Can i keep a little small dog alone at home?

make sure he has something to play with so hes not bored. also he needs plenty of water. crate training works to.
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I think you should go ahead and get a pet. Most of us have to work and our dogs are left at home alone at some point. Dogs make great companions.
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For goodness sake don't get a dog and then leave it at home. They are pack animals and need the company of others. Wait until you can devote the time required to keep a dog properly.
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My advice would be to maybe consider getting a bit of an older dog so you won't have to worry about potty traning if you won't have the time. Also this way you should be able to leave the dog out of his cage so he won't feel confined if you have to be at work. We also like to leave on the tv(like animal planet)for our dog to watch when we are gone. He actually seems to enjoy it and hopefully doesn't feel so alone. But yea puppies are a LOT of work so if you don't have time for that right now I would look into getting an older dog. There are always freindly dogs looking for good homes.
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Maybe you could concider getting an older dog. If you rescue and older dog that is housetrained, then you will not have to worry about it while you are gone.

If you want a puppy, I guess you could get it an enclosure in your kitchen so you don't have to worry about it while you are out, (until it gets a little older).

If you are looking for a small dog, I think shitzus are soo funny! My friend has one and she is adorable, playful, and very well behaved, (also they don't shed too much). I personally, prefer large dogs though.
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As long as the time you spend with him is valuable he should be fine. Most dogs sleep when their owners are away. Make sure you take him to puppy classes, long walks and to busy places so he's totaly enriched. Spend some time researching different toy breeds and find out which ones do better on their own. and he shouldn't get himself hurt, just puppy proof your apartment and then spend a few days observing what he does - it's easy to miss places little dogs can get into. Good luck with finding your pet (:
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You may want to consider adopting an somewhat older dog. Puppies need to be taken out to pee/poop often while housebreaking, and you won't be able to do this if you're at work all day. In addition, you might want to consider crate training. The crate is like a home within a home for your dog, and the familiarity of it can provide comfort when you are not around. Also, it goes without saying that the dog will need toys to keep him/her occupied, and plenty of play and exercise when you come home. You should do some research on the breeds you are interested in, to be sure that you can handle providing for their breed-specific needs before adopting the dog.

P.S. If you cannot afford vetrinary care DON'T get a pet!

Good luck!
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Proud owner of 3 Pit Bulls

Hi
Yes dogs are left on there Owen at times but not from pups, thy need a mum or dad to be there and teach them just like we do, I think it would be selfish to treat a dog in this way, if you do not have time for the animal, don't do it!
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Just because i is a small dog it doesn't mean it needs a small space. Unfortunately you will find that a small dog such as a terrier will need a lot of space because they enjoy exploring and wandering round all day. It would also mean a major commitment from you to take that dog out for a good walk in the morning, when you get in from work and before bed at night.

Larger dogs are sometimes happier in less space because they are more lazy and like to sleep all day.

Best would be not to get a dog at all I am afraid, not entirely because of the space but because if you have no secure garden in which the dog can go alone it would ask too much of you as the owner to look after it.

Sorry
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most people have pets…most people also have to work to feed those pets..it doesnt hurt a dog a bit to spend some alone time while their owner works they have all night/evening/morning to play and spend time together.when the puppy is very young id suggest putting her in a bathroom or other small room you can puppy proof until you can train her to pee on her puppy pads through the day until shes old enough to hold it for the hours you are gone.later when she can hold it i would go to crate training just for her own protection as well as your sanity and the well being of your home and furniture, as long as you give your new baby time and attention when you are off work it will be fine. millions of pets are

just for the record though…a young puppy has to go potty about every hour and a half on average, more if it has steady access to food and water, you may want to try an older dog especially if you dont have alot of previous experience with dogs.
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those of you who suggest not getting a pet if you have to work…how do you afford to feed your animals, or pay your bills?

Go ahead and do it! We all have to work and as long as you are prepared to spend plenty of time outside work, your dog would be fine. Contact one of the Yorkshire Terrier breed clubs listed at the bottom of this page - they will have details of reputable breeders and also of rescue dogs if you decide to go for an older dog.
http://www.thekennelclub.org.uk/item/199
Good Luck
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LOL! Of course you can. But take note of all the comments about leaving him in a safe area with plenty of things to play with, and just make sure he knows that's ALL he can play with or you'll come home to a house full of feathers and chewed shoes!!!!

