How can I get my puppy to to go to the kitchen when I have to leave for work?

Question

My puppy knows when it's a work day. As I am getting ready for work he is playful and listens. As soon as he sees me put on my suit he runs and hides under the couch or under the bed or wherever he can. It's only when I get ready for work though. If it's the weekend and I'm going out and put on a pair or jeans he doesn't run or hide. It doesn't matter which suit I put on either it's the same thing. So I spend time chasing him around the house to try and catch him. moving furniture sometimes.... just so I can put him in the kitchen 4 when I go 2 work as he is not potty trained yet. I even come home to check on him during breaks. So why is my dog doing this? How can I get him to go to the kitchen when it's time 4 me to go 2 wk? I have tired treats and toys non of which worked. Any ideas? It's driving me crazy!

Answer 1

That's actually quite normal. Your new puppy is very playful and loves human interaction - he's lonely! As a new puppy, he is very much like a little child and even though you have to work, he is constantly getting into trouble and wants someone there to teach him what to do right. Perhaps you could start to wean him off your attention, less dependant on you.

I would start with training. Consider professional assistance, or try attempting it on your own. Using a treat, coax him out of his hiding spots to the kitchen during the day - then pat him affectionately showing him what a good boy he was. Continue this routine repeatedly so he knows to come when you call him and he'll get a treat =)

I hope you find a solution.

Answer 2

Place him in the kitchen before you put on your suit. Also put him in the kitchen at other times when you are home. Be unpredictable so that he can not discern a pattern. You can also leave a light line (thin leash or even a piece of rope tied to his collar) on him in the morning so that you can get ahold of him more easily.

Once he is in the kitchen, give him something wonderful - a Kong toy stuffed with treats is adored by most dogs, but it could be a chew toy, a big rawhide bone, etc. Put the toy away when you get home. He should only have this toy when he is confined. Being in the kitchen suddenly won't be such a bad thing.

Answer 3

Try putting your puppy in the kitchen at random times while you're at home... and tell him... "kitchen" and point, everytime. Dogs use sight before hearing... the motion with the command will help him obey. You need to be calm and assertive at all times with your puppy. He may be picking up vibes from you if your hectic while getting ready for work. Try putting him in the kitchen before you start getting ready.

A great book I started reading is, 'Caesar's Way' by Caesar Millan the guy on TV. It's really good, and VERY helpful!

Answer 4

I would "practice" putting him in the kitchen for few minutes and gradually working up to longer periods of time when you are home or running short errands.

To keep him busy in the kitchen while you are gone, consider a treat/toy that is special only to that time. For example, stuff peanut butter inside a sterilized bone or put treats inside a kong. This way, your dog has to work for the good stuff and it keeps them busy for hours!

Answer 5

try to get him in the kichten like in the before you get your suit on like just maybe when you get out of bed or before you get dressed and put a gate up in your kichten door way like my parnets do with their puppy the other thing you might want to do is when you go to work put a tape recorder on the counter or what ever because he might be hiding because he is depressed my older dog is and she barks and barks and barks intill we get home and then she jumps all over us for about a half an hour so i think i might of helped out in some way i hope.

Answer 6

Perhaps you could vary your routine, such as, getting dressed and then going in to eat breakfast..instead of leaving right away..

Answer 7

umm...he gets fed in the kitchen just before you leave