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Working from Home...with a dog?
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Posted 3 months ago Hi Ladies, My name is Belkis and I'm new at WomenCo.com. I have a little dilemma that I wanted to ask women. I am a newly wed who works at home. I absolutely enjoy my work environment. I am pretty good at getting things done in a timely fashion since I don't have anything distracting me. However, my husband really wants a dog. Unfortunately, he works all day and I am home all day. Therefore, I will be the one caring for the dog. Don't get me wrong, I would love a dog (we want a puggle..:) but he might interrupt my work flow. Ladies, any of you work at home with a dog? Are they distracting? Does it work? Any advice? Thanks, Belkis |
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| Posted 3 months ago I have a dog (boxer) and work from home. She can sometimes be a distraction if I haven't played with her in a while, and she's sometimes jealous of my laptop (tries to put her paws on the keyboard). I enjoy the company, however, and since I need periodic breaks from the computer anyway, spending the breaks with her takes care of her needs. She settles down pretty well after we have played and lets me get on with my work. Jane G. Chambers
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| Posted 3 months ago A well trained dog will be a minor distraction. The dog will need breaks, too, so just make time to do them together. A dog will bring you so much unconditional love and satisfaction. I recommend talking with a vet to determine the type of dog that fits your lifestyle. I am a firm believer in crate training puppies. It saves you from those oops moments and the puppy feels very secure. Owning a dog is expensive: Food, a collar and leash, license, annual physical, vaccinations, toys, bed, crate and medicines are some of the costs. As a dog ages, the expenses increase, but if the costs are in line with your budget, go for it. |
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| Posted 3 months ago hi i have 3 big dogs and work from home and wouldn't have it any other way! they keep me company, remind me to take a break every so often and when i have a meeting, i close the door to the office. i do make certain that i don't plan a conference call around 3.30-4pm because the mailman comes by and that creates a bit of havoc.. working from home can get lonely, a dog is gals best friend!!! (i have a kitty too.... ) |
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| Posted 3 months ago I'm currently working from home and as anyone who's seen my photos know, I have 2 crazy dalmations. I love them to death and they give me reasons to take breaks. I know if they weren't here I wouldn't take nearly the breaks I do. I need those breaks because I go hours sitting at the computer and my feet swell up. Getting up every half hour to hour gives me a few minutes with them and gets the circulation going back in my legs. Cindy Stand for something or else you will fall for anything |
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| Posted 2 months ago A few years ago, I started going back to college and also had a new puppy. When I would sit on the couch to do homework, she jumped up on the couch with me so I just called her my "study-buddy" and it worked out well for the both of us. A little attention can go a long way. have fun! |
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| Posted 2 months ago Well, I made the decision. A few weeks ago I decided to get a pup. He is a 6 month old Cairn Terrier. I must admit, at first I hated it. He would wake me up every hour in the middle of the night because he was crying or needed to clean up after he had an accident in his crate. The first two weeks were harsh. He needed so much attention that I couldn't do my work. But with a little patience and a few training sessions per day, he is my adorable little assistant...:) |
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| Posted 25 days ago I have 3 labs, Bear is 2 1/2 yrs old (chocolate), Cleo 2 yrs old (yellow) and Peanut 10 months old (chocolate). I love them to death but they drive me crazy. I have a home office set up but I can't always work in there if the dogs are roaming the house. They are still babies and have lots of energy. One wants outside, 2 seconds later another one wants out, a few seconds later the last one wants out. I made the mistake of leaving them in the living room one day when I ran errands. They ate my newspaper, the couch cushion and the cord to my laptop. They are crate trained so I find I take part of the day and put them in their crates. When they are down, my cats (5, yes I mean 5) then come out and decide to play. They eat my papers and steal my pens. One actually ran off with my notebook! They walk all over my keyboard when I'm typing and think it's a game to chase the curser on the screen. With that said, at the end of the day, they will cuddle beside me and listen to me complain about my darn computer slowing down or that darn customer. They are happy to see me when I come home and are a great stress relief after a bad day. It's amazing how 10 minutes of petting a dog or cat can really make you feel so much better. June Sockol
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| Posted 23 days ago I love working at home with my dog and cat. We had the dog, 7 year old part retriever and part terrier -----She is 100% scruff. the cat is 2 years old. The dog got use to when I was available to her and when I am not available to her. It took a little extra training. I develop a system to reward her to go out or come in when I am available to do those things when I need to take a break. The cat has learned to play with the dog when I am not available to play with the 2 of them. I need a video camera because it is really quite amazing how the 2 of them have learned to play without me when I am on the phone to occupy themselves. When I get off the phone I reward both of them with treats and praise:0) I agree you need to do some research on what kind of dog is best for your life style. I have had several dogs in my life and feel certain mixed breeds are the most flexible in adapting to work schedules around the home. Also some breeds are better with patience than others. I hope that helps. Rachel |
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| Posted 23 days ago Not sure if my reply will add much - so many great responses. I have worked at home - without a dog - with a dog - and now with two foster kitties. There are some minor drawbacks - but overall I would say it is actualy better. When I am stumped with a client - or having writers block - it only takes a few minutes to pet Toby or to smile at Lilly and I feel better. |
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| Posted 6 days ago Thanks for your wonderful replies. It's been three months and I have two puppies (thanks to my husband). They are cute and lovable. But with all honesty, they drive me insane. I much preferred to be working at home alone. Right now, I am even contemplating of renting an office just to get out of the house. With work, the dogs and cleaning the house, I really feel that I made a mistake. I told my husband that I don't like the idea of working at home with dogs but he wanted them so bad. So I agreed to get one dog. That wasn't bad. But then my husband wanted a second one and that is not working. Both are puppies (3 months and 7 months) and need lots of attention. Home should be a place of zen and I'm not feeling that at all... |
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| Posted 6 days ago Depending on the breed, most puppies are pretty mellow by age one. |
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| Posted 6 days ago Put the dog on a schedule as you would your children. It can work. Don't put too much upon it. ~Angie Angie Toussaint
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| Posted 5 days ago I feel for you ... right now you are not working at home with 2 dogs; you have your hands full with puppies! I'm reminded (I think), Petco or a chain store with the Pet concept, have free or relatively inexpensive pet training - you need it. Also, perhaps there are some enterprising teens in your neighborhood who'd be willing to play with the puppies? walk them? do simple chores on your behalf? I have had a home office for years; I have (elderly) pets - one dog and one cat. We walk together (such a sight!) in the early morning and again around lunchtime -- my hubby and I walk them together in the evenings (an outing the whole family enjoys). I love having my dog (lab) at my feet while I work -- I love it when I'm on the phone and he yawns! Working in a home office with pets doesn't necessarily mean problems; it can be so rewarding -- but -- right now, you need order. Get some help - set up a routine the puppies can learn -- and relax -- it's gonna be okay. Hubby wanted the puppies - let him take lion's share of responsibilities once he's home - perhaps you can switch some of your workday (a couple hours or so?) -- to evenings. Don't despair -- good luck!
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| Posted 1 day ago Ok, so it's been a couple of day and my puppies are doing ok. I decided that they should be with me in the office. I set up a little bed for both of them. Believe it or not but they have been a lot less routy. They sleep almost all the time and play when they want to. Once they are tired out they go back to sleep. I think all they really wanted was to be close to me as I use to leave them alone in their crates and only took them out for feeding and walking. |
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