Dog in office: why are dog-friendly offices beneficial?

Dog-friendly office is now very popular benefit, which employers use to attract new employees. Maybe even you have the advantage to take your four-legged friend into work, but it is so great for all parties? In Loype, we believe the answer is yes - but you need to be considered of your colleagues as well as the needs of your dog.

Dog-friendly office has a lot of difficulties and BUTS, first of all we want to focus on the positives and benefits that working in such an office brings. First the dog. We probably got the dog because we love dogs and brings us joy being with them. We also have constant control over the dog so we can be sure, that the dog does not suffer without us, or worse does not destroy something in the household. On the other hand we do not recommend to to be with your dog all the time because of separation anxiety which would not pay off in many situations. In other situations it is great when dog has some medical issues and should receive medications or food frequently.

Dog at work - much more exercise during the day

We know, from our own experience, that dog's presence in office helps to plan our day schedule easily. If we plan a common activity after work, we can easily maintain dog's food and drink intake which will help with performance. We will also save time because there is no need to go home and pick up the dog. Even if we plan a chill afternoon without any activity, there is enough exercise - dog needs to go out and that means we have to go as well. This is priceless break, especially when we have a job where we sit in front of a computer whole day. We will take a short break, clear the head and maybe come up with new ideas. This will be especially appreciated by your boss.

Do not disturb

Dog in the office can be an entertainment even for your collegaues, but everything needs to be moderated. That brings us to first of many BUTS. Our furry friend should not demand attention, not ours and especially not from our collegaues. On the contrary the dog should not be a live mascot and attraction, his space and rest should be respected. Communication is key, ask the collegaues if they do not mind having a dog in the office, if they are not allergic or even fear of dogs. We need to explain the boundaries on both sides. We should also think of any consequences of the dog's presence. We do not need to speak about picking up poop after your dog, but we also recommend to clean up at the end of the day, so there will be no complains about dog's hair.

Mutual respect, communication and clear rules

It is great when even employers themselves set up rules. Dog-friendly office should not only mean that the dog can enter but we will have the possibility to secure the dog in adequate way. If the employer offers such a benefit, it should not be a problem when you take your dog out to do his business, but it is still better to ask, so there will be no misunderstandings. The employer should also make clear where the dog is allowed to go - so there is no damaged done to the property as well as the dog himself is not in danger. There might be a rule about how many dogs can be in one office. Some employers restrict numbers of dogs on the floor or in one room. If more than one person wants to use this benefit, it is necessary to discuss forehand, whether they will get along and each will have enough space. In a case there is much more enthusiastic dog owners in one office, you should set up a shared dog calendar where will be stated when each dog will come, e.g. Monday for Berta, Tuesday for Diesel etc.

Dog's welfare is the priority

First aspect is temperature - if you have a place where the temperature rises above 25 °C, we would recommend to leave the dog at home where it is cooler. The second aspect is room - the dog should always have plenty of room where to rest so he does not disturb us, our surroundings and he will not be disturb as well. We recommend to teach the dog to rest in a doggy house.

Not every furry friend will appreciate being in the office

Lastly it is also important to think about the dog and if it is really an advantage for him as well. If you have a calm dog that sleeps all day, maybe it is better to leave him at home and do not disturb his daily rutine. The same applies for dogs that stress a lot and can be reactive. Staying in strange environment, with strange people and impulses could be potentionally stressful for you and especially for the dog. And what about puppy? The visit at the office can be beneficial, we can socialize him with new people, new noises and even new dogs. We will have control over him but on the other hand puppy needs to go out more often and needs more attention. So it is better to show your employer that you do not miss work because of it. We do not recommend to take puppy with you every day, he should learn to be without you. We do not  even take adult dogs to work everyday, they have more time to rest at home and be ready for adventures.