Working From Home With a Puppy: How to make it work

Working from home with a puppy can both be challenging and greatly rewarding

So, the family has just welcomed a fluffy friend in the shape of a cute puppy and now it is time to work. Work from home, that is. Now, how do you manage that with a little ball of fluffy love? 

Working from home has become increasingly popular in recent years. For many people, it has a number of benefits, including the ability to set your own hours, avoid commute times, and work in your pajamas if you so choose. However, working from home with a puppy can present its own challenges. From distractions and extra noise to messes and accidents, having a furry friend around while you’re trying to work can be tough.

Also, one of the challenges of having a puppy while working from is that it needs attention. But that – hopefully – does not come as a surprise.

There are a few things that you can do to make working from home with a puppy easier. Make sure to take breaks throughout the day to play with your pup and give the puppy the attention they need.

Can you actually work from home with a puppy?

There are a lot of people out there who love the idea of working from home with their puppy by their side. And while it may seem like a great idea at first, there are definitely some challenges that come along with it. For one, puppies need a lot of attention and care, which can be tough to balance with work. 

They also need plenty of exercise, which means regular breaks for walks or playtime. That is something you have to factor in when combining the puppy watch with working.

But if you’re up for the challenge, working from home with your puppy can be a really rewarding experience. You’ll get all the benefits of having a furry friend around (companionship, cuddles, etc.), and you will bond faster by being at home instead of leaving for work every day. 

Just make sure you do your research about having a puppy ahead of time and that you are prepared for the extra responsibility. Also, set your expectations realistically as we are talking about a living animal. You never know what kind of mood your puppy is on the day. 

The benefits: Reasons why people work from home with their puppies

In today’s modern world, more and more people are working from home with their puppies, dogs, babies, and more by their side. There are many reasons why this arrangement can be beneficial for both the dog and the owner.

For one, it can help to create a bond between the two of them. Having the young dog close by can also provide some much-needed companionship and make working from home less lonely. Additionally, it can help to keep the owner motivated and on track with their work goals.

Additionally, some might say you will become less distracted by having the puppy at home while working. Of course, the puppy itself can be a major distraction but only having that one distraction can keep you more focused on what’s really important: Your little dog and your work. 

There are lots of benefits to having a puppy, including reducing stress, increasing exercise, and providing companionship. Having a puppy also makes working from home more enjoyable. You won’t mind taking breaks to play with your pup, and you’ll always have someone to cuddle with when you’re feeling stressed.

Don't mind me while I eat this blanket...
Don't mind me while I eat this blanket...

The main challenges of working from home with a puppy

Working from home can be a great way to get out of the office, but it comes with its own unique set of challenges – especially when you add a puppy into the mix. From constant distractions to never-ending messes, here are the main challenges of working from home with a puppy.

One of the biggest challenges of working from home with a puppy is the constant distractions. Whether they’re barking, chewing on your shoes, or just trying to cuddle, it can be tough to focus on work when your furry friend is always underfoot. And even if you’re able to ignore your puppy’s antics for a while, you’ll eventually need to take a break to let it out or feed it. 

You really just have to factor that in as there is no way around it. 

Another challenge of working from home with a puppy is that they tend to make quite a bit of a mess.

Puppies are known for being messy as they are basically children who have yet to learn about the world they live in. They need to and want to try out new stuff which can lead to lots of extra cleaning up and repairs around the house.

And lastly, puppies require constant supervision and training, which can be difficult to do when working from home. Though they may be cute and cuddly, there are some definite downsides to having a puppy around while trying to get work done from home.

You may need to take some sort of “maternity/paternity leave” when welcoming a new puppy into the family and working a lot less. 

How to make it work for both you and your puppy

If you manage to make it work, working from home with a puppy, both you and your cute little furball will benefit greatly from it. Below here you will find a lot of tips and tricks to make working from home with your puppy work just fine. 

  • Set up a designated work space for yourself that is off-limits to your pup. This will help create a boundary between work time and playtime. And it will at least help you have a place to yourself without toys, mess, and more. 
  • Get your puppy used to a crate or designated space: This will help create boundaries for when you need to focus on work. It will also help your small dog enjoy its own time and have fun while you focus. 
  • Make sure your puppy has plenty of toys and chews to keep them occupied while you’re working. It’s important to keep them busy so they don’t become bored and destructive. Playing around also helps the puppy grow and develop itself. 
  • Take breaks throughout the day to play with your puppy and give it some attention. This will help tire them out and make it easier for them to settle down when it’s time for you to focus on work again. This will also re-energize you as playing with your puppy will give you a well-deserved break from work.
  • Be consistent with rules and routines so that your puppy knows what to expect from you during the day. This will minimize distractions and help both of you stay on track. If the puppy knows, that mum or dad is unavailable the puppy will start to accept it. 
  • Set up a potty area: Puppies need to go often, so having an area set up where they can relieve themselves will minimize accidents in the house. This will also relieve you from the stress of cleaning the entire house.
  • Be prepared for distractions: It’s inevitable that your puppy will want your attention at times not fitting, so try to have patience and understand that your puppy is just trying to bond with you.
Make sure there are toys available when working from home with a puppy
Make sure there are toys available when working from home with a puppy

How to keep your puppy occupied while working from home

When working from home with your puppy, the best thing to happen is that both you and your puppy are occupied at the same time. But not necessarily with each other. If your puppy is occupied you can focus on your work. 

Try and create a space for your puppy to call their own. A place where the puppy feels safe and secure. It could be in your office if the puppy learns to stay in its own quarters and not walk to you all the time. This might be a corner of a room with their bed, toys, snacks, and a water bowl.

Also, make sure to schedule plenty of playtimes and walks throughout the day. If a puppy is not stimulated with attention and love throughout the day, it can have negative consequences. It will have a harder time bonding with you and it will disturb you more often. 

Just make sure that the puppy has toys to play with, snacks and water to eat and drink, a place to rest and hang out, and, most importantly, gets a lot of attention when possible. 

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My name is Frederik
I am a passionate marketeer who loves the freedom that comes with working from home whenever I choose to do so.
I love getting nerdy with every single detail about making everything related to my home just a tiny bit better.
That is what motivates me to write about home stuff on this blog.