A ruff job: Researching for ‘Dogs at Work’
By Liz Palika
June 24, 2009
Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, which has me thinking about one of my most recent books, “Dogs at Work: A Practical Guide to Creating Dog-Friendly Workplaces.”
As I write this post, three dogs are in my home office with me. Bashir is under the desk trying to get treats out of a treat dispensing toy. Archer is close to him, hoping to steal the toy or treats. And Riker is asleep in the door way. Plus, two cats are asleep on the dog bed in the corner. Because I always have company in my office, when I was approached by the publisher for HSUS books and asked if I was interested in writing a book about the ”Take Your Dog to Work” program I immediately said “yes.”
I would hate to work in an office without my pets.
We decided we wanted to serve two purposes with the book: We wanted to show businesses that having dogs in the workplace was something that could be done and could be beneficial for both the business and their employees. We also wanted to provide guidelines for dog owners who might want to bring their dog to work.
Researching the book was funny, though. My co-writer, Jennifer Fearing, had already done a considerable amount of research while instituting the official program at HSUS headquarters. But I also wanted to find some additional businesses where dogs were allowed and do some personal interviews. I wanted to see the dogs in the workplace. So I began researching businesses in my local area: San Diego county in Southern California. It was hilarious.
I began my search at a local nursing home where our therapy dogs visit regularly because I had heard that the manager, a doctor, brought his Jack Russell Terrier to work everyday. When I asked the activities director about the dog, she said, “All of the staff is under strict orders from the nurses to make sure the dog stays in the doctor’s office at all times.”
I said, “Oh?”
She replied, “The dog lifts his leg on anything that’s vertical, including peoples’ legs if they stand still more than a few seconds.”
Oops! That wasn’t what I was looking for so I left without interviewing the doctor.
I heard word of a landscaping nursery that had dogs on the property so stopped by unannounced. Apparently that’s a problem. The gate was open and a sign said, “Open” but two German Shepherds charged my van and one jumped on the driver’s door, scratching it. After about five minutes of barking, growling and jumping, someone finally responded and came to my van and asked, “Yeah?”
I said, “Sorry, I thought you were open for business. If you’ll call the dogs off I’ll leave.” So much for friendly dogs.
A local postal store has a Bull Terrier in the store. The manager is friendly, did a nice phone interview, and I hadn’t heard any complaints so I arranged to meet him at the store and take some photos. The dog was well behaved and very friendly, and I saw quite a few customers greet the dog as they came in. The problem? I coulnd’t take photos of him to use in the book; he had horrible skin problems. The owner said he was under a veterinarian’s care so I suggested a second opinion might be in order and I left.
I continued my search.
A visit to a local shoe repair shop introduced me to another dog in the workplace. My husband asked me to drop his motorcycle boots at a cobbler’s so they could be resoled. As I approached the counter, a Jack Russell Terrier behind the counter began barking furiously at me. He stayed on his bed, but his barking was very loud and not at all friendly. The shop owner – and also the dog’s owner – said, “He’s in place of a bell! He let’s me know when someone comes in the shop.”
Since the dog continued to bark, I said, “Don’t your customers feel uneasy about his continued barking? It’s hard to talk over him.”
She said, “Rusty, hush!” But he continued to bark as she said, “Well, you know, it’s impossible to train terriers.”
I dropped off my husband’s boots and left without telling her I train dogs and no, it’s not impossible to train terriers.
I found that a nearby automobile repair shop has dogs there when I stopped by to get the front end aligned on my van. As I sat down in the waiting room, two medium sized mixed breed dogs came in to sniff my jeans. When the office manager started to call them back behind the counter, I said they were fine and we began talking about the dogs. Apparently they just appeared at the business one day and begged for handouts from the mechanics as they were eating breakfast. The dogs left after getting some snacks but came back later. After several days of hand outs, the dogs quit leaving and have been permanent residents ever since. The mechanics began a coffee mess and throw extra change in the jar and that money was used to neuter both dogs and pay for their food and vacinations. Additional money is banked for future costs.
The dogs, now named Jose and Judd, have a good home. It’s not what I was looking for but it’s still a success story.
