3 Benefits of Taking Your Dog to Work
Editorial Note: Today’s guest post comes from Jackie Roberts. I know, this is a post from 1-800-PETMEDS, but Jackie really did a good job and it resonates well with our culture at Balanced WorkLife. Hope you enjoy.
A wagging tail greeting you every day when you get home from work is always a mood-lifter, especially if you’ve had a particularly rough day at the office.
But what if you didn’t have to wait until you got home to see your furry friend?
More and more businesses are allowing employees to bring their dogs to work. Those companies recognize the positive effects dogs can have in the workplace.
Here are just a few of the benefits of taking your dog to work.
1. Stress Reduction
Studies have shown that petting a dog (or other pet) lowers blood pressure, and eases stress. Pet owners are also generally happier than those who don’t have a pet.
Imagine being able to take a few minutes out of your workday to cuddle your dog, or take him outside for a quick game of fetch. That kind of break can go a long way to reducing your stress levels, and helping you stay healthy.
On those days when work is crazy, you’ve missed a deadline, or you get a call from an unhappy client, having your dog nearby can do a lot to lift your spirits, and help you get back on track.
And if your dog is friendly, letting him visit your coworkers can help improve their moods as well, which can improve employee relations.
It’s harder for people to be grumpy with each other when there’s a cute dog around. Not to mention, more playmates for your dog will make him happy, too. Everyone wins.
2. Increased Productivity
The first time you take your dog to the office, work will come to a complete standstill. It’s unavoidable.
Seeing a dog in the workplace is still enough of an uncommon event that it warrants people coming out of their offices to see a dog roaming the halls, or taking a few minutes out of their workday to pet and play with her.
Once the novelty has worn off, though, having a dog in the office can improve everyone’s productivity.
Dogs are natural morale-boosters.
With their big doggy grins and wagging tails, they bring happiness wherever they go. It may seem simplistic, but happy employees are productive employees.
Think about it. Don’t you work harder when you’re happy and in a good mood? And how difficult is it to get motivated when you’re down?
There’s one more benefit to productivity your boss may not mention. When you don’t have to get home to let your dog out, you’re more apt to stay late when necessary.
If having to work overtime is a common occurrence in your job, don’t be afraid to use that as rationale for being allowed to bring your dog to the office.
3. Your Dog’s Well-Being
Let’s be honest. Staying at home all day by himself is no picnic for your dog. Because they’re pack animals, dogs need companionship.
Without other dogs in the house, you and your family are the other members of his pack. When you’re not home, he’s lonely and bored, and can even become anxious, which can lead to undesirable behavior like chewing up your furniture, or barking all day, much to the chagrin of your neighbors. There’s doggie daycare, but that can be expensive.
Bringing your dog to work allows him to spend a lot more time with you, which is always where he’d rather be.
It will keep him calmer, reduce his stress and anxiety, and help him overcome behavior issues.
It will also save you money, not just by avoiding the daycare expense, but in having to replace anything he may destroy while you’re gone.
Having him with you during the day can also help you avoid having to give him any pet meds your vet may prescribe to treat him for anxiety or other health issues caused by stress.
If your company has a dog-friendly policy, take advantage of it. And if it doesn’t, talk to your boss about the potential benefits, and maybe the two of you can work to change that policy.
Just remember to take into account any employees who may be allergic to, or afraid of dogs.
Aside from those rare situations, encouraging your company to allow dogs in the office can not only help improve the employees’ daily life, but the company’s bottom line.
And that’s something any company should be willing to get behind.
What Do You Think? More Dogs at Work, or is the Office Just for Humans?
Love to hear what you think of man’s best friend working his way to be bosses best friend in the comments below.
