How do you do it?

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

One reason why we decided to get Monty is that I can work from home when I have no meetings and I can take him to work when I need to be there. It's convenient. On the other hand, not so much when you have to deal with an adolescent dog. Monty is almost 20 months old (isn't it interesting how we still count the months before they turn 2?). He can be really impatient and downright obnoxious during the day. He would let me sleep in until about 8:30am, which is really nice and I will be eternally thankful to him for letting me sleep in (I'm NOT a morning person). Then we go for our morning walk that lasts about 45 minutes. No matter what the weather is, we are out there every morning. Three times a week we even meet up with his best friend in the morning when he has a chance to run around and burn his energy. And those are the good days since as soon as we are back home, he sleeps for several hours. Now, Monty is not a hyper dog. He is just playful. Too playful some days. I would sit in front of my computer trying to work and he would bark and bark and keep throwing his ball at me until I get up and play with him for a while. He loves being outside, but he does not like to be in the backyard by himself. He would bark in his playful screechy voice to get me to come out and play with him.

During a mid-day he would finally take a nap for good three hours (in case he was playing with his girlfriend that morning). Pretty much every workday starts with one goal: to tire the dog out so that I can work. Yes, he's got me trained. Even when I say no to his whining, I just can't stand those sad eyes looking at me while his paws are deliberately placed on his ball (or whatever toy he wants to play with at the given moment). I love my dog dearly, but there are days I'm on the brink of going postal.

 

For those of you who are working from home.....how do you deal with this puppy playfullness and especially morning energy? There is not a thing I would love more than to play with my doodle and shower him with my love and attention the whole day....but wait, there is this thing called 'work'... you know, the thing that pays for the vet bills and treats...

Now the best part: we are thinking about getting another doodle next year. Am I completely going to lose my mind (along with my job)...or is it going to help this puppy madness???? 

[Eva (Lilo and Rocky)]

I too, work from home - in between playing with the doodles :) Having a flexible work schedule and a dog-loving boss is a non-negotiable :) ... I work early morning, then take my dogs on a long offleash hike (1 1/2 - 2 hrs). When we come home, I can work while they guard the house or go outside in the yard (where they run around and chase squirrels). They dont sleep much during the day, and at some point they will come into my office and remind me it's time for a break. I then play ball with them outside or we do a tracking or hide-and-seek game. That takes 20-30min. Then, my son or husband come home and take them for a walk, so I can work some more. In the summer, they go swimming. After dinner, we play with them again for 1/2hr, tug of war and/or ball; inside or outside depending on the weather and the season. Essentially, they are like little kids who need lots of attention and physical activity - but at least we are all in great shape! If you really want to tire your dog out in the least amount of time, playing ball works great - find a ball field somewhere and get a ball chugger - I sometimes do that in the morning if I am running late or only have an hour for exercise. A second dog will double your workload, but the dogs can eventually keep each other company while you work (if you still have a job then). Good luck... :)

 

[Jennifer,Chloe & Myla]

Ha Ha that's the best part! You want another one. As crazy as Chloe was, it was tough to talk DH into Myla! Maybe they will play with eachother and they won't need us so much I said! WRONG Myla is a velcro doodle! Sorry, I don't work from home but sure wish I did!!! i'd rather deal with doodles than people some days!!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

I realize you are doing walks, but I'm guessing he just has too much energy still.  Is there any chance you could do daycare a couple days a week?  This makes my girls sound pretty lazy.  They would be the perfect dogs for someone that works from home.  Having a second one might help outside in that they would have each other to chase and stuff, but there are no guarantees.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I don't work from home unfortunately but I am pretty much a home-body.  I have two doodles and they keep each other company.  When I got Sasha I was her main focus of fun, playing, attention, etc.  When Sasha was 10 months I decided to get another dog to keep her company and have canine company.  I got Oliver and they have been the best of friends, they entertain each other and are great company for each other while I am at work.   If another dog is out of the question, can you maybe get him a certain toy that keeps him busy or a toy that he has to figure out how to get the treat out of?  I have all kinds of toys like that to keep my two busy.  They seem to get exhausted when I give them the toys that they have to work for the treat.   You are Monty's favorite toy - LOL :)

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

I agree with Barbara.  Try giving him something to occupy his time inside the house.  Cooper loves his Kong Wobbler (I put treats or part of his food portions in it), his Everlasting Treat Ball, Kongs stuffed with anything difficult to get out. 

I too work from home.  I have trained Cooper that just because he wants to play with me, doesn't mean he gets to play on his timeline.  (Other wise I would literally spend 9 hours a day playing fetch with the tennis ball!!)  If he comes up to me and nudges my hand off the computer mouse or rests his head on my lap (his two signs for "play with me" when I'm on the computer), I tell him "Not yet."  And he goes and lies down somewhere for finds something else to do.  When I can take a break, then we will play but it is always on my timeline not his.

No comment about adding another doodle.  We are thinking of the same thing.  (See my discussion about adding a second adult doodle to the mix.)