How to Take Your Dog to Work

Taking your dog with you to work might be the highlight of your day, but it’s actually very beneficial for your wellbeing, your dog’s happiness and your performance in the workplace. We’ve highlighted the biggest benefits from taking your furry friends to work:

 

1.      Reduce your stress levels

PetMD report that interaction with your furry friend lowers cortisol and increases oxytocin (lowering your stress hormone and increasing your happiness hormone). Reducing your stress levels helps calm your mind and ease you into a productive day at work!

2.      Improve work engagement

The presence of your canine companions wandering about the workplace helps cultivate a sense of community, which helps employees feel connected to their colleagues and the business they work.

3.      Encourage teamwork and communication

Your canine companion encourages interactions from colleague who you may not usually speak to! They’re great social catalysts, and this increased socialisation between colleagues aids collaboration and cooperation, which can improve productivity! It is important to consider if any colleagues have an allergy – a considerate workplace is a happy one.

4.      Attractive workplace benefit

Being a pet-friendly workplace is definitely a head-turning benefit to offer potential and future employees! Work-life balance is all the more important since the Covid19 pandemic, and this policy shows the business valuing the balance, and also updating their perks to keep up with the times!

5.      Encourages exercise

When you have your dog in the office with you, it will need regular breaks to go for walks and wees! These breaks are great for office workers, where bad posture and sedentary habits run rife. Your dog is more likely to get more exercise when with you in the office, than being home alone.

6.      Positive environment

Being around dogs is relaxing and can ease stress, which will mean employees are less anxious and the workplace is a more comfortable environment!

7.      Reduced separation anxiety

It’s likely your canine companion experiences separation anxiety when they’re left alone! Taking them with you to work relieves them of this anxiety and boosts their overall happiness, and encourages extra bonding between you and them!

 

Being mindful of the other people (and potentially dogs) who will be sharing the environment with you and your dog is key. Ensuring your dog is healthy, well-behaved and appropriately socialized with other dogs is the foundation of a successful office dog.

It goes without saying that toilet training is an absolute essential – accidents happen, but frequent toilet breaks next to your co-workers’ desks may not go down too well! This ties in with basic obedience training, if they can sit, stay and heel, they’re more likely to be showered with treats by impressed colleagues.

It’s also worth noting if your furry friend is particularly vocal. Barking is common and expected from dogs, but if they’re a consistent noise-maker in the office they make hinder productivity rather than boosting it.

You have your own work bag with the essentials you need for the day – and now your dog needs one too! Make sure you’ve packed:

-          Their bed & blanket: this is great for comfort and giving them a place to settle.

-          Food & water: this includes their feeding bowls! Don’t forget treats too.

-          Play time picks: a cuddly toy and an interactive toy will keep them busy – we recommend leaving the squeaky toys behind!

-          Cleaning basics: this includes poop bags, pet-safe wipes and any health-related essentials unique to your dog.

Your workplace may be dog-friendly, but is it dog-safe? Once you’ve settled your furry friend into a quieter area, it’s time to remove any hazards that are present. This includes things like cables, and small objects they might try to eat! You want to be able to work with peace of mind knowing your furry friend is safe and sound.

Your canine companion will become very restless without breaks. To make walkies fit into your work calendar, schedule them in between meetings. The breaks need to be regular, but they can be short so not to disrupt your work day too much. Their big walk can be on your lunch break – you’ll be ready for some fresh air then too! Regular breaks prevent any toilet accidents happening, and will keep your pooch content throughout the day.

Before you enter your meeting (online or virtual), it’s important to keep your dog on their lead and with you during the call. A chew stick or quiet chew toy is the paw-fect way to keep your pooch busy during your meeting (and quiet). It’s super important you are mindful of other people in your meeting, especially of those speaking, so that your dog doesn’t become a major distraction.

Once you’ve clarified if your dog is welcome at work, it’s best to start with short visits to allow your pooch to acclimatise to somewhere new. Gradually introducing them to colleagues they’re likely to interact with will ensure they’re not too excitable and uncontrollable on their first full day!

It’s always best to supervise any new or familiar interactions between your dog and your co-workers/ their pets, to ensure all experiences are positive. Always ask to make sure your colleagues are comfortable around your dog or interacting with them – some people may be nervous or scared of dogs.

Taking your dog to work can be an enjoyable and positive experience, lowering stress levels and boosting workplace morale. It’s always important to check company policy, and once you know if they’re allowed you can start to prepare all of the essentials. Considering your dog’s and co-workers’ needs will make taking your dog to work a positive and rewarding routine which ultimately strengthens the connection between you and your pooch! You can shop all of your furry friend’s essentials for a day at the workplace in store and online.