Want to bring your dog to work? Here's something for YOU to chew on
Let's say you want to take Fido to work with you. He's great company and doesn't like being home alone. Besides, having the furry fellow in the office could boost employee morale.
Here's something for you to chew on before Fido can be promoted to office dog:
First of all, you'll need the permission of your superiors. The dog needs to be well socialized, vaccinated and dewormed. And your co-workers should be willing to go along.
"If someone on staff is afraid of or allergic to dogs, you should naturally be considerate of them," says Lea Schmitz, spokeswoman for the German Animal Welfare Federation.
Assuming these qualifications are met, she advises setting clear rules for "harmonious togetherness" before the dog's first day at work. This includes stipulating what the dog is permitted to do at the workplace, and what not.
"It's conceivable, for example, that the dog is permitted to be in its owner's office only, but not in other offices or common rooms," Schmitz says. This can be set down in guidelines by the employer.
In addition, co-workers should be briefed in advance on how to treat the dog. As pleased as they may be to have a pooch in their midst, Fido should be allowed get acclimated to his new surroundings in peace. Constantly being petted and scratched behind the ears isn't always appreciated.
If there's already a dog - or dogs - at the workplace, the newbie should be made acquainted with the veterans "on neutral territory" before its first day at work, advises Markus Beyer, founder and chairman of the Berlin-based Federal Association for Office Dogs (BVBH).
It's also a good idea, he says, to show the dog the workplace in advance on a quiet day - a weekend, for instance. The work situation could also be simulated for half an hour or so.
From day one at work, the dog should have an undisturbed retreat - if possible, neither in a pass-through area nor draughty corner with a lot of noise. An ideal place is directly next to or under the dog owner's desk, says Beyer.
Familiar objects such as the dog's basket from home can give it a sense of security, he says, and a chew bone or toy can help keep it occupied. The toy shouldn't squeak or make other noise though.
Before work, you should give Fido a good workout. "To work undisturbed, and so the dog settles down, it's also important that it goes to its designated spot - its basket or blanket, for example - on command," remarks Schmitz. You can train this with the help of dog treats.
Don't forget to allow for breaks so the dog can do its business. And your lunch break should be dedicated to the pet, she says. "During the walkie, the dog should have a chance to romp around."
"As a rule, the office situation shouldn't be unduly stressful for the animal," adds Schmitz. A trial day on which all involved parties are able to size each other up can be useful.
And Fido's first day on the job doesn't have to be a full workday, points out Beyer. The new office member can be broken in gradually.
