Going back to work

[Jeni D]

Well, it's that time of year again, the time I've been dreading all summer--returning to work after summer vacation! I'm a little worried how Dudley is going to handle it since he has gotten used to me being home with him everyday. I left him for 4 hours today to go help a friend, and when I came home, he was just fine (He has grown out of having the accidents in his crate that I had such a problem with earlier...at least I think he has.).
My question is, what do you think is the best way to get him used to being alone. Also, I am not always going to be able to come home during the day to let him out because I frequently have meetings on my lunch break. Any suggestions about this problem?

Thanks for all your advice and for keeping me busy this summer checking out the GoCorgi website

Jeni

[Michael Romanos]

I have said it on several threads at least - the best you can do in the circumstances is to either employ someone or ask a neighbour/friend to take Dudley out for a walk or two and give him a biscuit or two or his lunch-time meal and maybe entertain him with a short play, in your absence. The next best is to use a good, recommended daycare centre.

[CorgiMum]

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[corgimom]

Jeni,

If you could find someone, even a stay at home mom who loves dogs and was willing to come during the lunch hour that would be great - obviously, kids will be in school, so they are really not an option. Too bad I am not there because Cody could come and play with Dudley during the lunch hour!!

Daycare, while a possibility can be quite expensive, but that is something you would have to decide on. Honestly, the few times I had Cody in Doggy day care, he had a blast and he enjoyed the company of other dogs. Maybe you could do this even 1 or 2 days a week for Dudley just to make life a bit more interesting for him and would continue to keep him socialized with other dogs

They have different types of treat balls, and this contraption that I saw that dispenses kongs set to a timer; but it sounds like Dudley will be in his crate all day. Would he be okay to maybe be left in a bathroom or laundry room with a baby gate at the door ?- that way, he could have more toys and more room to stretch his legs

I have seen treat dispensing balls at PetsMart where you can record your own
voice on it, but maybe that might upset him - also, if I were you, I would leave the radio on with some calming music on.

I can't believe school is starting so early for you already!

Linda

[Michael Romanos]

Linda - calming music to keep a Corgi company. Great. How about Donny Osmond. My wife went to see his live show a few days ago in Wellington and loved the show, loved Donny. Help. When she came home she kept me awake half the night playing and singing Donny's songs. Pretend I'm Donny, I said. But it didn't work. Anyway, at the top of the list of songs is 'Puppy Love.' " I cry each night, my tears for you. My tears are all in vain." Forget it. Dudley won't be calmed by those lyrics.

[corgimom]

Maybe Barry Manilow music would be better?? or Phil Collins? An Easy Listening music station. No, I think Dudley would be crying himself from all those Donny Osmond love songs.

Now Michael, you will have to get your wife a Donny Osmond CD

linda

[Michael Romanos]

Linda - I think she's getting all his songs through the internet.

What I would like to see happen is a Go Corgi member purchase one of those CD's for dogs ( the ones with songs about love and food) and tell us how good the CD is and how much their Corgi appreciated it or otherwise.

[Fluffypants]

Hi Jeni. In the days/weeks before school starts, I would comtinue leaving him alone for varying periods of time, just so he gets used to you coming and going (which will make it an unremarkable event in the world of Dudley). And if you can get a walker, or a friend to stop in and walk/play with him around midday, that is definitely the way to go.

I also like/agree with Linda's suggestion of gating him into a laundry room or kitchen and giving him some treat-dispensing toys.

I employ all of these strategies with Jackie and (as I think I mentioned on another thread somewhere in the annals of gocorgi history ) it doesn't bother her in the least when we go to work. She knows we are coming back sometime, and has plenty of stuff to keep her busy until then, so she doesn't sweat it. Not good for the ego (my dog doesn't love me! WAAAAH! ), but good for the dog.

[minnesotaCorgi]

You mentioned that you left Dudley alone for 4 hours once and he was fine. To me that is a very positive sign that he will continue to handle being alone well when you return to work.

I walk Penny for 20 minutes every morning. After the walk I feed her and have a little playtime. When I put her in her crate before leaving for work, I put one or two things for her to chew on in her crate, turn on National Public Radio and don’t say anything to her as I walk out the door—I just leave like it’s a total non-event. When I come home, she’s as cool as a cucumber, waiting quietly for me to let her out. Leaving without saying “bye� to a human would be rude, but to a dog, I think it’s just remaining calm. My theory is that if I make an honest effort to make leaving as non-excitable as possible, Penny will see it as a non-excitable event too.

As far as whether or not to schedule someone to come by for midday potty breaks, I regret that I don’t have any experience to speak from. Because Penny is still pretty young and I’m lucky enough to have family nearby with flexible work schedules, I don’t have plans on releasing my family from their midmorning puppy duties for a while yet. Might any of the people you work with know anyone that could stop by and see Dudley, if that's what you decide to do?

Good Luck!

[corgimom]

Jeni,

I know in our town they have people you can hire to come in and feed and walk your dog. Maybe some of the people at your vets office can make a suggestion to you or even Dudleys last puppy trainer can recommend a good reliable, trustworthy person that can come into your home midday for 1/2 hour and give him some time. Those are the people I would start with for references.

Linda

[Jeni D]

Well, after some searching, I have found that there is NO ONE in this town who can help me out. Today I did leave him for 5 hours in a gated area and he was just fine; however, the day before I had left him for the same amount of time and he managed to poo in his crate and throw it all over the floor outside the crate. I can't figure it out. So, aside from getting a Barry Manilow CD, I am just going to try gating him for a while and try and come home on my lunch as much as possible...the only problem is that working with kids with emotional/behavioral disorders means I have to frequently give up lunches. Hopefully I won't have too many problems and all will work out. If not, Dudley will be getting lots of baths and my laundry room will be sparkling clean from the daily cleaning

[Michael Romanos]

Jeni - there are people willing and able. Have you tried door knocking around the neighbourhood. Have you placed a notice at local pet shops, community facilities etc. Have you rang the local radio stations to either talk directly with a radio host live on radio or get the radio station to ask if anyone may be willing to assist. Some confidentiality can still be maintained until you have vetted any people who respond. What you want is a regular short duration (voluntary or otherwise) caregiver for a Corgi dog.

[corgimom]

Jeni,

Did you talk with your vet or Dudleys previous trainer for any recommendations. We have quite a few in home dog services that are offered, but one has to feel comfortable allowing total strangers to enter your home.

If you could get a referral from someone you know, that would be great and maybe they would only be needed occasionally when you have lunch meetings.

Linda

[Jeni D]

I have spoke with all of my neighbors on the street and am not comfortable having a complete stranger come into my house to let my dog out. I spoke with my trainer, and unfortunately, she knew of no one. This neighborhood is primarily 20-30 somethings, all of which work for a living. Local petshops? What local petshops? And I am not willing to take the time to screen every yay-who who would call if I placed a radio ad--I will simply have to make it home on my lunch break.
The only other potential option is an elderly woman who should be moving in sometime early September. I have met her previously and she seemed very nice and friendly. She mentioned she was living alone and was retired--so, if I get to know her very well, perhaps she wouldn't mind coming to let Dudley out; she was very fond of him.
Thank you all for all of your suggestions. I know I am not the only person in the world who works and has a dog

[Michael Romanos]

You can set the time to contact you in regards to any advertising including notices and radio. And then you set the time and the day/night for screening potential caregivers. Is your laundary a separate lock-up room from the rest of the house. If any doors leading to the rest of the house can be security locked, then the potential for any problems will be lessened.