Working from Home with a Dog: Fight Boredom and Stress and Connect with Your Buddy from 9 to 5
Working from Home with a Dog: Fight Boredom and Stress and Connect with Your Buddy from 9 to 5
If you work from home, one benefit is that you get to pick your coworkers and sometimes the best work companions have four legs, floppy ears, wagging tail and a wet nose. We’ll take a dog over “Karen” any day! They keep us entertained, reduce stress and will greet you every morning with a smile. Sure, they might not respond when you start up a water cooler conversation, but maybe that’s a good thing? There are many benefits, but also some challenges when it comes to working from home with your dog. Here are a few tips to keep in mind to ensure you have a successful day at the “office.”
Create a Schedule and Stick to it
Dogs are creatures of habit, so set up a work from home schedule that benefits both of you. With a routine, your dog will know what to expect throughout the day. For example, my dog knows that we go on a walk, have breakfast and then I start working in my office as she begins her first nap of the day. Around lunchtime we’ll go on another walk and then it’s all business until she hears the garage door at 5pm, which signals that her dad is home and dinner is about to be served!
It also helps to set a designated playtime for your dog. If you’re looking for some quick indoor activities for dogs, check out these ideas. They will allow you to tire out your furry friend without taking up too much of your valuable time.
Feeling Stressed? Step Away From Your Computer and Connect with Your Pup
If you’re having a particularly stressful day, it helps to step away from your work and cuddle or play with your dog. A recent study found that petting a dog or cat can reduce stress in just 10 minutes. A little self care goes a long way! After connecting with your pup for a short amount of time, you’ll be refreshed and ready to conquer your to-do list.
Give Your Dog Interactive Toys and Long-Lasting Chews
The best activities for dogs wear them out physically and mentally. When dogs become bored, that’s when they become annoying and destructive. Food puzzle toys require patience and problem solving, which should buy you some quiet time! Long-lasting bones are also a great option. Save some of these special toys for calls and virtual meetings, that way your dog will stay active (and quiet!) rather than barking out the window or begging you to play.
For additional ways to stimulate your dog’s mind and keep him or her mentally challenged, check out these tips from dog trainer Cesar Millan.
Don’t Give Into Your Dog’s Demands for Attention
Sometimes my dog craves more attention than I can give her. I’ll be working at my desk when all of a sudden she starts staring at me and whining. Since I can’t spend all day playing with her, solo activities for dogs, such as the food puzzles and bones mentioned above, are imperative. It’s important that you don’t give into your dog’s demands because they will come to expect your attention whenever they want it. Once these bad habits form, it’s hard to break them!
Close Your Blinds or Curtains to Keep Your Dog Quiet During Calls
We’ve all been there—you’re on an important call with a client when all of a sudden your dog starts barking like crazy at the mailman or neighbor walking by your house. To keep them quiet during important phone calls or Zoom meetings, make sure you close the blinds or curtains. If they aren’t able to see the distractions go by, the barking is usually kept at bay.
Remember to Get Up and Move
Continuous movement throughout the day is essential for our health. When you work from home it’s easy to get going on a task and all of a sudden hours have flown by and you’re still in your chair. Whether it’s stretching, walking or exercising, remember to get up and move periodically. Having a dog definitely forces you to take little breaks throughout the day. You don’t even have to set a calendar reminder—they’ll let you know when it’s been too long!
Fight Boredom by Playing with Your Pup
Sometimes it can get boring being at home by yourself all day just working on your computer. To break up the monotony of your workday, play with your pup or go for a walk! My dog definitely keeps me entertained, whether she’s dropping a tennis ball in my lap or just sleeping in a goofy position. Playtime is definitely a win-win situation and a great chance for you to connect with your buddy!
Here at The Storyteller Agency, we believe every great story has a dog and your home office should, too! The work from home life can get lonely, but having a pup by your side is guaranteed to brighten your day. We are very passionate about our pets and have been fortunate to work with some amazing organizations, such as Alaqua Animal Refuge and Wellness Pet Food, to tell their stories. If you need help telling yours, contact us today!
Jamie Kamber
Jamie Kamber is a writer and content creator living in Destin, Florida. Originally from Seattle, Jamie graduated from the University of Washington with a bachelor’s degree in Communication and Psychology. Her passion for writing inspired her to intern at her local newspaper in college and start a lifestyle blog in 2012 where she writes about baking, fashion and travel.
Since graduating, Jamie has worked in marketing/PR and was a copy editor for Caesars Entertainment for three years. As a military spouse who got tired of starting new jobs with each move, she ultimately decided to create her own digital marketing business and focus on freelance writing when they moved to the Emerald Coast in 2017.
When she’s not working, she enjoys photography, trying new restaurants, traveling and spending time with her husband and rescue pup, Emmy.
