A growing number of businesses are seeing the benefits to employees bringing their dogs to work. This year’s ‘Bring your dog to work’ day looks to be more popular than ever, charity Dogs for Good has produced its top tips for a happy dog in the office.
Director of Training, Helen McCain says that while the stress-relieving benefits of having a dog in the office are well-documented for people, pet dogs who are unfamiliar with an office environment may find it difficult to cope with. “Just like us, dogs learn through experience, so an office can be quite an alien place for a dog to visit. Meeting lots of different people, lots of different smells and sounds and no familiar and comfortable places can make being in the office particularly hard, especially if they’re not doing it on a regular basis.”
Helen explains that the key is in knowing what your dog enjoys, planning your day in advance and keeping a close eye on your dog will help you both get the most out of your day. “Taking your dog to work should be a positive experience for both of you, being prepared and giving you and your dog some extra time to get settled will pay off to ensuring your dog stays relaxed and happy. Making time for a walk when you get to work, giving your dog some treats and toys to provide mental stimulation and a quiet area not far from you will all help your dog to settle more quickly.”
Dogs for Good has published its Top Five Tips for taking your four-legged friend into the office and says the key thing to remember is that the aim is for both of you to enjoy having time together, dogs also enjoy the time that they spend with us. Helen McCain explains: “With the right support, dogs can get great benefits from time in the office too, helping to reduce separation anxiety, provide good mental stimulation and regular walks – things that aren’t always possible if a dog is left at home.”
“In fact, in the future, it would be great to see companies considering allowing dogs to play a greater part in office life, and not just once a year.”