Some workplaces realize the importance of the relationships between their employees and their pets and are dog-friendly. Other businesses honor the annual Take Your Dog to Work Day. Even if you are fortunate enough to have a job with one of these companies, you need to answer these five questions to decide if it’s a good idea to bring your dog to work.
How Socialized is My Dog?
Does your dog get along well with people and other canines, especially ones he hasn’t met before? Are there are any kinds of people or dogs that he doesn’t like? Some dogs relate better to women than men; others may be hostile toward people in uniforms. They may be affectionate toward small dogs but be afraid of dogs the size of bull mastiffs. If your workplace is also kid-friendly, then you need to be sure that your dog gets along with children.
Do I Work with Someone Who is Afraid of Dogs or has Allergies?
Find out if anyone dislikes dogs, is scared of them, or has dog allergies. Take their feelings into consideration and only bring your dog to work at those times when they will be absent. If there is someone with a dog phobia, maybe that person might be amenable to using your dog to ease their phobia — a win-win situation.
How Trustworthy are my Co-Workers?
There may be a co-worker who won’t respect your rules. Maybe your dog is so cute that a fellow worker can’t resist slipping him treats or sharing their lunch when you’re not looking. Worse, they may not understand that some foods are terrible for dogs, e.g., chocolate and grapes.
Is my Work Space Safe Enough?
If you work in a factory environment anywhere other than in the front office, it’s probably not a good idea to bring your dog to work. An office with an open plan can be inviting to your dog if he likes to roam. Speaking of adventuring, how many doors are between your dog and the outside environment, and are they always secured? If your dog is unleashed and you walk away for five minutes, is there any chance he won’t be there when you return?
How Would my Daily Work Responsibilities Affect my Dog?
Do you spend most of your time in one or two places, or are you always moving around? If you sit at a desk most of the day, that’s a much better situation than if you work in the mail room and are walking every floor twice daily. Do you attend a fair number of meetings? If so, would your dog stay calm and not be distracting?
What to do if There’s an Emergency
To make bringing your dog to work as simple and stress-free as possible, it’s worth taking the time to answer these five questions honestly. However, if your dog is unfortunate enough to experience an emergency, either at work or in some other place, and you live or work in the Columbia, South Carolina area, don’t waste time answering questions – bring him immediately to CVETS for state-of-the-art treatment.
