Man’s Best Coworker: How to Work from Home with Pets
More folks are working from home or adopting a hybrid work model that’s half in-home and half in-office. While our pets are happy to have more time with their owners, having them around can create some challenges while trying to work from home. We put together these tips to help pet owners like you learn how to train your pets into becoming your new favourite coworkers.
How to Work from Home with a Dog
Nothing makes dogs happier than quality time with their best pal, but sometimes it’s hard for them to recognize rules and boundaries when you work from home. Here are some ideas for helping your dog learn how to behave while working from home.
Walk and Play On Your Breaks
Providing exercise will help your dog stay calm while you work from home. Playing with your dog and practicing some training commands is also an excellent way to give your dog a brain workout—they benefit from mental stimulation as well as physical stimulation!
Set Up a Cozy Corner in a Separate Room
If you have a young puppy, you want to avoid setting them up for separation anxiety later on if you return to working in the office. Set up a comfy corner in a separate room with plenty of toys to keep them occupied. If you want to train them to stay there on their own, toss a treat in occasionally. They’ll soon learn that their comfy corner is also a treat corner, so it’s worth staying put.
Provide Noise-Free Toys
Food-dispensing toys can be great for occupying dogs for long periods, but if they make lots of noise, that can distract you from focusing on work. Try to look for silent toys or durable bones that take a long time to chew. Remember to supervise your dog if you feed them raw bones—they’re very healthy, but on rare occasions, your dog could get injured if they’re left unsupervised.
Maintain a Routine
Dogs thrive on routines and structure. If every day is inconsistent, they may get stressed out and misbehave. Try to keep walks, feedings, play breaks, bathroom breaks, and designated quiet time around the same times each day. The more they get used to the routine, the better they’ll stick to it.
Close the Curtains
Dogs love to bark at other passing dogs, squirrels, cats, or whatever else might be roaming around the front yard. Keep the curtains closed to avoid noisy interruptions!
How to Work from Home with a Cat
Cats aren’t as easy to train as dogs, and though they generally aren’t as big or noisy, they can still cause distractions! While it’s lovely to have a purring cat on your lap while you work, they aren’t always on their best behaviour. Here are some tricks for making it work from home when you’ve got a pet cat.
Keep a Spray Bottle Nearby
Some cats like to mess with things they know they shouldn’t—like houseplants—when they want your attention. If your cat is deliberately causing a scene while you’re in an important video call or a meeting, a spray bottle full of water is a quick solution to get your cat to stop misbehaving. Keep it near your computer and give them a quick spritz—the other folks on the video call won’t even notice!
Provide a Comfy Cat Bed or Climbing Tree
If your cat insists on being near you, keep a cat bed near your desk, or put a climbing tree in the corner. That way, they’ll be more content and less inclined to walk across your keyboard, jump on your desk, or make an unscheduled appearance in your video calls.
Make Sure Their Litter is Clean
Nothing derails a work-from-home day like a big mess on the carpet! If your cat’s litter box isn’t clean, they might go looking for the next best spot to do their business, like a pile of laundry or your office chair. Scoop it and switch it out regularly to avoid messes!
Do A Clean Sweep of Your Countertops and Surfaces
Cats love knocking stuff off of counters, and sometimes they might snack on things they shouldn’t. Make sure nothing dangerous is left out on the counter so you can safely leave them unsupervised.
If you need any toys, beds, treats, or supplies for working from home with pets, visit Mother Nature! We have an incredible selection of durable, long-lasting pet supplies that will help make the work-from-home life much less of a grind!