Meeting your dog's needs at work
Meeting your dog’s needs at work
The Animal Welfare Act (2006) outlines the welfare needs of domestic and captive animals, and as a responsible dog owner you must ensure your dog's welfare needs are always met. This includes whilst they are at work with you.
You can find more information on each of the five welfare needs, and how you can ensure you meet all of them for your dog to the highest standards consistently below.
Need for a suitable environment
Whilst your dog might be happy snoozing on the sofa, or snuggled up in bed with you at home, they will need just as much comfort in their environment in the workplace. A suitable environment doesn’t just mean a roof over their head!
There are some important considerations to make to ensure you’re providing your canine colleague with a suitable environment in the workplace. Remember every dog is individual so it’s important to tailor your workspace to meet your dogs specific needs.
A designated rest area. You can find out more about setting up a ‘safe space’ for your dog here
Sufficient space to stretch out, curl up, stand, sit and lie down within their rest area
An environment that is not too hot or too cold
Your workplace should be free from things your dog may find difficult to deal with. This is individual to each dog but some dogs may find loud noises, lots of visitors, or other dogs in the workplace emotionally stressful.
Always have a back up plan for your dog should the office environment become unsuitable for any reason at short notice
Need for a suitable diet
Your dog needs a well balanced diet to stay fit and healthy. Just like us humans, your dogs food intake may need to vary depending on their weight and activity levels to keep them in tip top canine condition! You will need to ensure your dog has a constant supply of clean, fresh water in the workplace that they can access easily. If you will be feeding your dog any of their daily meals during working hours then the kit list can help you prepare and ensure you don’t forget anything important when taking your pooch to work for the day with you.
Providing a suitable diet for your dog doesn’t just mean making sure they get their daily meals. It is also your responsibility, at home and in the workplace, to ensure that your dog isn’t being over fed. Obesity in dogs, caused by overeating, or eating the wrong types of food, can lead to lots of life limiting symptoms and health conditions. It is your responsibility to remind your colleagues not to feed your dog anything without asking your permission first. There are some simple steps you can take to remind everyone about dog feeding etiquette!
Don’t be afraid to politely ask your colleagues to refrain from feeding your dog – even if they give them their best puppy dog eyes!
Keep some low fat dog treats handy so that you can offer them to your colleagues to feed to your pooch if it is appropriate. This way you can control and keep track of your dogs daily intake.
Just because something is suitable for your dog, doesn’t mean it is ok for your colleagues dog. All office dogs should have their own food for both treats and mealtimes. Always ask permission before feeding another dog, just like you would expect others to do before feeding your dog.
If you are using additional food to keep your canine colleague occupied throughout the day, make their other meals smaller to compensate. Some people find it helpful to weigh out their dogs daily food allowance in the morning and use this throughout the day for training rewards, enrichment feeders, and their daily meals.
If you are concerned about your dog’s weight, nutritional intake or want any advice on suitable diet contact your local vet.
Need to exhibit normal behaviour patterns
Your dog has complex behavioural needs, some that might be obvious, and others that you might not even consider! Every dog is individual based on genetics, past experiences, age, lifestyle and health status and you know your dog best. Therefore you can tailor your dogs daily routine in the workplace to best suit their individual needs. Below are the important things to consider to make sure your dog can exhibit normal behaviour patterns and their days at your work can be a positive and relaxing experience.
Activities to avoid them becoming bored such as enrichment. Being bored is one of the leading causes of behavioural issues in dogs so minimizing the risk of this occurring in the workplace is vital for a harmouneous working environment for all.
Access to safe toys suitable for your dogs size that will not disturb your colleagues in the workplace.
Time and space to rest undisturbed when required (remember some dogs require more rest than others).
Regular opportunities for exercise. When planning your day factor in enough time to take your dog for their daily walks, toilet breaks, and play or training sessions if appropriate. Do you have a back up plan if your meeting over runs or you employer needs you to stay late to meet a deadline?
Ability to interact socially with humans and other dogs. Every dogs social needs are different and individual, but if your dog is used to lots of play sessions with you, daily training and cuddles 24/7 they may find going to work and not having your attention all day especially difficult. You can help your dog to prepare for the workplace.
Need to be housed with, or apart from other animals.
Dogs are social animals who learn how to interact with other dogs, and humans, from an early age through positive interactions. However, not all dogs are relaxed and have had positive interactions with other dogs previously and may therefore not enjoy socializing. Before bringing your dog into the workplace it is important that you can understand your dog and what their body language is telling you to avoid putting them in any situations with other canine, or human, colleagues that may make them feel uncomfortable or avoidant.
It is likely that your dog won’t be the only pooch in the workplace, so if your dog prefers to avoid other dogs and is more relaxed in human company you might want to consider other options for them whilst your are at work. Just because a workplace allows employers to bring their pooches into work doesn’t mean that it is right for every dog (or human!).
You, and your employers, can help make your dog and their four pawed pals more comfortable in the workplace.
Every dog should have their own space inaccessible to other dogs so they can retreat if they want to
Maximum dog numbers tailored to your workplace size and layout can help to ensure all dogs have enough independent space
Walking with other dog owners during breaks can be beneficial to some dogs who enjoy a play with their furry pals, but everybody should respect dogs and their owners if they wish to exercise their dog alone
It is advised to always keep dogs on a short (<2m lead) in the workplace
Introduce any dogs that will be sharing a workplace outside, in a neutral area, and on lead before taking them into the building
Need to be protected from pain, suffering and injury
You can take lots of preventative measures to help protect your dog from potential hazards in the workplace. Before taking your dog to work they should be free from any contagious disease, and be fully up to date with vaccinations. Speak to your own vet if you are unsure as to whether your pooch is due any vaccinations. Routine deflea, deworming and tick treatments should also be kept up to date. Every insurance policy is different, so ensure your dog is covered in the workplace, including for third party liability cover by checking the terms of conditions of your policy. If you are in any doubt consult with your provider directly before taking your dog into the workplace. It is particularly important that you are covered should you need to make a third-party public liability claim. That is when your dog causes damage to property, or injury to a member of the public.
Your individual employer may have additional vet care requirements for your dog to attend the workplace such as neutering or kennel cough vaccine. Check with your employer for specific conditions related to your individual workplace.
Incase of suspected illness or an injury whilst your dog is at work with you keep contact details of your workplace’s local emergency vet handy as this may not be your usual veterinary practice. If your dog has recently undergone veterinary treatment, or had an operation for any reason, they should not come into the workplace until they are fully recovered. This may be at the discretion of both your veterinary surgeon and your workplace.
You can learn more about hazards for your dog in the workplace here.
