Take Your Dog to Work Tips: Both of You Will Love It!
Now we have Take Your Dog to Work Days! Even Take Your Cat to Work! But have you ever tried? Here are some take your dog to work tips…
Do you take your dog to work?
Will you be taking your dog – or other pet- to work? Have you ever taken your pet to work? Scroll down if you’d like to read my experience with Chilli dog in a quiet office!
I know some of you will be thinking ‘No way! I’d never get any work done!” Yet, research shows that workplaces with pets are more productive and employee stress levels are lower when a pet is present. Good reasons for workplaces being pet-friendly.
Best to be prepared before taking your dog to work
Before you rock up with your pet on Take Your Dog to Work Day, it’s best to consider a few things…
- Let your boss know (and preferably ask if it’s ok) that you’ll be bringing your dog and all the provisions you have made
- Let your workmates know and make sure no one has any severe allergies or fear of animals
- You can’t take your pet on public transport in many places so you will need to bring your own vehicle.
- Also wise to pack your pet’s own bed, snacks and toys to play with
- Can you take regular pet toilet breaks? How will you manage a toilet break of your own?!
- Ask a work colleague if they will mind your dog should you need to take an important phone call or attend a meeting without pets.
Be prepared for a lot of attention on your pet when they are at your workplace. The novelty will have everyone visiting your office. In fact, on Friday, you may not get much work done at all. If, however, all goes well and pets in the office becomes a regular occurrence, then the benefits will flow.
I often visit the Nestle Purina Petcare offices in Sydney. Pets are always welcome there and I am sure there will be record numbers in the workplace on Friday. That should be exciting. I am always surprised how well behaved all the animals are. Although Chilli’s dog first visit there was a bit of a nightmare!! Keep reading to find out why!
Dogs may make the best colleagues of all
Purina has come up with 20 reasons why:
- They’re the ultimate people pleaser
2. They always say yes to snacks
3. Mealtimes always stick to schedule
4. They always welcome you like you’ve just returned from holidays
5. No one minds when they bark orders
6. They always get in on the action
7. All disputes can be resolved with a game of fetch
8. They have no qualms being at your beck and call
9. They’ll never turn up in the same outfit as you
10. They always like to leave their mark
11. They won’t let pet peeves get in the way of business
12. They monitor office comings and goings free of charge
13. Smoko breaks are a thing of the past
14. They’ve totally got the competition sniffed out
15. The only favour they’ll ever request is a good old belly rub
16. Got a problem? They’re all ears
17. They will never drop the ball
18. Even the RUFFest job is doable
19. They love to hug it out
20. Their rates are VERY affordable
7 Reasons Pets in The Office Can Boost Productivity
Do you take your pet to work? Or are you the boss and have not yet tried a pet-friendly workplace? Perhaps you need to read these 7 reasons pets in the office can boost productivity, thanks to Cole at Hook Agency…
For millions of employees, pets are a huge part of their daily life. Outside of the office, we spend most of our time at home in the company of pets, and we know that there’s a laundry list of benefits associated with pet ownership.
But, should your pet be joining you in the office, as well? You may be surprised by the fact that pets in the office can boost productivity while creating a more pleasant work environment for everyone.
Everyone from a New York SEO services firm to tech giants like Google and Amazon is beginning to allow pets in the workplace. Read on as we discuss some of the most compelling reasons to have your pet beside your desk at work.
#1 Less Stress
It’s no secret that having a pet helps to reduce stress. So, it’s not much of a jump to expect our pets to be able to help us reduce stress while we’re at work, too.
Multiple studies have been conducted on a pet’s ability to reduce workplace-related stress, and the results suggest that dogs in the workplace have a profound effect on stress reduction.
#2 More Teamwork
If you’ve ever been in an office with a pet, you’ve probably noticed that the staff tends to rally around the animal.
