Here’s How Long Your Yorkie Can Stay Alone at Home

We all know that leaving your dog home alone can be very frustrating for both you and your pet. It’s like leaving a good friend, and you’re left with a bitter taste in your mouth. Of course, if you don’t have to, don’t leave your dog home alone. It applies to Yorkies but other breeds as well. Dogs like to be around people, and you, as an owner, are probably the most beloved creature for your dog. This means that it loves spending time with you. So, can a Yorkie be left alone?

But, the reality is different, and you as a dog owner are probably often in a situation where you simply need to leave your dog alone at home. Many workplaces aren’t dog-friendly, and thus, if you don’t have a partner or another family member, your Yorkie will have to learn to spend boring time with itself when you’re at work. People often say that Yorkies are active dogs that want to socialize and that when they’re home alone, they become nervous and depressed. In this article, we’ll debunk if this is just another myth, and we will give you some tips which you can utilize if your Yorkie simply needs to be home alone.

Can a Yorkie be left alone?

As for the myth, all we can say is that it depends merely from dog to dog. Now, of course, Yorkies do have some general behaving patterns as with any other breed. But, the statement that Yorkies can’t stand being left alone and become depressed is simply not true. Of course, there are individual Yorkies that don’t like being alone and spend every single minute waiting for you to return. But, there is another side of the coin. But, there is another side of the coin. There are Yorkies such as my Stella, which is a proper couch potato.

The nature of my work is that I simply need to go to the office every single day and stay there from 9-5. It is what it is. It was hard at first when Stella was a puppy, but since she got older and got used to my way of living, she doesn’t have an issue anymore when she’s home alone. My office isn’t pet-friendly, and in the house, there’s only Stella and me, so she doesn’t have any company when I go to work. And it isn’t a problem for her.

One time I left my GoPro on while I was at work just to see what my Yorkie does when I’m away, and to my amazement, she did – well, nothing. It might sound a bit harsh, but she simply slept half of the time, played with the carrot toy I got for her, ate, and slept a bit more. So, I don’t think that Stella has a rough time when she’s alone. I can guarantee you that we do everything she wants when I get back and that we have a good time in the evening.

So, to answer the question about Yorkies and how do they behave when they’re alone – it depends. My dog is the way she is, but it doesn’t mean that your Yorkie will be the same. You know best how your dog behaves and what kind of temperament it has, so you need to act accordingly.

Understanding Separation Anxiety

What Is Separation Anxiety in Dogs?

Separation anxiety is basically what happens when your Yorkie thinks, “Where are you going, and WHY are you leaving me forever?” It’s not just sadness—it’s genuine distress. Dogs like Yorkies, who bond deeply with their humans, are especially prone to it. So, if you want to live with a confident and independent dog, the key is to teach your pooch to get used to loneliness from his/her puppyhood. It doesn’t mean that you should not have any interaction with your pet and take him/her only on daily strolls. It means that you need your own space and time, and the only thing you can achieve independence in your pet is to start early.

Signs Your Yorkie May Be Uncomfortable Alone

When my friend’s dog started showing signs of separation anxiety, it was heartbreaking. She’d bark non-stop the minute I shut the door, scratch at the walls, and even refuse her favorite snacks. Here’s what to look for:

• Excessive Barking or Whining: It’s like they’re saying, “Don’t forget about me!”—on repeat.
• Destructive Behavior: My friend’s dog once shredded a pillow because she was so upset. (It looked like it snowed indoors.)
• Pacing or Trembling: If they seem restless or shaky, that’s a sign they’re struggling. Yorkie can shake when they feel afraid.
• Loss of Appetite: If they’re too stressed to eat, it’s time to take action.

Understanding these signs is the first step to helping them feel secure when you’re away.

The Ideal Alone Time for Yorkies

So, how long is too long? Yorkies aren’t the kind of dogs you can leave home alone all day while you work. In general, 4–6 hours is the max for most Yorkies. Puppies, though? Forget it—they need potty breaks, cuddles, and attention every couple of hours.

With Stella, I learned that age and personality matter a lot. As a puppy, she could barely last an hour without crying for me. Now that she’s older, she’s perfectly fine for 7 hours, especially if I set her up with her favorite chew toy and a cozy spot by the window.

For dogs, it’s very important to have their space of peace where they can nap, rest, and play. Therefore, if you need to leave the house, make sure your furry friend has enough interactive and puzzle toys that will occupy his/her mind.

What To Do If Yorkie Can’t Be Left Alone?

If the situation is that your Yorkie simply won’t leave you alone and you don’t feel happy when you go to work and leave him/her alone, don’t worry. There are some things you can do to find the best solution.

