How to Keep Your Dog Busy During Work Calls

You unmute, and right on cue, the barking starts. Or the nudging. Or the squeaky toy dropped on your foot. Working from home with a dog is lovely most of the time, and a little chaotic the rest. A bit of planning around your calls can make a real difference.

Why it always seems to happen on calls

To your dog, you're home, you're sitting still, and you're talking, which can look a lot like an invitation. Some dogs also react to voices coming out of a laptop. None of this means anything is wrong. Your dog just needs something better to do in that moment.

What helps

1. Get the energy out first. A short walk or a few minutes of sniffing around the yard before a big meeting goes a long way. A dog who has had a chance to move is more likely to settle.
2. Set up a call spot. A bed or mat in the same corner each time, with water nearby. Over time, it becomes the place where calm things happen.
3. Prepare something to lick before you join. A lick bowl with a thin layer of a dog-safe filling keeps many dogs busy far longer than a handful of treats. Get it ready a few minutes before, so you're not scrambling once the meeting starts.
4. Time it right. Put the bowl down just before you unmute, not after the barking has started. That way you're giving your dog something to do, not a reward for interrupting.
5. Rotate what you offer. Swap between fillings and other quiet activities, like a chew or a snuffle mat, so it stays interesting.
6. Use it outside of calls too. If the bowl only ever appears when you're busy, some dogs start to connect it with being ignored. Offer it at other relaxed times as well.
7. Make time for them after. A quick game or a scratch behind the ears once the call ends keeps the day balanced.

A bowl that suits the job

For call time, you want something that's quick to set up and stays where you put it. The Lick and Roll Bowl presses onto a smooth floor with its suction base, has a rolling ball in the center that keeps your dog licking, and rinses clean afterward. As with any treat, keep your dog within sight while they use it.

Need filling ideas? Our list of dog-safe lick bowl fillings has twelve easy options.