People who work from home - how do you cope? I've had Edie for six weeks now, and my productivity has crashed completely. Obviously I expected it to for the first month or so, but now it's getting to be a problem.

The main issue is, she won't play by herself, so if I'm busy she either sits and looks at me like I've just taken away her favourite toy, or paces the room looking for something to do. She's not even interested in stuffed Kong toys unless I'm watching her. I've moved her bed to near my desk, but she seems to find it hard to nap unless she thinks I'm paying her attention. We play a lot - at least three hours a day, do obedience training, run in the backyard, all that stuff, but nothing seems to be enough for her.

Can anyone share tips on how to balance work and puppy time?

When I was working at home, Midgie would want to be on my lap while at the computer. It was too hard for me to type & do what I needed to do, so I'd tell her to go lay down & repeat if she kept up. She's not a puppy tho. You'll just have to be firm & give her things to keep her occupied. Maybe get a playpen for her & put it where she can see you. When you take a break from your work, make sure to give her some love/play time.

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I don't work from home,but havin another pup around sure makes life easier on keepin Dex busy while I do my sewing for my side business at home. Before KC,dex would always be starin at me...on my lap...whinin...scratchin...barkin wantin to play but now he's tired from playin with KC all the time lol

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I would just tire her right out before you start your work day. A walk would probably be best if she's vaccinated and can go outside. I work from home part-time and now that Odie is older, she sticks pretty closely to her routine that she has when no one is home, which is mainly sleeping!

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Yup that is our trick too!
We get up at 4am every morning, so the pups could get their 1-2 hour walk,
then once they come home they play for a bit and then sleep. Then at 10am
I take them out again, then at 4pm, then at 9pm. Every walk at least one hour.
Then everyone is happy and calm at home. I work mostly mornings, and I try to
take mini breaks to play a little tug and fetch.

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My hubby works from home and had this same issue when we first got Max. He was nearly a year old when we got him but he would follow us round and want to be on our knee the whole time. We started following the NILIF guidelines and saw a big improvement. Now he will keep himself occupied more often and will go to his bed if gets bored, my hubby gets more work done now - or so he tells me!

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I tire Jaxx out before I start school work with a long walk.

I have a few tricks if he is still hyper even after a long walk though.

If I have a timed test and I know I can't be distracted I have a ball by JW Toys called the (Link Included) that I take and put a piece of beef liver inside of the ball. It is very flexible so it is easy to get a small piece inside but hard to get out. When I first started it took Jaxx about 45 minutes to get the beef liver out and now probably about 10 to 15 minutes but it seems he always goes and takes a nap afterward. I have the smallest one, I think it is 3.5 inches. We have a couple of them and one shaped like a football but for some reason he gives up after a few minutes on the one shaped like a football.

If he is very clingy and wanting to sit on my lap and I am trying to work on school work I will sometimes get a blanket out of the closet and put it on the couch or one of the chairs. If Jaxx sees a blanket he thinks he has to be under it and usually goes to sleep.

Then there are times when it is just time for a break and a round of fetch. I have found a round of fetch usually lasts 5 to 10 minutes with Jaxx after a walk and it almost always ends with him either taking a nap or playing by himself with his toys.

I have been on the hunt for puzzle toys for Jaxx but all of them seem so big that I am afraid he wouldn't be able to do them. I think someday though I am just going to give in and try one.

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I'd love to work from home! I've found raw hide chews keep Romeo happy for a couple days! haha x

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