To think it's going to be impossible to work with a young puppy?

[uhohhereweego]

I am a single mum to an 8 year old DD. We brought home a 10 week Labrador puppy around 10 days ago. I wfh however took 2 weeks annual leave to help settle her in so I had plenty of time. It's been great, we've spent lots of time with her. Lots of playing, training, cuddling, bonding, and lots of headway on potty training.

I'm due back at work on Monday however, and I just don't see how it's going to work. She hates her crate, even though I have followed all the advice. She cries and whimpers if I'm out of sight just to go to the bathroom, or if I'm on the sofa and she is on the floor. Never mind sitting up at the kitchen island with her running around.

Is this just something dogs get used to and I need to just accept for a little while?

What do others do? I mean it would be great if I could take 6 months off but obviously that's not possible and I don't believe any other dog owners do that either. So practically what do you do when you have to go to work but have a puppy that needs your attention also?

I can attend to her needs as in, can feed her (obviously), take her out every hour for the toilet. I could play maybe 5/10 mins morning and afternoon and then lots more at nighttime once work is done. But what about her whimpering whilst I am in meetings?

Yes @ShirleyPhallus the shelters were apparently overflowing with unwanted puppies, while simultaneously puppies were in such high demand that breeders were quadrupling their prices. If puppies were so readily available in shelters then why weren’t people snapping them up there?

@FirewomanSam Not that easy. Shelters won’t let you rehome a dog if you have children under 8.
Most dogs seem to prefer to be the only pet, prefer adult only homes, need to rehomed away from main roads, with large and enclosed gardens.. Also covid. You couldn’t rehome as they couldn’t carry out visits -(I believe).

@Suzi888 I know, I’m being a bit facetious. But as Shirley said, the point is that the shelters just aren’t overflowing with cavapoo lockdown puppies as everyone seemed to be predicting.

the point is that the shelters just aren’t overflowing with cavapoo lockdown puppies as everyone seemed to be predicting.

Correct - as most people who couldn't cope with their puppies sold them online instead.

A quick look on Gumtree and you can find hundreds of puppies of all breeds between 1-3 years of age who are being "rehomed".

The sellers just want their money back.

There are currently 4 adverts on gumtree for “rehoming puppy”, not hundreds!

The ones needing rehoming wont all be puppies, and the ads may well not use the word 'rehome'.

OP don’t take all the snarky comments to heart. Lots of people get puppies and don’t take the next 6 months off work to lovingly attend to their every need.

I used to take my puppy to to work with me (so much the same as having it while WFH).

I would suggest the following:

Don’t give your puppy loads of attention all of the time. It creates an adult dog that needs a lot of attention. When you enter a room that he/she is in, or go to interact with her, it should be on your terms. Don’t immediately go and give her loads of fuss. Literally ignore her until she sits nicely. If she jumps up, turn away. Labradors can be absolute horrors for being pushy and they aren’t small dogs so manners are important.

Adapt your workspace. I used to have a bed by my feet and the puppy slept there. A crate while you’re working probably isn’t going to work but that doesn’t mean that the puppy can demand and get attention whenever it wants. Treat it like a baby - get her into a routine of play then rest. Get some good toys for the office. Learn to ignore the whimpering for attention. If the pup is with you, has toys to play with and definitely doesn’t need a wee or a poo then it’s needs are being met. It needs to be able to settle without having constant interaction. Just don’t look at it when it’s whimpering.

Max out the exercise she’s allowed during your breaks. If she’s tired, she’ll sleep. Lots of short walks, lead training and outdoor games.

if I’m honest, you haven’t picked the best breed for having with you while you WFH. Labs are great but they’re needy little hooligans as pups and then needy big hooligans until they settle down at about 4. It’s not impossible but you need to be very disciplined with the pup because it’s one of those breeds where if you’re not careful the dog will end up running things.

Some of these posts are really unhelpful. Every puppy is different, it's great that some posters could crate their dogs immediately and they lay quietly when WFH but don't kid yourself it was your amazing training. It's luck at the 10 week point.

OP, you're in the absolute worst part. The initial excitement has gone a little, you'll be tired (is pup sleeping well?), and reality is setting in. It will get easier! But unfortunately it'll probably get worse before it gets better. Do you have any family support? My puppy was so needy at 10 weeks I actually got signed off work with stress (there was other stuff going on) and the only way I could even shower was for a family member to come and sit with the puppy. It's ten times easier if you're not the only adult in the situation. Consider doggy daycare longer term. Although it gets easier, it's only been recently I'd say I'd have been able to WFH efficiently with the dog at home and she's 18 months. I have a spaniel so she'd much rather be running about all day playing than stuck at home waiting on me coming off a call. Consider what's best for the dog too, it might be manageable to WFH but for a lab puppy is it best for them?