Are Yorkies OK to be left alone

Can Yorkies Be Left Alone During the Day?

Yorkshire Terriers, like all dogs, require love and attention. They are social creatures just like humans and do not appreciate being left alone for extended periods. They can easily get depressed and nervous and develop separation anxiety. This can be challenging for owners with long working hours.

If you are wondering how long you can leave your Yorkie alone, know that it depends on several factors such as your pets age, its character and whether it is used to being left alone.

How Long Can I Leave My Yorkie Alone?

One of the hardest things for any pet owner to do is to leave their precious furry baby alone during the day. It is normal for your Yorkshire Terrier to become confused, sad or even scared when you leave it alone the first few days.

Age is the key element here. Puppies are not used to being alone. They need constant care and attention, not to mention needing to be let out for peeing and pooping. They are very affectionate and rely on you, so leaving them alone for many hours is stressful and can lead to an anxiety disorder. Therefore, pups up to 18 months should only be left alone for 2 to 3 hours a day.

Adults over 18 months can be left alone for 4 to 6 hours. At this age, they are used to being alone and learned to sleep when you are not around. Similarly, older dogs can manage 2 to 6 hours depending on their health.

What Happens If I Leave My Yorkie Alone for 8 Hours or More?

Yorkies that spend more than 8 hours home alone can develop behavioral problems such as biting, scratching, chewing clothing and furniture, getting lost or barking and howling at random stuff. While clothes and furniture can be replaced, if your dog gets lost, that could be a huge tragedy for your family. For peace of mind and your dogs safety, it is better to purchase a Tractive GPS. This way, you will be alerted if it tries to escape.

Your pet may also become anxious, stressed or depressed. Depression is a serious occurrence in Yorkies. If you have to leave for 8 hours or more, be watchful of any behavioral changes which indicates depression. Here are a few things you could keep an eye out for:

• It is normal for Yorkies to pass time by sleeping because they are bored. However, if it is still sleeping after you are back, this could be due to depression.
• A depressed dog eats less or wont eat at all. If you notice these significant changes in its diet, your Yorkshire Terrier is going through difficult times. However, before jumping to any conclusion, try alternate food and treats.
• Your dog will lose weight due to minimal eating. However, Yorkies are hairy and small, so any weight change will be hard to see.
• Yorkies are generally very playful and energetic, but if your pet is no longer eager to play or go on walks, it may be depressed.

Despite these signs, I would advise you to visit the vet and get it checked before trying any treatment. Sometimes, things are not what they seem.

What If I Have to Leave My Yorkie Alone Every Day?

If you are living alone and have a long work schedule, maybe you should rethink getting a Yorkie or even any dog. For those who already have one, you can take it along with you if possible or else arrange for a dog sitter to look after it while you are away.

Before leaving, you must prepare in advance. Take your dog for a long walk to burn its energy and to let it be done with its bathroom needs. This way, it will be calmer in your absence. Leave it with food and water. Make sure to give its favorite toys and chews to it. Follow these tips, and you will come home to a happy and content Yorkie.

How Can I Train My Yorkie to Stay Home Alone?

Teaching dogs to be alone is necessary as you cannot include them in every activity outside the house. The training will help reduce anxiety and prevent them from engaging in destructive behavior. They will learn not to panic every morning you leave and accept it as a daily routine.

You must create certain scenarios so that your dog can learn to be alone. Here are some things you can do before leaving for work:

Leave and Return

Practice leaving and returning. Familiarize your dog with things that represent you leaving like your bag, shoes, keys and jacket. Go toward the door with these items. If it panics, ignore so that it can get used to you leaving. Repeat this thrice a day.

After returning home, dont welcome it. This will send the message that coming home is normal and not some special event. Order it to go to its place and once it settles down, pet it calmly to let it feel your love.

Avoid Free Access

In the beginning, dont give your dog free access to the entire house. The bathroom, bedroom, kitchen and balcony must be off limits for its well-being and safety. Leave it in the area where it feels most comfortable. Once it gets accustomed to being alone, the restrictions can be relaxed.

Morning Exercises

Tire out your dog with morning exercises. Start with walking on long routes. It is likely that it will fall asleep once it returns to your house. This gives you the opportunity to get out of the house easily.

