keeping your doodle busy

[Michelle Rodriguez]

Anyone have any tips for keeping your doodle busy on their own? Our precious doodle has been with us for a little over two weeks now and so far I have been able to get zero work done :( I work from home sewing baby shoes so bringing her upstairs with me to my work space would not work since there is just way too many fabrics and strings everywhere that she could get into trouble with. I also have two small kids, 2 and 4 and I usually work when they nap BUT that's usually when our doodle is wide awake and ready to play :( she's also VERY attached to me and freaks out whenever I leave her sight even if its just for me to use the bathroom. I REALLY need to get back to working on my orders and figuring out just how to better do all of this on my own. Any advice would be greatly appreciated thank you all :)

[Amy and Annabelle]

Put her in a crate with her toys in your sewing room. That way you would be where she could see you but still be safe. Mine doesn't like to be left alone initially, but will settle down after a few minutes. Although she does better in her crate if she can't see me. If she can see me, she wants out and it takes longer to settle down.

[Kathryn Clark]

I also sew from home so I hear you. I ended up spending a day puppy proofing my studio by raising all the fabrics, notions etc off the floor. It looked pretty bad for awhile but gave our puppy the space to roam a bit. I agree about the crate if possible. I didn't have that option and just bought a large bed that I put in a corner and tethered him to it until he learned how to stay. I would surround him with toys and treats. The biggest thing that helped me though was to wear them out before you get to work. A nice long walk or some tug of war so they're exhausted while you work. I have a morning routine now with our nine month old of a 50 minute walk followed by a small pee break at lunch and then an off leash time from 1-2 at a local fenced dog park with another 30 minute walk around dinner time. You probably need more breaks in between with your little one but this at least tells you you'll get there, eventually! It really sucked the life from my work for the first six months and I just feel now I have enough time to get work done. Good luck and happy sewing! Oh, I also made a bunch of tug toys just cutting up some fleece fabric and tying either end. We still have those toys and they show no sign of wear!

[Helga, Nimbus, Sierra, Clooney]

Take her with you and put her in her crate . Maybe with a Kong or something else to chew on. My guys love the Himalayan dog chew.
She'll adjust her sleeping /awake times to your routine.