweet yorkie and working full-time is possible--however, I gotta believe that age is a big, big factor. All the best!