Fun Activities

Give your pet fun activities to occupy its mind. Keep it busy with interactive and food-dispensing toys. Some even offer different challenges to solve. Mental stimulation is healthy for dogs to keep them active and occupied when alone. It will also eliminate any unwanted business like biting and urinating in inappropriate areas. If you feel so inclined you could even get one of these cool videochat tools that dispenses treats!

Medications

If your Yorkie gets extremely scared and anxious while alone, maybe you should consider calming medications like Alprazolam or Clomicalm. They are approved by the FDA for treating separation anxiety in dogs. If you feel medication is needed, consult with the vet first.

What I Can Do with My Yorkie When Im at Work?

I know you worry about your dog while at work, and the guilt about leaving it alone is eating away at you. Before you rack your mind any further, let me give you some stress-solving suggestions:

Pet Camera

Invest in a pet camera which comes with night vision, high-quality video footage and two-way audio capabilities. It will allow you to communicate and soothe your four-legged companion with your voice. This will also give you can idea about how it is coping with your absence. I understand a pet camera does not suit every budget, but it is worth a try.

Crate

Try a spacious crate for your little canine to make it feel safe. Even though it might not like it and resist at first, these accessories can save it from life-threatening injuries. According to some dog psychology specialists, it might provide your dog a certain sense of security and safety. However, keep in mind that dogs are not den animals and should never be held in a crate for more than 8 hours. If you dont favor crating, make sure to dog-proof the house so that your pet wont harm itself.

Visit During the Day

Offer your Yorkie a break during the day. If possible, visit it during lunch. Even a 15-minute play session and toilet break can be very helpful. If it is not possible, get a neighbor, friend or family member to check on the dog.

Dog Daycare

Another option is dog daycare. If your Yorkie is the friendly type and loves meeting new people and pets, daycare is your best bet. It can work great with long work hours. Plus, you will be frequently informed about your dogs activities throughout the day.

Occupy It with Another Pet

Get another pet, preferably an easy-going dog like a German Shepherd or a Golden Retriever which will get along well with your Yorkie. You will be providing another four-legged friend a loving home and your furry baby will have good company. As they say, two is better than one. Be careful though as smaller dogs are prone to be stepped on by other dogs.

What Can I Do for My Yorkie After Returning?

Dedicate quality time to your dog once you are back from work, but dont shower it with too much affection. How? Follow these few suggestions:

• Dont let it get used to receiving treats when you come back.
• Go out for a walk to let it stretch its legs.
• Play fetch in the lawn to get rid of its pent-up energy from staying indoors all day.
• Plan for a visit to a dog spa to help it relax more.

Leaving your dog alone everyday can be a challenging experience, but practicing simple tricks can make a huge difference. Although your Yorkie may struggle in the beginning, it will soon learn to cope with the situation. Thus, keep following the above suggestions. Not only will your dog be more relaxed, but you will also feel happier and stress-free.

Leaving a Yorkie home alone

Can Yorkies be left home alone

There will be times in our modern lifestyles when our Yorkies will need to be left alone. Yorkies are very social and loving little dogs. Most Yorkies probably dont like or appreciate being left alone but it is something they will learn to accept.

Whether your particular Yorkie can be left alone will depend on their personality and character, age, health, and whether they are used to be left alone.

What to do with a Yorkie while at work

If you think your Yorkie cant be left alone or isnt really to be home alone while you are at work, there are many other options you can consider. Here are potential things you can do with your Yorkie while at work or out for extended periods of time.

Doggy Daycare

Taking your dog to doggie daycare may be a good option if your dog is creating problems being left home alone such as barking all day or destroying everything. They may also suit dogs that suffer from some form of separation stress or anxiety.

To learnmore about doggie daycareas an option for your Yorkie see here.

Leave your Yorkie with friends or family

If you have any friends or family you can leave your dog or puppy with while you are at work it would be ideal.

Hire a pet minder

There are many good pet sitting services that can either visit or stay with your dog. Alternatively, some pet sitters will take your dog into their own homes.

Take your Yorkie to work

More and more workplaces and offices are becoming pet-friendly and will allow you to take your dog to work. Many employers are adopting this policy due to the many benefits having pets at work have shown to have.