Feeling stressed? Feeling happy? Just completed a task? Whatever the motivation to pet the office dog or cat, the fact is that the pet tends to bring team members together, which teaches the team valuable lessons on how to work together.
#3 Reduced Healthcare Costs
Not only are pets good for our mental health, but they’re also good for our physical health, too.
In a recent study, the Human Animal Bond Research Initiative concluded that pet owners save a total of $11.37 billion annually in doctor visits compared to non-pet owners. Those who walk their pets each day also show lower rates of obesity than those who don’t.
Allowing dogs in the workplace can contribute to lower healthcare costs at a company-wide level, which helps your office maintain healthier and more productive employees.
#4 Less Missed Time
Spinning off of our third reason for allowing pets in the office, less stress and lower healthcare costs also mean that employees will be missing less time at the office.
When
#5 Better Work-Life Balance
Work-life balance is a critical component of maintaining a productive and engaged workforce. By having pets in the office, you’re also encouraging your employees to take the occasional moment for themselves.
This could mean taking the office dog for a walk, engaging in play time for a moment or two, or just taking a second to de-stress and pet the dog or cat.
The temporary respite that an office pet provides helps employees refocus their energy so they can return to their projects re-energized and ready to work.
#6 Better Interoffice Communication
Poor communication is a detriment to the workplace, and it can result in less productive employees, as well.
By having a pet in the office, it encourages members of the team who rarely interact together to come together around the pet. While it may seem small, these interactions help break down barriers in the workplace, and make it easy for your employees to communicate with each other.
Increased communication results in more productivity and a better office environment in general.
#7 Improved Morale
It’s no secret that a happy office is a productive office, so it stands to reason that the improved morale around the office when there’s a pet involved can translate to happier and more productive employees.
Countless studies have concluded that pets increase our general happiness and sense of wellbeing.
For the owner of the office dog or cat, having their pet around can also help them reduce the stresses that come with pet ownership. For example, they won’t have to worry about their pet tearing up the living room or worry about how they’re getting along with other pets at daycare.
About the author:
Cole is a small business marketer that is passionate about driving website traffic and leads to small businesses websites’ at Hook Agency. Have a question about improving your rankings on Google? Reach out to him at cole@hookagency.com.
NOT A CORPORATE DOG: Chilli’s Experience in the Office
So I took Chilli dog along to the Purina offices with me today. Not her first visit but her first since she was 8 weeks old. Now she is 1.
This was not the first occasional she has been to work with me. Generally, however, wherever I work there are open spaces, grass, fresh air. Great for work breaks. None of that in a corporate office. Walls, ceilings, lots of surfaces to echo barks! Yes, Chilli barked… and barked.
Within five minutes she acted, typical Terrier style, as if she owned the place. Then, of course she had the right to bark at anyone who walked past her. To calm her down I had brought her dog house (a portable dog kennel) which she likes to snooze in and I can close screens to block her view. In her house, she went, as always enticed by the promise of a treat ball within.
Today, however, she could still hear the girls in the pet care advice centre answering calls. Every time one of them said “Hello”, Chilli thought someone new was arriving and started to bark!
We managed to limit the barking by providing her with a Purina Total Care squeaky toy. Great – no more barks. Just squeaks, loud squeaks!
Purina is a pet friendly office. People who work there are welcome to bring their pets along to work. It is illegal, however, in our State to take your dog into food preparation areas – thus no trips to the office cafe. How does one survive a stressful day at the office with your dog without caffeine?
Home now and Chilli dog is exhausted! Me too! Definitely not a corporate dog! Next time I bring my quiet cat!
You didn’t think I had perfect pets, did you?!
More tips required?
