Dear Miss Behavin’: My dog loves that we are working from home, but doesn’t realize that we are still working! He is demanding our attention and we feel bad locking him in his crate. What are some tips for keeping him occupied while we work?
No doubt, Fido has had just a hard time adjusting to the new routine as you have. As much as you can, try to keep his new routine consistent with his old one. Is he used to going for a walk at 7am before everyone leaves the house? Even if you don’t have to wake up so early to commute these days, set your alarm and get Fido our for his 7am stroll. Did a dog walker previously relieve him midday? Take a spin around the block during your lunch break. You may find the structure benefits your productivity as well!
If Fido is still vying for your attention when it’s crunch time despite these efforts, you’re not out of luck. A common practice for quietly occupying your dogs time is that of offering puzzle toys. Puzzle toys, or puzzle feeders, are essentially vessels for dog food or treats that require a little extra brain power of your dog. Many puzzle toys are available at pet stores, such as the Kong and various hollow, treat-dispensing balls. If you don’t have any of these toys at home, you can use common household items to make your own.
An easy example is the empty toilet paper roll. Pinch one end shut, drop in a few treats, and pinch the other end shut. Get your dog excited! Rattle the roll so he can hear the treats, let him sniff it and then ask for a “sit.” Once seated, celebrate by tossing him the treat-filled roll. Do the same thing with cardboard boxes, and get creative! Stuff a toilet paper tube, put it in a little box, then put that in a larger box so Fido has to dig through multiple layers. Once he’s destroyed the cardboard and enjoyed a tasty snack, he should be ready for a nice nap until lunch time.