If you are lucky enough to work in a company that has a pet-friendly policy it would be a good option.

Mix of options

Perhaps a mixture of several options would be best for your dog and you. You may choose to take your dog to doggie daycare a couple of days a week and leave them at home on the other days. Doggie daycare is fun for your dog but if some dogs going every day may become overwhelming.

Or you could leave your dog home alone and arrange for a pet minder or someone you know to pop in your a visit and spend time with them. If you work for a company with a pet-friendly policy doesnt mean you have to take your dog every day. Maybe you can take your Yorkie to work some days and take them to doggie daycare or leave them at home on other days.

You can choose any combination of options that are best suited for your dog and yourself.

How long can you leave a Yorkie home alone

You have probably been told by other people that Yorkshire Terriers cant be left alone. You may have been told that Yorkies suffer from separation anxiety and are a very nervous breed. These are not traits of the Yorkie breed, but it may be true for some individual Yorkies.

My own Yorkie girl, Asia, is fine being home alone all day while I am at work. She is obviously happy and excited to see me when I return.

Ultimately, how long you can leave an adult Yorkshire Terrier alone really depends upon the individual dog. For a confident, well-behaved Yorkie that it is used to being alone, all day while you are at work is no problem.

How long can you leave a Yorkie puppy alone

A Yorkie puppy does need more attention and care than a Yorkie over 12 months old. Puppies need three or four meals a day and to go toilet more often. They also need more attention and social contact. This is crucial for them to form a bond and connection with you.

They have recently left their mother and siblings and everything is new to them. It is an important time in their development.

Ideally, a young Yorkie puppy should only be left home alone for short periods of time no longer than 2 to 3 hours at a time.

Do Yorkies hate being alone

Every Yorkie is an individual but in general, they dont really enjoy being home alone. However, it is something they can learn to be accepting of and not be stressed about.

They obviously never be like teenagers who cant wait for the parents to leave you they can get up to no good.

Separation anxiety in Yorkies

Although most Yorkshire Terriers can adapt to being home alone, some can suffer from anxiety and stress. Yorkies are very social and like the company of people. Separation anxiety is a general term used to describe this. However, true separation anxiety is a condition when the dog is in a state of extreme panic and anxiety. There is a high risk of them hurting themselves in this situation.

Although this is not that common it is a condition that needs to be dealt with by a professional dog behaviorist.

What most dogs that dont want to be left alone suffer from is separation stress or isolation anxiety or stress. A separation issue is that the dog doesnt want to be away from a certain person or group of people. An isolation issue is more a case of them not wanting to be alone. They will be happy with the company of any other person.

To learn more about anxiety in dogs left alone see here.

Confining a Yorkie while home alone

One of the first things to take into consideration when leaving your Yorkie home alone is where they will be kept. If your Yorkshire Terrier is well behaved and you truth them not to get up to no good you can give them the run of the house. Otherwise, you may want to restrict them to a small area. Options for confining your Yorkie include;

Crate confinement

Crating a dog is like a den for them and can make them feel safe. A crate is only really suitable for a short period of time. If you are going to be out for an hour or two putting your Yorkie in a crate is fine. I dont recommend leaving them in a crate for more than four hours at the most.

Playpen

Using a playpen is a good way of keeping your dog confined while giving them more space to play. You can even set up their crate in the playpen or attach to the outside of the puppy pen so they have a safe area if they are feeling anxious. For moreinformation on confining a dog in a playpensee here.

Room confinement

You can confine your Yorkshire Terrier to a small pet-safe room. The best places for a confinement area are the kitchen, laundry room, bathroom, or an empty spare room. If the selected room doesnt have a door that can be closed you can use a pet gate to keep your dog in.

Garage or basement

A garage or basement can be a good space to confine your dog when home alone, but ensure that you remove any potential hazards that may be toxic or cause harm to your dog.

Outside in yard

If you have a fully fenced secure backyard you can keep your Yorkie outside while at work. Leaving a Yorkie outside when you are not there is probably not the best idea. The main concerns would be the weather is too hot or cold, them escaping and the potential of your dog being stolen.

