Dog-Friendly Work Environment: 4 Essential Tips for Remote Workers

The rise of remote work has transformed traditional office setups into custom home offices, co-working spaces, and digital nomad destinations.

What makes remote work even more desirable and fulfilling is its flexibility and autonomy—and notably, the integration of our personal lives into our workspaces.

One aspect of merging our personal lives with work is the concept of pet-friendly workplaces. It applies to both on-site and remote roles.

Picture this: you’ve landed your dream work-from-home job and can now work in the company of your dog. Fulfilling, right?

“I have found that when you are deeply troubled, there are things you get from the silent devoted companionship of a dog that you can get from no other source.” — Doris Day

Dogs can bring a sense of comfort, joy, and normalcy to your workdays. They’re like your co-workers, offering silent support during challenging tasks and serving as a playful distraction during breaks.

So, how do you create a dog-friendly work environment at home? You need to create a dedicated space and routines for your furry friend. This article examines these and more tips to help you make your home office dog-friendly.

But first, the top benefits of a dog-friendly workplace include:

• Reduced Stress: Interacting with dogs can help alleviate stress, promoting a more relaxed and positive work atmosphere.
• Increased Productivity: The companionship of dogs can boost morale, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction.
• Improved Work-Life Balance: Having your pet by your side can help blur the lines between work and home, enhancing work-life balance.

Tip 1 - Create a Dedicated Space for Your Dog

You’ve set up your remote work office. Now it’s time to create a dedicated space for your dog. Think of it like your pup’s own little “office” within your home. Sure. It might seem cute at first to have them curled up on your keyboard, but the novelty wears off quickly.

A dedicated workspace makes it convenient when working with your dog and enhances your overall productivity.

A study by the American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) found that pets in the workplace are good for employee morale, which in turn is good for business. This applies to your remote work environment as well.

The dedicated workspace should be close enough for you to keep an eye on your pet, but not so close that your dog becomes a constant distraction. If possible, choose a quiet area where your dog won’t be disturbed by outside noise or other household activities.

A separate space for your dog is so important because it:

• Minimizes distractions: A clear work zone helps you focus and limits interruptions from a playful pup vying for attention.
• Sets boundaries: A separate space will help your dog understand that your workspace is for, well, work! This teaches them when it's time for play and when it's time to give you space.
• Fosters relaxation: Create a comfy spot nearby for your dog to settle into – a cozy bed, a favorite blanket, and some safe toys. This offers a sense of security and can prevent anxious or bored behaviors while you're occupied.

Remember, every dog is unique, and what works for one might not work for another. So, consider your dog’s size, breed, and temperament when setting up their space. For example, smaller dogs may feel more secure in a compact area, while larger breeds may require more room to stretch out.

Tip 2 - Establish a Routine (for You and Your Dog)

Dogs thrive better on routines. And setting a routine can help them understand when it’s time to work, play, eat, and rest. This can also help prevent unwanted behaviors like barking or chewing during your work hours.

Studies also show that a daily routine gives dogs a sense of security and predictability. This translates into a calmer and happier pup, which makes for a more harmonious work-from-home environment.

Here's how to create a reliable routine for you and your dog:

• Predictable meals and walks: Schedule your dog's feeding times and walks around your work schedule. This helps them regulate their energy levels and bathroom needs, minimizing disruptions during your focus time.
• Dedicated work blocks: Set out specific periods for deep work where you need minimal interruptions. Let your dog know this is downtime for them too by providing a long-lasting chew or enrichment toy.
• Integrated play and exercise breaks: Use breaks to play a quick game of fetch, take a walk around the block, or have a backyard cuddle session with your dog. We bet you'll both come back to work refreshed! (Note: we cover more about work and play in the next section.)

Leave some room for flexibility because no routine is perfect. Think of the impromptu work calls or odd vet appointments that throw things off temporarily.

Not sure how to create a daily routine for your dog when working from home? The table below shows a sample daily routine for a dog.

