Working From Home With A Dog: How To Stay Productive

Working from home with a dog is lovely until the third paw-on-the-keyboard of the morning. The fix is a routine that tires them out and a spot next to you where they want to sleep.

Honest note: we design and print our cards and badges in the UK. The Silentnight bed is a recommendation from elsewhere.

Give them a desk-side bed

This setup suits owners of affectionate "velcro dogs" who cannot bear to be in another room while you work. It is ideal to set up before your morning log-on, ensuring your pet feels secure right by your side. For a practical tip, position the bed within arm's reach so you can easily offer a reassuring stroke without having to get up from your office chair.

• Put a calming donut bed right by your desk. The Silentnight calming dog bed is a round, plush donut bed with a raised rim your dog can curl into and rest their head on. The soft, deep filling holds body heat and the high walls feel enclosed and secure - which is why donut beds are popular with anxious and chilly dogs.
• Velcro dogs settle when they can see you, so close beats a bed in another room.
• Reward them for lying there during calls.

Structure the day

Creating a predictable schedule suits energetic dogs and busy professionals who both thrive on routine. You should implement this structured approach from Monday morning to help transition your pet into a reliable daily rhythm. As a practical tip, try blocking out these dog-centric breaks in your digital work calendar so your colleagues know exactly when you are away from your keyboard.

• A proper walk before you log on.
• A lick mat or puzzle feeder for your first meeting.
• A lunchtime walk - good for you too.
• Short training sessions as coffee breaks.

Handling meetings

This approach suits professionals who regularly present or participate in important video calls and need to minimise distractions. It is best to use these tactics on days when you have back-to-back presentations or high-stakes client pitches. For a practical tip, prepare your emergency distractions the night before so you are never caught empty-handed when an unexpected call comes in.

• Schedule important calls for their usual nap time.
• Keep a chew in the drawer for emergencies.
• Mute on. Always.

Key things to remember

• Build in time apart so they cope when you return to the office.

Frequently asked questions

How do I stop my dog bothering me while I work from home?

Exercise them before work, give them a comfortable bed next to your desk, use puzzle feeders and reward calm settling.

Is it OK to leave a dog alone while working from home?

Yes - practise short spells apart so they don't become dependent on you being with them all day.

Do you make the Silentnight dog bed yourselves?

No. We design and print greetings cards, enamel pin badges, prints and candles in the UK. The Silentnight calming dog bed is a recommendation from elsewhere - only the things linked to our own shop are ours.

What is a good example of working from home with a dog: how to stay productive?

"Velcro dogs settle when they can see you, so close beats a bed in another room." is one of 10 examples on this page. Pick the one closest to the tone you want, then add a specific detail of your own - a shared memory, a date, a name - so it reads as yours rather than copied.

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