Work Like a Dog

Author: Hilary

Sunday, December 16th, 2007 @ 2:20 pm

Another great article via the New York Times. This piece discusses having your dog at work with you. After reading this, a little web-research led me to find out about Pet Sitters International’s annual Take Your Dog to Work Day. Started in 1999, the objective of the day is to showcase the bond between humans and dogs, thereby increasing the amount of pet shelter adoptions and decreasing the number of pets that are euthanized. How canine-thropic!

I love having Louis at work with me. When he was four months old, he accompanied me to my office in Chicago. He spent the bulk of the day asleep on my lap and the rest of the time being passed around the office for cuddles. Research has shown that pets are great stress relievers and people who own dogs generally get more exercise and are more positive then their canine deprived counterparts. I know I am equally, if not more productive as a result of having my dog around.

On the days I have Louis with me, I am not thinking about rushing home to take him out and spend time with him. Recently, at eight months old, Louis started accompanying me to the gallery I have been assisting at. Again, he spends the bulk of his day asleep on my lap and the rest of the time quietly sniffing the artworks. When bringing my dog to work, I always try to be extremely aware of canine etiquette. Planning is the key. I always get permission first and make sure no one is deathly allergic. I make sure to give Louis a good, long walk before heading to the job. This way, he is tired and relaxed. Who can resist an adorable sleeping puppy?

If there are other dogs at the office, its probably a good idea to make sure they get along before committing to a full days work together. I make sure I have cleaning supplies in case of an accident and toys and chews to keep Louis occupied.

My friends at The Dog Bar recommend using a Bandiboo (shown on the cute Yorkie) for male pups to keep male dogs from marking their territory, which they often do in a new space.

With the right planning, socialization and training, having dogs at work is fantastic, reducing stress, improving morale and decreasing absenteeism.

Without planning, your dog will be viewed as a nuisance and won’t be welcome back. Click here for a ‘dogs at work’ checklist to ensure your dog becomes a welcome member of the office.