Make sure you take him for a LONG walk before work to get rid of all his energy and take him for an even longer walk when you get home or he'll get fat and lazy!!!! Only joking! After being in doing nothing all day, he'll enjoy a good run around when you get home. It's an essential part of their character. Run the energy out of them.
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Dogs are great, and with the fact that you may be leaving him alone some, from an early age, will mean that he will get used to this and know no better…Im not saying thats best, cos Im of the opinion, that, if u have a pet, you shouldnt leave it for time and you get the pet according to your schedules.

Having said that doesnt necessarily mean Im right. You have the decision to make and live with…there are many, as others have pointed out, that are left for time on their own.

Have you considered getting a cat. They seem more independant than dogs, and can be left also, cos they just get out of a window or a cat flap. Having a yorkie doing that these days, with the theiving thugs there are out there, in my honest opinion, WOULD NOT be an option…as you said. You would be heartbroken if anything happened to him.

Is there any reason why, if theyr such small dogs, that you cant get two? That would mean that they were company for each other, they dont eat masses of food and they would share their toys Im sure!!! And its not as if youd be left with nowhere to sit either. hehe!!
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I have a min-pin who is just now a year old and he is home alone for 2 hours a day…. and hour at a time and on occasion he is home all day. He seems to sleep the whole time - waits by the door. He has tons of toys, a bed and a blankie… also he has a crate for certain occasions - if he is sick and I have to leave that type of thing.

If you want a pet go ahead….. talk to your local rescue and they can help you decided which breed is best for you.
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Under the circumstances I'd get a rescue dog, that way It will be trained and your flat will be better than the kennels.
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You do not say how many hours you are going to be leaving the dog. I have always made it a rule, even with my own house trained, mature dogs, never to leave them more than 4/5 hours. Can you arrange for someone to take it out even for a short walk, while you are out at work? You will not be able to house train a puppy unless it gets outside regularly. If you cannot do this I would suggest you give up the idea of a pet or consider a rabbit or other animal. that can be kept in a cage whilst you are out.
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Get an older dog. Puppies require a lot of work and if you don't have the time to dedicate to raising a puppy you will be happier with an older dog who is already house-trained and socialised.

If you insist on getting a puppy you will have to invest in a crate or puppy proof a room. get down on your hand and knees and look for wires, small objects he could choke on… think about a puppy as being like a human baby and you'll get the idea of what you're in for!!
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if you want a pet that you can leave home and not worry too much about you cant beat a cat. they are very self sufficient. dont cry when left alone and are not going to annoy the neighbours yapping or whining.
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i am not a hundred percent in favour of a yorkie being left alone at home if you do decide you will have to start your training on day one .i never leave my yorkies i work from home but if i did they would be ok .yorkies like to be in a routine many dog owners have to go out to work.some people crate train i know people with yorkies that go out to work.if i was a breeder i would not sell a puppy if i thought the yorkie would be left for hours on there own.
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I can never understand why some peole get a dog then leave it alone all day whilst they go to work.

Do NOT get a dog. They are pack animals (which means they are meant to be part of a group of other dogs/humans)

Get a teddy bear instead!
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I don't think it's fair to buy a pup when you work all the time, I know lots of people are saying that dogs are left alone all the time, but that doesn't make it right. Couldn't you consider a kitten, cats are, by nature, mostly loners, you could perhaps consider getting a pedigree cat like a Siamese, they are beautiful and intelligent, happily live indoors, just leave it with lots of toys. You would find it difficult to house train a puppy, even if you used a crate and dogs do like to be outside, have runs etc.Also pups are mischievous and you unless he/she was crated you would probably find a lot of destruction when you got home. Get a cat until you move to a place with a garden.
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Even with such a small dog, it is still a dog, and shouldn't be left alone for long periods of time, for example if you work full time. All the animal charities/rescue centres I know, including the one I do voluntary work for, won't let you have a dog if you work full time or live in a flat. And when you first have the dog they expect you to spend a few days at home with it so it can get adjusted to the new environment.

What about having a guinea pig? Or even a small 'house' rabbit? Some people have a rabbit and keep it in the house.
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