Creature comforts: Bringing your dog to work

As companies like Google welcome dogs in the workplace, Caroline Allen hears how pooches can boost morale and productivity, as well as attract new customers to businesses

It’s a real conundrum for dog lovers, what to do with their canine companion while they’re at work. Doggie daycare is a growing business.

However, a small but growing army of workers are refusing to be parted from their pooches and are bringing them to work. Google is one employer facilitating this move.

While some might dismiss the notion as barking mad, Nanci Creedon of Creedon’s College of Canine Studies in Cork, which also offers doggie daycare and a five-star hotel service for four-legged guests, says research shows that when people look at photographs of cute animals, they work harder.

In another preliminary study, scientists found people who took their dogs to work reported lower stress levels throughout the day than employees without pets or those who had pets but who didn’t take them to work. Higher morale and increased co-operation were also reported.

“I think allowing people to bring their dogs into the workplace could be massively beneficial for companies,” Nanci says. “It’s certainly worth giving it a try and it only takes about an hour to train a dog to do a long settle. Once a dog is allowed to experience the room, they’re done and they will be happy to sit in a crate under their owner’s desk,” she said. “Allowing employees to bring their dog to work could be a great way of rewarding top employees. It also gives a greater sense of community and family to workplaces.”

Animal behaviour consultant Natalie Light, who is based in Britain and undertaking PhD research into the welfare of dogs in modern society, says that being able to take your dog to your workplace can be a rewarding experience for canines, owners and colleagues if well-managed.

“According to the People’s Dispensary for Sick Animals, more than 23% of dogs in the UK are being left for five hours or more during the week. Taking your dog to work could be a way to combat the anxiety that some dogs experience when left home alone.”

Several companies, Natalie says, are now adopting a ‘dogs at work’ policy to ensure dog welfare and responsible behaviour with dogs in the workplace and employing the services of behaviourists to educate staff about dog body language, training and behaviour.

While many organisations baulk at the idea, Nanci says that those who look to bring their dogs to work are the responsible owners who treat their pets as family members.

“Their dogs are used to being in indoor environments. Business owners that are brave enough to embrace a dog-friendly policy will find that both employees and customers will appreciate it.”

At Bowe Auctioneers Bandon and Ballincollig, top dog, Baxter, a three-year-old Weimaraner, is the company mascot and also enjoys the title of general manager.

“I lead a very busy lifestyle and when I turned 40, I decided that life is too short not to have a dog,” says Brendan Bowe. “I always had a dog growing up and decided the only way it would be practical was if I brought the dog to work with me. I cleared the idea with the staff and I’m very lucky they’re animal lovers. As a puppy, I brought Baxter to work every day with me. Now it’s about two or three days a week as sometimes, like us two-leggers, Baxter doesn’t feel like going to work.”

Brendan describes as “extraordinary” how well people have taken to Baxter. “I meet people who ask me how Baxter is before they enquire how I am,” Brendan laughs. And when it comes to the bottom line, Baxter’s presence has generated new business, according to his owner.

“I was conscious that some people don’t like dogs but I have received nothing but positive feedback. He stays in a crate behind reception and sees everything that’s going on. He’s a great ice-breaker. For elderly people visiting for the first time, where they may be dealing with deaths in the family and downsizing, Baxter is often a source of comfort. He also underlines a sense of trust in the business. Some people don’t go over to him, and that’s fine, but most do.”

While canines and high-end clothing might not seem complementary, at Siopaella consignment store in Temple Bar, Louis, an eight-year-old schnauzer-poodle cross and Raquel, a four-year-old Kerry Blue Lab mix, have become famous fashionistas. “Both come to work with us every day. Louis is generally in our Temple Lane South store and Raquel usually resides in the Crow Street Store,” says Ella De Guzman, who owns Siopaella, which specialises in pre-loved fashion, with her boyfriend, Steve Ryan.

“We adopted Louis in Vancouver when he was two years old and brought him to Dublin when we moved. Raquel was an unwanted puppy from Cavan, and we adopted her when she was eight weeks old,” says Ella who runs regular fundraisers for animal rescue organisations. “We’re lucky that both don’t shed. Customers and staff love them. They’re our shop models and feature in our branding. At times customers come in to say hi and pet the dogs instead of shop,” laughs Ella. “We usually walk them into work but sometimes we take a sneaky taxi because Louis doesn’t like rain.”

When Sarah Egan first opened Gift Horse in Kilkenny three-and-a-half years ago, she left Ruby, her rescue dog at home. However, the seven-year-old smooth fox terrier, now goes into work with Sarah every day. “I found her about five years ago after she had been dumped at my family’s premises, The Horse and Jockey. She was there for about a week giving me the eye, so I adopted her,” recalls Sarah who raises funds for the retired greyhound trust. “Like many former strays, Ruby is on the needy side. She tends to cry when left alone. After I moved to Kilkenny, I left her in the back yard of my house when going to work but she was a wreck when I got home.”

Ruby now rules the roost from her dog bed, a cool converted suitcase, behind the counter. “I park my car outside the city and we walk into the shop. Ruby gets another walk when I close for 30 minutes at lunchtime, and in the evening, we walk back to the car,” she says. “Lots of little girls come and say hello to her after school and she keeps husbands entertained while their wives look around. She works hard for her biscuits.

Another canine with a nose for business is Millie, the office dog at JJ Kavanagh & Sons, Urlingford. Laura Kavanagh, marketing manager of the fourth generation family bus and coach business, brings two-year-old Jack Russell, Millie to work. “When I’m at headquarters, she will spend her days with me at my desk in her bed. She’s even brought out the softer side in my dad, Paul who is joint MD of the company.”