The obvious solution here is that you can take your dog with you. If your office is pet friendly, then you should bring your Yorkie with you and let it just wander in your office while you do your work. Don’t worry if you don’t pay a lot of attention to it while you work. Yorkies and dogs, in general, benefit when they are just in your presence, and taking your dog to work seems like the best solution.

If that isn’t a possibility, then you might want to hire a pet sitter. There are professionals who you can employ to spend time with your dog while you’re away, and this is an excellent solution since it’s always better to have a living being next to your dog instead of a toy, let’s say. Another thing you can do is to take your dog to doggy daycare. Daycare is a hotel for dogs. You can take your Yorkie there, and if it’s good with other dogs, it will make friends in the “hotel.” This is also the right choice since, in the daycare, some people spend time with animals and keep them occupied – so your Yorkie doesn’t sleep as it would be doing at home.

If you live with a family or a partner who doesn’t work, then that would be the best thing. Your Yorkie will always have someone around and won’t feel lonely. And, as a plus, you won’t need to spend extra money for a dog sitter or doggy daycare.

Can a Yorkie Be Left Alone? Preparing Your Yorkie to Be Alone

Gradual Desensitization Techniques

Training your Yorkie to enjoy alone time is like teaching them to enjoy veggies—it takes time, and they won’t love it at first. Start small:

1. Leave for just 5 minutes. (Seriously, go outside and pretend to water a plant.)
2. Come back in without making a big fuss. Act like it’s no big deal.
3. Gradually increase the time you’re away, from 5 minutes to 10, then 20, and so on.

When I started this with Stella, I’d leave her with a Kong stuffed with peanut butter, and by the time I came back, she was so busy licking it clean she barely noticed I was gone.

Using Positive Reinforcement

Every time Stella handled alone time like a champ, she got a treat and a belly rub. Reinforcing good behavior made all the difference. She started associating my leaving with good things, like yummy snacks and extra love when I returned.

Tools to Help Your Yorkie Stay Calm

Here’s the secret: boredom is the enemy. Keep their little minds occupied, and you’ll have a much happier Yorkie.

1. Toys and Chews for Mental Stimulation:
   Stella’s favorite is a puzzle toy that dispenses treats. Watching her figure it out is like watching a tiny, furry genius at work. Chew toys also help, especially for teething puppies. I recommend you to check the Slow Feeder Yorkie Toy because it will teach your pet work for his food. The smell of food with trigger his mind and make him/her feel occupied for hours.

1. Calming Products:
   For extra-anxious days, I use a pheromone diffuser. It’s like aromatherapy for dogs—it smells like “mom’s still here.” Anxiety vests are also lifesavers for dogs who need that extra feeling of security. They give a snug feeling and make your dog feel like someone is hugging them. These type of vests can be of great help during the firework season when your dog spends time alone.

READ ALSO: Yorkie Separation Anxiety: Treatments, Causes & More

Can a Yorkie Be Left Alone in a Comfortable Environment?

Think of your Yorkie’s space as their personal relaxation zone—a tiny spa retreat just for them.

• Designate a Safe Space: A cozy crate or a gated-off area works wonders. Stella’s “happy place” is a little pen with her bed, some toys, and her water bowl.
• Add Comforting Items: Leave something that smells like you, like a T-shirt you’ve worn. Trust me, it works.
• Reduce Stress Triggers: Leave the radio on or play calming music. Stella loves classical piano—who knew she had such refined taste?

Gradual Training Schedule

Here’s a training plan that worked for Stella:

1. Week 1: Start with 5-minute intervals. Leave and come back like it’s no big deal.
2. Week 2: Increase to 15–20 minutes. Watch how they respond (pet cameras are great for this).
3. Week 3–4: Work up to 1–2 hours. Reward them each time they stay calm.
4. Beyond: Once they’re comfortable with a few hours, you’re golden!

Remember, every dog is different. Stella took about six weeks to really nail it, but now she snoozes like a pro when I’m out.

So, In The End? Can a Yorkie be left alone?

So, as a conclusion, we would have to say that leaving your Yorkie alone depends on the occasion, the temperament of your dog, and a bunch of other factors. Of course, if you can take your dog with you to the place where you work, that would be the best possible decision. But, if you can’t, then you need to see if your dog is okay to stay alone. If it becomes nervous and barks, then you should consider some of the options we mentioned above. If it doesn’t like Stella, then we think you should be okay. Just keep in mind that when you come back home, you give a lot of attention to your Yorkie, since it was alone for a half a day and that it has been waiting for you. You need to respect that.

Photo credit: @ayorkienamedava / @yorkiegirlchloe