office companion training troubles

[remuspups]

Hello,

Our 9 mo. old puppy, Remus, is very energetic. He has all the hallmarks of a Frenchie, a goofball and always wanting to be by our side. He is crate trained for when we leave the house and at night and he is really good about that. Right now my spouse works from home and I work full time, but would love to come home and work in my studio a bit. However, Remus is not well-suited to being an office companion... yet.

If we aren't playing with him or next to him if he's tired, he becomes pretty destructive and we cannot concentrate on work. We have been playing training games to try to get him accustomed to a dog bed as a positive place to hang out. He seems disinterested in chew toys unfortunately for our furniture... He loves stuffed toys but only when we are playing with him. He really loves cardboard and paper which I am trying really hard to train him out of. We take Remus for 2 good-sized walks a day, unless the weather is bad, and sometimes go to the dog park.

All and all he is a really good dog with quite a bit of puppy still in him, but we would be very grateful for any advice to help him hang out without commandeering all of our attention and sacrificing work we need to do. We know it may take a bit of time and perseverance and we still want to give him all the attention he needs. Right now I try to spend some time each day bringing him to my studio so I can get little increments of work done and try to help him get used to me sitting at a desk rather than on the couch or constantly playing, it is slow going...

Thank you in advance for any advice or tips!

 

[Alice Kable]

I'd get Remus a playmate. If that isn't available to you, take him to a doggie day care a couple of days a week. He needs to discover that it is so much more fun to play with another dog than play with an adult human (a kid may be an exception). The walks are good. As he matures he will hopefully require less attention from you!

 

[remuspups]

Hi Alice,

Thank you for responding. We have taken him to daycare but he has received two injuries there, one that was bleeding quite badly but was overlooked by staff, we are currently looking for a different daycare in our area. Unfortunately, a playmate isn't possible at the moment. This is our first dog (other than dogs we grew up with). We have a cat and they do play, but I think my cat may never forgive me if I got a second dog, or maybe he'll thank me who knows. I would have ALL the dogs if I could, but right now I am not sure we can handle it. Definitely worth thinking more about.

 

[2bullymama]

Yep... true Frenchie through and through. I have the option to work a day or two a week at home, but can't, Cheli MUST be on my lap or wants my attention when I am at home. My other half can work form home without issue, Cheli does not in anyway try to get on his lap doesn't even care if he is there, both boys go nap when daddy is home, but when Mommy is home.... I have two shadows. No matter where I go in the house, office, bathroom, kitchen, basement... they are right behind me.

When Cheli was about your boy's age, he was the same way... nothing interested him unless he had a playmate (us or other dog).. we have always had two dogs so they can have a playmate.

 

[2bullymama]

Hi Alice,

Thank you for responding. We have taken him to daycare but he has received two injuries there, one that was bleeding quite badly but was overlooked by staff, we are currently looking for a different daycare in our area. Unfortunately, a playmate isn't possible at the moment. This is our first dog (other than dogs we grew up with). We have a cat and they do play, but I think my cat may never forgive me if I got a second dog, or maybe he'll thank me who knows. I would have ALL the dogs if I could, but right now I am not sure we can handle it. Definitely worth thinking more about.

Where in Philly are you located?

 

[remuspups]

Hi [MENTION=2]2bullymama[/MENTION],

We live in Mt. Airy. It is really nice to be so close to the Wissahickon Creek Park. Do you come to the area often? I have never been to Gilbertsville, but see it isn't too far away.

 

[remuspups]

I am trying to wrap my head around a playmate for Remus because it was never our intention to get a second dog, at least not right away. We do try to socialize him as much as we can. I do understand it could ultimately be less work to have 2 dogs. Has everyone here experienced that result (if the dogs get along)? If we do get a playmate for Remus it probably will not be another Frenchie. I have hoped for some time to rescue a dog. Does anyone have success stories of having a Frenchie for at least couple years without canine playmate? Thank you again for your advice!

 

[2bullymama]

Hi @2bullymama,

We live in Mt. Airy. It is really nice to be so close to the Wissahickon Creek Park. Do you come to the area often? I have never been to Gilbertsville, but see it isn't too far away.

Haven't been down that way in years.... I'm born and raised in North Philly (near Little Flower High school). Gonna try and find you a good daycare... I'll post when I get some info from a few friends.

