How to Work From Home With a Dog

Relying on your self control to turn down the pleading puppy eyes of your pooch is not going to get you very far. Anyone with a puppy pal can attest to the very limited ability they have to saying no to their canine companions. Instead, being a productive member of the workforce while working from home requires a little more of a game plan to succeed. The trick is to prevent the puppy dog eyes, to put things in place that are going to keep your fuzzy family member happy and occupied throughout the day so you can get on with the tasks you need to do.  

Consider what life would look like for your pooch if you worked in an office and had to leave home for long hours every day. You can’t take them for long walks and play with them during work hours, and working from home will look very similar. The only difference is that you’re physically there, and your pup will try to get your attention if they get bored. The key to a content canine is routine. Dogs thrive on routine, they like knowing when to expect things. For many parents who come home after a long day of work, their best friend will be waiting by the front door expecting them before they even pull into the drive.  

The create a routine that works for you and your work from home job, you should find something that works and stick to it for your pup learns when they get your attention. Starting the day with a walk is a great way to spend some quality time together before you have to work. Giving them your full attention every morning and getting some energy out at the same time means you’ll have yourself a tired pooch when you get home so they can snooze through your morning meetings and not disturb you.  

Their feeding times are important when it comes to routine as well. Feeding them at the same time every day helps to establish when to expect it and it gives them even more to structure their day around. Once you add in some toilet breaks and some play times, they will still have plenty of interaction with you throughout the day to keep them happy.  

If you were stuck in the house all day with nothing to do, you too would seek out some company and pester someone who is trying to get work done for some attention. Consider giving them some things to do throughout the day to give them a little more structure and keep them occupied. Even when you work from home, you will be tired at the end of the day from mental work rather than physical labour, and you can consider using a similar strategy to keep your furry family members busy. While you work on spreadsheets, give them something to do that will mentally stimulate them. Interactive toys are great for this, puzzle feeders are a great option for giving your pooch a task to concentrate on. 

Enrichment like Kongs are good for encouraging your beloved pet to use their brain and they’re even a great option for pups that aren’t all that toy motivated since the food will be the main motivation. While they work on emptying every last morsel from their activity, you can get on with some work. Lick mats like the Rufus & Rosie Lick Mat & Slow Feeder for Dogs are also a great option, especially if your pup is new to enrichment and needs something easy to work out.  

You can take kongs and lick mats to the next level once they’re an expert by freezing them so they last longer. Interactive feeding toys like the iQuties Interactive Puzzle Toy will also occupy some time and up the difficulty level. The more of a range you have, the more often you can swap what kind of activity they have to keep it interesting. You can even make your own enrichment to give them fun things to do.  

You can also give your pooch a treat to keep them busy but consider something a little longer lasting to extend the time it takes. Natural dog treats are a fantastic option when you want to give them something to do that is also nutritionally beneficial. A chewy Lifestage Chicken Wrapped Carrot Sticks Dog Treat are made with all natural ingredients. If you want something a little tougher for avid chewers, try a Hollings Dried Pigs Ear. When adding food enrichment to your pup’s day, just remember to adjust the calories for their meals! 

One benefit of working from home is that your pooch can have access to you all day. They may not be able to have your attention the whole day but being able to see you and know you’re there can be comforting. If your pooch wants to spend the whole day tucked at your keep while they nap, play or have their chew, you can make your workspace as dog friendly and comfortable for them as possible. Keep cables under the desk nice and tidy, so your cheeky pup doesn’t get to learn that tugging on them gets your attention. By limiting any dangers in your home office, you limit their ability to find ways of distracting you from their work.  

Instead, you should have a nice comfortable bed that they can relax in and tempt them to take a nap. Giving them somewhere comfortable to rest while you’re busy will make it all the more tempting to snooze some of the day away. For those waking hours, having a selection of toys and chews that they can interact with without your input will also keep them from becoming a nuisance while they still get to be around you. The last thing you or your pooch probably want while working from home is the spend the day in the same house but locked away from each other.  

Sometimes while working from home, you might still struggle to meet all of your dog’s needs. If you have a busy breed that is bred to work, being home with you all day still might not be enough. While working from home means you get to keep them company all day, many canine companions need a lot to keep their lives enriched, and even though you’re home, it’s likely you work a full time job doing 40 hours a week. Even though you’re home, it can still be a great idea to get in some external help. You can either look into doggy daycare, where a couple of times a week your beloved pet can go and socialise with their friends all day, or you could consider a dog walker.  

Many dog walkers will come to your house and collect your pooch for a nice stroll, even if you work from home. A midday exercise might be exactly what they need to help them relax the rest of the day and either employing a professional or asking a family member or friend for help is a great idea. You can have a nice productive hour while your pup gets to go out for a run and spend time with someone ready to come home for a good nap afterwards. If you are going to hire a dog walker, you should always conduct a meet and greet beforehand to make sure they’re going to be a good fit for you and your four-legged friend.  

Balancing working from home with a dog takes effort but is very doable. Following these tips will help you stay productive while keeping your furry friend happy and entertained throughout the day. The extra time together is a special perk of remote work! For more advice on your furry friends, have a sniff around our blog today.