@boomerang,
boomerang wrote:
He has free access to the backyard so I know going out isn't it.
ya know what the dog whisperer says - the backyard isn't 'out'. it doesn't count as an activity in Diamond's doggie psychology.
Diamond probably understands the energy at the table and computer as do not disturb energy - he wants some of that other energy for him.
Is there some project you could connect to the end of your break time? you could teach him that if he leaves you alone in a relaxing mode, he'll be rewarded at the end of that relaxation with some wonderful job to do. If he doesn't leave you alone, he doesn't get to do the job.
Something like - time your break to just before picking up Mo time. If Diamond leaves you alone, he gets to come along (wearing his knapsack of course) to pick up Mo. If he bugs you during your break, he doesn't get to come along. You'd probably have to start it in tiny time segments, but I bet he could learn that.
Or treadmill time could follow your break ...