{"id":68493,"date":"2019-10-24T17:22:02","date_gmt":"2019-10-24T21:22:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/?p=68493"},"modified":"2020-09-03T05:53:16","modified_gmt":"2020-09-03T09:53:16","slug":"four-dog-owners-share-their-top-tips-for-bringing-your-dog-to-work","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.wework.com\/ideas\/professional-development\/creativity-culture\/four-dog-owners-share-their-top-tips-for-bringing-your-dog-to-work","title":{"rendered":"Four dog owners share their top tips for bringing your dog to work"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

An increasing number of companies are going dog-friendly<\/a>\u2014something many dog people consider an office perk. The truth is, dogs are<\/em> good for business<\/a>: They boost employee well-being, relieve stress, and even promote social interactions between staff. There are, however, some undeniable inconveniences that come with having pups in the workplace: There\u2019s the possibility of \u201caccidents,\u201d loud barking, unwanted marking, and the potential that two or more office dogs won\u2019t vibe with one another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

At a recent dog adoption and social event at WeWork 205 Hudson St<\/a> in Manhattan, photographer Winnie Au<\/a> partnered with WeWork, dog-centric magazine Four & Sons<\/em><\/a>, and Animal Haven Shelter<\/a> to give people a chance to mingle among art, adoptable pooches, and good company. Magazines, merchandise, and prints from Au\u2019s \u201cCone of Shame<\/a>\u201d series were available for purchase, with all proceeds benefiting Animal Haven. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Because many WeWork spaces, including 205 Hudson St, are dog-friendly, many guests brought their four-legged pals to join in on the fun. \u201cHaving members\u2019 dogs share the space with us is a guaranteed way to  enhance the member experience,\u201d says Jane Yoon, a community associate at the building. \u201cA jingling leash sends heads turning to locate the furry friend. Members in passing, working at hot desks, or walking to the espresso machine always make sure to greet them with a treat or a head rub, which is nice to see as a community member.\u201d To get some insight about proper etiquette for bringing dogs to work, WeWork spoke with several guests at the event.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n

1. Come prepared<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Your dog deserves to feel comfortable when they accompany you to the office. For some pooches, a dog bed and a bowl of water is enough to get their tail wagging, while others may benefit from a toy, treats, and a part-time belly-rubber. Real estate broker Christophe Tedjasukmana says his company has a pet-friendly policy, and all dogs are welcome as long as they\u2019re in control. \u201cI keep Toby on a short leash at my desk,\u201d he says, adding that he always packs treats in case people are interested in getting to know Toby, as his pup is much more receptive to strangers if they have something delicious to offer him.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Christophe Tedjasukmana (right), Brad Stein, and their pup, Toby. Photograph by Matthew Salacuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

While Toby, a six-year-old rescue, is mostly well behaved, he does experience some separation anxiety when apart from his owner, so Tedjasukmana will sometimes bring Toby to open houses. It\u2019s mutually beneficial: \u201cToby seals the deal,\u201d he says.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

2. Beware of plants<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

If your dog has a tendency to mark their territory, beware of large office plants<\/a>, advises Minji Kim, a creative strategist who takes her curly pup Am\u00e9lie to the office virtually every day. \u201cMostly male dogs have peed on plants [in my office] because they\u2019re marking,\u201d she says. Accidents happen, but it\u2019s best to know where those desirable fauna are located in the office, and maybe stick to another side of the building when your beloved furbaby is joining you. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Minji Kim and her dog, Am\u00e9lie. Photograph by Matthew Salacuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

3. Befriend other dog people<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

\u201cIt takes a village,\u201d Kim says, joking about bringing her dog to work. But there\u2019s a true benefit in getting to know other people in your office in case you need help. Kim\u2019s dog Am\u00e9lie is \u201cobsessed\u201d with one of her coworkers in particular, so she always feels comfortable leaving Am\u00e9lie under his eye if she needs to run out for a meeting or is having an especially busy day. And because many of Kim\u2019s colleagues bring their dogs to the office, the owners have created an unspoken system to make sure everyone\u2019s being cared for. \u201cIt happens a lot\u2014with me and other team members. They\u2019ll ask me to watch their dog for a little, or I\u2019ll offer to take their dog on a walk if I\u2019m going with Am\u00e9lie anyway,\u201d she says. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Van Le’s 12-year-old dog, Marshawn. Photograph by Matthew Salacuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

It\u2019s crucial to have some in-house pet sitters you can rely on, because no dog should ever be left alone, says HR business partner Van Le. It\u2019s especially important to have someone you trust, he explains, because otherwise people may not be honest about the dog\u2019s behavior. \u201cPeople are afraid they might come off as judgy,\u201d he says. For Le, sharing his little guy Marshawn with his coworkers is one of the best parts of bringing him to work: \u201cThey get to see that part of you, and [having a dog] breaks the ice and makes everything a little bit easier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

4. Know your dog<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n

As much as you may want to bring your pet to work (and everywhere in between), it\u2019s important to think about how they\u2019ll take to the various aspects of office life. \u201cI luckily have two very chill dogs,\u201d says wedding photographer Karen Seifert, who recently adopted her puppy Bort. \u201cThey sit on the couch, look out the window, and sleep.\u201d If your dog tends to have a ton of energy, plan to take them out for an exercise session before the start of the workday in order to tire them out. If that\u2019s not enough, you might have to accept the fact that your dog\u2019s demeanor is not suited for the corporate world.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Karen Seifert (right) with her sister Katie and her puppy, Bort. Photograph by Matthew Salacuse<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

\u201cEvery dog owner should know their dog,\u201d Kim says. \u201cIf you know your dog doesn\u2019t do well with a lot of other dogs, maybe ease them into it, or be honest with yourself that it\u2019s not a great environment.\u201d  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you decide that your dog doesn\u2019t make a great addition to the office, just remember how happy they\u2019ll be to see you when you get home. <\/p>\n\n\n