Work from Home PWD

The Covid virus has changed so much about our lives, including the fact that many people are now working and learning from home.   I asked Rob Newcomer, who has a pup from the Fall 2020 "Smoke" litter to share some tips on how he managed a baby puppy while working from home.

Here is what Rob had to say (the formatting did not come through perfectly, but I think Rob has lots of good advice and it comes from actual experience with his pup):

Working Virtual with Puppy

 

COVID had its benefits.  Because of the pandemic, in 2020 my job had to transition to 100% virtual which opened the door for me to get a puppy.  Lookout’s Forged in Smoke & Fire (Jaco) came home in November 2020; aged 9 weeks.  

While some of my co-workers have gone back to the office, I haven’t and won’t.  I work full-time virtual and have my buddy with me every day.  I wouldn’t want it any other way.

So, you work virtual and a new puppy has come into your home.  This is FANTASTIC!  Since dogs are pack animals, being home with your dog full-time sets you up to establish an incredibly strong (dare I say, unbreakable) bond with her.  But…it isn’t automatic.  Like any relationship, it takes WORK and TIME! This puppy is a still very young, in many ways she is just a baby.  Different species but a baby nonetheless.  She needs to be taught the rules; gently, lovingly and sometimes firmly just like you would a human baby.

1. DO…remember your puppy is a baby and experiences emotions like fear, joy, happiness, loneliness, etc.  As a puppy parent, you are a primary influencer of these emotions; cause them or alleviate them.  Your puppy has spent her life, thus far, with a number of siblings and momma nearby.  They slept, played, ate and just lived right beside each other.  She needs you to be her playmate, and parent.

             DON’T…do as a training method from the 70’s by a well know trainer of that time instructed and put your puppy alone in the kitchen overnight with paper on the floor and just let them whine and cry all night.  Think how you would feel in a strange place without your mom, in the dark hearing all kinds of strange sounds.  You would cry too!  Actually, don’t just lock your puppy up alone, anywhere for any length of time right now.  This is training time; not hard time.

2. DO…establish a routine and STICK TO IT!

o A book called “The Art of Raising a Puppy” by The Monks of New Skete influenced some of the methods I used in rearing Jaco.  Not all of their methods, mind you.  I know a lot of folks have issue with The Monks but the best advice they offer, in my opinion, is to establish a routine.  The book even includes an example to use.  I tailored it to my living situation.  

​​Mine looked something like this:

➢ 5:30am – wake and potty

➢ Breakfast (in crate, to create positive association)

➢ Playtime (15 minutes)

➢ Another potty opportunity

➢ Nap time (in crate or ex-pen nearby)

➢ Mid-morning potty break after nap

➢ Walk 

➢ 11:00am – Noon Lunch (in crate)

➢ Playtime / Training Time (15 minutes)

➢ Potty

➢ Nap (crate / ex-pen time nearby)

➢ 5-6:00pm – 3rd meal in crate

➢ Walk

➢ Play in kitchen while I prepped dinner (kitchen was gated off from rest of house)

➢ 7:00pm - After dinner walk & potty

➢ Playtime (15 minutes or so)

➢ Ex-pen while family watched TV

➢ 10pm - Before bed walk 

➢ Off to bed (Jaco’s crate was moved into my bedroom.  He slept in crate).

3. If using an exercise pen (ex-pen): - HIGHLY RECOMMEND

o DO…train your puppy to be comfortable in it like you would with crate training.

 

o DO…associate being in the crate and / or ex-pen with good & happy things.  Make it a positive experience.  I put a bed, toys and water in the ex-pen (see photo at bottom).  When training my puppy to get used to it, I would give him a special treat reserved only for the ex-pen and no other time.  It could be a bully stick, elk antler or a peanut butter filled bone from the freezer.  (Usually an elk antler.  He loves them).

 

o DO…use a phrase or command to signal your puppy to go into the ex-pen.  I would show Jaco the special treat and say, “in your pen.”  At first, you will have to lead them into the pen with the lure of the treat.  They’ll eventually figure it out.  They’re smart.  Real smart.  It won’t take long.  Close the gate behind you.  Leave them in there to chew; but supervise them. (They’re young and like young human children they do stupid things.  Like a circus, sword swallower Jaco swallowed a 4” long piece of bully stick.  It came back up later that night but I was amazed he managed it.  I didn’t think he would do such a thing but he did).  KEEP WATCH.

 

o DO…start slow. After your pup is comfortable in the crate, it is time to build up their separation tolerance. Only a few minutes, like five (literally), at a time to start and gradually build up the time your puppy is left alone in the crate / ex-pen.  They will whine and cry at first; especially if they finish their treat before time is up.  When they do, say in a firm but even voice…”Quiet.”  No emotion.  It may be challenging.  Especially if they’ve been whining for 4 minutes and 58 seconds.  But, no emotion.  Just say, “Quiet.”  When your puppy gets quiet…reward heavily with high value treat.

​

​Over several weeks, every single day have your puppy stay in the crate / ex-pen ​ ​ while you are present and can be seen.  Having pup be comfortable and quiet and accepting of their ex-pen to the point of being able to leave them alone for long periods of time doesn’t happen overnight.  Most likely, it will take a couple months and then continuous training / exposure all their life.

 

PRO TIP:   If during ex-pen time, and after finishing their special treat, they whine to get out or jump against the pen AND “quiet” doesn’t affect a behavior change you can try a spritz of water from a water bottle.  Say, “No” and give a spritz. If your water dog regards this as fun and games rather than discouragement- add 1-2 drops of vinegar. Reward with treats and positive words when she complies.

 

TIP FOR SUCCESS:  If your puppy is food motivated, this can make things easier.  For the next nine months; consider yourself a human PEZ dispenser of dog treats.  Can be a tough idea to swallow, I know.  It was for me.  

 

DO…be consistent.  Be compassionate.  Stick to a workable routine.  Reinforce with positive emotions.  Restrain the negatives.  

For me, after Jaco was 6 months and had all shots, I introduced him to a local kennel that had doggy day care with play time.  Once a week I would drop him off for one hour of playtime / kennel time.  It helped him with socialization and getting accustomed to being away from me.  Again, I built up over time.  A month or so at an hour at a time then two, three up to four.  

 

To date, though, Jaco has never been on an overnight at a kennel.  We’re working up to that.

 

Lastly, remember your puppy is learning A LOT right now: house training, socialization with family and the outside world, her surroundings, etc.  Patience is key.  

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Ex-pen nearby.  Couch is out of view to left but when watching TV, Jaco would be put into ex-pen with special treat.

After pup is accustomed to ex-pen when you are present, THEN you can move onto incrementally leaving them alone in the pen.  I would give Jaco his treat and put him in ex-pen while I went to my office in other part of house.  Started out with ten minutes at a time. Then built up.  (Prior to this I set up my work computer on a TV table in family room in front of couch.  Worked like this until he was comfortable with ex-pen).