Time Block	Your Activity	Dog's Activity
7:00–8:00 AM	Morning walk & breakfast	Eats breakfast, supervised potty time in the yard
8:00–10:00 AM	Focused work session	Settles with a long-lasting chew or puzzle toy
10:00–10:15 AM	Break	Quick playtime (fetch, tug, or a short walk)
10:15–12:00 PM	Calls & meetings	Naps or relaxes in their designated space
12:00–1:00 PM	Lunch break	Lunch followed by a midday walk and potty break
1:00–3:00 PM	Afternoon work tasks	Independent playtime with a variety of toys
3:00–3:15 PM	Break	Brief training session or cuddle time
3:15–5:00 PM	Wrap up work	Supervised free time or another enrichment activity
5:00–6:00 PM	Evening walk & dinner	Eats dinner, relaxes while you prepare your meal

Tip 3 - Balance Work and Play

“I want to work like a dog, doing what I was born to do with joy and purpose. I want to play like a dog, with total, jolly abandon.” — Oprah Winfrey

In a dog-friendly home office, work and place balance is beyond managing your professional responsibilities and personal downtime. It’s also about ensuring that your dog lives their best life, right alongside you.

Here are some strategies to help you strike the right balance:

• Scheduled playtimes: Try to schedule playtimes at the same time each day. This could be during your lunch break or after you’ve finished your work for the day.
  
  Regular playtimes give your dog something to look forward to and help them understand when it’s time to play and when it’s time to let you work.


• Interactive toys: These keep your dog entertained and mentally stimulated while you’re working. Puzzle toys, treat-dispensing toys, or chew toys can be great options.
  
  You can rotate the toys to keep your dog interested.


• Training sessions: Short training sessions a few times a day can mentally stimulate your dog. You can teach them new tricks or practice existing ones.
  
  Training sessions help keep your dog engaged. It also reinforces good behavior.


• Exercise: A walk or a game of fetch before you start your work can help burn off your dog’s excess energy and make them more likely to rest while you’re working.


• Quiet time: After a play session, encourage quiet time. This could be a good time for your dog to nap or relax with a chew toy. Soon, your dog will learn to associate your work time with their quiet time.

While you can work the above strategies seamlessly in your work routine, don’t forget to take advantage of work breaks. Remote work doesn’t mean you’re stuck to your desk all day.

Include your furry friend in your breaks to get the most out of them. For example, you can use breaks to get some fresh air and sunshine alongside your dog. It’s a great way to reset your mental state and avoid burnout during long workdays.

Tip 4 - Train Your Dog for Work Environment

Look. Creating a dog-friendly work environment at home involves more than just allowing your furry friend to sit beside you as you work. It requires an approach that includes training your dog to adapt to your work schedule and environment.

Start by teaching your dog to understand the boundaries of your workspace. Use a command like “leave” to keep them out of your workspace when you’re working.

Train your dog to understand that loud noises can disrupt your work. Use a command like “quiet” when they start barking or making noise.

What if your dog is the visual type? Add some fun to your workspace by using some signals. For example, use a ‘Do Not Disturb’ signal, like a specific collar or bandana, to let your dog know when you’re working and shouldn’t be disturbed.

Sometimes your dog might not be comfortable being alone for periods. You need to teach them to practice some alone time. For example, leave them alone for short periods and gradually increase the duration. This will help reduce separation anxiety and allow you to focus on your work that requires 100% concentration.

Always reward your dog for good behavior with treats, praise, or toys. Such rewards reinforce the specific good behavior and encourage them to repeat it.

The table below is a quick summary of basic dog training commands for a homework environment.

Command	Purpose	Training Tips
“Quiet”	To stop barking during calls	Reward silence with treats
“Off”	To prevent jumping on furniture	Teach an alternative behavior like “Sit”
“Place”	To stay in a specific area	Start with short durations and gradually increase
“Leave it”	To avoid distractions like cords	Practice with different objects
“Settle”	To calm down and relax	Use in conjunction with a specific spot like a bed

Make Your WFH Environment Dog-Friendly

“Such short little lives our pets have to spend with us, and they spend most of it waiting for us to come home each day.” — John Grogan.

Grogan’s words paint the longing our furry friends feel when we’re away. But this waiting game changes in today’s work-from-home environments.

Now, our dogs don’t have to spend their days waiting for our return. Instead, they can be right there with us, sharing our workspace, and providing companionship and joy throughout the day.

By making our home offices dog-friendly, we not only enhance our dogs’ lives but also improve our own work experiences.

After all, a happy dog makes for a happy owner, and a happy owner makes for a productive worker.

This article was written by Nondiah Khalayi, our cherished author and storyteller from Nairobi.