Take Your Dog To Work Day 2018 is here!

Today was Take Your Dog To Work Day in case you missed the news!

Dogs have been our most loyal companions for longer than anyone reading this blog would have been born.  In fact, dating back millions of years when they became domesticated by choosing to live and work alongside human kind.

Working to support us in many ways, from hunting and tracking to keeping us safe at night by growling and barking when danger approaches, dogs provide us with never ending love, companionship and support.

Research overwhelmingly shows as companions they provide us with both mental and physical benefits, whilst millions are hard at work taking on roles as assistance dogs, caring for the people that rely on them to simply get through the day.

Sadly however, despite many people reporting them as being a valuable member of the family, far too many dogs are left at home alone each day whilst we head off to work, leaving them alone, bored, anxious and desperately awaiting our return.

So, in an attempt to help encourage more workplaces to allow people to bring their dogs to the workplace, Pet Sitters International created Take Your Dog To Work Day, which also aims to help people understand the human-animal bond and consider their dog’s needs whilst they are out at work all day.

I have written a lot about the importance of ensuring our dogs have plenty of environmental enrichment when left alone to help stop problem behaviour such as barking, digging and chewing, and help ease anxiety, but of course the best thing of all is if they were able to join us whilst we are at our workplace.    (I hope Dynamite Darcy appreciates just how lucky he is to be part of the Pooches at Play team joining us at work every day!).

The initiative also aims to promote the need for more people to consider pet adoption when choosing their next pet, to help keep animals out of shelters and off the streets.

If your workplace was one of the many that got on board with this year’s Take Your Dog To Work Day, don’t forget to say a big thank you and encourage them to allow it permanently. Especially, since studies have also shown that workplace productivity rises as stress levels fall when pets are in the office.  However,  if they missed it this year,  or put too many restrictions in place, have a chat to HR to see what more can be done to get them on board and embrace it fully next year…or permanently (we can only wish hey?).

As this is only a once a year opportunity, and your  pooch is left alone at home for long periods of time when you are at work, please do consider a dog walker or doggy daycare to break up their day, as well as other environmental enrichment activities to keep them healthy and happy.   This plays such an important role in keeping behaviour problems as well.

About the Author: Lara Shannon is co-Host of Pooches at Play and has completed a Certificate III in Dog Behaviour & Training with the National Dog Trainers Federation. Lara also runs her own dog training, minding and walking business in Melbourne’s Bayside area.