HOW TO BRING YOUR DOG TO WORK
Bringing your furry friend to work has many benefits;they can relieve stress, boost morale, and take people out for regular walk breaks. If your job requires you to work in the office, you know leaving your dog at home in the morning can be the hardest part of the day. But it does not need to be the case because there is a trending employee benefit for 2021 that enables you to bring your dog to work. But office life is never appropriate for some dogs;it can be a hustle. Are you thinking about accompanying your furry friend to work? You may think it is stimulating to work with your dog,but it may be overwhelming for him. Here are tips on how to make your dog accompany you at work.
Make your workplace comfortable for your dog. The same way you bring flowers and pictures in your office to lighten up your workspace, you can also carry a few items that will make your dog feel at home. Would you mind bringing in a cozy bed for the dog where they can zonk out as you complete your project?Carry up toys and the dogs’ favorites items to make the office still smell like home. Also, you can offer gifts and rewards when they behave well in the office,for instance,when they stay quiet by your side as you work. Train your dog to behave at work.Your office may be dog-friendly, but your dog might display behaviors to make you get in trouble for instance;
Barking
Garbage surfing
Running wildly through the building
Accosting people with unwanted jumping and sniffing.
The bad news is,most of the dogs will want to run around, bark,or even jump,especially when there is stuff to jump on, smell,and see. But, the good news is that you can stop these behaviors by training your dog, and this training will strengthen your bond, which can make the dog enjoy some of the new skills. Train your dog to sit, to stay calm. Find out things at work that are dangerous to dogs.You have probably read the headline on “dogs doing amazingly well after losing tongue in the paper shredder”to make you know that office appliances can become significantly dangerous to your dog when they accompany you to work. Well, keep your paper shredders away or off or unplugged to keep your dog safe. Paper shredders are the most common threats to dogs with their ears, tails,or tongues because they are prone to get caught by blades.
There are other hazards to note, for instance, garbage cans or electrical cords.How to socialize your dog for work.Remember your first day at work, how confused and nervous you were, everything looked new, weird,and you could not understand your co-workers;your dog will probably be going through the same thing. Before you get too excited to let your dog join you, it is crucial to do proper socialization steps to be ready. The first 3-4 months can be the socialization stage. This depends on your dog’s age, where you got them from, personality, and other factors. Here is a step to take through your dog. Introduce your furry friend to your co-workers. Introduce it to your co-workers’ dogs, letting the dogs know each other you will be setting a good path for to start. Take note of any signs of aggression or signs of stress and if they do not get along, step back for a while. Make your dog ready for the commute to and from home every day. Your dog may be only experienced in moving from their groomer or vet to home, but this time it will be in your car to your workplace. Start by taking the dog to trips in your vehicle to reduce associating travel with anxiety or fear. Also, ensure your car is equipped with a suitable pet travel restraint or its carrier.
Crate your dog at work It is impossible to control your environment at work, people are constantly moving,and there are weird smells and noises around. You will also need to get up for washroom breaks. Since you cannot control your office space, you can create a space for your dog. Check out the company and building policies. Before thinking of bringing your dog to work, make sure the companies’ policies allow you to do so. Once you are permitted to tag along with your dog, ask for the regulations and rules you should follow when you bring your dog to avoid problems with the management. For example, the control group has a solid dog policy that gives the owner responsibilities they should gladly do. Such as, the dog should not cross some areas in the office.
There are also rules on medical requirements like you should only tag along with a dog that has been neutered or sprayed. Also, the group states that you should bring a dog that is well behaved. Respect your colleagues. Even if your companies’ policies permit you to bring in your dog, be mindful of your colleagues. Some have phobias and allergies so, taking your dog to work will not be fair to them. Ask your colleagues about their allergies, fears, inquire if they are comfortable with a dog around. This will help minimize any issues at the workplace. It is also essential to put a sign near your workspace that shows a dog in the room so that whoever is not comfortable will not get in. Lastly,do not force your co-workers to play with your dog;not everybody is a pet lover like you!