How do you get ANYTHING done?

[Sandy]

I've had my pup for 2 weeks now, and I still can't seem to get anything done! We live in a two storey house with a basement, and I have the pup on the main level, so he can go into the dinette, kitchen, and front hall. He's blocked out of the living room for now - carpet. In the evening when he, and we, are chilled, he comes downstairs to the rec room (with frequent potty breaks). But I can't seem to get any housework done during the day! Especially upstairs, which is getting fairly dusty. I don't want to crate him all the time, so I sneak up when he's sleeping, but if I stay upstairs too long he notices I'm gone. Any hints, help, anything?..... :)

[Anita]

I tether him to the kitchen table while I clean up the kitchen. Usually, he will nap when he's tethered, so I can sneak upstairs to do some basic housework or even vacuum (he usually will stay in the kitchen when I'm vacuuming downstairs). Otherwise, I wait for my husband to take him out in the evenings and do some cleaning upstairs.
Hope this helps.

[Paula]

I was feeling the same way. I bought a Super Yard playpen and set it up in the living room which is central in our home and now I can get things done. She is safe and still part of the action so to speak. An added bonus is my 5 year old gets in with her! We do crate for naps and at night. She will be 8 weeks on Oct. 20th.

[Sandy]

Thanks, all. I just have to get over feeling guilty for putting him in his crate. I guess I feel like if I put him in there when I go out out for groceries or something, I shouldn't put him in there again later that day just for some "me" time - okay, some house time, but whatever. :)

[22y8rmuouwttt]

Hi Sandy, We don't have our pup yet but we've already purchased our "Puppy Condo" (paste this link http://www.parentbaby.com/products.php?pid=214 ) It configures to two different sizes and has a door for easy in and out for kids and pets alike! Your crate can fit inside for your puppy to enter as he pleases. At least in the "condo" (which is a playpen) you can have peace of mind leaving him alone....Good Luck!

[Adrianne Matzkin]

Hi Sandy - this stage doesn't last long. Don't fell guilty (I should only practice what I preach) about the crate. If you have to put Toby in the crate while you get work done, then do it. Give him a Puppy Kong - I filled it with peanut butter and froze it - and do what you have to do. If all else fails, hire Merry Maids for a short while (LOL LOL) and enjoy Toby!

[Sandy]

Tonight is definitely not a good night for me to discuss the pup. He was so BAD all night. Running around, nipping at us, and peeing TWICE on the floor. Carpet, none-the-less. It feels like one step forward, two steps back. I should never try to deal with things when I'm tired, which he has made me tonight.

[Stephanie]

I know exactly what you mean! Its like we're doing so well with everything and then all of a sudden he's the little devil puppy! Brody does this on occasion. He's so good for a few days and then gets a little wild streak and goes NUTS...pees on the carpet, chewing on the woodwork (he looks like he's asleep...until we hear...crunch crunch crunch!), or biting or anything else that will push my bottons! LOL

I didn't use the crate for the first 2 weeks we had Brody, even though it was sitting there ready and waiting! Then we decided to start crating him. Now I crate him whenever I need a break. He is crated, I can cook myself lunch, clean, or run arrends as needed without him driving me crazy, he's safe, and our home is safe.

Toby is a pup...which means he is sleeping all the time anyways. If you put him in there after a good play time and potty time, he is fine for a couple hours. Rest, clean, cook...do whatever you need to do! And don't feel guilty.

[Tamara & Giada]

I agree with Ann, crates are not a bad thing. It sounds like you are home most of the day as I am. the way I looked at it is working people put there puppies in the crate ALL day while they are working and they are fine, so putting the puppy in the crate for 2-3 hrs./week while I clean the house is fine! She has slway done well, and infact will automatically go to her crate as soon as I get the vacuum out. As Giada is older now, so she is alone to run in the back yard while I clean.

I know it does feel like a new born baby, but it won't last forever......GL!

[Adina P]

I think what Tamara said is important. Too much crating usually refers to working families who leave their dog crated for 8 hours straight. That's when it verges on too much--though some dogs can handle that FINE and this in no way is intended to pass judgment on those who MUST work and leave their dogs at home. What I mean to say by the above is that several hours a day spread out with breaks for meals, playtime, cuddling, potty is in NO WAY too much time in a crate for a very young pup.

Crating multiple times during the day is very much okay. Pups sleep 16 or so hours a day! That means he will be fine, safe, and healthy sleeping while you get things done. Think about babies...they don't get to roll and crawl around unsupervised all day...they hang out in play pens and cribs and strollers because that is where they are safe and mothers do have to do other things besides stare at their newborns.

If you go grocery shopping for an hour...let puppy out when you get home...play for 10-15 minutes, get him pottied and then put him back in the crate for another hour...repeat as OFTEN as necessary.

Remember YOU are the human, HE is the dog and you come first.

[Sandy]

Thank you all. You truly are my lifeline right now. I am gleaning valuable wisdom from many of you. Thanks to advice found on this board, we have gotten our puppy to eat (he was very picky at the start), we've started what seems to be a good way of stopping the nipping (he really doesn't like lemon juice), and I am finding some freedom again. Thank you, thank you!