How much is that doggie by the laptop?

Enjoying Working From Home With Your Pet

The remote working phenomenon has risen steadily since last spring, and currently, there are 1.7 million people in the UK working mainly from home. New advances in cloud technology, video conferencing software, and virtual events technology means that remote work is here to stay, with many companies impressed both by employee productivity and the significant cost savings made as a result of the shift. If you are the proud owner of a dog or cat, then you may be thrilled by the idea of being able to spend more time with them. Make sure you fulfil all your work obligations while keeping your pet happy and entertained throughout the day.

Establish A Routine For You And Your Pet

If you have a cat, then keep them active by providing them with a host of toys, scratching posts, and even an indoor or outdoor obstacle course to keep them active. If you have a dog, try to start them with an energetic walk and top it up with another walk in the afternoon. You can always take shorter walks during your break times, but ideally, these should be scheduled so your dog obtains the activity they need on a daily basis. It can be tempting to simply let Fido play in the yard, but if he is young and healthy, then activities like learning to walk on a leash, play fetch, and run after a Frisbee can help keep his joints, muscles and bones in good shape. For older dogs, puppies, and dogs with health conditions, adopt activity levels as recommended by your vet, and in winter months, think of ways to keep your dog active indoors on rainy days or when it is simply too cold for a walk.

Creating A Safe Living Space For Your Pet

Many employees have had to adapt quickly to a home working situation, choosing areas such as gardens, light-filled outdoor sheds, and rooftop terraces to serve as an office. If you are working near nature, keep your pets safe against bugs. Apply their usual flea and tick products, but also be wary of common outdoor and indoor spiders and other bugs, which can bite your pets and cause pain and discomfort. Familiarise yourself with typical bug species in your area so if you come across one (or if one bites your pet) you can inform your vet. Typical harmless spiders include daddy long legs and grass spiders, which are not a worry for pets. Get to know harmful species of spiders, moths, and other bugs so you can take appropriate action (including calling pest control) if necessary.

Invest Time In Training Your Dog

Once your dog or cat has their exercise and safety covered, think of a few tricks you might like them to learn. Dogs that bark when the phone or doorbell rings, or that rush to the door and bother people who visit you, can be trained to be quiet and patient during these times. Quietness is particularly important when you are working from home and you receive delivery packages or have to attend to colleagues or managers via video conference. You can also teach them a few fun tricks that will keep them mentally stimulated – these can include jumping through a hoop, learning to ‘play dead’, shaking paws, rolling over, and even completing a little choreographed dance routine alongside you.

Remote work is increasingly becoming the norm in the UK and many other parts of the world. If you have a pet, then ensure they stay active and learn a few behavioural and other tricks that will make working from home more pleasurable. Make sure that any space your dog or cat inhabits is safe; if you work outdoors or near garden spaces, familiarise yourself with local bug species, and make sure your pet is treated against fleas and ticks.