 

[Alice Kable]

Ruggles, English Bulldog, was an only dog for about 9 months before we got Buster. He has a wonderful temperament and readily accepted his baby brother and became Mr. Mom. If you get an adult rescue temperament is the most important thing. If the dog is bigger than Remus his first reaction may be agressive; it's that little dog attitude, but when Remus realizes the new dog is no threat he should be okay. Always introduce the dogs in a neutral zone like a park.

 

[Frenchie Grrrl]

Trying to read the posts on my phone, so I may have missed something, but I know chews really will keep Gus busy. He loves the Himilayan Yak Chews and Benebones and will happily chew them for 20 min straight. Maybe if he got special chews mainly during the times you need to get work done, that would help.

Best of luck and welcome.

 

[remuspups]

Haven't been down that way in years.... I'm born and raised in North Philly (near Little Flower High school). Gonna try and find you a good daycare... I'll post when I get some info from a few friends.

Thank you for your help!

 

[remuspups]

Trying to read the posts on my phone, so I may have missed something, but I know chews really will keep Gus busy. He loves the Himilayan Yak Chews and Benebones and will happily chew them for 20 min straight. Maybe if he got special chews mainly during the times you need to get work done, that would help.

Best of luck and welcome.

Thank you! I will look into the Himilayan Yak Chews. I have only ever seen Remus go to town on a beef tendon but I feel they are a little unsafe for him to eat because he seems to try to swallow them whole. The other veggie chews or Nylabons go untouched, or he has gotten board of them.

 

[Frenchie Grrrl]

Thank you! I will look into the Himilayan Yak Chews. I have only ever seen Remus go to town on a beef tendon but I feel they are a little unsafe for him to eat because he seems to try to swallow them whole. The other veggie chews or Nylabons go untouched, or he has gotten board of them.

I get the extra large in this brand. They don't break apart like another brand that I used to get, so I feel like they are much safer. He can only get tiny pieces off after they are soggy and gummy.

I just toss it when it gets too small. I think you can microwave them when they get small and they are kind of like a cheese puff, but I don't feel like he needs to be ingesting that much cheese in one sitting, so I just throw the small piece away.

We didn't have any luck with tendons either, Gus wouldn't use his paw to hold it down and then would gag on them and puke.

 

[Cbrugs]

I have a very energetic bulldog who turned 1 in February. He actually just got suspended from daycare today and he gets one more chance before he gets kicked out all together. My Frenchie Jax just turned 5 so he only plays with Louie when he feels like it.

Louie usually does not nap if someone is home, he will just go and go and go until he passes out. When home alone, both dogs are crated and do just fine.

Can you crate Remus in a different room when you are home working? Also, frozen raw marrow bones are great for chewing and dogs love them.

 

[2bullymama]

Thank you! I will look into the Himilayan Yak Chews. I have only ever seen Remus go to town on a beef tendon but I feel they are a little unsafe for him to eat because he seems to try to swallow them whole. The other veggie chews or Nylabons go untouched, or he has gotten board of them.

Correct -- those things are choking hazards and not to mention what they are :barf:

 

[remuspups]

[MENTION=188]Cbrugs[/MENTION] I am sorry your pup got a strike at daycare!

We try not to crate Remus too much while we are home, but we do when we really need to (I am a complete softy and feel bad, so maybe I need to train myself). I would love if he could feel close to us without needing ALL our attention. He is still a puppy though so maybe things will get a little easier with time (fingers crossed). We aren't ruling out a playmate yet, but it may have to wait another few months.

 

[remuspups]

I get the extra large in this brand. They don't break apart like another brand that I used to get, so I feel like they are much safer. He can only get tiny pieces off after they are soggy and gummy. I just toss it when it gets too small. I think you can microwave them when they get small and they are kind of like a cheese puff, but I don't feel like he needs to be ingesting that much cheese in one sitting, so I just throw the small piece away. We didn't have any luck with tendons either, Gus wouldn't use his paw to hold it down and then would gag on them and puke.

Just bought the Himilayan chews today!

 

[2bullymama]

I have a very energetic bulldog who turned 1 in February. He actually just got suspended from daycare today and he gets one more chance before he gets kicked out all together.

:rofl: :rofl: delinquent!! LOL LOL