What your Yorkie needs while home alone

Before leaving your Yorkie home alone, ensure they have everything they need. Some of the items your Yorkie may need include;

• Food and water
• Bedding and blankets
• Safe Space (see confining a Yorkie above)
• Toilet area potty pads or grass dog toilet
• Toys and other ways to occupy them.

For more about what a home alone dog needs check out Complete guide to leaving a dog home alone

Teaching a Yorkie to be home alone

All dogs should be able to be alone some of the time. Ideally, it should be something you teach your dog from a puppy. However, you can teach an older dog to like being alone or at least tolerate it.

Start by leaving your dog or puppy in their confined area such as a playpen or selected room for between 30 minutes and an hour each day. They will gradually learn how to be alone and also come to the understanding that you always return.

Make this time alone pleasant for them by ensuring they have everything they need. This will include food, water, and toys. Toys that can occupy them such as a Kong for dogs or a puzzle toy are best. Alternatively, give them a chew toy.

Practice leaving your Yorkie alone when you are there. Even when you are home you can practice alone time for your dog. Put them if their confinement space such as a playpen or selected room and get on with doing your own thing without them around.

Keep leaving and returning low key. For your dog to be calm and comfortable about being home alone they must see that it is not a big deal. When leaving a simple bye and be good is sufficient. Making a big fuss with lots of kisses and cuddles will send your dog the wrong message. Dogs are masters at reading our energy and emotions.

Monitoring your Yorkie when home alone

If your Yorkie is going to be alone for an extended period of time it is a good idea to check up on them during the day. There are two ways you can do this.

Arrange visitors

Arrange to have a neighbor, friend or family member pop in for a visit to check how your Yorkshire Terrier is going and to give them some company. Even if you are unable to have somebody check up on your dog it is often a good idea to speak to your neighbors and give them a contact number if there are any concerns.

If you are able to pop in yourself during your lunch break your Yorkie will be pleased to see you. Alternatively, there are many pet minding services that can provide this service for you.

Monitor them with a pet camera

With a pet camera, you can check in with your dog and even have direct interaction with them. Many pet cameras have two communication so you can speak to your dog. They also have a microphone and can send notifications to your phone if your dog is barking. Other dog cameras can provide even more interaction including giving your dog a treat. For thebest pet camera for dogssee here.

How to entertain a Yorkie home alone

Provide ambient noise

Leave a radio on to provide background noise for your Yorkie. This not only provides them company but also helps to mask outside noises that may make them excited or scared such as car horns, noisy neighbors and even thunder.

You can even get music that is designed to be calming and soothing for dogs. Alternatively, leave the television on. Some dogs really do enjoy watching television especially if there are dogs for them to watch. If your dog is interested in watching a bit of TV consider leaving it on for them. Maybe a good dog movie or Animal Planet may make good viewing for them.

Puzzle toys

Yorkies are smart and need to have their mind challenged. Interactive puzzle toys are one of the best ways to provide mental stimulation and enrichment for your dog.

These generally involve your dog having to work out how to get a treat or food stuffed inside out and can keep your dog busy for a long time. For thebest puzzle toys for dogssee here.

Dog enrichment box

To make an enrichment box you simply need a larger cardboard box, some smaller boxes, empty toilet rolls, and newspaper. Put treats the toilet rolls, smaller boxes or wrap in newspaper and fill the box up. You can also put in a chew toy or stuffed Kong so they have something to settle done with when they are finished.

You may have a mess of shredded paper to clean up. But what are a few minutes of tidying for hours of fun and enrichment for your dog?

Watch the video to see how to make an enrichment box for your Yorkie

Formore ways to occupy and entertain your dog when home alonesee here.

A final tip for leaving a Yorkie home alone

Exercise, both physical and mental is essential for a dog to burn off pent-up energy and to prevent boredom. If your schedule allows take them for a walk before leaving.

This will also give them the opportunity to toilet before being shut up inside for the day. Alternatively, play a game of fetch or similar to help tire them a little before you leave.

Even if you dont have time to exercise your dog before leaving for the day it is still important that they do get their required exercise.For a guide to exercise for a Yorkie see here.

Also, Yorkshire Terriers love your attention and spending time together. If your Yorkie does spend time home alone, make sure your give them lots of love, cuddles and play when with them.

More Yorkshire Terrier related posts

How to exercise a Yorkie

The best type of toys for Yorkies