Working From Home With Dogs
Working from home is amazing. I’m able to work while my dogs snore happily in the background or share a spot with me in my office chair. I’ve been lucky, as I’ve been working from home for 15 years now. Despite the convenience of a remote job, working from home with dogs can get a bit loud if you know what I mean. Here are four tips that will ensure peace and quiet during calls with the boss and your clients.
Go on a walk before work
For the most part, a tired dog is a good dog. Before your workday begins, take your dogs out for a 30-minute walk. Instead of walking swiftly, take your time and let your dogs sniff and see what “Facebook messages” were left in the grass by other dogs. Sniffing is wonderful mental enrichment, and it’s just as exhausting as walking quickly around your neighborhood or local park. Once home, make sure your dogs have plenty of fresh water available and start up your computer.
Keep your dogs quiet during conference calls
Working from home means you’re on the phone a lot, so it’s important to collaborate with co-workers on projects through individual phone chats and conference calls. During conference calls, I’m pretty good at figuring out which conference call attendees work from home too because I can hear their dogs barking in the background!
Here’s how to keep your dogs quiet while you’re on a conference call. About 5 minutes before a conference call, give each dog a frozen food stuffed toy and separate him or her. This way, they can enjoy their treats without squabbling. Log in to your conference call with confidence that your dogs are happily and quietly licking away at their frozen prizes, which is entertaining and completely exhausting too. Sure, the mute button is a godsend, but food stuffed toys are better! After your call, pick up each toy to refill after work.
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Play midday outdoor games
When employees work from home, they usually skip lunch, or worse eat lunch while working. Take it from me, disengage with your computer and phone for 20 minutes and enjoy your lunch. After lunch, take another 10 minutes and sit outside with your dogs, play a game of fetch or even take a short stroll around your neighborhood. Again, a tired dog is a happy and quiet dog.
Toss treats when the doorbell rings
It never fails; the UPS man always happens to ring your doorbell while you’re on an important call with your boss. Be prepared during important calls by keeping a cup of dog kibble, treats or Cheerios on your desk. Bring your dogs inside your office with you and close the door. When the doorbell rings, toss those treats like confetti. It’s tough to bark at the doorbell while devouring scattered treats on the floor. Tossing treats as a distraction also teaches your dogs not to bark at the doorbell.
If solicitors are constantly ringing your doorbell, place a note on top of the doorbell that reads: “Please do not ring the doorbell or knock. I work the night shift.” Believe it or not, a note works very well. My mother was a night-shift nurse, and this little note ensured she slept soundly during the day.
May your workday be swift and filled with dog snores!