How Working from Home Changes Your Dog’s Routine (and How to Adapt)

Working from home sounds like every dog’s dream – endless company, flexible schedules, and more time together. But for many dogs (and their humans), that shift in routine can actually create confusion, stress, or clinginess.

If your dog barks during calls, shadows you from room to room, or struggles to switch off, you’re not alone.

At SniffLab™, we’ve learned that a calm home starts with structure and enrichment – especially when you and your dog share the same space all day.

Let’s explore how working from home affects your dog’s behaviour, why enrichment is key, and how to build a daily rhythm that works for both of you.

 

Why Dogs Struggle with the Work-from-Home Lifestyle

When you start working from home, your dog’s world changes – even if it doesn’t look like it.

Before, your routine was clear:
You left → they rested → you returned → they played.

Now, you’re always there, but not always available. That inconsistency can be confusing for dogs who rely on predictable cues to feel secure.

For many dogs, that means:
🐾 Increased attachment or “velcro” behaviour
🐾 Barking or whining when you’re on calls
🐾 Difficulty settling during the day
🐾 Overexcitement when anything changes

Dogs are creatures of habit. When the rhythm of the day changes, they don’t automatically adapt – they need help finding their new normal.

 

Meet Marley – The Work-from-Home Kelpie

When we started working remotely full-time, our Kelpie Marley thought he’d won the lottery.
He got more walks, more pats, more company… and also, more access to everything.

Soon, he started pacing during meetings, pawing for attention, and barking at random noises. It wasn’t “bad behaviour” – it was confusion.
He didn’t understand when we were “at work” versus “available.”

That’s when we introduced structure – clear signals for rest, play, and enrichment. Within weeks, Marley started settling more easily.
He learned that quiet time didn’t mean being ignored – it meant relaxation.

 

The Science: Why Structure and Calm Go Hand in Paw

Routine helps dogs regulate their emotions and energy.
According to Applied Animal Behaviour Science (2023), predictable daily patterns lower cortisol (the stress hormone) and support calm, confident behaviour.

Just like humans, dogs benefit from knowing what comes next. When their day follows a reliable rhythm – walk, food, enrichment, rest – they relax more deeply.

Adding enrichment to that structure gives them purpose.
It satisfies their natural instincts (sniffing, chewing, problem-solving) and helps release energy without overstimulation.

 

Building a Balanced Work-from-Home Routine

Here’s how to create a flow that works for both you and your dog.

🌅 Morning: Connection + Movement

Short sniff walk: Start the day with a relaxed stroll where your dog sets the pace and sniffs freely.

Breakfast enrichment: Use a snuffle mat or slow feeder instead of a bowl to add mental work to mealtime.

💡 Pro tip: A short sniff-based walk tires the brain more than a fast-paced jog.

 

☀️ Midday: Focus + Calm

This is when most dogs (and humans) need a reset.

10-minute enrichment session: Try a scatter feed or SnufflePlace™ for a quick foraging fix.

“Place” time: After enrichment, cue your dog to lie calmly on their mat while you work. Reward relaxed behaviour.

If your dog struggles to settle, give them a chew or lick mat to encourage self-soothing.

 

🌧️ Afternoon: Break the Boredom

Dogs often get restless in the late afternoon – that’s when energy builds up.

• Rotate toys to keep things interesting.
• Hide a treat trail around one room and let them sniff it out.
• End with calm enrichment, like gentle grooming or a frozen Kong.

Marley’s favourite? A few minutes of snuffling in his SnufflePlace™ followed by watching the world go by from the window.

 

🌙 Evening: Wind Down Together

At the end of your workday, your dog needs a clear “off switch,” too.

• Announce it: say a consistent phrase like “all done” or “finished.”
• Do a short sniff walk or light play session.
• End with quiet relaxation – snuggling, chewing, or resting near you.

Consistency helps your dog differentiate between work time and together time, reducing anxiety and frustration.

 

Small Changes, Big Calm

Here are a few simple ways to make working from home more peaceful for you both:

✅ Create zones: A mat (like SnufflePlace™) helps your dog understand where to rest, even in shared spaces.
✅ Use white noise: It can reduce barking triggered by external sounds.
✅ Schedule attention breaks: Short, intentional check-ins prevent your dog from demanding it constantly.
✅ Stay flexible: Some days won’t go perfectly – that’s okay. Focus on overall balance, not perfection.

 

How Enrichment Strengthens Your Bond

When your dog learns to relax independently, your bond actually gets stronger.
They stop relying on constant interaction and start trusting your rhythm.

For Marley, enrichment and calm time didn’t just make the day easier – it changed our relationship.
He went from impatient pacing during calls to curling up quietly beside my desk, content just to be near.

That’s the power of calm connection.

 

Why SniffLab™ Supports the Calm Home

At SniffLab™, we believe that enrichment isn’t a luxury – it’s part of everyday wellbeing.

Our SnufflePlace™ mat helps create calm through natural behaviours like sniffing and foraging. It’s lightweight, portable, and designed for modern living – perfect for home offices, cafés, or road trips.

Because calm dogs make calm homes – and every workday is better with a little more peace and a lot more tail wags.