Working from home with your pets

In these unprecedented times, many of us have started working from home for the first time. If you’re a pet parent, that means working from home with your pets. No doubt you’ve noticed the complete and utter joy they will have about the fact that you are now a constant companion. However, if you want to work effectively, you’ll need to set some boundaries.

It’s vital that your pet understands that you are in charge when it comes to setting a working schedule. It can be hard to ignore your new fluffy colleague. If you give in to any whine or cry that they may make, then they’ll learn that they can have your attention whenever they want it. You need to set fairly strict boundaries when it comes to when you’ll engage with them. Set a daily schedule with several small playtimes at regular intervals throughout the day. This will allow both of you to take a break and help to combat boredom. Remember that you’re still allowed to walk your dog once a day based on the current government guidelines.

When you’re not interacting with your pet, make sure they have plenty of entertainment options to prevent them from becoming destructive. Keeping them stimulated will stop them from chewing up shoes or rugs or scratching the sofa.

If your home space allows, try and keep to work in separate area away from your pet. This might mean working in another room entirely and shutting them away in the kitchen. Or it could be putting them away in their pen or cage to have some quiet time while you get through your to-do list.

But it’s not all stress and mess when it comes to working from home when your pets. Psychologist Dr Glenn Mason told tyla.com:

“We know from research that interacting with your dog can reduce levels of cortisol and produce more oxytocin, that makes us feel happier and relaxed.”

There is even an Instagram account set up by an Australian named Mark Polchleb called @dogsworkingfromhome. Since launching on 17th March, it has amassed a following of over 75,000 people and features photos of people’s pets. Polchleb told The Guardian:

“I just took advantage of the fact that my dogs are at my feet. I thought ‘we all need a bit of happiness in our lives right now’”.

Fri Apr 10 2020