Jackie is a writer for 1-800-PetMeds, and loves to help and support the pet community. You can connect with 1-800-PetMeds by finding Pet Meds on Twitter.
image courtesy of Miguel Michan
That’s a novel idea. Never thought about having a dog around the workplace. But i’ll bet the dog’s going to be bored pretty soon
Adeline recently posted..How to Create a Facebook Timeline Cover
Hi Adeline,
I had the chance to bring my dog in for a day and it was his favorite. I have a lab and he was perfectly content laying on his dog bed and chewing his bone while I typed away.
It was fun to have a change of environment for the day.
Glad you commented,
Bryce
Bryce Christiansen recently posted..3 Benefits of Taking Your Dog to Work
Hey Jackie,
This is a novel idea! But it might not work well at times. Imagine the possessive dog getting all angry at the boss that yells!
That would be definitely throwing a lot of things out of perspective!
But yes, dogs can definitely walk us to work and then we can have a little play area reserved for them! That would be fun!
Hajra recently posted..Will they call you over for a bloggers party?
Hi Hajra,
That’s a fair point. I don’t think all dogs are meant for the office for reasons you just mentioned.
Also some offices have clients stopping in and you have to respect their needs as well. If they have allergies or are afraid of dogs, that could blow some opportunities.
That being said, from personal experience having a dog in the office has been a neat change from dogless offices. It’s overall a happier place with Man’s Best Friend by your side.
Bryce
Thanks for sharing your wonderful ideas here, but in my case my dog is a distraction in my work… A huge one.”)
Pettina26 recently posted..Les Arcs
Love your honesty, it’s a fair point.
We had a dog in the office and some days I just had to ignore the poor girl. Thankfully I wasn’t the one taking care of it, so I could get away with not having to feed the dog.
I did have to get up all the time to let the dog in and out.
So I can see your point as well.
Thanks for chiming in.
Bryce
At one of my jobs, my boss brings in his dog all the time – sometimes she wants to play with us, but mostly she just lays in her little dog bed and chews on her toys. It is surprisingly relaxing having an animal in the office that isn’t stressed out like all your co-workers – it can really change the mood!
Erica, YouTern social media intern
Erica recently posted..Temp to Employee: Top Tips to Transition to a Permanent Job
Oh I sure believe in Dogs! I have two Yorkies and even included them in the acknowlegment page of my book. When I am writing, they eagerly await (as do I) short intermittent playtime breaks. These essential breaks leave me feeling refreshed and reenergized.
rob white recently posted..The Ultimate Understanding
Honestly, that is such a very nice idea and I would like to give it a try. However, the problem is, I don’t know if they will allow us in our office to do it. I just wish they will consider this and allow us to bring our companion pet while working.
Candice Michelle recently posted..Baby Eagle
i bet your pet would relieve a lot of stress. If every job allowed this many people would to do this. I am working on getting me a puppy for company and stress relieved.
Michael Belk recently posted..Going Insane | Dealing with a difficult boss
Although my dog behaved well, she has the tendency to bark as much as she wanted to without any reason at all. This is her way to take my attention. So I better put her on her cage rather to be on my lap while working.
Yasmine27 recently posted..Printable Maxwell House Coffee Coupons
Oh Yes, I’ve heard a lot about pets at work, specially dogs can reduce stress. As much as I would love to get a dog, and bring him to work. I dont think my workplace is pet friendly.
But still I guess having a dog at home can change the mood levels and help you relieve stress.
Hi Eddie,
I know this isn’t possible or ideal for every workplace, but it’s still cool that you like dogs
My wife just called to tell me she took our Lab puppy to the dog park, left him in the dog lake area. Went out to get one of his toys that she dropped as she walked him into the park. As she picked up the toy she dropped, Bigby was back at her side.
Apparently he saw her on the other side of the lake so he swam across to get to her.
Things like that just make my day.
Thanks for the comment.
Bryce
Personally, I would love to be able to bring my dog into work with me, but the company that I work for does not allow animals in the building. I think that if my boss read this post for the benefits in bringing your dog to work they may change their attitude a little
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