I found a manufacturing firm that has three dogs that come to work every day. After talking to the human resources person, I arranged to meet the dogs and their owners. The owners were very nice and willing to talk about their dogs. Sarah does book keeping for the company. Her black Cocker Spaniel, Midnight, spends the day in Sarah’s cubicle. Midnight was not particularly friendly but she wasn’t aggressive, either so I didn’t say anything. Sarah brings Midnight to work because Midnight was prone to destructive behavior when left home alone for too many hours.
Jonathon works in the manufacturing supply portion of the business and brings his Miniature Poodle to work. He said, “Chucky was having some health problems and needed medication on a regular basis. My wife couldn’t take Chucky to work so I began bringing him here. It’s worked out great.” In fact, the two of them look like they have a great time together; the small Miniature Poodle trots along behind the very tall, large man wherever he goes.
The third owner, Sharon, said, laughing, “I bring Belle to work with me because I want to and I can!” As we talk Belle, a mixed breed dog, is calm and quiet, with her head on her owner’s feet. Sharon works in human resources and was instramental in formulating the company’s dog policy. The company is very happy having the dogs at work although for the most part, clients never see the dogs. It’s still a success story.
A visit to a local furniture store bore excellent results. Rey, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, belongs to the owners of the store and comes to work every day. A very large Ridgeback, over 120 pounds, he can be intimidating. However, he is very well behaved, gentle, and kind. Although sometimes he’s on the display floor with his owners, most of the time he’s back in the office. He was such a good example of what a dog in the workplace should be that I interviewed his owners and used their information in the book.
My search for successful dogs in the workplace was interesting. I found that there definately was a need for our book as too many businesses seemed to allow the dogs to come to work on in informal basis. There were no or few company policies or guidelines. There were no policies in effect to cover problems or no system to allow arbitration between disgruntled employees. After all, not everyone loves dogs and some people are allergic to them. I hope the policies and guidelines that Jennifer and I outlined in our book will make it easier for both dog owners and companies to allow dogs to come to work.
More information on this book or the others I’ve written on my Web site, LizPalika.com.
At the day job, I’m currently in a remote building at the edge of the property while they re-arrange the
dark and depressing little rabbit warrenscubicles in the HQ building where I usually work. The little building is self-contained and only has room for a dozen or so people.I tried to get permission to bring puppy Faith to work, with the idea that she would sleep in a crate under my desk, get walks and socialization on my breaks and that I wouldn’t have to go home for lunch to feed her. Just until I’m back in the big building next month.
No go.
There are lots of really good things about my day job employer, but they’re not exactly forward-thinking in some ways. The workplace is civil service drab drab drab and take your dog to work day? Fuhgeddaboutit.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 24, 2009 @ 6:48 am
You know what stinks? I could logistically do this, if I weren’t so chicken to ask. And if I wasn’t almost positive that the answer would be a resounding no.
But it’s silly, I work in the far back of the building in a small office with a colleauge who loves dogs, an office which also happens to have a door. I’d even bring in a baby gate.
I find it hard to see what the problem would be. But I know that a problem it would be
Comment by Original Lori — June 24, 2009 @ 7:09 am
Want to send a copy of that book to my company? Since last year, they have banned dogs in the work place except for bring your dog to work day. Most of us were bringing our dogs in once a week (or every day) and most of us have calm, friendly dogs that are obedient for the most part. Someone said it was unsanitary to have dogs here every day, so they stopped it, effective immediately. You would not believe how low morale went after that.
Comment by RHz — June 24, 2009 @ 7:27 am
It’s pretty much unsanitary to have humans at the workplace every day. People come in sick and coughing and sneezing all the time. I don’t buy that argument.
Now if someone had an allergy I could understand them obliging that.
Comment by Original Lori — June 24, 2009 @ 7:38 am
I’m thinking it’s a “one person ruins it for everyone” kind of phenomenon. Kind of like the townhome I rented once upon a time where I persuaded the owner to let me move in with my well-trained dog. Which meant he then had to let other tenants have dogs. And - you guessed it - some guy moved in with a dog that barked at all hours, left messes in everyone’s yards, and so on. So now the owner no longer allows dogs.
Liz - how does your book address the “If one is allowed, all need to be allowed, and sooner or later someone will abuse the privilege and ruin it for everyone” conundrum?
