Working from home as a dog parent can be difficult. As much as you’d love to give your dog all your attention, your work responsibilities take precedence. After all, your job pays for your dog’s food, bedding, and toys.
But then you see their cute face, their big puppy dog eyes, and think, “Aww, how can I not give them my attention right now?” It’s a tough life to bridge, as there is no way of knowing what’s the perfect time to step away from your work and how much attention your dog really needs.
There’s a way to bridge that gap, though. Whether it’s setting aside dedicated play time or giving them dog bones to bide their time, you can keep your dog from becoming bored or feeling as if you’re ignoring them due to work.
Decide When You Can Play
One of the first things you should do is schedule your day. There should be time where you’re working and other time for training and play. It’s important to designate time throughout the day as it guarantees that you and your pup have time together where you’re away from your desk.
Having this designated time is essential, as it provides your dog with a routine they can get used to. For instance, it could be taking a few minutes of a break every half hour to go over and say hello to your dog, giving them a pat on the back and scratching on the head. Then, you could go for a short walk during your lunch break. Your dog will love getting outside with you, and you’re sure to appreciate the time away from your computer monitor.
Some other tips include:
- Setting a timer to remind you to get up from your desk, stretch, and say hello to your dog.
- Being active with your dog in the short breaks you take.
- Doing different activities with your dog to make them feel engaged and appreciated.
- Keeping a schedule, but breaking it every few days, all to guarantee your dog doesn’t grow too accustomed to a regular schedule.
Keep Your Dog Busy
You might think that your dog will love having you at home, but it could lead to some personal issues. The key problem is that your dog will think, “My owner is at home! That means they’ll have so much time to hang out with me.” But, due to your work, you’ll be too busy to pay attention to them — better yet, to give them the attention they think they deserve.
This can cause discomfort, leading to your dog becoming bored. Boredom can cause issues like fatigue, anxiety, depression, excessive licking and chewing, whining, barking, and messing within the home.
But avoiding dog boredom can be as simple as keeping your dog occupied. Keeping your dog busy is pretty simple. You can keep your dog engaged with some of the following mental and physical activities:
- Give them healthy dog treats so they have something to chew on throughout the day, which is both helpful for their overall health and dental health, while giving them a comforting thing to do.
- Feed your dog using a puzzle feeder, which will give them a mentally stimulating way of eating their meals.
- Provide your dog with their favorite toys before you start your work day, so they have various things to play with to make their own fun.
Take Your Workspace Back From Your Dog
One of the best things you can do is to keep your workspace a dog-free zone. Maybe you’ve already done the same with other rooms in your house, but it’s a good idea to train your dog to leave your workspace while you’re at the computer.
This will ensure your dog won’t be whining in the background of a phone call or trying to climb on top of you during an important Zoom meeting. Your coworkers and clients are sure to understand a needy dog — and laugh at it — but it may become a nuisance if it keeps happening.
Instead, train that behavior out of them as early as possible. Teach them that they are not meant to bother you while you are at the computer. Rather, they should only seek out your attention once you stand up from the computer, call out their name, or come looking for them.
Here’s just a few ways to keep your dog comfortable while you’re working in the other room:
- Provide your dog with all their favorite toys before your workday begins.
- Teach them a command, like “bed,” to let them know that they need to go back to their bed when entering your office.
- Be stern, but don’t be mean, when asking them to calm down and leave your office.
- Give them a healthy treat midday so they have something exciting to do.
- Don’t spend the whole day in your office. Venture out every so often to say hello and give them some attention, even if it’s as little as saying hello and scratching their belly.
Keeping your dog mentally and physically stimulated during your working day doesn’t have to be a challenge. Your plan won’t be perfect when you first start out, and you’ll have to train your dog to understand the separation between your workspace and their playspace.
Do what you can to provide them with comfort and engagement throughout the day. Give them the attention they deserve, as you can, while still maintaining your work ethic.
Do You Want to Know More Tips and Trick on TopTipsForHer?