Should you take your dog to the office?

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Should you take your dog to the office?

Dog separation anxiety is on the rise as more pet owners return to work after the pandemic.
But, if you have an anxious dog who could benefit from more social interaction, or you simply think your workplace could benefit from taking your dog to the office, it may be possible depending on your dog’s behaviour and your employer’s policies.

Companies such as Google, Amazon, Canva and Cotton On, as well as smaller businesses, offer pet-friendly workplaces where canines and humans can happily interact.
On the plus side, a review of dogs in the workplace found that they helped increase both physical and mental health, mainly by reducing stress levels and providing positive interactions.
On the negative side, the office may not be the right environment for an anxious dog, a smelly dog, a noisy dog, or a dog with an upset stomach.

So how do you decide whether to take your dog to the office?

Your employer has an established pet policy

This should cover dog behaviour, as well as approved and no-go areas. If there’s no pet policy set up, talk to your boss about whether your dog could be brought into the office, and under what conditions. For example, there may special pet days, or one employee at a time may be allowed to bring their dog.

You know your dog

Different dogs react different ways to new people, sights, or sounds. Some may hate the vacuum cleaner, so having them around when the office cleaner comes in is probably something you want to avoid.

Others may be a little nervous around strangers and need you to introduce them to your office colleagues individually and reward them for making friends.
Hopefully, they will adjust well to your office environment, but watch out for signs your dog isn’t comfortable, or takes a dislike to someone, so you can remove them from situations that may not be best for them.

You have a co-worker who is afraid of dogs, or allergic to them

Studies suggest that nearly four per cent of people have an animal phobia that includes cats and dogs, while up to 20 per cent are allergic to them.
Whether your office contains people who are afraid of dogs, or allergic to them, is something you need to know before your canine friend comes to the office.

Your dog has a calm, easy going personality

An anxious dog may be more stressed by a change in routine, so it’s important to consider what is most enjoyable for your dog, says trainer Jamie Huggett.

In fact, taking some time to create a calm and enriching environment at home could have a bigger impact on your dog’s behaviour than taking them to the office.

“Switching their exercise routine to the morning so that, by 10am or 11am, they can have a sleep; and making them work for their food by spreading it out in the house or backyard like a scavenger hunt, can improve their at-home experience,” says Huggett.

Anxiety medication may be used in conjunction with a behavioural modification program, while a dog supplement that contains tryptophan, such as PAW Complete Calm Dog Chews, can help to reduce stress-related behaviour and anxiety-induced aggression.

Be mindful, too, that dogs pick up on emotions. So, if you are stressed at the office, by either your workload, your colleagues, or a demanding boss, your dog is likely to be stressed too.

Your dog’s behaviour includes knowing how to settle

Even if your dog doesn’t suffer from separation anxiety, you’ll want to keep them close to you at the office, not bothering your boss or colleagues. “Practice having them settle on a mat at home, rewarding the behaviour with treats,” suggests Huggett. “You can then take their mat to the office and get them to sit on it, perhaps with a dog chew or puzzle toy.”

Your dog has good digestive health

Your workmates may be less than thrilled by a dog who has a flatulence problem. Probiotics for dogs, such as PAW DigestiCare can provide good bacteria that restores and improves intestinal balance. You may also need to be diplomatic with colleagues who want to feed your dog biscuits or other treats that can cause dog gastro.
Dog skin conditions can also make dogs smelly so a medicated shampoo that is antibacterial and anti-fungal, pre-office, is a good idea

Your dog isn’t a super shedder

Dogs that don’t shed, or are low shedders, such as such as poodles, bichon fries, boxers or shih tzus, are more likely to be invited back. Sadly, some breeds, such as Labradors, leave a trail of fur everywhere they go, something appearance-conscious colleagues may be quick to complain about. Of course, it’s possible that your dog’s winning personality may more than make up for any shortfalls in the hair-shedding department.