From Zoomies to Zoom Calls: Navigating Remote Work with a Puppy

At Remotivated we feel very confident helping people improve the way they work in so many ways,  but today I’m tackling a topic that tested every last ounce of my patience, sharing what I learned along the way. What is this most challenging of topics? Caring for your new puppy (or landshark) while working from home. 

Working remotely is amazing for pet owners and pets. Remotivated recently surveyed American dogs and found that 98% prefer having their human work from home and our analysts have good reason to believe that the other 2% of respondents were actually cats. While working from home offers a lot more opportunity to spend time with your furry friends, it also offers some unique challenges, particularly for new puppy owners. Here are some hard won tips from someone who has just been through it. 

1. Puppy-Proof Your Workspace

Before your new home office mate arrives, puppy-proof like you're preparing for a tiny, furry tornado. Secure cables, trash bins, and anything else that's chewable or looks like a puppy toy (which, to a puppy, is literally everything). If the room you work in is on the bigger side you may want to get a pen to put in your office temporarily. A leash works in a pinch however I found my pup is extremely dedicated to getting tangled up on the legs of my standing desk!

2. Schedule, Schedule, Schedule

Puppies thrive on routine, and coincidentally, so do effective remote workers. Align your puppy's meal times, potty breaks, and nap times with your work schedule. Use those precious nap times as your power hours to get as much work done as possible. Think of it as a Pomodoro Technique, but instead of a timer, you're racing against a puppy bladder!

 I have always enjoyed getting my most important tasks done first thing in the morning, so that has become my puppy’s nap time. I also advocate minimizing back to back calls and building in 5-10 minute breaks in between any long calls. These are general remote work best practices for humans that become absolutely necessary with a puppy. 

3. Invest in Engaging Toys

The right toys can keep your puppy entertained and your slippers safe. Interactive toys or treat-dispensing puzzles do wonders for a puppy's brain and give you uninterrupted time to focus on work. It's like giving a child a new video game so you can enjoy a few moments of sweet, albeit fleeting, peace. Although there are tons of cool puzzles and snuffle mats for dogs these days, so investing in engaging toys doesn’t have to be expensive. You can give a puppy any safe object that is new to them and they’ll happily explore/destroy it.  A head of lettuce occupied my pup longer than any of the puzzles we got. The 2 minutes of clean up was well worth the hour plus it occupied her for. 

4. Puppy Socialization Classes: Not Just for the Puppy

Not only are puppy classes great for socialization, but they also tire out your pup, leading to longer naps (see the pattern here?). Plus, attending these classes gives you a legitimate reason to step away from your desk and interact with people who are experiencing the same hell…. I mean joys…. of puppy ownership as you are. 

5. The Magic of Crate Training

Crate training is not just about house training; it's about creating a safe space for your puppy and protecting your sanity. A crate can ensure your puppy is safe when you can't supervise directly and it helps teach them to self soothe when you aren’t around. My pup spends the first couple hours of the workday napping in her crate and then after a lunchtime walk she spends the afternoon with my wife or I. If one of us has any big meetings in the afternoon that require silence, a frozen Kong or bully stick can be used strategically. 

6. Embrace the Chaos in Video Calls

At some point, your puppy will crash a video call -  it’s absolutely inevitable. Instead of panicking, use it as an icebreaker. Let's be honest. Everyone could use a puppy interlude during their eighth Zoom meeting of the day. If it’s a sales call, be sure to tell the client that you won’t be able to afford treats if the deal doesn’t close by the end of the quarter while holding your puppy up to the camera. 

7. Puppy Cameras: Because Surveillance Isn’t Just for Spies

Invest in a puppy camera. It's not just for spying on your furry friend while you're in another room; it's also for your peace of mind. Plus, it provides great content for those internal pet-focused Slack channels.

8. Take Advantage of the Extra Movement

When you don’t have a dog, skipping your daily walk is just lazy. Now, according to my pup’s reaction at least, it’s animal abuse. Getting outside and getting sunlight every morning and afternoon should be a part of everyone’s day. There is a ton of research that shows this is great for your circadian rhythm. However, on tough days when you most need an endorphin boost, it can be difficult to find the motivation to do something for yourself. Let your fur baby be your motivation to get out and do something that is good for both of you. 

9. Seek Help When Needed

Don't be afraid to ask for help, whether it's hiring a dog walker for those extra busy days or enlisting nearby family members for puppy duty. Working remotely certainly means you’ll get to spend more time with your puppy than if you had a commute but it doesn’t mean you should try to do everything yourself. My pup goes to daycare once a week. This not only gives me a full day of extra productivity, but she does so much playing in that one day that she pretty much hibernates through the following day as well. 

10. Remember, This Too Shall Pass

Like all phases, the new puppy phase is temporary. It’s normal for people to get the “puppy blues” now and then. Before you know it, your bundle of energy will evolve into a loyal coworker who respects your work (most of the time) and provides endless comfort during those challenging days. Before long you'll be back to doing more business in the house than your puppy!

In the grand scheme of things, surviving the new puppy phase while working remotely is not just about juggling responsibilities; it's about embracing the joy, laughter, and occasional madness that comes with it. At Remotivated, we believe in the power of a positive work culture, even if that culture now includes a bit more fur and a few more paw prints.

So, here's to the remote workers and their furry colleagues—may your coffee be strong, your wifi stronger, and your puppy's nap times perfectly timed with your meeting schedule.

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