Advice for leaving a small pup while working ??

[ClareNstuart]

Hey there!

Wondering if anyone has any advice for me. I just got Stu a week ago, he's only 9 weeks old (I know he's younger than most...) anyway I had bought him a rectangular Xpen to stay in while I was at work with his pee pads at one end and his crate opened at the other end... I came home after only being gone for 3 or 4 hrs last week and he was barking constantly. He had used the pads properly but he was definitely stressed out and hating being in the pen. So, I tried keeping him in a crate for 3 hrs and rushing home for lunch/rushing home after work, to get him to the pee pads before making a mess. He was able to hold it and did a little better with this, he wasn't barking when I came home at least.... though Im not sure if he was when I was gone :S but it is SO hard for me to rush home and get back to work within an hour... and to get home on time, I have patients so I can't predict when I'll be done with them all the time...

Anyway, I have tried putting a ticking clock in his pen and a hot water bottle with a blanket around nothing seems to make him relax!?

I wish I could put him in doggy day care, but, of course, none will take a dog who's so young...

any Advice on what to do ? oh, I also dont know my neighbors and all my friends in the area work the same hours as me so I dont have anyone who can come by with him

[Poochieheaven]

What about a dog walker to come during the day?

[keokis mom]

I would consider a dog sitter/ walker. I would also get him a comfy crate that has a crate cover where he feels safe- only the front exposed. Most puppies act like they hate crates but learn to love them and feel safe- Someone has to come over though to let him out to pee-pee/ do his business- that's the thing with babies they need to pee pee more often than older pups and it seems like he is doing an amazing job already. I would call your vet and see if they can recommend someone and check their references. The XPen might work when he is older but because he is so young this might be the route you have to take. Please keep us posted.

[LaurenPatrice]

Maybe try and let him get more comfortable with his crate. Leave it somewhere outside of the Xpen and see if he will go in and out on his own. Giving him a treat or his play toy when he goes in the crate by himself. He should get use to the "safety" of his crate and won't cry as much. Sounds like you are doing a great job so far..good luck with your new baby..

[ClareNstuart]

Thanks so much for the advice thus far I think just hearing that his reactions are normal are good for me to hear. He doesn't whine at night anymore when I put him in the Crate so perhaps he's on the road to being more comfortable with it.
I have toyed with the idea of a doggy walker, I am in a condo building with a fob entry door so I'll have to get another Fob before I can go down that road. A sitter would be great, I just worry that he doesn't have his 2nd set of shots yet so he could catch something, so they'll have to come to my place.
I have covered the crate and it has nice bedding in it etc, he's never gone potty in there yet so I hope that stays that way...
I think I am just most stressed because he hates his Xpen, I just wish he was more ok with being in there ...

[RileyDC]

You might want to purchase a snuggle puppie. I purchased one and it was a lifesaver. Riley curls up and sleeps with it.... It is the cutest thing. You can get them at www.sitstay.com

[cally930]

Would you consider taking him with you to work. I took mine, and she stayed in her little carrier - and no one even knew she was there. she felt more comfortable seeing me and knowing that I was close and she was very quiet. Just a suggestion.

[pancakepat]

All day is way to long to leave a 9 month old pup.

[Marilize]

Have you tried putting the crate inside the expen? I use that method with distressed or young puppies because they hate being exposed. I think the expen makes them uncomfortable because it places them in a vulnerable position: they have nowhere to run and no shelter to hide in. To help with this, I also use a cover for the expen.
If his food, toys and crate is in there, he will learn to love it very quickly! When it is bed time, I throw a cookie into the expen/crate, making sure that the puppy sees it. And then, when he goes in there to get it, I slowly close the door. Make sure it is a big cookie to keep him busy for a little while

This method has worked very well for all my own dogs and the puppies I foster for welfare. A dogwalker/dogsitter is a great idea for when the puppy is older. You have to accept that the puppy is growing to cry because all puppies do, but if you react and give him what he wants when he is barking, he will continue to do it. Often, it only takes one day (or night) for the puppy to realize that barking/crying doesn't help. I always pretend I can't hear these sounds and I turn away if they start crying or barking. I never open a crate or expen door if they are crying/barking - it reinforces the bad behavior. I wait until they are silent, however long it takes, before I let them out. If they continue barking, you just turn away.
I hope I don't sound harsh, but I had a dachshund growing up and he wouldn't stop crying and barking when he wanted attention. My parents gave him away because of it, so I am very strict with my dogs about it.

I hope that helps!