Dog-Friendly Office Can Have Positive Impact

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September 1, 2006 by Rich Whittle | 1 Comment

Citizen-Times.com:

It’s the dog days of August, so it’s time to remind readers of the benefits and pleasures of creating a dog-friendly workplace.

Dog-friendly offices are good for dogs, but more importantly, they’re good for business. It certainly helps attract and retain great employees.

What can you do to make your business a dog-friendly workplace?

1. Negotiate a dog-friendly lease. We gave the landlord “references” on our dogs (a letter from a previous landlord), and if the dogs cause disturbances to other tenants, they have to go.

2. Conduct pet “interviews.” Before you allow a dog to come to the office regularly, meet the dog and have them come for a few days or a week on a probationary period. Get proof of vaccination.

3. Enforce the no-fleas rule.

4. Adopt a “three strikes, you’re out” rule. A big company that allowed dogs had a rule that after the third “accident,” a dog was banned. Dog owners must be responsible and take dogs out for short walks.

5. Keep dog beds and water bowls handy.

6. Don’t play favorites. If you have more than one dog in the office, make sure they all get attention, treats, walks on a fairly even basis. Be careful about toys and food. Before you introduce those into common areas, make sure the dogs are used to sharing.

7. Make sure dogs aren’t left unattended.

8. Understand the dog is your job, not your assistant’s. Unless you make it clear in a job description when hiring, taking care of the dog is the responsibility of the dog’s owner.

Finally, thank your lucky stars. Having your dog with you is so much better than having to leave your dog at home.

Photo by nightmares_n….