3 Pet-iquette Tips for Bringing Your Dog to Work
When I was 20, I managed to finagle myself an amazing gig at a doggy boutique.
My days were spent helping pet parents pick out the best food, toys, and gear for their companions. One HUGE bonus to working at the shop was that I could bring my dog to work with me!
Winston Hendrix - my best bud Boston Terrier - was just a puppy at the time, no more than two or three months old, which meant leaving him at home for an eight hour day would have made both of us miserable. Having him at the shop was such a happy experience, and he was more than thrilled to meet and greet customers and their pets as they came in.
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A recent study out of Greensboro, North Carolina, looked at the stress levels of 76 employees at a dog-friendly manufacturing and retail company where 20 to 30 workers bring their dogs with them on any given day. The study found that the dog-present group's stress levels were much lower, and their reports of job satisfaction were higher, than those who were separated from their canine companions.
Having been an employee who was able to keep my pup with me during the workday, I can absolutely speak to the joy of it; however, there are a few things to keep in mind before you bring Fifi or Fido to work.
Here are a few tips on maintaining proper pet etiquette in the workplace!
1. Make room
You'll want to make sure your dog has comfortable spot to lay down and to get away from commotion, should there be any. Depending on the breed size, having a crate under or near your desk may work perfectly. When I worked at the boutique, my Boston liked to snooze in the sunny window display - a big hit for potential customers walking by!
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2. Puppy potty breaks
Often, this is as simple as taking Rover out with you on your lunch break, however, if you happen to be the only person working in a retail shop, it may be beneficial to have a designated person who will help you with your pet's needs. For example, a few years back, one of the pet shops in our downtown area hired a dog walker to take all of the downtown doggies out to do their business at the park together, so that business owners wouldn't have to close their shops during those times.
3. Keep the peace
You want to be sure that your beloved friend isn't a disturbance for those working around you, or the customers you may be serving. For example, you wouldn't want a dog barking through your important business phone calls, or jumping up on customers walking through the door. Be sure that your dog is well trained and on his best behavior before inviting him to the office!
What do you think about employees bringing their pooches to work? Would you ever consider it? Have you ever worked in a place that allowed it?
- By Desiree Fawn
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