Hi,

I need some help!

My husband and I are finally in a position where we can look after a puppy, and so have decided to start our search for the right companion.

There is just one thing we need some advice on though....

My husband owns his business and will be taking the dog to work from being a puppy (after innoculations, etc). This is great as the dog will never be alone (I am a teacher, so obviously get good holidays too!). The only thing is that my hubbys work is in an office suite which is located on the first floor of a building, and so we are unsure as to how easy it will be to train him. As I said, he will be with him from a very young age to get him used to the idea, but we are worried that the pup may be confused by the regular changes in surroundings from home to office.

My question is how much do you think this will affect the puppy when it comes to house training, and also, what would be the best method to train the pup at work.

Thank you for your help.

Toilet training should happen in just the same way, whatever the circumstances ;)  Take the puppy out regularly - after eating, after sleeping, after playing and whenever anything exciting happens!  Praise and reward the performance (it's useful to introduce a command word too - for future use ;)  Make sure you stay with the puppy, so you can be instantaneous with the praise, so there's no mistake what the puppy is being rewarded for.

However, one thing does bother me...........  Whilst it's lovely for the dog that it will have so much human companionship, don't forget that it will have to be alone at some point in its life, and if this lesson is learnt early, it will prevent problems in future if your circumstances change.

One possible problem, can your husband take the puppy outside to do it's business several times a day, possible with almost no prior notice? House training can go on for up to six months or more. Also clearing up "Mistakes" on the office carpet can put a strain on dog ownership. Particulaly if your husband is holding a meeting in the office at the time. Sorry to be a wet blanket but this is one thing you need to be aware of and plan for otherwise the puppy could end up another statistic at the rescue society in short order.

Regards, John

Crate training maybe useful here aswell, as if your husband has to go out of the office for a minute or two for a pee break himself or whatever, then the pup can be put in this with the door shut for safety. Also for when it starts teething and chewing wires etc.:)