Will it always be this hard??

[explorer]

So tonight was my first night back to work since picking Luka up (I'm posting from work right now).

Just before I was leaving it was like he knew I was gonna leave him. I took him out to potty just before leaving and he didn't want to come back in, which has never been a problem yet. :(

So I left a light on by his crate, filled his water bowl w/ ice cubes and left in in his crate along w/ a few toys and a frozen kong stuffed w/ banana, fat free yougurt, a few cherrios and some of his kibble.

He did really reallly well as I was leaving, licking away on his kong but I can just hear him now woooing and crying :(. I'm going home at lunch to let him out and give him some time to be free (which I'll be doing for the first few weeks, but then after that I won't be able to get the time off). He has done remarkably well being in his crate and holding himself (the first night he was in from 11 pm till 7 am w/o any accidents at all). And has never soiled in his crate yet.

Ugh, I just wish lunch would hurry up and get here.......but hopefully w/ me NOT being there, he will learn that the crate is where he is going to be and no matter how much woooing and crying he does, no one will come comfort him. We'll see.

Wish me luck guys, I know the first night is the hardest but it does get better.......right?

 

[Indy B's Mom]

Ahhh, I'm sending lots of good luck vibes your way! I had to leave Ty alone one time for 6 hours and I had a pit in my stomach after the 3rd hour. He had never been alone longer than 3 hours and I was worried sick! When I got home, he was fine-didn't act any different than usual. I felt much better then. Good thinking on the kong, etc. Those things entertain them for hours! Please let us know how it all goes, though I'm sure your baby will be fine!

 

[amomof2]

I never had the luxury of being able to stay home with my puppies or leave work at any time to attend to them--so I know exactly how hard it is. He will get used to his crate and will be soooooo excited to see you when you get home though

 

[WV*Boxer]

I never had the luxury of getting to stay home with Tess, or being able to let her out during my lunch break. (I work too far away to run home). So, yes, they do get used to it. It kind of becomes their "safe haven" in a way. It may take a few days, but give it time and it won't be a problem. Even after months of this, you will still worry about them and think of them, but he truely will be fine. Hope your mind eases soon....get ready for lots of wiggles and slobbers when you get home!

 

[explorer]

Yeah, the running home at lunch is only going to be a luxuary for two weeks, but I have a schedule where I am off quite a bit (2 on/off sorta deal) so it wont be an every night thing. So *hopefully* after the two weeks he will somewhat be used to being in there. I laid down for a nap today (from 9am-noon) and he did great, especially since he had just got out at 7am.

Only an hour and a half left before I run home for lunch!! Thanks for the good vibes guys, its definatly needed. I'll keep you updated!

 

[explorer]

*update*

Well, I just got back. He did wonderful (as far as I could tell). He was in his crate from about 6:20 until about 12:15 and not one accident, but boy did he have to go when he got out. He even nudged his bells and sat down real quick to let me put his leash on before going out (remember, I just brought him home Monday night). At first he just peed so we went back in, but he started sniffing around after a lil while back in so back out again we went (again, once I said "no" w/ him sniffing around he went over and nudged the bell ).

He was all quiet and asleep when I walked in but boy was he crying when I left again :(. 1/2 the Kong ate (I don't think he could/can reach past that part even though its a regular medium sized kong). But went right back in his crate w/ a treat w/o too much hassle!

It was a HUGE relief walking into a quite house w/ no mess. Through out the two weeks I'm gonna make each trip home at lunch a little later, so we'll se how it goes. Just thought I'd give an update. Thanks again for the good vibes, they seem to be working!!

 

[cajunboxer]

Spencer cries when i put him in his crate but he is fine when i get back and he is just glad he gets to get out and play again.

 

[boxerchick12]

Good Boy, Luka! appicon I'm glad you came home to a "clean" house. I know most of the accidents are somewhat our faults for not letting them out on time, but it just makes it so nice to come home to a sweet, wiggling boxers and NO PEE-PEE!!! What a good pup you have!

 

[sherri0121]

Towards the end of January I start dreading the 80 hour work weeks during tax season. The first year I would come home about lunch time, but this past year I did not. The rest of the year the babies are free to roam (except when I run errands.) I too use the treats to bribe them into the crates (they mope in when I don't.) But actually they do very well being crated and they are very excited to see dh and I when we get home.

 

[harlie'smom]

I Just started working 3 weeks ago and it was just the hardest thing to leave my little girl. Its hard everyday as she sits there and watches me get ready and lets out a huge sigh. I wish i had the luxery of staying home with her everyday.