Pets in the Office: How to be Prepared
More and more, we are seeing pets in the workplace. That’s got to be a good thing, right? Yes but only if you are prepared. Here are some tips, thanks to Hania Syed from My Deal, on how to be prepared to have your pet in the workplace…
The workplace can be a stressful environment, with tense meetings and tight deadlines all being part and parcel of the environment. Now, what’s one way of instantly de-stressing? Being able to cuddle up with your beloved pet!More and more workplaces are allowing pets to be brought into the office, particularly on Fridays. Having pets in the office has been shown to reduce stress among employees and also boost the happiness of your pet as they get to be out with their best friend. From having a quality pet enclosure to keep your pooch out of the way to entertaining your cat with a cat scratching post, here’s everything you need to keep in mind before broaching the subject with your boss.
Legalities of pets at work
Your boss might adore the idea of having pets in the office, but you still need to be wary of any rules your building may have. In some cases, a pet can be considered a workplace hazard or unhygienic if your workplace has anything to do with food preparation. Make sure to go over everything with building management first and know where you stand in case anything was to go wrong. Your boss should also get you to sign a waiver to remove liability from the company.
Consider your colleagues
When bringing a pet into the workplace, you need to be considerate of everyone’s comfort and not just your own preferences. Is there anyone who is deathly afraid of dogs, or horribly allergic to cats? Be mindful of how noisy or disruptive your pet might be so that you do not impact the productivity or peace of mind of your colleagues. If you’re not sure how well your pet will cope in a corporate environment, try to bring them in on a day where you know the team won’t be too busy or not many people will be in.
Prioritise safety
Before bringing your pet into your workplace, consider your pet’s comfort and safety. Make sure your office area is large enough for your pet to stroll around and not get in anyone’s way. Also, pet proof the area by removing any sharp objects or anything they might accidentally eat. Always have enough doggie bags to promptly clean up after your pet and maintain a hygienic work environment. Finally, be mindful that your cheeky pet doesn’t chew through any wires or cables!Get your pet checked up
If other employees are already bringing their pets to work or you think they might start bringing their pets in when you do, make sure to take your pet to the vet first for vaccinations and a general checkup. The last thing you want is your pet spreading germs to other pets!
Plan your commute
In many cities, pets aren’t allowed on public transport unless they are small enough to be in a carrier or are a service animal. If your pet is too large to be taken on public transport in a carrier, you will need to drive to work in order to bring your best friend into the office.
Be prepared
Think about all the logistics before committing to bringing your pet into work. Pack more snacks and toys than you think you’ll need and work out how you’ll manage if you need a toilet or lunch break or need to take an important phone call or meeting. Carefully consider all the pet supplies you might need to successfully get through the workday with your pet.
About the author:Hania Syed is a content writer and digital marketing assistant at MyDeal.
For Dr Jo’s personal favourite pet supplies, visit her MyStore today.(Use code: DRJOANNE10 for $10 (AUD) off your purchases when you spend $100 or more)
Is it really possible to take your cat to work? Yes, it is! And here are some famous cats at work to prove it (thanks to Euroffice)…
Famous Office Cats
Famous office cats by Euroffice.
Contents of this page
- Take Your Dog to Work Tips: Both of You Will Love It!
- Pet Problems Solved on Pinterest
More interesting pet articles
Top 10 Problem Pets – and Problem Pet Behaviour
Transitioning your cat from being an outdoor to indoor cat
Why Your Pet Licks, Chews or Overgrooms Themselves
Signs that your cat is a flirt?
Why and How Your Cat Purrs and Meows
View Comments (9)
Kathy you are lucky you can take your dogs to work every day
Everyday! But I work in a vet clinic so no question about it!!!
I should do this on Friday Rachel Hofman Tamara Grant
Dont think the manor would like that lol but i would if i could
Everyday ! 3-4 long ones a day, they love it
Yes!!!! And I forgot what mayhem was caused so I will do it again!!!! With luck Ozzie will be an angel ????just like this!!!
Love it. Mayhem is all part of the fun!
My Enzo goes everywhere with me.
Every day is bring your dog to work day for us. Its so nice to be sitting at the computer and turn around to be able to give the dog a pat.