How To Keep a Dog Busy While Working from Home: 9 Simple Ideas
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Working from home has a few advantages. You never have to fight traffic, tolerate a noisy coworker, or worry about missing lunch, but it can be challenging when you have a loyal canine in the house. Dogs do not understand why their owners spend all day in front of a tiny screen, and some pups will whine or bark when they feel neglected. Others will resort to desperate measures and try to jump in your lap or on your keyboard.
How do you keep a wild dog occupied when you try to work? We have a few tips that should keep your furry friend busy and allow you to work uninterrupted.
Top 9 Ways to Keep Dogs Busy While Working from Home
1. Extend Your Morning Walks
Walking your dog is an everyday part of your life, but you may have more flexibility when you work from home to extend the morning walks. Set your wake-up alarm for an hour earlier than the standard time and spend 20 or 30 more minutes on the walk. Every breed has different exercise requirements, and you cannot jog with a Dachshund like you can with a German Shepherd.
However, even small dogs can benefit from longer walks, and you can also play fetch in the yard before getting to work. When you release some of your pet’s energy with exercise, the dog will be less likely to become bored or destructive.
2. Take a Break from Work to Play
Some at-home jobs can keep you in front of the computer for 8 to 10 hours, and that’s too long to ignore your companion. After working for a few hours, take a break and visit your pet. You can play tug of war or sit on the couch and brush the dog’s coat. Daily exercise is important, but petting your dog or playing for a few minutes can keep your buddy from feeling isolated or bored.
If you take breaks at the same time every day, your dog will eventually adapt to the routine—especially when you provide rewards for staying away until break time.
3. Provide Interactive Toys
Interactive toys can also help your dog with boredom. You can set up an interactive puzzle game that lets your dog find a hidden treat or a snuffle box that your dog can tear into to eat the reward. Some high-end tech gifts may be suitable for your pet, but some require you to have a fenced backyard.
Automatic ball launchers are popular outdoor products, but you have to supervise the dog to ensure the machine functions correctly. While the launcher may not be practical when you’re inside, you can use it with your pet when you stop for a break.
4. Buy Chew Toys in Bulk
Chew toys are a nice alternative to having your shoes or remote control damaged from large canine teeth, and they’re some of the most affordable toys on the market. Products like the KONG can be filled with peanut butter or frozen to make the task more challenging. If your dog runs into your office, lead it to another room and toss the chew toy on the floor.
Keep an ample supply on hand so your dog does not return to attack you when the toy is chewed up.
5. Create a Relaxing Atmosphere in Another Room
It may be challenging for a clingy pet to sleep or relax in another room, but it will help you work and prevent your dog from becoming distracted when you’re involved in a video conference or chat. Set up your pet’s toys and bed in a quiet area in your home and provide a treat when it stays in the room instead of bothering you in the office.
You can also open the curtains to let the sun in, but some dogs, depending on the breed and temperament, will become more animated and louder when they see joggers running by your homes.
6. Set Up a Dog Bed in Front of the Television
Playing a few dog-friendly videos may help your dog stay entertained, and you can find several nature shows and dog videos on streaming networks. Some may say that you’re spoiling the dog or wasting electricity, but it can help you distract your pet while you’re working.
All canines are not mesmerized by television, but after seeing how many networks are devoted to dogs, you realize that several animals love sitting in front of the tube.
7. Join a Dog Box Club
If you want to give your dog more variety in treats and toys, you can join a dog box service. Chew toys and interactive products are helpful when you work at home, but your pet may get tired of playing with the same items every day. Without leaving your home office, you can join a subscription service that delivers new products every month.
Some companies do not let you pick every item, but they typically choose toys and treats based on your dog’s profile.
8. Hire Someone to Walk Your Dog
If you cannot take breaks to walk your dog, you can hire a dog walking service or employ a responsible friend to help you during the week. You can find several dog walkers online, but some of them are not bonded or experienced. Research your options carefully, and ask your friends or colleagues for recommendations.
Veterinary clinics and Humane Society offices can also give you reliable tips on dog walkers.
9. Adopt a Friend
Although it’s probably the most expensive option, a new dog or cat may be the best way to keep your dog happy. If your dog has a playmate, it will spend more time playing with the new pet than interrupting your work. However, a new animal may be more distracting until it gets used to the environment.
You can expect a few interruptions during the training period when the new friends get into trouble.
Conclusion
Transitioning from a standard job to an online position is challenging enough for humans, and it’s often even more difficult for dogs to accept. Dogs thrive when they have a schedule they can depend on, and when their home life changes drastically, they tend to become anxious.
When you establish a new routine, the adjustment period can be frustrating, but hopefully, with the previous tips, you can finish your work in peace while your pet finds entertainment elsewhere.
Featured Image Credit: ImYanis, Shutterstock
