Working from home has become the new normal for many of us. While it comes with perks like flexible schedules and avoiding long commutes, it also brings unique challenges—especially for dog parents. Dogs thrive on attention, playtime, and interaction. When you’re glued to your laptop for Zoom meetings or tight deadlines, your furry friend may become restless, bark for attention, or even develop destructive habits like chewing furniture.
So, how do you balance productivity with keeping your dog entertained? The good news is that with the right mix of toys, training, routines, and mental stimulation, you can keep your pup happy, healthy, and occupied while you work from home.
In this guide, we’ll cover practical tips, the best dog toys, enrichment activities, and expert strategies to make working from home smoother for both you and your four-legged co-worker.
1. Establish a Routine for Your Dog
Dogs are creatures of habit. Just like humans thrive on structure, dogs feel calmer and more secure when they know what to expect.
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Morning Exercise: Before you start your workday, take your dog for a walk, play fetch, or do a quick tug-of-war session. This helps release pent-up energy and makes them more likely to nap during your first few hours of work.
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Scheduled Play Breaks: Just as you take coffee breaks, plan short 10-minute sessions for your pup. A few minutes of fetch or puzzle play can prevent boredom.
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Feeding Times: Stick to consistent feeding schedules. This keeps your dog’s digestion and energy levels predictable.
Having a routine not only keeps your dog busy but also reduces anxiety and attention-seeking behavior.
2. Invest in Interactive Dog Toys
One of the easiest ways to keep your dog busy while you work from home is to introduce interactive dog toys. These toys challenge your dog mentally, keep them occupied, and reduce boredom-related mischief.
Some popular options include:
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Puzzle Toys: Toys like KONG Wobblers or Nina Ottosson puzzles make your dog work for treats. They stimulate problem-solving skills and keep dogs entertained for long stretches.
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Snuffle Mats: These mats mimic natural foraging. Sprinkle kibble or small treats into the fabric, and your dog will spend time sniffing and searching.
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Chew Toys: Durable chew toys like Benebone or Nylabone keep dogs engaged and satisfy their natural chewing instinct.
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Treat-Dispensing Balls: These rolling toys dispense treats as your dog pushes them around, combining exercise with reward.
Interactive toys are especially useful for dogs prone to separation anxiety or excessive barking when left alone in a room.
3. Try Food-Based Enrichment
If your dog is motivated by food (and let’s face it—most are!), food-based enrichment can be a lifesaver during work hours.
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Frozen KONGs: Stuff a KONG with peanut butter, yogurt, or canned food and freeze it. A frozen KONG can keep your dog busy for 30+ minutes.
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Slow Feeders: Replace traditional bowls with slow-feeding bowls or maze feeders. They prolong mealtime and keep dogs mentally engaged.
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DIY Treat Games: Hide small treats around your home office or living room and let your dog sniff them out. This taps into their natural scenting abilities.
This kind of enrichment helps keep your dog’s brain active and satisfies their hunting instincts, making them calmer and less likely to interrupt your workflow.
4. Create a Dog-Friendly Workspace
If your dog insists on being near you while you work, set up a cozy corner in your home office.
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Comfy Bed or Crate: Provide a designated resting spot with blankets or a bed.
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Chew Toys Nearby: Keep a basket of toys within reach so you can hand one over during meetings.
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Calming Aids: Consider white noise machines, calming sprays, or even soft music designed for dogs to reduce stress.
A dedicated dog zone allows your pup to feel included without being a constant distraction.
5. Use Technology to Your Advantage
Technology isn’t just for humans anymore—dog parents are embracing pet tech gadgets to keep pups engaged.
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Automatic Ball Launchers: Perfect for high-energy dogs who love fetch.
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Pet Cameras: Interactive cameras like Furbo let you check in, talk to your dog, and toss treats remotely.
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Smart Toys: Some toys are app-controlled, giving your dog interactive challenges even when you’re busy.
If you’re juggling deadlines, these devices provide entertainment without requiring hands-on time from you.
6. Train for Independence
Dogs who are overly dependent on constant attention can struggle when you’re unavailable. Training your dog to enjoy independent time is crucial.
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Start Small: Encourage your dog to settle in their bed while you’re still in the room. Gradually increase the distance and duration.
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Use Place Training: Teach your dog to go to a specific mat or bed when you say “place.” Reward calm behavior.
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Ignore Attention-Seeking Whining: Reinforcing calm behavior rather than responding to whining teaches your dog patience.
Building independence prevents stress and prepares your dog for times when you may need to leave the house.
7. Don’t Forget Physical Exercise
A tired dog is a happy dog. If your dog has excess energy, no number of toys will keep them calm.
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Morning Walks: Start your day with a brisk walk or jog.
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Lunchtime Play: Use your lunch break for fetch, tug-of-war, or a quick park visit.
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Evening Wind-Down: Before bed, provide a calm walk to settle your dog’s mind.
Daily exercise helps manage weight, reduces anxiety, and improves overall behavior.
8. Enrichment Beyond Toys
While toys are great, dogs also crave variety and mental stimulation.
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Training Sessions: Teach new tricks in 5-minute intervals throughout the day. This strengthens your bond and keeps your dog’s brain sharp.
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Scent Games: Hide treats or toys and let your dog find them.
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DIY Activities: Cardboard boxes, empty toilet rolls, or homemade agility courses can keep your pup entertained.
Mixing things up ensures your dog doesn’t get bored of the same old toys.
9. Consider Doggy Daycare or Walkers
If your workload is overwhelming or your dog is especially high-energy, outside help may be the answer.
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Dog Walkers: Hiring a walker breaks up your dog’s day with exercise and interaction.
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Doggy Daycare: Great for social dogs who enjoy playing with other pups.
These options ensure your dog gets the stimulation they need while you focus on work.
Conclusion
Working from home with a dog doesn’t have to feel overwhelming. By combining interactive toys, food-based enrichment, routines, exercise, and independence training, you can keep your dog entertained while staying productive.
Every dog is unique—some thrive on puzzle toys, while others prefer chew bones or scent games. The key is to experiment and find what works best for your pup. Remember, a happy, busy dog is less likely to bark, chew, or demand constant attention—which means more peace for your workday.