Also - the allergy thing - which, as an excuse, is probably also abused, and yet, when NOT abused, is a real health concern for some. How is that balanced?
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 24, 2009 @ 7:38 am
Further on the allergy thing - I guarantee you I don’t “sanitize” myself every morning before leaving my animal-filled home. So if the folks who are claiming incredibly sensitive allergies were really all THAT sensitive, wouldn’t they be reacting to ME in the same way they claim to react if they’re even in *proximity* to a dog?
Now back to Devil’s Advocate: If dogs are allowed, how do we address non-dog owners who cry “Foul!” and want to bring THEIR pets to work (i.e. snakes, birds, geckos, what have you?) Not trying to be difficult here, but I can see where some people would start getting up in arms about “pet discrimination”, and then you’d have the issues of people with serious snake phobias, etc., etc, etc.
Comment by The OTHER Pat — June 24, 2009 @ 7:43 am
I had an allergy dispute with a co-worker who drowned herself in perfume every morning. She sat next to me and was giving me asthma. Even after counseling, she asserted it was her RIGHT to reek. (Actually, it was a very nice scent, but a little goes a long way.)
The solution would have been for one of us to move a few cubicles apart, and that’s kinda where we were heading when she left the company.
I suspect most of these issues — including dog-related ones, allergies or fear — could be worked out if a company wanted to try.
I’ve worked in only two places — a newsroom and the office I’m in now. The newsroom was full of “characters” — strong, loud and occasionally obnoxious personalities. The place I’m in now is pretty quiet, respectful and laid-back. I actually don’t think my usual workspace on the fourth floor would be appropriate for a dog, and I wouldn’t ask to bring one.
But where I am now? I ache for the socialization opportunities I’m missing for the puppy.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 24, 2009 @ 7:48 am
I think “the other Pat” has it right. One obnoxious moron who decides s/he is entitled to bring their dirty, untrained, aggressive four-legged pain in the ass to work has a hissy when they don’t get the same ‘rights’ that the person who has a well-trained, well-cared for dog does and then we ‘need’ a rule that’s ‘fair’ to everyone. This is how most paternalist rules/laws are born. And it’s why they’re wrong. Once we get on the path to catering rules for the lowest common denominator, we may as well just lock ourselves into the padded rooms we’ll end up spending the rest of our lives being “protected” in.
Comment by Janeen — June 24, 2009 @ 7:53 am
I have, sadly, only had one job where I would have felt it was appropriate to bring my dog, and at the time I was working there, she wasn’t ready yet. Now, she’d do great—but since she reached that point, I’ve only worked places where it just wouldn’t be appropriate.
Comment by Lis — June 24, 2009 @ 8:02 am
Slightly off-topic: Auntie Liz sent a box that arrived yesterday. In it: A signed copy of her new book for me, and a bag of yummy chewies for Faith!
The new book is lovely, Liz! And Faith gets a chewie when I leave her for work.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 24, 2009 @ 8:02 am
A very large proportion of my clients here in Portland ME take their dogs to work. off the top of my head they work at: The yarn store, galleries, nursing homes, dentist, offices, vet offices, retail shops, insurance agent, pet stores, but by far the greatest number work in mental health both in facilities and with respite workers in visiting group home settings.
Comment by Nancy Freedman-Smith CPDT — June 24, 2009 @ 8:03 am
My one and only experience with dogs in the workplace was awful. I’m sure the fact that I’m not a dog person didn’t help, but this was truly miserable.
We were sharing an open concept office space with another small business and the owner of that business would bring her dog into work every day. Her big, untrained dog.
This dog would bark at every single sound, scare clients that were coming in, stick her face into my lap and try to lick me while I was trying to work, go tearing around the office and several times a day would go skidding across the hard wood floors and slam into the back of my desk. It was horrible and really took a toll on my nerves. There was also dog hair everywhere.
I’m sure a well trained, well behaved dog in the workplace would be fine, but after that experience I’d be extremely wary about trying it again. It definitely would seem easier to say no up front, than have to deal with the inevitable conflict and offence that would arise if the owner had to be told that their dog was no longer welcome.
