Comments on: Efficient Web Working for the Pet Owner

By: WebWorkerDaily » Archive The Sounds of Web Working: Do they Hurt or Help You? «

Wed, 12 Nov 2008 18:01:14 +0000

[...] absolute look of terror when I’m on Skype with a client and he would start crowing. I wrote in a previous post here at WWD that I worked around this problem by scheduling my work tasks around the time when my pets are [...]

By: CWAHM | Christian Work at Home Moms

CWAHM | Christian Work at Home Moms — Tue, 14 Oct 2008 10:18:35 +0000

[...] saw this article on one of my favorite blogs, Web Worker Daily, and thought I’d share it for those of you who work at home with [...]

By: John Swaringen

John Swaringen — Sat, 11 Oct 2008 06:49:12 +0000

My dog Buddy is my alarm clock. I’ve been working from home just over a year now and he’s the one who lets me know I need to get up from the desk and take a walk. I’m usually so engrossed in what I’m doing that I don’t notice I’ve spent 4 hours coding. 10 am, and 4:30pm on the dot, we go for a walk. I think it makes me more productive.

By: Jon Buscall

Jon Buscall — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 08:13:16 +0000

@ Nick Clayton
We go for a walk at 6 AM, a longish walk at lunchtime and a hike through the woods at the end of the afternoon. Without it the dogs and I would go spare.

By: Chris

Chris — Fri, 10 Oct 2008 02:44:20 +0000

How I can relate with this post! My Sophie is like your Tasha. I have actually trained her to an alarm so she is constantly crying to be fed. Thanks for posting!

By: Katybeth

Katybeth — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 23:19:43 +0000

My work is my clients pets. I run a camp for pups. Today, I was able to sit outside doing paperwork while my happy campers sunbathed (when allowed)and chased each other around the yard, followed by a dip in what will probably be one our last pool days. Your post made me consider the possibilities of camp rooster. I have always wanted a rooster to accompany my 6am bark alarm. MMM–might put the neighbors over the edge, tho! I strongly recommend working with your pets its great fun,however never ever underestimate the value of a crate, and good pup manners–allowing them to jump on your visitors will never amuse.

By: Nick Clayton

Nick Clayton — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 22:18:33 +0000

Most of the time my dog snoozes happily on the sofa in my office. I’ve not had any problems with her interacting inappropriately with my office equipment since she was a puppy. I certainly couldn’t ban her.

Her afternoon walk is the ideal time for me to get my thoughts in order. I’ve lost count of the number of times the right words for an article have come into my head as we stroll briskly through the woods. She also stops me developing telecommuter’s belly.

Incidentally, I notice none of the respondents take their pets for a walk in the morning. Hmmm.

By: John

John — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:10:44 +0000

My dogs and cats, er the mail room team and security, all sleep most of the day, except when the UPS or Fedex guy shows up. That said, I let them come and go as they please and generally find them unobtrusive. They ONLY seem to bark or bother me when I have an important client on the phone.

By: Scott Blitstein

Scott Blitstein — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 21:06:16 +0000

I often wish I could bring one of my cats to the office – I find them to be a very comforting presence. Sure, they can occasionally step on the keyboard, but it’s a small price to pay really.

By: Karen Norteman

Karen Norteman — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:52:16 +0000

Before I went to full-time telecommuting, my three dogs stayed home together and waited all day for me. The puppy went to day care, which got to be a bit expensive. Now that I’m home full-time, I can take care of them during the day — very important when I acquired the latest puppy (who is now 2).

The dogs are attuned to my schedule, and we all welcome a break in the afternoon. I’ll go into the yard and throw a ball for a few minutes. Late afternoon can get hairy when the “middle dog” starts whining for his dinner, but we have a good routine.

By: Sandy Fraser

Sandy Fraser — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 16:16:04 +0000

I’ve been telecommuting full-time for 8 years now, so both of my dogs have never known me to “go to work”. They are part of my team, and are on a fairly regular schedule. Dogs sleep for most of the day anyway, so mine have beds right here in my office, and it’s nice to have their company!

Mid-afternoon is usually outdoor play time, and by then, I’m way overdue for a break anyway :^}

Sandy, Bella & Toot Sweet

By: Jon Buscall

Jon Buscall — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:41:36 +0000

I translate and work as a copywriter from home so I can breed basset hounds. I have four right now plus a 3 week old pup.
Mum and pup are asleep next to my desk.

I find having a strict routine helps me and the dogs.

Usually, when I don’t have pups, I have four dogs sleeping under my feet. It’s heaven.

You can see pics of them: http://www.bassethounds.nu

By: Emily Williams

Emily Williams — Thu, 09 Oct 2008 15:17:40 +0000

My dog sometimes comes to the office with me. For the most part she’s content to lie in the sun, but sometimes she wants to cuddle on my lap – fine except when she tries to attack my fingers as I type. She seems to be learning, however, that if she does that it’s back to the floor for her, so she needs to stay calm if she wants to be on my lap.

It’s also helpful that everyone likes her, so each person will have their moment playing with her throughout the day. She gets to play a bunch, and each person’s only taking one or two breaks rather than spending the whole day dog-sitting.