If you work from home, you know the struggle of maintaining a proper work-life balance. Now, more than ever, our work lives are invading our daily lives. For those of us with families, at least our partners and children can understand since they’re experiencing it in their own ways. But what about your dog?
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Your dog may not understand why you’re not paying attention to them while being home all day. It can be upsetting to them, as they want your attention, rather than watching you sit at your computer all day.
But how do you deal with this? Keeping your dog entertained already requires some work, but it needs even more attention while working from home. But that doesn’t mean it has to be complicated. Keeping your dog entertained is actually quite easy.
Whether it’s providing them with long-lasting dog chews or providing them with enough exercise every day, here’s how you can keep your dog entertained while working from home.
Make Sure Your Dog Gets Enough Exercise
One of the best things you can do to entertain your dog is ensure they get enough exercise. Why is this?
Dogs need a good amount of exercise every day, depending on their breed and size. This exercise is essential to keeping them happy and healthy, as it allows them to properly get out their energy and work on their more work-oriented instincts. For instance, a German Shepherd will appreciate a lot of exercise and activities related to challenges and working. Meanwhile, an old Labrador Retriever will enjoy the time to play, but they’ll otherwise enjoy being rather lazy.
Most of all, you’ll want to exercise your dog enough to stave off signs of boredom.
Boredom in dogs is a serious issue, as it can lead to bad habits, including:
- Stubbornness
- Paw licking and chewing
- Aggressiveness
- And more
Give Them a Relaxing Spot to Chill Out
You should equally ensure that your dog has a place to hang out during the day. While this might sound antithetical to “entertainment,” it’s a great way to provide them with a cool down place.
Part of the issue with working from home is that you may provide your dog with constant stimuli – things that are only going to excite them, which you won’t be able to respond to while working.
Instead, it’s important you provide them with a place where they can relax. While you want to exercise and play with them throughout the day, you won’t want to keep them stimulated throughout the entire day.
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Basic Chew Toys Go a Long Way
The best dog toys are those that allow a dog to get their energy out in a safe way. Your dog should be able to use them throughout the day while you’re working at your computer, whether they’re by your side or in the other room.
You should always avoid toys that could be potential choking hazards, as they could lead to a dangerous situation. Rather, you should buy toys that are meant for their size, breed, and chewing habits.
Interactive Toys will Keep Them Focused
Interactive dog toys are an exceptional way to keep your dog entertained throughout the day. They provide your dog with a focus that makes it easy to get lost in all the fun.
Interactive dog toys are a load of fun, as they allow your dog to work for their reward. The most common interactive toys make your dog put in effort to retrieve a treat. These include balls and interactive game boards, where the dog must understand how to move the toy to get to their food.
Others include snuffle mats, which work on your dog’s foraging instincts. Place a treat deep inside and make them forage for their treat, working to sniff it out among the rest of the mat.
Give Them a Long-Lasting Treat
Looking to keep them entertained for almost an hour? You’ll want to reach for long-lasting dog bones.
Packed with nutrients and flavor, these treats are as entertaining for your dog as they are tasty. The best thing of all is it allows your dog to clean their teeth. They can sit for a long time, chewing and gnawing, all while scraping tartar and plaque from their teeth.
There are a number of dog chews to choose from, too, so you can always make sure that you’re getting the best long-lasting treat for your dog.
Keep up the Fun and Training
Don’t allow yourself to become too encumbered with your work. Be sure to take some time away from your computer and phone now and then. This is a simple and essential way to keep your dog entertained – specifically so they don’t feel as if you’re ignoring them.
Take time out of your day to play with them and work on basic training. This can include a game of fetch, working on commands, or playing puzzle games together.
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Consider Getting some Doggie Friends
Don’t be afraid to outsource your entertainment, either. Your dog needs socialization with other dogs, too, and your best bet at achieving this is with neighbors and doggie daycare. See if your neighbor wants to have playdates every few days, whether in your backyard or theirs. Furthermore, doggie daycare will provide them with a safe space where they can work on their commands and play with other dogs.
Most of all, you need to ensure you follow a schedule. Your dog needs to know what to expect from day to day – what hours you’re working and when you’re available to have fun. You’ll also want to keep an eye on the clock. Don’t allow yourself to get lost in your work to the point where it inhibits your dog’s life.
Instead, take the time out of your day to provide them with the entertainment and fun they deserve.
This post is provided by a paid sponsored.
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