Survival Guide: How to Work from Home with Dogs

January 05, 2021

Survival Guide: How to Work from Home with Dogs

Some who have to commute to work every morning may think that working from home is a dream. You can wake up whenever, wear whatever, and work wherever you want to in the house. However, for those of us who actually work from home, it's really not that simple, especially if you want to work efficiently. There can be a bunch of distractions, and one of them may well possibly be your dog at times. So what tips are there to resist the distraction of your adorable dog begging you to play? Here are four ways:

 

Create a Dog-Free Workspace

The best way to avoid the tempting distractions of your dog is to keep them in a separate section of the house. It may be nice to be able to pet your dog or gather some natural warmth (if it's cold and snowy where you're at) as they sit on your lap while you are listening in to a meeting, however, this may give your dog the wrong signal that they can get your attention anytime they want. That's why having a separate work space area can help both you and your dog to keep a good balance. In that way, you can focus better at work (which your boss will definitely appreciate) and it's a good way to train your dog.

 

Resist Giving In to Begging & Whining

If you give in to your dog each and every time they come over and seek your attention, it could potentially cause them to develop separation anxiety. When your dog finds itself suddenly unable to obtain your attention when they want, they may shown signs of anxiety. So, the next time your dog starts whining, crying, or trying to seek your attention after you've told them to stay out, do not cave in. Otherwise, they will think that they are in charge and that they can get what they want by crying/whining. Make sure your dog knows that you are the boss when you are working from home.

 

Keep Your Dog Busy

It is natural for your dog to become anxious for your attention or embark on destructive behaviors, like chewing on objects around the house, when they are bored. So, to avoid having to pause your work to stop and scold your dog for getting into the trash bin and throwing it everywhere, make sure your dog is also occupied. Dogs need to get plenty of physical and mental stimulation, so give them work to do too. There are plenty of toys that will do the trick. Chew toys, especially hollow chew toys that you can stuff with treats can be a great distraction for your dog & helps give them the stimulation they need to stay healthy.

 

Make Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Physical Exercise

Just like humans, our dogs need physical exercise to help relieve stress and it can help burn off your dog's excess energy. Try taking them for a walk or run before and after work. In that way, your dog may be more likely to relax or even take a snooze while you are working. If you have an older dog that cannot handle as much physically exerting exercises, you can try something simpler such as taking them outside for a sniff adventure to burn off some energy. Just throw some treats out on the grass and let your dog sniff out the treats.

 





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