The best way to get staff back into the office? Let them bring their dog

Research suggests that having a canine companion in the workplace boosts wellbeing and alleviates stress – but there are downsides

What’s that, Lassie? The 10am meeting is running late? Pre-pandemic, while service dogs were always permitted, most corporate offices would no more welcome pet dogs than they would allow giraffes to wander through the reception. The idea of unruly pups barking through crucial calls was impossible – until we experienced the joys of working from home. During Covid, dog ownership increased by 44 per cent in Britain. Cue a dramatic change in attitude – because when we returned to the office, in many cases, the pups came too.
It’s not just home businesses with a labrador snoozing in the corner of the shed. Corporate giants are joining the pack too, including Salesforce, Uber, Ben & Jerry’s and Google all opening their lift doors to office dogs. According to a survey by Brother, an electronics company, Manchester has the highest number of dog-friendly offices in Britain, swiftly followed by Brighton, Edinburgh and London.
And, inevitably, the pet industry is at pains to point out that dogs at work not only cheer us up, they also boost productivity and foster a friendlier atmosphere. A recent Mars pet food study found that 70 per cent of people who work with dogs in the office reported reduced stress levels – they also take more breaks and feel more productive after a dog walk. For 39 per cent, a dog-friendly policy directly influenced their job choice. Meanwhile, British-based research from Lily’s Kitchen, a pet food brand, reported that a staggering 50 per cent of workers would change jobs for a dog-friendly workplace, and 25 per cent would refuse a position if they couldn’t bring their pet.
Perhaps that is why Sir Martin Sorrell, the founder of advertising giant S4 Capital, has welcomed dogs to the office, in a bid to encourage employees to come in more regularly. His own red setter, Fergus, is now a fixture at his boss’ side. “I’d rather staff brought animals in than [only] work three days a week,” Sir Martin says.
Business owners who find “office zoomies” (when a pet suddenly has a burst of energy) a little excessive might want to emulate Heck! Sausages, who were so keen to keep employees happy that they built a dog hotel at their North Yorkshire HQ. With 130 staff, they were keen to encourage a return to work post-lockdown. Now, owners can keep an eye on their pets, who in turn enjoy underfloor heating and “walking ambassadors” – staff members who volunteer to walk the dogs.
But while it all sounds pooch-topian, not everyone is delighted by the idea.
“I detest having dogs near me,” says Emma Kershaw*, 35, who works for a busy merchandising firm. “I have a sensory disorder and I’m allergic to them. I can’t bear the smell.”
She is also scared of large dogs and adds: “I’ve been attacked in parks, and had expensive clothing ruined by dogs with sharp claws.”
She is also irritated by the regular breaks dog-owners are permitted and says she’s “not allowed to nip outside whenever I fancy a breather”. Emma currently works from home, though, and adds: “I’d love to use a co-working space, but they all have dog-friendly policies. This weird, dog-centric world we now live in is ridiculous.”
As well as unease, dogs can also cause serious allergies – more than 5.4 million Britons suffer from asthma, 40 per cent of whom are also sensitised to dog allergens.
Caroline Wilkinson, an animal behaviourist and the founder of Barketplace, an online pet coaching service, says: “It’s vital to think about the office space carefully. Ensure there’s human-only areas for people who might not be comfortable with dogs or who have allergies.”
She also suggests that “everyone is given regular canine body language training and staff are taught about the ‘no-approach unless permitted’ rule.” She advises clients that dogs come to the office on a rotation basis, so that they aren’t exhausted. “Hybrid visits are better for the dogs’ emotional wellbeing, and owners must ensure there are calm spaces for the dogs.”
It is also crucial to weigh up whether the environment matches the animal. Adem Fehmi, Rover.com’s canine behaviourist, says: “Always consider the life stage of your dog. A young puppy will find it much harder to settle, while an energetic adult dog that’s not been constructively exercised might cause disruption. Temperament is key,” he goes on. “A confident, laid-back character is most likely to adapt well.” Some breeds, such as German shepherds and spaniels, need frequent breaks for exercise – and “at minimum, dogs should go outside to relieve themselves every three or four hours”.
