Feeling guilty...
 

I think I'm getting a bit stressed out from work and may be taking it out on Harley. I totally love him to death, but it seems like he's really getting on my nerves a lot lately.

It's extremely cold out here lately, so I can't get him out for walks, even with his coat I feel like it's too cold, usually he's good in the house, and we've been going to dog class twice a week instead of only once. I do agility with him in our livingroom for 20-30 min per day. Plus we let him tear around the apartment in the evenings.

So anyways, I have the privilege of getting to work from home, but sometimes Harley just totally wont stop bothering me when I'm on my computer marking papers, that I have to kick him out of the room. I feel bad cause I know he misses me and wants to play, but I can't tolerate him jumping on the keyboard when I'm marking papers that are already stressing me out.

I feel like such a bad mommie for booting him out of the bedroom when I'm working, but if I keep him in there I just get short tempered and growl at him. I know it's likely that he can't help his licking habits (another thread) cause it's likely allergies. I know he pretends to want to cuddle, but I know his temperament if I let him on me he's gonna jump and play, he's not a cuddly doggie. Also the bf tends to leave his crap around the bedroom, like socks and clothes. He does a decent job of cleaning, but Harley really likes to get into laundry, and I've told the bf if he leaves things I'm not picking them up and he's responsible if Harley chews it, but it bugs me to let him chew stuff he shouldn't so I stop working and clean the room :S

Anyways, that's my stressed out rant. I can't wait to get this to-do list done I have WAY too many papers to mark over reading week. I feel like I'm never going to be done.

So sorry you're feeling stressed. Just remember that it will pass.

Harley knows you love him. If you're working on your bed, perhaps you could work at a desk or table. I'm sure if you could have some nice, warm spring weather, it would help both of you. It would help you with your stress and help Harley burn off some of his energy.

Thanks. I was going to take him for a walk today, and it's pouring :( I know half his issues are boredom and the rest are his allergies. We're going to the vet today cause his skin broke out after the licking got bad, maybe she'll give him something or we'll switch foods.

I'm going to clean off the desk and work there, even though it's totally not as comfy. lol. Must just keep telling myself that I'm taking the summer off, and in September out new place will be 100% puppy proof this time.

Some people use a doggy daycare. I know that's not an option for many people. Do you know someone who could dog sit a couple of days a week?

I don't think shutting him out of the room is such a bad thing. If you worked outside of the home you would be gone most of the day.

Sounds like your too stressed to get him a friend to play with. He seems like a high energy dog that needs stuff to keep his mind and body busy. I know everyone recommends small dogs to live in apartments and with people who work but many of them do need an abundance of exercise and activity. He's just a high maintenance kind of guy.

He needs a diversion. Find something that will attract his attention for a while. I work from home as well. Right now Bailey is next to me on a blanket taking his morning nap. But when he wakes, he'll jump on my lap and I'll take a break from work. then I'll show him his antler and he's off to chew land!

You'll find something that he will like and he'll be busy so you can work.

Oh my I have been crazy busy the last three weeks and feel badly too that I have not given Romeo the level of attention he's accustomed to. I KNOW how you are feeling and please don't beat yourself up.

I work from home as well and it can be stressful when I'm on telecons and he insists I play (his whines become barks). What I do is place my phone on mute and let him sit on my lap for a few mins while I scratch his head, chin, ears, chest, belly ... that usually works for about an hour and it starts again. I made a nice cuddly spot on the sofa and tuck him in there (he has full view of me working) and will talk to him off/on so he knows I AM paying attention to him as well.

Yes I'd LOVE to get him a friend he can play with... but I can't afford a second one. I was saving for one until Harley got sick and blew my emergency fund twice over, and realized I really can only swing one for now. When we get a larger place I'm thinking of fostering for the SPCA that way I don't have to pay expenses but he has some friends. I will also have more time then and can work with special needs dogs.

Usually the little guy gets ALOT of exercise, with the Agility training we usually do very interactive walks. Plus I'm a runner, so as soon as it warms up he's gonna be running my warm-up with me when I run in the mornings.

I was thinking, maybe one of the things that may help is if I wake him up earlier. He's a really lazy dog in the mornings cause he prowls all right (he has his own bedroom so he eats whenever he pleases and prefers us to not be around when he eats).

I open his curtains around 8, but he doesn't grace me with his presence until 12. Maybe if I woke him up around 8 he'd tear around and then nap while I'm working in the afternoon... what do you think? Plus I'm switching to raw food in two weeks so he'll not be able to eat late at night anyway.

Im sorry your stressed! He sounds like he could use those runs now. It can wear you down when they have alot of energy and I dont think you should feel guilty for putting him in another room so you can get some things done

Went to the vet (check up) and the store today and now he's zonked, go figure I'm not doing work today... oh if only there were like double the hours in a day... I'd just take him to Bark and Fitz shopping every day.

Gracie is not a morning doggy either.:rolleyes: Getting him up and going in the morning is a great idea if it is more convenient for you. He would probably enjoy the attention at any time. Hopefully he will be ready for a nap by the time you need to do your work.

Awww, sorry you are stressed. Hang in there. And I know that Harley knows that you love him very much.

I think it's a good idea to get him up early.:)

I agree...Harley knows how much you love them! I think these little guys can sense when we are stressed. He knows you'll make time just for him when you can. I hope things get better for you! Hugs going out to ya!

And we are a fan of doggy daycare in our house too. I haven't really felt like KS has gotten on our nerves or anything, but we do take her to daycare at least once a week. She adores it! Not only does she get to play and socialize with other people/dogs, we get a little time to ourselves. The hubby and I always do what we call a 'day date' on those days...just get out and enjoy time together. And we are always so ready to pick up KS after our date! :)

I teach lessons out of my home. Which is great, except that Chewie is excessively social and has to be right.in.the.middle of whatever's happening. When I teach, I put him in his playpen in the same room as me. He's happy, because he's with me, and I'm happy, because he's not getting in the middle of what I'm trying to do. Usually he just lays down and goes to sleep, but he has a few toys and a water dish and a little room to move around. Of course, things always go better when I'm able to walk him every day, but we're dealing with cold weather too.

Maybe you can try putting a playpen/enclosure in the same room where you're working? That way, he's with you, but you're not worrying that he's into everything. Also, maybe you can give him a stuffed kong to keep him occupied for a while.