Comment by Anlina Sheng — June 24, 2009 @ 8:10 am
Now back to Devil’s Advocate: If dogs are allowed, how do we address non-dog owners who cry “Foul!” and want to bring THEIR pets to work (i.e. snakes, birds, geckos, what have you?) Not trying to be difficult here, but I can see where some people would start getting up in arms about “pet discrimination”, and then you’d have the issues of people with serious snake phobias, etc., etc, etc.
Can the pet be comfortable in the workplace? Can the pet behave appropriately in the workplace? I’d think a lot of birds would do just fine.
I’ll confess to not really seeing the point of scaly, cold-blooded pets, but don’t they normally live in terrarium-type containers, so that they wouldn’t be wandering around? If I’m not wrong about that, then honestly, I can’t see the real objection even in offices that don’t allow dogs. No one would be in the position of having to interact with the animal if they didn’t want to, and the owner would have whatever pleasure they get from having their scaly pet around. Who’s being hurt?
Genuine, serious phobia or allergy problems would have to be dealt with, and, I’m sorry, while serious allergy or phobia problems are a lot rarer than claimed, where they exist, yes, somebody might not be able to have their otherwise office-perfect pet if there’s no other way to safely manage the issue. But somebody might have a serious allergy or phobia, no, sorry, that’s just an excuse.
There would have to be rules of conduct in place, and they’d have to be enforced. That would be the tough part; management too often finds it easier to let the office killjoy exercise a heckler’s veto and just ban things rather than establish fair rules and then enforce them.
Comment by Lis — June 24, 2009 @ 8:21 am
I can speak on the allergy issue. I’m allergic to cats. I can be in the same room with them with no problem (ex: breathing).
However, if I touch anything that has cat dander on it then touch my face/eyes, the spigot comes on and I have to deal with extremely itchy eyes pouring tears down my face.
Is this similar to dog allergy symptoms? Would a bushy tail spreading dog fur on the waiting room magazines, the office furniture, etc. set off eye spigots?
Comment by Mary Mary — June 24, 2009 @ 9:08 am
The local feed supply has 4-6 employee dogs who are free to wander the store. I sometimes take puppies there to socialize with friendly off lead dogs.
Three years ago I placed a bulldog with a woman who takes him to work daily. It worked out extremely well because a “minor” behavioral issue at work prompted her to call me and unveiled a potential disaster in the making. The situation was corrected quickly and he is not only back to being “perfect” on the job but a much better dog at home.
Comment by JenniferJ — June 24, 2009 @ 9:24 am
MM … allergies to cats are more common and more severe, usually, than allergies to dogs.
Side note: I find SOME rabbits to be as bad as cats, allergy wise. And there’s no predicting it: The rabbits I’ve reacted to strongly are of all sizes and coat types. Interesting, huh?
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 24, 2009 @ 9:35 am
That is interesting. I always say that I need to promote rabbits at allergist waiting rooms. “Allergic to cats? Consider a bunny!”
People are so often amazed that I am allergic to one and not the other. I remind them that they’re two different species. It befuddles me, some of the things people think about animals. I’ve also had many people ask if rabbits can go up and down stairs. ???
I seem to be most allergic to the cats who look like “Morris the cat.” I had a pet-sitting business for years and could handle some breeds more easily than others.
Comment by Mary Mary — June 24, 2009 @ 9:51 am
Lilly attended Harvard from the age of four months.
I think she got more out of it than a few of the entitled little snots who haunted my seminar room, but that’s another story. She was certainly more decorous than some of them. (Most of my students were tolerable to delightful, but it only takes one …)
At one point I was TA’ing for a senior faculty member in a large survey class. He lectured and I taught discussion sections and did the grading and most of the firefighting. During lectures I sat at a table right up front, next to the lectern. Lilly reposed under the table. She was visible to the entire class, but not to the professor.
It was something like three weeks (so six lectures) into the semester when I got up to leave while Sid was still talking to some students, and he startled: “I didn’t know Lilly was here today!”
“Uh, Lilly has been here every day.”
Because we arrived before him and left after, Sid had no idea that the dog was attending lectures, as he never peeked under the table.
That is what I expect out of a dog who comes to work.
This doesn’t mean that she didn’t get plenty of attention and schmooze time with the students, many of whom were missing their pets at home. She just got it after class, when she could get up and circulate while I handled individual issues.
