WFH with puppy - where?!

[goldeline]

I have a lovely 11 week old golden retriever puppy. After taking the first week off to bond with her, I'm now just over a week into attempting to work from home whilst she's here. My desk is upstairs, and she has free roam of the open plan kitchen/playroom downstairs, where her crate is.

I've been working from the sofa in the playroom a majority of the time as she's understandably upset when I'm not around. This is difficult as I'm stuck with my laptop only, and I need several monitors to work effectively.

I'm contemplating moving my desk downstairs so that I'm with her during the day, but I'm worried that she'd then get so used to having me around, it'll be harder for her to be alone in future.

I'm guessing there are a lot of MNetters working from home with puppies, so hopefully someone can give me some advice.

Thanks!

PinotPony's advice is exactly how you get a dog with separation anxiety. A dog who gets taught that when you're terrified and alone no one will help you, you just stay alone and terrified until your human comes to save you. Just leaving a dog on it's own and ignoring it being distressed does not a happy dog make. This is equivalent ancient "advice" of ignoring your baby when its crying.

Puppies need to learn they're safe and only then can they be SLOWLY taught how to settle on their own. There's up to date advice on this here:
https://www.dogstrust.org.uk/dog-advice/training/home/help-your-dog-spend-time-alone

My dog has separation anxiety, she's eight years old and I've only had her a year. She's definitely getting better about not being in the same room as me but isn't happy when I go out and leave her with the "spare human" (my poor husband who hates being the "spare" one!). Her previous owner was very busy and would often have to just leave her "alone" (she was with another dog, and she's now dog reactive, so read into that what you will) for long periods which meant she pee'd everywhere, or leave her the car when she was working. It did nothing but cause her to have separation anxiety.

Back to the original question of where to work, I would say yes, move your desk downstairs for now, work on the puppy training and teaching your pup to settle, you can gradually move yourself upstairs again as the pup gets older.

Oh your poor dog @bunnygeek! I can't imagine leaving a dog in a car whilst working, that's awful.

I've worked from the kitchen island today and she's been a lot calmer. Lots of cuddles and playing between meetings/naps. First walk tomorrow so I'm sure that will help too.

Thanks again for all the advice