How to work from home with a dog?

Source: Leo & me || My private archive

At one time, I was actively working from home with my faithful four-legged friend, Leo, by my side. On the one hand, it was great to spend time together with a dog; on the other hand, I had to take a new look at planning my day, organising my workspace and introducing some rules.

In this publication, I want to summarise my experience. I hope it will be helpful to freelancers and designers who have chosen to work remotely, as well as anyone who works in a dog-friendly office.

How do dogs have a positive impact on productivity?

Source: My private archive

Having a dog around doesn’t always create a productive work environment. But I’ve also highlighted the positives.

I share them with you:

Dog owners have been more physically active during breaks than cat owners. If you have a sedentary job at your computer or tablet, this is a plus. An article in The Journal of Physical Activity and Health confirms my conclusion.
Four-legged friends make us more resilient to stressful situations, such as critical comments on projects or complex client negotiations. As Brian Hare of Duke University in Durham, North Carolina, noted in an interview with The Washington Post:

“Dogs make people feel good, and their only job is to help people in stressful situations feel better.”

Working with a dog reduces anxiety and guilt about leaving your pet home alone.
The presence of a dog in the office or during routine video conferences increases trust between colleagues and creates a more pleasant and relaxed working atmosphere. It is not for nothing that companies such as Uber Technologies in San Francisco, Amazon in Seattle, and Googleplex — the headquarters of Google Inc. in Mountain View — are setting up their offices.
Working with a dog disciplines you and helps you organise your day.

How do I successfully work from home with my dog?

Source: My private archive

To be productive during the workday while at the same time not neglecting my dog, I have learned a few rules.

Start the day with a walk with the dog. Preferably, it should last at least 20 minutes. In general, I tried to walk Leo 3 times a day at about the same time. Longer in the morning and evening and 15–20 minutes in the afternoon.

2. Dogs like a clear daily schedule. Breaking it can cause a change in his behaviour. So it’s best to plan his feeding, walking, and playtime around the dog’s routine and try not to alter it.

3. Allow space for your dog to sleep and play. Setting boundaries between your workspace and the dog’s play area prevents a few inconveniences. But it’s essential to make sure the space is comfortable for the dog. Otherwise, he will constantly try to trespass, distracting you from the work process.

Source: My private archive

4. Keep him occupied during work calls with an activity such as a frozen treat, a puzzle or a favourite toy.

5. Don’t give in to the demand for attention. For the first few days, your dog might whimper, paw at you, put his head in your lap or pull at your clothes. Ignore him entirely at these times because any attention (from petting to pushing) will do the trick. He’ll get what he wants. When you ignore the dog, he’ll be on to something else. And if he starts acting the way you want him to, such as lying down quietly, you can reward him with a treat or a favourite toy. This will teach him how to behave when you’re working from home.

6. Be patient and consistent with yourself and your four-legged friend. Give each other time to adjust to the new work environment. And always remind yourself that your dog is just like your colleague. It’s just his job to be your good friend.

Five ways to keep your dog busy at home

Source: My private archive

I’ve noticed that when your dog gets bored, he gets distracted from his work. What can you do to keep her busy?

Here are five ways that work for my friends who have dogs and me.

Teach your dog to help with chores around the house, for example, picking up his slippers and putting them in one place, taking his socks to the washing machine, or taking a tin of drinks from the fridge to your desk. To make it easier for your pet to open the fridge door, wrap a towel around its handle.

Source: e-zoo

Motivate your pet to “get” his food. You can pick up a pet food serving toy from the pet shop. It’s a great puzzle for your bored dog who wants a treat.

Source: e-zoo

Teach your dog to look for his favourite toys. Suggest he looks for his favourite toy amongst the pile or in the bin of other items. It’s sure to keep him occupied for a while.
Suggest that he put the toys away. If your dog has lots of toys, teach him to look for them and put them in the bin. This is a fun activity for your dog, especially if you praise him afterwards or reward him with a treat.
Treat him to a workout on a treadmill. If you have a treadmill at home and don’t have time to go for long walks with your dog, give him 20–30 minutes on the trainer. Of course, his pace should be slow, and he might need to be motivated for a treat at first. But if he enjoys such an attraction, he will take the initiative and “train” himself while you work.

I hope you have found something useful and that your pet is not bored while you are working.

How to work from home with a dog?

How to work from home with a dog?

How do dogs have a positive impact on productivity?

How do I successfully work from home with my dog?

Five ways to keep your dog busy at home

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