The Interaction guide to welcoming dogs into your workplace

It’s fair to say that Britain is a dog-loving nation. 1/3 of Brits own a dog, thousands of which were bought during the pandemic. It’s no surprise then that dog-friendly offices are also becoming a growing trend – dog owners appreciate not needing to pay for doggy-daycare or worry about leaving their pets alone whilst they’re in the office.

Dog-friendly workplaces offer benefits for both employers and employees. They can improve employee wellbeing, foster a positive work culture, and even boost productivity. You check out our blog to learn more about why dogs are the ultimate colleagues. However, creating a successful dog-friendly office requires thoughtful planning, careful communication, and clear policies to ensure everyone – from dog lovers to those less comfortable around pups – feels supported.

We spoke to one the judges for Britain’s Best Office Dog, Emily Birch, who shared her best tips for creating a dog-friendly workplace that works for everyone. Emily is a clinical animal behaviourist and the owner of The Office Dog, who help businesses create pet friendly workspaces, letting them reap the rewards of having dogs in their offices.

Start by acknowledging the hurdles

Introducing a dog-friendly policy can seem daunting, but with careful planning, it’s entirely achievable. However, rather than diving in and welcoming the cast of 101 Dalmatians into your office, the best place to start is by looking at the potential hurdles. As Emily Birch explains: “Sometimes if we just shout about the brilliance of dogs, we can sound a bit insincere. Acknowledging the issues it may create, such as allergies and phobias, and knowing how to mitigate these can go a long way in demonstrating you’ve really thought about this.”

Here are some common hurdles you’ll need to consider:

• Allergies and phobias: Not everyone is comfortable around dogs. Some employees may have allergies, while others may feel uneasy due to past experiences or personal preferences.
• Disruptive behaviour: Dogs shed, smell, bark, wander, or become excited in new environments. That’s not to mention the potential for toilet accidents – even dogs who have never had an accident may mistake an office plant pot for a place that needs to be marked as their territory.
• Health and safety concerns: Offices need to be dog-proofed to prevent accidents. With a large amount of potentially dangerous (and very expensive) electrical equipment in offices, the last thing we want is a curious pooch nibbling through a wire and electrocuting themselves, or others.
• Fairness and inclusivity: It’s important to ensure that policies are clear and equitable.
• Admin: Another consideration is the possible admin for creating and rolling out an office dog policy. Getting it set up can be time consuming and lengthy – especially if you’re unsure how to approach it.

Our top tips for a dog-friendly office

However, by addressing these challenges thoughtfully, businesses can foster a workplace where both employees and dogs can thrive. Here’s how to make it work:

Create a proper dog policy

A clear and well-thought-out policy is the backbone of a successful dog-friendly workplace. It ensures that both employers and employees understand the expectations, rules, and responsibilities involved. Here’s why it’s crucial:

• Clarity for all: A formal policy outlines what’s allowed, helping to avoid misunderstandings or conflicts. For example, it can detail the number of dogs allowed at a time, areas where dogs can and can’t go, and rules for behaviour.
• Ensures fairness: Policies can address concerns like allergies, phobias, and cultural sensitivities, ensuring inclusivity for all employees.
• Sets boundaries: A policy can define responsibilities for dog owners, such as cleaning up after their pet, ensuring vaccinations are up to date, and dealing with disruptive behaviour.
• Simplifies management: With a policy in place, managing the programme becomes far easier. As Emily notes: “Once a policy is set up, it’s incredibly easy to run, requiring very little admin time.”

Implement a card system

To ensure a positive experience for both employees and their dogs, you could consider adopting Emily’s card system as part of your office dog policy.

The idea is to help maintain a safe and pleasant environment by monitoring behaviour. Emily suggests a colour-coded system: dogs who show aggressive behaviour – such as attempting to bite – are given a red card and are not allowed back in the office. For minor issues – like occasional barking, a small accident, or straying, dogs would receive a yellow card. If a dog collects two yellow cards, it may be upgraded to a red card, meaning they’ll need to sit out from the office for a while.

If your office adopts this approach, you could either decide to temporarily remove the dog from the office for a set period – say, three months – allowing time for the owner to address the behaviour, or make the ban permanent. This gives both the dog and the owner a chance to work on any behavioural issues in a fair and consistent way.

Showcase dog-friendly success stories

Take inspiration from companies that have successfully implemented dog-friendly policies.

FOUNDRY is a coworking hub that welcomes dogs into all their workspaces, much to the delight of their members. Their Walthamstow site even has an in-house dog groomers – not only contributing to the local community, but also offering an easily accessible for busy workers.

Larger companies like Brewdog have become renowned for their dog-friendly policies, encouraging employees to bring dogs into their offices “because nothing makes a workday go faster like a dog sitting under your desk”. Brewdog have even implemented ‘Pawternity Leave’, offering employees a paid week off to welcome a new pet into their household.

Dog-proof your office

Safety first! Secure loose cables, cover outlets, and ensure bins are dog-proof. Create designated areas for dogs to play or rest, and provide essentials like water bowls, waste bags, and toys.

Thoughtful design elements, like comfortable pet stations, safe outdoor areas for walks, and even pet-friendly materials, ensure that both employees and their furry companions feel comfortable. You can learn more about how office design can improve wellbeing here.

Accommodate non-dog lovers

While dogs can be a wonderful addition, it’s important to respect that not everyone may feel comfortable around them. Consider creating dog-free zones or floors for employees with allergies, phobias, or preferences.

Acknowledge the challenges

Being upfront about potential issues like allergies or disruptive behaviour shows that you’ve carefully considered all angles. Employees are more likely to trust and support a dog-friendly policy if they feel their concerns are addressed.

Schedule wisely

Avoid overcrowding by introducing a rota or booking system for dogs in the office. Even in a large office, having multiple dogs in on the same day might cause issues, so ensuring a manageable number of pups at any time and keeps the office running smoothly.

Provide training and support

Help employees and their dogs adapt to office life by offering basic training sessions or resources. This can help reduce anxiety for both the dogs and their owners.

Is your office ready to embrace dogs?

Introducing dogs to the workplace can transform your company culture, improving morale, productivity, and even your recruitment efforts. But the key to a successful dog-friendly office lies in preparation. With a solid policy, clear communication, and a commitment to inclusivity, you can create a workspace where both humans and dogs thrive.

If you already have some winning canine colleagues, we’d love to meet them. We’re on the hunt for Britain’s Best Office Dog – with the opportunity to win some amazing prizes for you, your office and your dog.