The idea of working at home is exciting for many reasons, not the least of which is that on the surface it seems like an efficient way to avoid wasting time. You don’t have to bother getting dressed up to fit the requirements of your workplace, and you can avoid the stresses and tensions of time spent enmeshed in rush hour traffic. Working at home is a no-frills, meat and potatoes way to get things done in a comfortable environment, at a pace that can be as fast or slow as you want it. How you spend your time is up to you, since you are your own boss and you don’t have to answer to anyone.
But of course there is one complication to this whole equation. If you have a family, then you do have other people to answer to - and they are living with you right there at your workplace. The good news is that your husband or wife is a big boy or girl and can take care of him or herself, while your children – unless very young – are going to be away at school for a significant part of the day, giving you ample time to get things done. But there are two different kinds of children: those with two legs and those with four, and unless your four-legged children are unusually bright, they are probably not going to be spending their days off learning their ABCs. If you have a “son” or “daughter” who just happens to be canine, then you know your four-legged child (or children) is/are going to be right there with you, 24 hours a day. And like any child, your dog needs your love and attention.
So working at home for dog owners is inevitably going to involve a delicate balancing act. You have to get things done, and you need some good solid working hours each day if you expect to do them. But Spike is not just another piece of furniture decorating the place; he is indeed like your child. You want him to feel secure and content, and no dog is going to be able to feel that way without the companionship of his favorite human.
How to Make your Dog Happy Even When Your Time is Short
There is one key word that must be memorized by anyone facing this delicate situation: scheduling. It is essential that you establish a schedule that will not only let you get the hours in you need to get your work done, but also allow Spike to adjust to the fact that you are not going to be able to be there for him every single second of the day. Let Spike know he will be fed twice a day at the exact same time, and that his daily walk will come at the exact same time, and that your playtime will come at a regularly scheduled time and with a definite duration. Dogs have good internal clocks, and Spike will quickly realize there is no reason for him to be whining, barking or making a commotion when you are in front of the computer at 3 p.m., because walk time is 3:30 and not a minute earlier. Not only will this habit allow Spike to adjust to your habits, but it will also increase his sense of security, because he knows that walk time will be coming, even if it is not right now.
Another important thing is to simply be yourself. Treat Spike with the same positive, affectionate attitude that you always do, even at those moments when you are feeling pressured because of an upcoming deadline. The thing to remember is that your dog, more than anything, just wants to be with you, to be close to you. He doesn’t require endless amusement, just the knowledge that he is welcome beside you at each and every moment. If you want him to lie quietly nearby, not causing any disruption, while you work, then the best way to make that happen is to make him feel totally comfortable and happy just to be in your presence.
The Secret to Success: Enjoy Him!
Yes, it may be a balancing act, trying to pay sufficient attention to a pet while you are also trying to work. But you need to look on the bright side. You brought Spike into your home and kept him there to enjoy his presence, and if you decide to start working from home, then this means you can do that even more. And you don’t have to worry about the loneliness and isolation that sometimes accompany working at home all day either; one of your best friends (or more than one if you have multiple dogs) is going to be right there, keeping you company and bringing positive energy to your workplace.
There is no doubt – it you are willing to work with your dog, then he is going to be willing to work with you. Dogs are very intelligent, and they will soon figure out that Mommy or Daddy is doing something important, and that while they need to be loved and adored just like always, it is also important to let them get their work done without disruption. For the loving dog owner working from home, dogs can be a source of pleasure that will actually make it easier to get things done by bringing loving, supportive companionship. And if you get stuck on some kind of work problem, you could always ask Spike for some advice, too; because as every dog owner knows, your dog is actually the smartest one in the world!