Your Yorkshire terrier will want to be close to you at all times, so don't expect to use a bathroom on the other side of your house as your safe area for the dog. Instead, choose a location near the area that the family inhabits most of the time, or at least a spot that's in sight. You should be watching your Yorkie to see that she doesn't get into any mischief and to notice when she might need to go out. This room, or a crate, will also be where you leave your pup when you can't supervise.

You can use baby gates to block the door of the safe room. Of course, with a Yorkie you need a gate with a finer mesh than some have. Be sure your pup can't get her head caught in the negative spaces. If you're worried about chewing on your baseboards or through the baby gate, you can use an exercise pen to corral the pup in the middle of the room, away from any chewable surfaces. A crate can also be a useful piece of equipment throughout your Yorkie's life. See Chapter 7 for details on crate training.

A garage, basement, or other unheated area probably isn't suitable for your Yorkshire terrier's safe area. Yorkies chill easily, and a cold room will not be healthy for them.