Hi Annie.
Yes, I managed to put up a photo. If you click on the link, I think the photo gets enlarged and you can see both of my dogs (Holly on the chair behind my grandson, and Noah on the floor).
Regarding Joey's behavior, I really think she is under challenged and under exercised now that your husband is not around. I understand your housing situation, it is hard to give Joey a separate and secure place of her own.
OK, my suggestions - I assume your baby take a nap for one hour or two, right? During that time, I know you have other chores you need to do, but lets think about things you can do to burn Joey's mental and physical energies out.
If the weather allows (I don't know how it is in Germany but here in Oregon it rains every single day
) play fetch in your back yard for good 30 mins. If the weather is no good, it will be a challenge cause you said you only have on open space and that means the baby sleeps in the same space so you can't make much noise. But still we can do some play with Joey.
The game I do with Holly and Noah inside the house is quite a fun for both me and the doggies: I have my dogs wait in the living room. I have a bunch of stuffed toys and I take a basket full of toys to another room and scatter them all over. I come back to the doggies and say "Go get your toys". They bring a toy back to me and I give them a treat. We repeat this until all the toys are back in the basket. Dogs get some exercise by going back and forth the two rooms (and I usually put a big box on the hallway so that they have to jump it over each way) and they are happy and eager to play this game because I give them a tiny bit of treat every time they bring a toy to me.
I like reward based training because it is fun and motivating. It will take a little time for Joey to learn this game but "practice makes perfect". Work on it a little by little. Because a simple game like this consists of quite a few behaviors: First, Wait - then Go Look for a toy Jump the obstacle - Pick it up in her mouth - Come back to me with the toy - Jump the box again - Hand me the toy or Put it in a basket. They need to learn the sequence of those actions. They learned it for fun and a bit of treat!!
Start with "pick up the toy" with Joey. Have her sit in front of you, lay a toy in front of her. Say "Leave it". Give her a treat if she leaves it. Then tell her to "Pick up" (or OK) and give her a treat if she picks it up. You can also practice "Take it" and "Drop it" alternately. This kind of training (I think it's more like a game) doesn't need much space and not make much noise so it won't disturb your baby's nap but it does exercise Joey's brain and body.
As for you lie on the floor or let her on the bed, it is totally up to you. (Again, I am not a Alpha techniques believer). At least she needs a lot of attention now that your husband is gone.
Good luck and let us know Joey's progress
