Our beautiful Poochon, Biscuit is due a litter of puppies. Upon hearing this news, lots of my friends are eager to have one of the little bundles of fun. A number of these have their own businesses and run these from home. As someone with experience in this field, I have been giving lots of advice on raising a new puppy while trying to run your own business. Here is a fact sheet we have put together to help!
So, there’s a lot of domestic bliss when it comes to working from home. It’s not actually hard to see how or why in the slightest. For starters, you get to sleep in, wear PJs all day, take as many breaks as you want, use your own bathroom, and cook a nice meal for lunch. Honestly, the list could go on and on. But it is seen as pretty comfortable getting to work from home, even running a business from home. So, with that said, when you work from home, there are some more luxuries that those who need to commute don’t have.
For example, you get to spend more time with your loved ones. If you run a business somewhere, then chances are you’re spending more time in your day with coworkers and clients. But there’s another added benefit, and that’s pets. A lot of business owners will turn down the idea of having a pet because they’re not home enough to take care of them and give them the attention that they deserve. Now, that’s totally justifiable, but what about at-home business owners?
Well, it can be a mixed bag depending on your schedule; whether you’re dreaming about getting a chocolate labrador puppy, a sweet tabby cat, or even a bird, well, they’re all still going to require attention. Even if you’re home all day, that doesn’t inherently mean that you have time to take care of and pay attention to your pet all day. There’s a balance to it that you need to understand.
So, with that said, how can you do this balancing act, especially when it comes to raising a new puppy? While full-grown dogs, kittens, and other pets (baby rodents and birds included) do require a lot of care, a puppy requires even more. They can’t use a little box like a kitten, and they’re not in a cage like a bird or rodent. They have more energy, too. So, if you’re an at-home business with a busy schedule, is it possible to bring a new addition to your home? Of course! So, with that said, here’s what you need to keep in mind!
You Need to Establish a Structured Routine First
You most likely have a routine for your business, right? Maybe even something for your day, but your dog will need a routine, too. While it sounds too much, it’s not; creating a structured daily routine is essential for both you and your puppy. You’ll want to set specific work hours during which you’ll focus on your business tasks and designate breaks for puppy care and training.
So, what this means is that you’re going to have to start establishing a consistent schedule for feeding, potty breaks, playtime, and rest. This will help your puppy thrive while allowing you to stay productive and organized in your work. It’s not only about being orderly, but dogs need this; their biological clock also needs this.
Do You Have a Dedicated Workspace?
This might be a little obvious, but it still helps to address this. So, why is this needed specifically when raising a puppy? Well, designate a quiet, designated workspace where you can concentrate on your business without distractions- your puppy being one of them!
As cute as they might be, you’re still going to have to set boundaries to keep your puppy out of this area during focused work periods, using baby gates or a closed door if necessary. This is super important because having a separate workspace will help you maintain productivity and separate your work life from your personal life, even with a playful pup around.
Utilize Crate Training
It’s a similar concept to babies and toddlers having a playpen but with a puppy instead. In fact, crate training can be a valuable tool at home when raising a puppy. So, you’re going to want to introduce your puppy to their crate as a safe and comfortable space where they can rest and relax during times when you need to focus on work.
Then, you’ll gradually increase the crate time while you’re working, making sure to provide plenty of positive reinforcement and rewards. You’ll want to crate-train them because this means that you’ll get some uninterrupted work time while at the same time feeling comfortable that your puppy stays safe and secure.
You Can Still Train Them (In Short Spans)
While you can take the time after work and on weekends to train them. You’re better off if you can do chunks throughout the day. So, ideally, you’ll want to try your best to just take advantage of short training sessions throughout the day to teach your puppy basic obedience commands and reinforce good behaviour. It’s about consistency. And it’s just easier to be consistent all day, every day; they’ll pick on their training way faster, too.
So, what about timing, though? Well, you can keep training sessions brief and focused, incorporating them into your work breaks, lunch breaks, or even downtime when nothing eventful is happening during work. Plus, you need to do this, too, for bonding.
Consider Seeking Support When Possible
Please don’t expect to do it all, because sometimes it won’t even be possible. Seriously, don’t hesitate to seek support from family members, friends, or professional pet sitters when needed. You can even put them in a doggy daycare if you’re struggling too much. But if that isn’t an option, then just try to enlist help with puppy care. Such as midday potty breaks or playtime, to give yourself dedicated work periods without interruptions. Usually, this is when people opt for services like dog walkers or sitters. So, if work is just too crazy, then this could be an option.
You Might Need to be Flexible
Balancing the demands of running a business and raising a puppy can be challenging! It’s not easy, and no one ever said it was! So, just try to remember to prioritize self-care and flexibility. Try to get some breaks in so you can recharge a bit. Balancing both of these takes grace and patience, so don’t beat yourself up if you’re having a hard time.
Featured Image courtesy of Unsplash.
