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For most dog parents, it sounds ideal. Getting up each morning, reading the morning paper over a cup of coffee, putting on our shoes….and grabbing our dog leash? Yes, taking our dog to work sounds perfect. After all, Sparky is a wonderful companion and would make our workday go that much smoother, right?

Lets take a look at the big picture, and see if taking our fur buddies with us is the best idea. It really has to do with your own office environment, and checking all the details. Before approaching the boss with this idea, make sure you are prepared. Doing a quick survey amongst your co-workers will collect any information you need about your particular office.

Allergies seem to be on the rise these days, and in fact allergies seem to be the number one reason that there are not more dogs in the workplace, according to an informal poll that I took amongst dog owners. The second most common reason that dogs are not allowed in the work place is the cultural differences amongst the workers. One person I spoke to said that he had a co-worker that was afraid of dogs, but she was quite willing to try to work through it. He would put a sign on his door when his JRT, Dante, was in the office, and she would text him before coming in. Over time she became Dante’s biggest fan. Allowing her to take her time, and making sure Dante would mind his manners, was the key to success.

If you want to continue to pursue the idea of bringing your dog into the office, you need to consider a few things first. It is important that your dog has some training, and has decent canine manners. You might think your dog is the cutest thing walking on 4 legs, but not everyone feels the same. You will have a much better chance getting work colleagues on your side if Sparky doesn’t create a disturbance. A dog that jumps up, or that continues to bark after being told quiet, can be problematic. In fact, the best office dogs seem to be those with a few years under their belt. The company that supplies my printing has a wonderful Brittany Spaniel that meets everyone at the door. She looks to be about 8 years old and after an initial greeting, goes back to her bed to act as an observer rather than a participant.

One trainer friend of mine, who has a lovely retriever cross, called Rosie, said it very well. She emphasized that as Rosie gets older, it is even more important to be able to spend time with her. She takes her on the transit system, which also provides stimulation for her. It is good to note that if you need to use any type of public transit system make sure you check the times that dogs are welcome (it is different in each city). Also make sure that if you are faced with any escalators, you take the stairs instead to avoid any caught paws. If your dog is not used to public transit, take small trips first and keep your dog enthusiastic with lots of treats and praise on route.

The good news is that the pros of bringing your dog to work seem to far outweigh the cons. Not only for you, but also for your dog and the wellbeing of the workplace. Dogs seem to be able to bridge many borders and actually stimulate conversation. I found a few dogs that accompanied their people to work in places that dealt with special needs or counseling services. These dogs took it upon themselves to create their own jobs, and were soon found to be a valuable asset to the offices. A corrections officer noted that when her dog accompanied her to work, the work place seemed slightly calmer. With a dog in the office, it can change the tone of the environment and make it much warmer.

Bringing our dogs into work daily, or even occasionally, means that they get enough stimulation and exercise during work hours. Many dogs seem more tired by being with us in the office than after an hour at the park (I’m not sure what that means about the workplace, but that is another article). The need to walk them after work is greatly reduced. For some workaholics, having their dog there to tend to, and to take on a few times day, ensures that they do take their much-needed breaks. Of course, this can turn into a negative for the dog owner, as we tend to get out less for those evening jaunts. The stress and guilt we feel upon leaving our dogs for the day is soon erased, and that in itself is a big plus. In fact, it is easier to work a bit of overtime in the office if you don’t need to rush home for Sparky’s bathroom break.

For many dogs, coming into the work place provides much needed socialization. Dogs do need to gain experience in a variety of situations. The day to day office sounds and sights are a great way to expand your dog’s social experience and help them learn that there is more to life than your kitchen and the local park. We can also provide education about dog ownership and responsibility to co-workers that might be thinking of adding a dog to their own family.

For some enthusiastic dog owners, having their dog at work turned into extra opportunities for training. A good friend of mine works at a horse barn. She brings her Rottweillers to work and spends her breaks doing mini training sessions with them. Although they have over 100 acres to romp in, she does report that their favorite spot is the muddiest part of the field. In fact, her license plate is muddrotts! Her only con to bringing her girls with her is the extra bathtub time.

It does sound ideal, and most of the time it is. For us lucky people that work with dogs, bringing our dogs into the office is a perk, and almost expected. In saying that, the dog professionals all agree that the occasional day alone at home is a benefit. Remember that your dog needs to have the capability of being alone. By bringing your dog to the office, or taking him on every outing, you are not giving him enough practice with solitude. Your situation might work well at this time, but always prepare for things to change. If you change jobs, or the situation changes, your dog may develop anxiety when left alone if he is not used to it.

All in all, having our dogs be more involved in our day to day lives only enhances our experience. Time with our dogs can be short, so lets take advantage of every minute.