We love our pups, but let’s be honest: that Zoom meeting isn’t going to run itself, and your dog’s idea of productivity usually involves squeaking the loudest toy known to man.
Luckily, a little prep can go a long way in keeping your favorite coworker happy during the workday. Here are some fun and easy ways to keep your dog entertained while you focus.
1. Lick Mats & Kongs
Fill a lick mat or Kong with pup-friendly ingredients, and then pop in the freezer for 20-30 minutes to stretch out the fun. It’s a soothing, tasty, time-consuming win.
Need inspo? Check out our Pumpkin Cobbler Stuffed Kong recipe and Apple Crumble Lick Mat recipes.
2. Scheduled Play Breaks
Think of it like your dog’s version of a coffee run. A quick game of tug, fetch, or a short training session between meetings helps burn off that zoomies energy and even helps sneak a few minutes of activity for you, too. A win-win.
3. The 5-Minute Sniff Walk
It’s not about the steps — it’s about the sniffs. It’s mentally enriching, surprisingly tiring, and just five minutes of sunshine can do wonders for your energy too.
4. Dog TV
Yes, it’s a thing — and it works. Search YouTube for dog-friendly videos, from bird-filled forests to playtime footage at doggy daycare. They can be soothing, visually engaging, and even work well on mute.
5. Puzzle Toys + Crumbled Treats = Magic
Stuff your pup’s puzzle toys with crumbled bits of What’s Barking Treats. Let them sniff, paw, and nudge their way to delicious success. It’s great enrichment and takes some of the entertainment pressure off of you.
6. Rotate Toys Weekly
Just like us, dogs get bored of the same old stuff. Try rotating your pup’s toys every week — stash a few away and swap them out to keep things feeling new and exciting. Bonus: you’ll get way more bang for your toy budget.
Because a Bored Dog is a Restless Dog…
…and a restless dog will find a job. Whether that’s shredding your latest Amazon box or barking at the wind, it’s probably not the best for your productivity.
These simple, mostly passive ideas take just a few minutes to prep. They make your workday smoother, and your pup’s day a whole lot more fun.