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.
Last year, I put together a list of classic and wonderful new books about animals — fiction as well as non-fiction — and this year, I’d like to know what Pet Connection readers think should be added to the list for 2009.
Our Dr. Marty Becker will be visiting Sacramento for an event at the VCA 
Some of us, including myself, grew up afraid of snakes. It’s sadly common. If I’d been able to read this new book – Katie of the Sonoran Desert/Katie del Desierto Sonorense – I might have grown up with an understanding of and empathy for snakes. Maybe I wouldn’t scream when I see a harmless corn snake, although I’m sure I’d still falter at seeing a live western diamondback rattlesnake anywhere outside a zoo. To help prevent your children from being terrified of snakes, read this book with them.
My mom is an awesome cook but I didn’t inherit that talent. Cooking is something I do to put food on the table. However, when I was researching my two treat cookbooks for pets (The Ultimate Dog Treat Cookbook and The Ultimate Cat Treat Cookbook) I discovered that I really enjoyed making treats for my dogs and cats. I guess a part of it is because they are such an appreciative audience and even ate my failures!