Benefits of Having Dogs In The Office
There are numerous reasons why letting your colleagues to bring dogs to the workplace is a fantastic idea. Here are a few pros:
Studies have shown that dogs can help alleviate stress, anxiety, depression, and isolation. Even if a colleague loves their job, everyone is bound to have a tough day. And when they get stressed or anxious, the office dog could potentially help.
Are you tired of always grabbing coffee or lunch for a one-on-one meeting? Having an office dog will spice things up. Dogs need to be walked at least once or twice a day. You and your colleague can walk the dog around the block and get some exercise while discussing important matters.
If multiple employees bring their pets to work, this could foster some friendships because it serves as an icebreaker. They could go on outings together to dog parks and dress their pets in matching outfits during special holidays. Though it may take some time for the dogs to get used to one another, thereâs nothing cuter than dogs becoming best friends.
Itâs Ultimately The Ownerâs Responsibility
Whether itâs cleaning up poop or making sure that their dog isnât frantically hungry, a petâs owner should be the one who is responsible. Before a colleague decides to bring their dog to work, communicate that to them.
It Can Get Pretty Distracting
Especially compared to other pets, dogs can require a lot of attention. Anyone with a dog could tell you that when they donât get enough of it, they can act out and cause a ruckus. Your colleague wonât have the time to constantly be attending to their dogâs needs âthey will have meetings, projects, and general tasks. That means that some of your colleagues may have to pick up the slack. Is your entire workplace willing to do this?
Bringing a dog to a brand new environment comes with its own set of risks. According to the American Kennel Club, anxious dogs can engage in âdestructive behavior.â And within the context of your workplace, that could very well mean property damage thatâs costly and inconvenient.
A study conducted for the Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology Research journal, found that 12% of Americans have some form of an allergy to dogs. While this is a minority of people, having a dog at work can be a significant inconvenience for them that will take away from their productivity and workplace happiness. Even if none of your current colleagues are allergic, having a dog-friendly workplace could potentially scare off people considering working for your company.
Dogs in the Office – Pros, Cons and Tips for Behavior Training
These days, it can feel like there are dogs everywhere you turn. About 68 percent of households in the U.S. own a pet, and 60.2 million of those pets are dogs. This statistic has resulted in an attitude shift. More and more public places are being deemed appropriate for pets — including the workplace.
Primarily driven by millennials, many companies are allowing pets in their offices. Large organizations, such as Google, Amazon, Etsy, and Ben & Jerry’s, have even used their dog-friendly policies as a recruiting tactic. And now, smaller companies are following suit.
But before you decide to take your four-legged friend to work with you, here’s a list of pros and cons to consider.
Ultimately, deciding whether or not to bring your dog to the office depends on a number of different factors. It’s important to weigh every pro and con before you show up with your canine companion in tow. And, of course, first check with your employer to make sure your pup is even allowed on the premises! https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php Get Your Free AKC eBook
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