Whats it like having a dog at work?

Question

I am self employed and have been considering getting a dog, I would bring it to work with me everyday so it wouldn't be left home alone. I work in a large office - there are only 2 employees. I just wanted to know if anyone out there takes their dog to work, and what are the good and bad points. Also what type of dog is it?

Answer 1

I have known a couple of people who took labradors to work (these were RAF Officers). It is okay for short periods but not good in the long term. There can be office hygeine issues and you cannot really deal with customers or VIPs with a dog in tow.

Answer 2

I used to take my dog to school with thousands of students. The good things is that it creates a more relaxed environment and if you have a well trained dog it will be happier too. Smaller dogs are usually best like Yorkshire Terrier, Maltese, Miniature Poodle, Chihuahua's... etc. Although big dogs can do good too, I'd go for a calm one if I was getting a big dog though as they can be too hyper for an "office environment". Training a small dog not to "yap" all the time when someone comes in is good too. When picking out a puppy (if you decide to) try to pick a puppy that is not shy or scared. Maybe dropping a noisy toy infront of the litter of puppies and see which one comes to it first. That shows you which one won't be afraid of new things and new environments as easy as maybe the others might be. Also talk to breeders and tell them your situation so they can help you as best they can. They might be able to give you an older dog already trained that would be better suited for an office environment. Also a new puppy would need to be taken outside a lot, but if you own your own business and have easy access to the outdoors even a small patch of grass outside that would be fine. Just read into different breeds and see what breed suits your personality. You can't go wrong with research... and the internet is busting with info... so enjoy... don't rush into anything and you will make the right choice...

Answer 3

A very good friend of mine works in an office setting just like you described. He boss brings her dog in all the time. :) It's a pommeranian and they don't seem to have any troubles with this. What they do, is if customers are going to be coming in an out, they put up a gate in her boss's door way and keep the dog inside her office. The dog isn't yippy, and likes to be pet, but doesn't get in the way of doing business. If you train the dog up right from the beginning, no matter what size, it shouldn't be too big of a problem to have a dog there. But remember, during the first six to nine months, they can be very high energy and may cause the work load done in your office to slack off just a bit. It might not even be noticable, but it might happen. Once the dog doesn't need so much attention, work will be able to resume as normal. I wish you all the best, I hear that having a dog at work calms people because they can pet it and interact with it, therefore making work production higher. :) Just one warning, make sure your employees aren't allergic to dogs! :) And if you have customers coming in, keep the dog out of the room/rooms you bring them into incase they are allergic to dogs. :)

Answer 4

I work in an office where the owners bring in their Dalmatian all of the time. The good points - she is sweet & affectionate & loving & playing with her makes the day go by faster or when you have a bad day - she makes things better with her kisses. She is very sweet to anyone that she knows & is comfortable with. However, there are several bad points that working here requires you to overlook. She sheds all over eveything (you can never wear black unless you want to look like you are wearing a blanket of her fur), she begs & drools constantly every time you eat & if a stranger walks in, well, she is not real friendly to strangers. She even tried to nip at the mailman. I have commented to by boss several times that her fur is all over my car & she has never once ridden in my car, it is just what I carry on me or my personal belongings from the office. And the boss knows of her barking & nipping at strangers - but do nothing to control it or train her to change her behaviors. Also - she is a trash can hound so she digs threw the trash cans in the breakroom.

I think that part of the responsiblity of bringing your pooch to work is just responsible ownership & training, but it can definately be done.

Answer 5

Our Goldens went to our law offices daily all their lives - after they reached the point where they were 150% reliable on sit, down stand, stay, come, go (directional sending the dog), and quiet (no noise)and did it all hand signals.

Make sure it is VERY well trained as in 'give a command once and they do it' trained.

Pick one that is happy hanging out with a chewie and a toy.

Do not get a yappy breed - you sound like a fool trying to conduct business with the dog carrying on.

Answer 6

I used to work with someone who brought their dog in. He was the owner of a health food/alternative doctor office. Most of the time the dog was fine but it was a needy dog and always wanted attention to the point where we would trip over it. It was a mini schnauzer. But the customers loved seeing him.

Answer 7

I had a Doberman I used to take to work with me.
I worked in a salvage yard for cars.
He had three acres of fenced yard to run around and pee on things.
Since he was very well behaved I let him in the office with me.
He would lay next to my desk most of the time. Once and a while he would greet a customer but mostly just stayed with me at the desk.

Answer 8

I think it would be KOOL.. I have know of two businesses here and the manager brings his three dogs in every day.. why not.

One thing though.. some people are deathly afraid of dogs so you would have to keep them away from customers

Answer 9

I know a doctor who takes his lab to work. She just lies and sleeps under his desk and his patients love her. One of my customers (i'm a dog groomer) takes his lhasa apso to the office and he must find it OK coz he never complains. If your dog behaves then you shouldnt encounter any problems.