Aside from being able to wear pajamas to work every day, one of the other upsides of working from home is that our beloved pets have become our new coworkers. As much as we love our pets, it’s not always easy to get work done with our furry friends begging for our attention. Not to worry, there are a few simple steps you can follow to ease the transition for both of you.
Training
If you’re working from home with pets, training is a great way to mentally stimulate your pets and tire them out at the same time. Spending some time each day, in the morning, or on your lunch break, doing scent training exercises and improving their trick repertoire is a nice way for you to bond and ensure they’ll take a much-needed nap so you can get your work done. Plus, it will improve their overall behaviour and your relationship.
Make Your Walks Count
This tip is just as important for your well-being as it is for your pet. Now that you’re home all day with your pets, use the time you would normally spend commuting to work to take your dog for a long walk or jog. If you tire them out in the morning, they will likely sleep for most of the day and wake up refreshed to spend some quality time with you when your workday is over. Sitting at a desk all day without any social interaction can negatively impact your mental and physical health, so this will be beneficial for you too.
Toy Rotation
Your pet, like many others, likely has a whole basket of toys they never play with anymore. If you find your pet seems restless throughout the day, and they are pestering you for attention, hide their toys, and dispense them throughout the day to distract them. You can also invest in toys that they can play with on their own. Puzzle toys are a great way to distract your furry friends, and they’ve been proven to improve their cognitive abilities.
Create a Space for Them
Working from home can be hard if you have pets, but for the most part, they just want to be close to us. If you create a space for them within your workspace, it will encourage them to settle down and keep you company without distracting you. If you have a bed or blanket for your pets that is specifically placed in your home workspace, they’ll associate you working with their favourite comfy spot, and they will be more likely to relax.
If you and your pet are having trouble adjusting to your new routine, think back to when they were young and remember that sometimes teaching your pets new behaviours takes time. Don’t worry, you’ll get there, and soon enough, you’ll wonder how you ever left them to go to work each day.
You have benefits, your furry co-worker should too. Protect your pets with pet insurance from Hudson’s Bay and Petline – Canada’s largest pet insurance company. Pet owners can be reimbursed for up to 80% of veterinary costs, including X-rays, hospitalization, surgery, dental care, and prescriptions. Plus, owners can earn up to 4,000 Hudson’s Bay Rewards points.1
Protect your pets; they deserve it.
Get a FREE quote in minutes!