I take my now 9 week old puppy to work with me every day. I've had him since he was 5 weeks old so he is somewhat house trained already, and my office building is actually a house so there is a yard. My puppy will go to the door and whine when he wants to go out, which I know should be good. BUT, he will go out and run around for sometimes only two or three minutes then scratch and cry to come back in. Then 5 minutes later he is back at the door. I can't get anything done while this is going on! I try to watch him each time to see if the goes potty but after a couple minutes have to give up and go back to my desk. Sometimes he does go right out and potty but sometimes he just goes and finds a stick to start playing with. Is it OK to tell him no when he was just outside 5 minutes earlier or do I have to spend my day letting him in and out, in and out, in and out? And when will this stop! He doesn't do this at home, I have to keep asking him if he needs to go out there.

I also take my dog to work with me at times. I work in a building that has a small yard, but not in an area where I can leave her out without me with her. She spends most of her time in the office, I do have toys and bones here for her to keep her occupied while I'm busy. She even has her own bed here, right next to a heater where she loves to curl up and take naps.

Hi,
Nine weeks old is a wonderful age; full of energy and raring to go. I am not a Vet; just a dog lover for over 50 yrs, and a dog owner.
The puppy is so full of energy, and being in a different place, wants to explore all he can, and may not feel that comfortable with being inside there.
Your other answer about having some toys to play with is good.
Here are two links which might help some with this. Have you considered a Crate (or small cage) to use at work? You are absolutely right about not being able to get any work done!

http://www.leerburg.com/housebrk.htm
Very good information, with info on crate use

http://www.canismajor.com/dog/crate2.html
Tips on Crate Training.

Sometimes, feelings are, "I don't want to put my puppy in a cage", but crates are for that. It might work for him. I do wish you and him the very best, and have a good time with him.

I have toys for him to play with and I do bring him in a carrier every day which doubles as his crate, he sleeps in it at night. But if I try to keep him in there when he wants to be running around he cries. I guess I'll just have to deal with it until he stops doing it. Thanks to everyone.

I don't see this as a housebreaking problem, but a matter of occupying the puppy when it is awake. Few puppies can resist a Kong with a little peanut butter in it. He will be too busy licking at it to want to go out. Show a little care on how much. Peanut butter is fairly nutritious, but not the complete and balanced diet most chows provide. This is more of a factor for a small dog that doesn't eat that much. Freezing it makes a little go further. Some dogs can be kept busy with a kibble ball. It has small holes and the kibble falls out as the dog rolls it around.

You are fortunate to be able to take your puppy to work. I want to try to help you stay on task so you can continue. My daughter is turning the Shepherd in Saturday she raised for a dog guide school. Some of the people in her office