Remote Work and Your Dog: How to Workaround a Needy Pet

Remote work can be difficult when home alone with a dog, especially a needy dog, but workarounds can help ease the stress if a routine is consistent. Like children and many adults, dogs usually respond well to routines. Most dog owners know this from example: your dog brings their leash to you at a certain time of day or your dog stands by their food dish at feeding time down to the minute. Rather than approach each work day differently, take some time to sketch out a daily routine that incorporates the natural rhythm of your dog’s day. Knowing which time your dog is most active and when they take a nap, are important data points when scheduling online meetings. Also, an elderly or sick dog will often have more needs than a middle-aged dog. Puppies will require bursts of active play time and then naps. Remain flexible with your dog’s schedule to accommodate their changing needs. And always seek your veterinarian’s advice if a behavior is troubling: it could be a symptom of illness. But if your pet has a clean bill of health, try some of the tips below to make for a less distracting work day.

Tips to Workaround a Needy Dog

1. Make sure it isn’t a health issue

Rule out any potential medical problems by taking your dog to the vet for a full checkup, especially if your dog has changes in appetite, backyard habits, or shows any signs of distress.

2. Schedule meals

Younger and middle-aged dogs usually respond well to structured meal times. Ask your vet how many meals your dog needs a day. And be sure to ask for the calorie restrictions. It’s very easy to overfeed a dog.

3. Make sure the water bowl is filled

Dogs need access to clean, fresh water throughout the day. Check their water bowl whenever you pass by on the way to get yourself a drink.

4. Give your dog  an interactive toy or chewy for long meetings

If you’re worried about your dog barking or trying to get attention when you have an online meeting scheduled, give them an interactive toy. These types of toys can be filled with a treat like peanut butter or a dog biscuit for them to discover. Ask your vet how many treats your dog can get in a day. Again, it is easy to feed your dog too much.

5. Reward good behavior

When establishing a routine, reward your dog with praise or a treat for sitting when told and such. Some breeds respond very well to praise and won’t need treats. For food-motivated dogs, though, a treat is necessary.

6. Nap time

Most older dogs will not need any encouragement to nap. Puppies and middle-aged dogs will. If your dog is crate trained, they can take their nap in their crate. Puppies should learn to enjoy their crate as a safe space and not as punishment. Talk to your vet on how to properly crate train your pup or sign up for a class.

7. Close shades

Some dogs like to bark at passers by through the window. Before online meetings be sure to pull down shades.

8. Schedule walks

Walk your dog before starting your online work day, at lunch, and immediately after work. If your day is too busy consider hiring a dog walker. Confirm with your vet that your dog is getting enough walking time for their breed and age.

9. Get help

Sometimes there is too much to accomplish in a day. If you find yourself overwhelmed, talk to family and friends and see if they can help with your dog. Even a family member giving an elderly dog their afternoon pills can free up your schedule to focus on work.

10. Stay flexible

Remember most people who work remotely have similar problems in their day-to-day life as you. Reach out and share solutions.

Working remotely with a dog can be rewarding in many ways like spending more time with a pet that adores you. But if the experience becomes too stressful, talk to your vet, family, and friends to find ways to restructure your day so that both your pet’s needs and work obligations are balanced.

*ALWAYS CONSULT YOUR VET FIRST BEFORE CHANGING ANY HEALTH-RELATED ROUTINES.