Photo courtesy of netwalker_net (Flickr)
When you telecommute or work from home and have indoor pets, you have some unique considerations to make. Pets aren’t always as cooperative as children, whom you can reason with or if all else fails, bribe. Instead, they may decide to bark or meow incessantly while you’re on the phone with an important client. This behavior will do little to increase your professionalism, and it’s a distraction that most telecommuters can’t afford.
Having a pet has many positive benefits, but if you’re planning to work from home, you may have to take a hard look at your relationship with your four-legged friend. If you already work from home and are considering pet ownership, you’ll also want plan in advance to minimize potential problems. Regardless of your situation, there are some important questions you’ll need to ask yourself before undertaking a telecommuting or work at home job with indoor pets.
- What type of work will you be performing? Will you be on the phone or in similar situations in which your pet could be a distraction?
- Is your pet telecommute-friendly? Does your dog bark at the drop of a hat, or are you confident his behavior will mesh well with your duties?
- Do you have a room in which you can move your pet when necessary? Do you have an upstairs or office area in which you can work away from your pet?
- Are you willing to spend money for a pet sitter while you work, if necessary?
- If the problems become too great, are you willing to give up telecommuting or find a new home for your pet?
Answer these questions truthfully to help you determine if telecommuting with pets in the home is going to be practical for your situation. If you are determined to make it work, here are some tips to help you keep things under control.
- If you have an occasionally noisy pet and spend a lot of time on the phone, invest in a phone with a mute button. You could also try keeping a supply of treats on your desk. Anytime your pet becomes anxious while you’re busy, give him a treat to keep him quiet until you can deal with the problem.
- If you have an excessively noisy pet, your only choice may be to remove the pet from your work area during work hours. Check out pet day care centers in your area, or if you live in a rural area (like many of us do in Arkansas), find someone you trust to watch your pet during the day, such as a relative or friend.
- In some cases, you may be able to place your pet in a fenced area out of doors while you work, or simply put them downstairs or into another room. Make a decision based on how well your pet is able to behave in these situations.
Only you are familiar with your pet’s behavior, so take action accordingly. If you’re blessed with a well-behaved animal companion, it can be very comforting to have him in your office with you while you work. However, we aren’t all so lucky, and sometimes concessions must be made. Do what’s best for you, your job, your clients, and your pet.
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