Office Dogs
Wouldn’t it be great if you could take your best friend to work with you ? At a pool company in Arizona, you’ll find a number of pooches running free on any given day.
At Ron Ostlund’s corporate office it isn’t unusual to hear the jingling of dog collars. Or see up to eight dogs greeting visitors at the door, begging for snacks, or barking to be noticed.
It may sound disruptive or just plain crazy to allow dogs in the office, but Ostlund’s company is among the nearly one in five that allows employees to bring pets to work, according to a 2008 survey conducted by the American Pet Products Manufacturers Association.Almost a quarter of working Americans believe pets should be allowed in the workplace, the survey found.
According to Bob Vetere, APPMA president, companies realize that employees in pet friendly environments are calmer, making them more productive. Plus, pet owners aren’t having to worry about running home to feed or let out their dog.
At a time when the pool industry has taken somewhat of a dive, Ostlund said Riviera’s business is up 13 percent. He can’t give all the credit to the dogs, but they get some. Ostlund said he has had clients choose his company because of the dogs. Others pop by just to see the pooches.
The working dog pictured above is our very own Dogster member Mickie. She looks like she may be slacking off a bit, maybe she’s reading her Dogster mail. Either way, I think her career as a budding businessdog is about to come to an abrupt end.
What do you think about your dog being allowed to go to work with you, good or bad idea? Are there any Dogsters that bring their dog to work? Give me a bark, let me know what you think.
Mommy and I both wish more business would take this approach. She would rather have me along with her and I would love to say hello to everyone!
Only problem I see is allergies…
But we have no idea so many companies do allow it! Thanks so much for the heads up!
I think it’s a wonderful idea! I work for the City of Raleigh (City Attorney’s office) and we have a lot of contact with the general public as well as with City officials so, unfortunately, bringing a pet to work wouldn’t be feasible, but everyone in my office is a dog lover, and our offices are filled with pictures of our furbabies. Every time I get a crisis dog to place ( I try to help with our local animal shelter), my co-workers are the first ones who step in and email all of their friends. They’ve even contributed to costs of keeping one or two of these dogs until they get adopted. My office WOULD be one that would allow pets in the workplace, except for the “open door” that we maintain for the general public.
I am currently looking for a job that allows me to bring my baby to work with me. Anyone know of any in the Dallas area?
Check out http://www.dogfriendly.com/server/general/workplace/.
I’ve been trying for 8 years to get my employer to let us bring our dogs in on National bring your dog to work day. needless to say, it hasn’t happened yet. i don’t think that many people realize how theraputic and relaxing dogs/pets can be. it would be great to spend the entire day with my girls!!
We have a very pet friendly office and the dogs get to come whenever they want. We all do check with others so we don’t have an overlap of furbabies. Some are older and don’t do well with the younger ones and one or two like to fight. The boss has even told me I could put a kennel off my exterior door if I wanted to. He already said that when Remington gets to the point of needing to be with me for whatever the reason may be I could bring him every day. Actually he loves Bella and would like her to come everyday anyway.
We couldn’t all bring them at once, between us we have 10 dogs! What a day that would be though!
I’ve been taking my dog to work since she was 8 weeks old. She is now 3. My employer has been extremely accepting of my doggie at work. It does take a certain environment for the puppies but it is a total blessing. Molly gets visitors daily, from the UPS man to the mail man, even the random person walking by. I must admit the attitude in our shop is certainly more relaxed with the dogs around. When the President of the Company visits our shop he is always delighted to be greeted with tail wagging and slobbery tennis balls thrown his way…
I wish I could find an employer with this open attitude. I am a programmer and I’m sure my dog would love sitting under my desk. Right now she sits in a crate anyway, why not let her be around her owner.
I’m away on a trip to Germany, then Turkey right now for work. It’s not feasible for Lola to be with me, but I so miss her love and comfort. I’m just so glad my wife and son are there to care for and love her. Hurrah to all the employers who let our friends be with us.
Since I own a small catering business and own 3 Great Danes, taking the pups with me is a moot point. However, I just left the NMTA truck accessory show room, and spending time with their dog, Paco, was a treat!
i have 2 huskys, a 8 mth old who is very rambuncious and an4 yr old that we just adopted. i bring my dogs to work when ever i get a chance.the puppy is much calmer with me around and the older boy just seems happier not being left at home.and i have a more productive day also so everybody wins
I never go to work with out my pup. She’s really the brains of this operation. Plus, taking her outside to pee is the best thing I could do for myself. If I sit at the computer and don’t move for more then 3 hours I can always count on Sonja(my dog) to remind me that it’s time for a break.
I think it is a GREAT idea to be able to bring your dog(s) to work. I hope more companies allow this in the future. I would work for/support a company that is dog friendly.
I bring my dog every day, but I’m a Dog Caregiver, so it doesn’t really count… what’s one more?
I get to go into work whenever there aren’t any meetings scheduled! It helps when your boss is the AVP of HR.
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As a former owner of a dog grooming business, I highly encourage the idea of bring your pet to work! My 4 dogs always came to work with me, and became more socialized in doing so. Also, I had my pet bird at work with me since he was able to spend more time with me while I was working vs being stuck at home all day, and then being cast aside during the flurry of home-activities during the evenings. The customers really loved my bird and my dogs, due to their stellar personalities. I wish that more businesses would allow pets at work. It’s more productive!
I go to work with the She everyday and my cousins are there. She works in a very small company and realizes this is an amazing bonus. I don’t shed, but do sometimes aroowooo.