With a laptop, briefcase, and dog at work – a dream for many. Especially when you live alone, your dog often sits at home alone, unoccupied and bored. This is certainly not a long-term solution, so here’s how you can turn your dog into an office dog.
Dogs in the Office - Is That Allowed?
Yes, dogs at work are permitted. However, if you are not the boss, you need to ask for permission, there's no way around that.
Even if the boss allows dogs in the office, it is essential to check with colleagues if anyone has a dog allergy or fear of dogs. Both of these are unfortunately exclusion criteria.
The Office
The office must also be dog-friendly. The most important requirement is the layout: for a dachshund, for example, an office with many stairs is not suitable. Additionally, there must be appropriate places for the dog to go out during breaks nearby. A park in close proximity would be ideal.
There must also be enough space in the office for the dog to have its own retreat. For this, our Dog Cushion Chill or the Blanket Dive would be suitable. With the Dog Mat Travel, the dog’s retreat is even easy to transport.
The dog's spot should not be in a draft or in a passage where it constantly risks being run over. A dog crate is also often used, as it provides a lot of protection and can be closed if the dog needs to stay in place.
What Should an Office Dog Be Able to Do?
A dog at the workplace only works if it does not cause disturbances and does not interfere with business operations. No one benefits from a troublemaker in the office. So the first requirement is: the four-legged friend should no longer be a puppy. Puppies are often hard to control, very playful, impatient, and could find the office routine stressful.
But even with an older dog, excellent social behavior is a prerequisite. The dog must be completely safe and relaxed around people. It should not be disturbed by ringing phones or keyboard noises. Ideally, it has attended a dog school and reliably responds to commands like “sit,” “down,” and “stay.” It must also be able to remain quiet for an extended period.
Arguments for an Office Dog
If the boss and colleagues still aren’t jumping for joy, we’ve gathered some compelling arguments:
- Dogs have been shown to improve the work atmosphere and can even bring a smile to employees’ faces in stressful situations.
- Having a pet-friendly workplace is good for the company's image and also for employer branding. Studies show that dogs can reduce the risk of burnout as well as the risk of heart attacks and strokes.
- Improved well-being of dog owners reduces sick days, which in turn lowers costs for the employer.
- The employer never loses control! If it doesn't work out, it was at least worth a try. Permission can be revoked at any time.
We really hope that your dog will soon become an office dog too! Feel free to share your thoughts on the topic of dogs in the office in the comments.
