Simple Tips For Working At Home With Your Dog

I’ve been working from home for almost a year now and it’s wonderful. 

I no longer have to see the sad face of my dog as I put my coat on and head out the door for the next 8 hours. 

I don’t have to worry about what they’re doing while I’m at work.

I don’t have to worry that they’re bored, starving for attention or attempting to get into something that they’re not supposed to. 

I don’t have to worry if I’m working late that they’ll be crossing their legs because they have to pee. 

For me, working from home is glorious and I love it……..now.

I say now because it did take some time for all of us to get used to it and fall into a routine. 

Since I know many of our friends are experiencing working from home for the first time right now, I thought I would share some tips that might help you and your dog adjust to your new work environment. 

Give Your Dog Time To Adjust To You Being Home

Dogs are creatures of habit and they thrive on routine so depending on your dog it may take some time for them to adjust and realize what is going on. 

For the first few weeks when I began working from home, Sherman and Leroy didn’t do a thing. 

They went about their day as they had for the last 5 years, they slept. 

They went downstairs and they slept. 

They would only come upstairs if they heard me opening a bag of chips and then they went back downstairs. 

After about 2 weeks they realized that this was the new normal and they began to mingle more in the workplace. 

So if your dog doesn’t pay attention to you or acknowledge that you’re home, give them time to fall into the new routine. 

Once your dog realizes that this is the new normal decide they will probably start to appear more often.

Is Your Dog Cut Out To Be An Office Dog?

If you have a designated office in your home, decide whether you want your dog to be allowed in your office or not. 

Whether this situation is going to work is going to be based on the individual dog. 

If you decide that they will make a good office dog set up a special space for them with a bed, a few toys, and a water bowl. 

Most dogs just want to be near their owners so providing them with a nice space is a great idea!

If your dog isn’t the office type you could try to make a nice space for them right outside of your office using the same things mentioned above. 

How To Keep Your Dog Quiet During Conference Calls

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Many people will have conference calls during their workday and no one wants a dog barking to disrupt their call. 

If you can schedule your conference call, try to make it at a time that is not close to your dog’s feeding time, potty break, treat time or when packages are expected to be delivered. 

Try giving your dog a stuffed Kong or a dog puzzle 5 minutes before your conference call and when your call is over, pick up the toy, clean it and refill it for the next conference call. 

I personally use the Starmark Everlasting Bento Ball with Odin because it keeps him busy for more than an hour. 

But be warned, some dogs can learn how to pop the treat out of the ball and then the fun is over. 

You can also consider buying a pair of wireless headphones that are noise canceling. The wireless part is good if you need to get up from your desk to tend to a dog and the noise-canceling microphone cuts out on most background noise, including barking. 

I don’t have a pair but a reader that works from home recommended these. 

Make lunchtime fun again!

You’re working from home now so there’s no need to rush around and try to cram food down your throat!

When you work from home you’ll want to make sure that you step back and take a lunch away from your office. 

Don’t eat at your desk, get up and get out!

Grab a bite to eat and then spend some time with your dog. 

Depending on the weather outside you can go for a walk, play a game of tug, hide n’ seek or work on some training. 

I always break my workday up with a nice 20 minute or more walk with Odin, followed by a bite to eat and then we do 15 minutes of training. 

Training can consist of practicing any number of commands. We are currently working on “hold” and reinforcing “place” but we will also take our training outside on nice days and set up the hurdle cones. 

After that Odin has burned some energy and my brain has had time to refuel and I’m ready to get back to work. 

Inside info: My most creative ideas normally come during or after a walk!

These are just a few simple guidelines to follow to help get you started.

Depending on how your employee is allowing you to work from home it may take a few days for you and your dog to fall into a routine. 

If you have to adhere to the same hours as you did when you went to the office, the routine might happen faster than if you have the entire day to get your work done. 

I’m the type of person that works better in blocks rather than a straight 8 hours. 

I break my day up into tasks and I have the luxury to adjust as needed but I do stick to a schedule for Odin. 

Stay tuned for more work at home tips coming later this week!

(p.s. I did not include any photos of my office right now because it’s under construction and I’m currently working from the kitchen table. Odin sleeps under the table while I work. )

 

 

 

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