Now that working from home is the new normal, you may have found yourself spending your days with a different type of colleague – one with four legs and a wet nose. While the prospect of being able to spend the day with your pet is a major benefit of working from home, it doesn’t come without its challenges. To help you fully embrace this new way of working, check out these tips we’ve put together:
Spend time with your fluffy friend before heading online
Before you start your workday at home, make sure you tend to your dog’s needs first. This means walking, feeding, watering, and giving some love and attention to your pet before you log-in to work. Basically, do all the necessary tasks you would normally do if you were to leave for work before you start your workday at home.
Don’t be tempted to start your workday and then feed the dog. Instead, focus on meeting your dog’s needs first, and then you can focus on your job once you start work. By establishing a routine, your dog will be less likely to seek attention from you once you are on the clock, and you will be less tempted to find a warm belly to rub instead of tackling your next work project.
Create A Separate, Pup-Free Work Space
The best way to ensure your dog isn’t going to put a kink in the flow of your work day is to keep them in a separate area. It’s important to get your pet comfortable with having their own space, even when you’re home. Sometimes they’ll find the floor or a cardboard box on their own, but for a real treat, get them a new cozy bed.
Yes, it’s nice to be able to pet your pup while you are listening in on a conference call, but doing this tells your dog they can get your attention whenever they want.
Setting up a separate work space is great, not just for you and your dog, but also for your work-life balance in general. It helps makes you feel like you aren’t actually living in your office.
Set Designated Play Times
Working while your pet is nearby can make it tempting to step away from your desk for a quick cuddle session whenever you need a break. While this is certainly okay to do, it’s easy for these little breaks to add up. The best way to balance your work and pet time is to schedule dedicated breaks throughout your day. Having this structure will not only help you get your work done, but it will also create a routine that teaches your pet the difference between when you’re working and when you’re ready to play.
Keep Your Dog Occupied
If dogs are bored or anxious, it can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing or marking around the house.
To avoid an interruption to your work flow — like stopping to scold your pup for chewed up shoes — make sure they have plenty of physical and mental stimulation for when you’re hard at work.
The good news?
Working from home can help you get more exercise by walking or playing with your pet. However, if your schedule is jam-packed or you’re unable to get outside, you can still create a routine with regular walks to keep your dog happy, healthy, and exercised.