Our New Puggle Puppy

Cherin · 07-06-2008, 10:17 PM

Hi All,

First of all, I'm so glad I've found this site. I have read a number of posts and find your advice to be very helpful.

My husband and I just got a 3 month old puggle on Thursday. So far she's been great - no accidents in the house, is already starting to learn her name (Molli), follows us around, eliminates in the backyard like we want her to, etc. But, my major concern is what to do with her when I have to work. I am a teacher, so I'm off for the next two months from my regular job, but I also own a business which requires me to work out of my home in a work room (which is upstairs). The major issue I'm currently having is what to do with Molli while I'm working. I've heard varied suggestions including crate her, don't crate her, put her in a pen (indoor), etc. She whines and cries when we crate her (except when it's bed time, she's starting to get better with that) and also when I put her in a faux pen. She doesn't play in either, but eventually wears herself down and takes a nap.

So, the question is, do I leave her downstairs when I am upstairs in a faux pen (basically just a barricade with enough room to play) or do I crate her upstairs with me? The room I'm in is too small to put a pen in and I honestly don't want to go buy one at this point (they're a bit on the expensive side). She'll get into too much trouble if I just let her play downstairs. What do you all recommend for her? I'm sorry if I seem all over the place, but I just don't know what to do with her while I need to work and then eventually go back to work full-time. Any help is appreciated.

**Footnote - Of course as I was typing this, she had her first accident in the house and instead of going outside (she must have gotten it all out in here), she just got herself all hyper and wouldn't stay on the grass. Then she came inside and I put her on the leash to restrict her since she didn't go and she just got all kinds of wild on that too so now she's in her bed wimpering. Did I handle this ordeal the correct way? I don't want her to view her bed as punishment, but she was totally out of control.

Esther · 07-07-2008, 01:21 AM

I'm not English and don't understand your footnote completely, so I will only respond to the work part and where to leave Molli.
As I understand it, you will not be working at home for ever, so Molli needs to learn to be alone in the house. This is something that you have to train (as with everything). I would not take Molli with you upstairs, because later on you can not take her with you when you teach. I would use the period that you work at home to teach Molli to stay downstairs in an area where she cannot harm herself or the house. I don't believe that any method is best in every situation, so if this area is going to be crate or something else, in my opinion is up to Molli. If things go well in a crate, then use the crate. If Molli preferes a faux pen then use the faux pen.
In any case it's important that Molli makes positive associations with the place where she is going to stay. It has to be a safe environment that will never be used for punnishment. So in the beginning, let her sleep and eat in that place, and don't leave her in there when she is very active and wants to come out. If possible, let her out Before she wants to herself. Also, keep the time very short in the beginning, say a couple of minutes, but only let her out when she's quiet, even when this is only a couple of seconds. Otherwise she will learn that you let her out if she makes noise. So pick the place where Molli feels best, take it very slow und gradually build up the time that she spends there. The first time you may have to let Molli in the crate, just stand outside her view for a minute, come back, prais her and let her out. Always make sure that Molli succeeds in the behavior that you want of her, let her know she did well and go on from that point.

Cherin · 07-07-2008, 08:21 AM

Hi Esther,

Thank you so much for your very informative response. It makes perfect sense and I tend to agree with you. Lets see what happens.

Cherin

terryjeanne · 07-07-2008, 11:13 PM

When we had our first sheltie, I would put him in her crate for a short while by himself. The kids were home all summer, but I wanted him to have alone time so it wouldn't be so back when the kids went back to school.

The first time he was home all alone, I think I just sat outside and read a book for 15 minutes.

Then slowly increased the time.