Dogs are a major part of our lives. Wherever we go, they want to come too. Dog-friendly places are opening up everywhere: cafes, restaurants, and offices too. We think it’s a great thing – and so does our dog, Bear. He gets to have company and entertain our clients whenever he gets the chance.
Not convinced yet? Here are 10 reasons why it’s great to have your dog at work
1. Dogs reduce stress levels
Apparently, petting a dog for 10 minutes reduces stress. If that’s the case, imagine how much less stressed people would be if they always had a dog for company. People are even having puppy parties at universities and hospitals to help people who are stressed out. There’s some science behind it – reducing cortisol etc. – but let’s go with it makes you happy. If that’s not reason enough to have an office dog, keep reading for the another 9.
2. They boost employee moral
No matter the workload, no matter the problem: a dog is guaranteed to bring smiles all over the office. In our Polar den, Bear does that job nicely (it’s actually in his job
description). Amidst his wagging tail and puppy dog eyes, you can’t help but feeling happy – and sometimes distracted – as we’re regularly bombarded with tennis balls, tug of war games and the occasional wet, sloppy kiss!
3. They encourage a healthy lifestyle
Everyone wants a work-life balance; we know its important to be healthy. And with our busy modern lives, we need to switch off and improve our lifestyles. Dogs
certainly help with that. If you want to be more active, you’ll find snacking at your desk gets replaced with walks in the wood. And while we’re on the topic of snacking,
dogs also help with your diet… if you’re not looking, they’ll steal some of your food – all in aid of portion control of course
4. Need an ice-breaker? Talk about the dog
When you’re trying to build relationship with clients, it’s always good to have an ice- breaker or a common ground i.e. a mutual love of animals. We hate to admit it (and we’re not jealous!) but Bear is always the first thing our clients ask about. Although that might have something to do with the welcome bark and cuddle they get – Bear likes to welcome everyone with open paws.
5. They’ll help you create a routine
We’ve all read the books and articles. ‘How to create a successful life.’ ‘Do these 5 things and you’ll be a millionaire over night.’ ‘Here’s what successful people do everyday.’ Usually, they revolve around one thing: routine. And how do you get routine? Necessity
A dog won’t let you sleep-in or miss your lunchtime walk. So, if your dog is with you at work, then your day will be much more defined. For us, it’s been hugely positive. We all know the schedule, so team members can join us on woodland walks – as well as early morning treks to get their step count up.
6. Your planning will get better
Dogs are great planners… only joking! Having a dog makes day-to-day life slightly more difficult, but that doesn’t have to be a bad thing. We’ve found that having Bear means we are better planners! Why? Because we have to plan our days around him. The meeting we’ve got scheduled next week – can Bear come or should he go to the park? Knowing when he is suitable at a new client meeting or when he needs to be chasing frisbees at the park means we can plan our weeks well in advance. Whether it’s a meeting, workshop or project; he’s part of our planning process now.
7. Chasing ideas and frisbees
Bear’s favourite thing? A trip to the local woods with a frisbee and a brew – yes, Bear likes his tea! He’s not spoiled, he just knows what he likes and who are we to deny him the truly British pleasure of tea? Frisbee time is great for Bear for the exercise, but also great for us. Taking time out of the office is when you finally get a chance (away from distractions) to think through a problem or brainstorm ideas. After a frisbee chasing session, we often feel much clearer about where we want to go next.
8. Dogs can get lonely without you
Have you ever seen Secret Life of Pets? Imagine the mischief they get up to when you’re not there. We think it’s better to keep a close eye on their antics
Besides, dogs love company and being around people. It’s one of the requirements of being ‘man’s best friend’. They are content sitting with you every day and just getting to be your friend.
9. Your new branding and social media manager
Your dog can help with your brand. Not only does it show the human (or mammal!) side of the business, it shows that you’re friendly, and have a soft spot for fluffy animals with wagging tails. Plus, they give you plenty of content for social media – and you might get a few extra followers/engagement because everyone loves a cute dog.
10. Ultimately, office dogs make everyone healthier!
Putting all these reasons together: dogs improve your health. Dog owners walk an average of 2,000 more steps per day than non-dog owners! Dogs reduce your cholesterol, triglycerides and blood pressure – partly because you’re exercising more and partly because your less stressed. And for your dog? It makes them more calm and relaxed – and they socialise better with people and other dogs too. Win-win.
Have we convinced you? Go on, introduce your dog to your office.
