Creating a Work From Home Routine with your Dog

Raise your hand if you treat your dog like a child? I’m totally guilty! Lucy, our rescue Schnauzer/Terrier Mix, is my sidekick and one of the best things to ever happen to me. But, for as much as I love spending time with Lucy, I also have to make sure I have time to get my work done when working from home. That’s why I highly recommend creating a work from home routine with your dog.

Just like us humans crave routine, our pets appreciate it even more. Lucy is a creature of habit, she pretty much knows on the dot when it’s time to eat or when it’s time for a treat, and she doesn’t hesitate to remind me if I forget!

We’ve been fortunate to have a dog who has adapted nicely to my work from home routine. Lucy can be snuggly and needy, but she can also be fine on her own, snuggling up contently for a nap, or five.

As I’ve mentioned before, Lucy is extremely food and treat driven. We love giving her treats (last seen in this blog post), and the new Nudges® Protein Biscuits and Nudges® Jerky Chews are her favorite. More on how we incorporate these treats into her routine below.

I’ve worked from home for over 4 years now, and let me just say it’s been a learning curve. The same can be said for Lucy, who went from spending most of the day in her crate when I was working at an office, to having free reign and her human home from 9-5 and beyond.

So when working from home became my new normal, I created a morning routine for Lucy, too. Lucy gets let out first thing and then she knows she’ll get fed almost right away. Once she has what we affectionately like to call, a ‘full tummy’, she usually conks out for a lengthy nap. We have a dog door which is super helpful, because Lucy can go in and out as she pleases, alleviating interrupting my work flow. Just as us humans usually get restless from working around that 3pm slump so does Lucy! Isn’t it crazy how in tune our pets can be with our emotions?! Just like I usually treat myself to a snack at this time, Lucy gets one as well. She then gets dinner when us humans eat dinner and gets an evening walk or playtime before she snuggles up for her bedtime.

I’ve got a go-to afternoon snack, and so does Lucy! She loves Nudges® Dog Treats and will do pretty much anything for them! Whether it’s a biscuit or a chew, I know she’ll get the pick-me-up she needs with the afternoon treat.

Made and sourced in the USA, Nudges® Dog Treats are 100% natural, containing no corn wheat or soy, no animal by-products and no artificial flavors or preservatives. There’s a lot of junk that goes into food or treats for our pets, so I’m a huge supporter of brands like Nudges®, available at Walmart, who understand the importance of feeding our pets natural, protein-packed treats, without the unnecessary additives.

Lucy absolutely loves the Nudges® Protein Biscuits. These crunchy biscuits are a new addition to her snack shelf and she licks her chops like crazy whenever the bag is pulled out. These biscuits are made with real USA protein as the #1 ingredient, contain no wheat flour and are all-natural.

Sometimes Lucy will whine for attention and get a bit restless. That’s when I bring out the big guns! Lucy loves a good chew or bone, and the Nudges® Jerky Chews are a fast, new favorite. Other rawhides or chews have made Lucy super sick, but these chews are made with real USA chicken, and without rawhide or fillers. With a special dual-texture of chicken wrapped in chicken jerky.

A designated place to get work done definitely helps with productivity. Just like us humans create designated places for ourselves, an effective work from home environment with your pet, needs to have a place for them to sit or lay down, too.

To avoid Lucy trying to jump in my lap while sitting at my desk, I keep a cozy blanket near my feet. That way she can snuggle up by me, but not be in the way. I know others who like to keep a dog bed in their office or by their dining room table if they’re working from home. Making sure your pup has a place to call their own, within your work from home space, helps them to understand that they can be around and close by, but it’s not a time for snuggles or scratches.

What sorts or routines have you found to work for your dog when working from home? I’d love to hear from you below!