Comment by H. Houlahan — June 24, 2009 @ 10:01 am
Yup. Leonbergers Loki and Zorro frequently accompanied me to work when I was a consultant working in a ten story office building.
I only took one of them to work with me at at time (having giants does present some limitations) and they spent most of the day under the large map table in my office.
Like Heather’s professor, my boss was generally unaware of their presence. Calm, quiet, well-behaved - the only time they created a problem was the day the landlord found out I’d brought in a dog - and neglected to stop by for a visit.
Comment by Janeen — June 24, 2009 @ 11:19 am
I was working this morning so came in to these comments late. In regards to the questions, “What if?” and “How about?”
If a company has a dog or pet policy in place, and a committee to handle/enforce the policy - then all of these questions and/or problems are easily handled. One of the primary goals of the book was to help companies establish a dog/pet policy. With this - tailored to the individual company - in place, it’s much more difficult for people to feel disgruntled or unhappy.
We even supplied a number of examples of companies where the pet policy is working successfully.
When these are in place, when there is one person who doesn’t follow the rules, then that one person loses his/her right to bring her pet to work rather than everyone being punished.
It takes some work to get policies like this in place and the company management needs to be co-operative but it can work.
Comment by Liz Palika — June 24, 2009 @ 11:48 am
Dogs are not welcome in the hospital ER where I work, for what would seem to be obvious reasons. However, in the early days of the Iraq war, my husband, who is a reservist, was activated and sent overseas for 4 months. At the time, my youngest Lab, Gracie, was less than 5 months old, and was in process of being housetrained. I work 12-hour night shifts, and with travel time, I am away from home from 13-14 hours; far too long to crate a young pup. So I got a crate on wheels, and every night that I worked, I loaded crate, dishes, leash, toys, and dog into the back of my SUV, and off to work we went. I unloaded the whole shebang in the ambulance bay, parked the car, and went to work. The crate was kept covered with a blanket to shield it from wind, rain and prying eyes. Then, usually after midnight when things began to quiet down, I would find an empty room away from the commotion and wheel the crate and Gracie inside. She was quiet and cooperative, and she got a lot of visits from my co-workers. She got lots of walks, treats, and attention. A few times, if we had no patients in that section, she even got to play ball or fetch in the hallways. It was kind of an open secret; everyone (except for my manager) was aware, including the house supervisors who often camd down to the ER for some playtime. Gracie was none the worse for wear, and as a result, travels well and is very well-socialized. So even though the conditions weren’t ideal, it worked out well for all concerned.
Comment by Shellie — June 24, 2009 @ 1:36 pm
Pepper goes with me when I’m doing consulting work — she either sits under the desk or in a window. I don’t take her to full committee meetings because some of the folks would get huffy, but since I wrote the grant for the local dog park, everyone just rolls their eyes and deals! ;-)
Comment by Dorene — June 24, 2009 @ 3:03 pm
I take it all back,you just have to ask the softie HR guy and make sure all the big bosses are on vacation.
My stars aligned, and Kasey is coming in to work with me tomorrow. Any tips to make sure it goes smoothly?
Comment by Original Lori — June 25, 2009 @ 12:59 pm
Lori, that’s GREAT news!
You should BUY THE BOOK and I bet Liz and Jen will even sign it for you. (Liz lives in San Diego, but Jennifer lives near me in Sacramento. I see her fairly often.)
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 25, 2009 @ 1:07 pm
I certainly will (possibly for my HR director). But I don’t think it will get here before tomorrow. :O)
Comment by Original Lori — June 25, 2009 @ 1:12 pm
oh! Good point!
Still … CONGRATS. I wish our HR folks were softies.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — June 25, 2009 @ 1:14 pm
Last thing, just fyi
http://www.takeyourdog.com/Get-Involved/
has a few posters you can download; one has a checklist (1)I don’t like to be petted (2)please ask before petting I can be shy (3)I love people, come give me a belly rub.
Granted I might have changed up the wording a bit, but still…it’s a good idea, I hung one up.
Comment by Original Lori — June 25, 2009 @ 1:18 pm
So were set here. Bed, bowl, baby gate, chewy, treats for people to give him. He’s a little weirded out, but he’s being very good considering he’s never been here before.
Fingers crossed for no barking. :O)
Comment by Original Lori — June 26, 2009 @ 5:05 am