Whether your dog has been your work from home office companion for years, or you’re considering bringing your pup into WeWork’s office space, it’s important both you and your pooch are prepared to make the experience enjoyable and relaxing. A considerate colleague is the best kind! With our guidance, your pup will be named employee of the month in no time!
1. Basic training and health
A great canine colleague starts their training at home! Teaching your dog basic skills, as well as
getting them accustomed to settling quietly while you work, can be practised at home. Some useful
skills for your dog to know before entering the workplace are sitting or lying down when asked,
learning to settle when you can’t give them attention and knowing what it means to “Leave it”.
These skill refreshers can all be found in the Training Essentials section.
Another important consideration is making sure your dog is up to date on all their vaccinations,
deworming and flea and tick treatments. If you’re not sure, contact your vet! Check what proof your
workplace will require, and also check if your dog has third party insurance to cover you in case they
cause any damage.
2. Introductions to strangers
If your dog gets overexcited when greeting people, they would benefit from learning a calmer
response so that they don’t over-do it when they eventually come into the workplace! You can start
by training this in your home, and later out and about on familiar walks. Reward your dog for calm
behaviour when they greet people, and if safe to do so, ask your guests to ignore and turn away
from your dog if they jump up or get too excited when greeting. They can reward your dog with
attention as soon as they show calm behaviour, with all four paws on the ground. Your dog will soon
learn that calm greetings, free from jumping up or barking, elicit that precious reward of attention,
and it will become their go-to response when meeting new people.
3. Introduce the commute
Think about how you normally get to work. Do you walk, use your car, or take public transport? Is your dog familiar and comfortable with the method and length of journey? It’s important that your dog is relaxed, not only at your office, but during the commute too.If your dog is not already confident with the method of travel, as well as the time of travel (rush hour, anyone?) you may need to begin taking them out, little by little, to help them get comfortable with your route to work. Try short walks, car journeys or trips on public transport at the weekend when it’s less busy. If possible, try travelling at quieter times of the day and work up to longer and busier journeys. Build up positive associations with travelling to work and reward them when they show calm behaviours on the
journey.
4. Prepare your workspace
The next step is to prepare your workspace for your dog’s arrival. Have a think about the layout of your working area. Does your dog have somewhere to settle comfortably in a safe and quiet space where they won’t be disturbed? If your usual desk is close to a busy area with lots of footfall, can you move to a quieter area, like in a corner or close to a wall? Is the area hazard-free? Have you removed or covered all wires and items that your dog might be tempted to chew on or get tangled up in? Is there appropriate (non-slip) flooring? If not, can you bring in a non-slip mat? Do you have a safe place to put your dog’s bed, enrichment, water and food where it won’t be a trip hazard to other employees and people in your workplace and away from any fellow canine colleagues?
We all need to work in harmony! Make sure to have clear and open lines of communication with your colleagues and agreements in advance of how you will all work together when your pup is present. Some things to think about might be:
• Are your colleagues happy to have dogs at work?
• Does anyone have an allergy who your dog may need to avoid?
• Does everyone understand your dog’s needs and boundaries?
• Will colleagues be tolerant of the occasional bark or a little mess? Accidents sometimes happen!
• If your dog has any food allergies or intolerances, make sure your colleagues know about these, as well as what foods and substances are generally dangerous for dogs. Consider a sign at your desk to remind your colleagues not to disturb your dog and ask them to ensure their lunches and other food items are locked away!
Introducing your dog to your workplace is best done gradually, and always with your dog on lead to avoid your dog becoming overwhelmed. You could start by bringing them in for some half-days, if possible, before trying to bring them in one or two full days spread throughout the week. If your dog seems comfortable and relaxed, start to gradually build up the number of days you bring them in during the week, until they are completely familiar with your office and office routine and showing signs that they are fully relaxed in their new space. We want your pooch to associate the office with positive things!
Good signs are:
• settling quickly in an appropriate area
• not barking or whining
• being mildly inquisitive of, but not upset or excited by, noises and movements around them.
When you think your dog is ready you can try gradually building up the number of days they join you in the workplace and seeing how they react. Remember, your dog might cope very well on Monday and Tuesday, but by Wednesday they might become fed up or a little overwhelmed, meaning Thursday or Friday might be too much for them to cope with! Make sure they are coping well and not showing signs of anxiety or frustration while at work. Have an exit strategy planned if your dog needs to leave the office, and have a care plan for days you do not bring them in.
8. Establish a routine
Once you have successfully completed all the steps with your dog and they are relaxed and happy you can enjoy their wonderful companionship at work! Remember to establish a routine for bathroom breaks to help your dog stay settled and enjoy their time with you. It's also a great excuse to pop outside for some fresh air! If other dogs share the workplace, make sure they are introduced carefully. Be sure to have a back-up plan for if anything goes wrong! Can someone at work care for your dog if you need to step into an important meeting where they can’t join you? If your dog appears to be distressed or sick, can you leave work and take them home?