Not all offices are suitable, says Emma Birch, who runs The Office Dog, which helps companies to create dog-friendly policies. “Just allowing dogs in usually leads to poor dog behaviour, fears, allergies, and resentment between staff. What makes an office dog-friendly is the ability to work with common settling-in issues and being adaptable.”
Her company offers dog temperament assessments – while Purina, Nestle’s pet food company, even makes office dogs take a test, to check their suitability for the workplace. Arriving with a pent-up pup is a big mistake. “Typically, owners should walk the dogs before work and then at lunchtime and after work,” says Birch. “Dogs sleep 12-16 hours a day on average so it isn’t unreasonable to expect them to sleep during a working day.”
And when they are awake, training is vital. “It’s about teaching them what is expected of them in the office – to sleep, relax and have some company. Dogs who are barking or vocal would need more training beforehand.” That definitely includes house training. “Accidents can happen – but being vigilant and only allowing dogs who are house trained helps.”
Nicola Wordsworth, 57, manages Whybrow Studio, a graphic design agency based in Margate. “There are four of us and three dogs – my two Tibetan terriers and a chihuahua- dachshund cross,” she says. “When I joined the agency in 2016 it was on the basis that my dog came into work with me – it’s grown from there. We were based at Somerset House in lockdown. Their policy was small or medium dogs only, and they all had to have their own security badges!”
Now the offices are near the beach for walks, adds Nicola. “There’s no set rules, it’s about being sensible. If they misbehave then they have to go home, but that hasn’t happened yet. They’ve all come into the studio since they were pups so they know how to behave.”
She’s a firm believer in the power of office dogs. “They keep stress levels down, they’re an ice-breaker with clients. It makes for a much more pleasing environment,” she insists. “If you need to take a break from work, you can take them for a walk. Also, it makes dog-cover easy when you have to go to a meeting. It’s win-win.”
For younger generations, emotional support is also a key factor. Alicia Boukerski, 27, takes her Pembroke corgi puppy, Loaf, to her job as a digital PR manager at Ocean Finance in Manchester. “He gets along with everyone but knows when to be quiet,’ she says. “This is the first place I’ve worked where bringing in a [well-trained] pet is welcomed! At previous jobs, it was suggested that clients wouldn’t appreciate seeing or hearing pets on calls.”
Alicia finds Loaf’s presence helps her cope with anxiety. “I tend to overwork and forget to take breaks,” she admits, “but with him around, I always get regular fresh air”.
In large offices, difference of opinion can cause issues. Richard Stone, the managing director of Stone Junction, a technical PR agency, set up his own dog-friendly office policy, and admits that he was keen to canvas all views, positive and negative.
“Employees must ensure no team member objects to the dog’s presence and we provide an anonymous route for them to express any difficulties,” he says. “Dogs must be constantly supervised to keep the office space harmonious and productive.”
Employees are largely happy to comply. Tom Fallows, a graphic designer, says: “Having the option to bring my dog to work occasionally really makes my life easier. I don’t have to worry about arranging dog care, and it’s a relief not to have the added expense of dog-sitting.” His colleague Kelly Doble adds: “I don’t bring him every day, but my cocker spaniel Buddy is always thrilled to come along, and the team loves having him. Plus, he encourages us to take regular breaks and explore new walks together over lunch.”
Having well-behaved dogs in the office is a no-brainer, says Birch. “From better physical and mental health in the owners, to increased wellbeing,it’s the number one factor in staff retention social cohesion, decreased stress levels and higher loyalty and job satisfaction, it’s the number one factor in staff retention,” she explains. “If you allow someone to bring their dog to work, they never want to leave that company.”
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