Minniesmom15
Forums Regular
Hi guys. I will try to make this as short as possible. It's been an extremely tiring week and I can barely keep my eyes open, so I apologize if this is poorly written or not explanatory enough.
My puppy is now four months and three weeks old. He has been SO great. Well socialized, perfect in new situations, calm, quick learner, just graduated puppy class with flying colors, loves other dogs, etc etc etc. Well, I just started a new job at a horse training facility three weeks ago. It's full time, and my pup comes with me. It's kind of a sucky situation because I don't have much time to exercise him before work or during the day (hours are 7am-6or7pm, plus an hour commute each way) but I've invested in many kongs and other toys that are mentally stimulating, as well as treat balls and puzzles, etc. It's not ideal for a young puppy, but I don't want to put him in daycare, as I feel it's better for him to just get used to it now.. I intend for this to be a career, and he will be coming to work with me every day for as long as I'm there, as well as traveling to shows.
ANYWAY. The first few days went great, I tried keeping him in his expen in the barn aisle, tack room, and outside (in the shade) he was very quiet, except when the barn dogs would antagonize him, so I ended up moving his expen into the grain room, where the dogs rarely go. He was good in there except when we were preparing grain for the horses-he'd bark uncontrollably the entire (a solid 15-20 minutes!) time we moved/dumped grain bags, scooped feed into buckets, did supplements, moved the feed tubs, etc. I tried ignoring him, but it's been two weeks of this now, and it's only gotten worse. He now barks whenever I leave him in the expen (morning, after potty breaks, etc) whenever anyone is in the grain room, when anyone moves a wheelbarrow or broom past the grain room doors, basically anything and everything. He will be quiet if I give him cheese whiz or cream cheese, (or at least much quieter) until it's gone. I don't want to continue this because I feel it's a bandaid and also can't be healthy.
He has also (unsure if it's related) begun barking and lunging at the crate door when I put him in his crate in my bedroom. This is driving me nuts because he hasn't so much as whined in his crate since the first week we had him home at 8 weeks! He has always been a perfect angel in his crate in the car, other people's homes, bedroom, etc. so it's frustrating to say the least. I completely ignore him when he does this but
It's so stressful trying to adjust to this new job and handle all these new behaviors that he's had recently, and I really can't do much training at all while I'm working because it's a very busy job. Also because I'm so new, I don't want to cause my boss to tell me not to bring my dog to the barn because he is interfering with my work.
I so appreciate any and all suggestions.
My puppy is now four months and three weeks old. He has been SO great. Well socialized, perfect in new situations, calm, quick learner, just graduated puppy class with flying colors, loves other dogs, etc etc etc. Well, I just started a new job at a horse training facility three weeks ago. It's full time, and my pup comes with me. It's kind of a sucky situation because I don't have much time to exercise him before work or during the day (hours are 7am-6or7pm, plus an hour commute each way) but I've invested in many kongs and other toys that are mentally stimulating, as well as treat balls and puzzles, etc. It's not ideal for a young puppy, but I don't want to put him in daycare, as I feel it's better for him to just get used to it now.. I intend for this to be a career, and he will be coming to work with me every day for as long as I'm there, as well as traveling to shows.
ANYWAY. The first few days went great, I tried keeping him in his expen in the barn aisle, tack room, and outside (in the shade) he was very quiet, except when the barn dogs would antagonize him, so I ended up moving his expen into the grain room, where the dogs rarely go. He was good in there except when we were preparing grain for the horses-he'd bark uncontrollably the entire (a solid 15-20 minutes!) time we moved/dumped grain bags, scooped feed into buckets, did supplements, moved the feed tubs, etc. I tried ignoring him, but it's been two weeks of this now, and it's only gotten worse. He now barks whenever I leave him in the expen (morning, after potty breaks, etc) whenever anyone is in the grain room, when anyone moves a wheelbarrow or broom past the grain room doors, basically anything and everything. He will be quiet if I give him cheese whiz or cream cheese, (or at least much quieter) until it's gone. I don't want to continue this because I feel it's a bandaid and also can't be healthy.
He has also (unsure if it's related) begun barking and lunging at the crate door when I put him in his crate in my bedroom. This is driving me nuts because he hasn't so much as whined in his crate since the first week we had him home at 8 weeks! He has always been a perfect angel in his crate in the car, other people's homes, bedroom, etc. so it's frustrating to say the least. I completely ignore him when he does this but
It's so stressful trying to adjust to this new job and handle all these new behaviors that he's had recently, and I really can't do much training at all while I'm working because it's a very busy job. Also because I'm so new, I don't want to cause my boss to tell me not to bring my dog to the barn because he is interfering with my work.
I so appreciate any and all suggestions.
It is so stressful. I almost have begun considering leaving this job, but it's such an amazing opportunity, and once he's adjusted everything will be fine.. just so overwhelming trying to figure out how to GET him adjusted! 
