5 Ways to Ensure Your Workplace Dog Stays Happy and Healthy
Default Author • September 14, 2021
Excessive feeding of treats leads to weight gain which is bad for a dogs health. Plus, getting lots of tidbits, especially those that are unfamiliar or high in fat, can leave your dog with an upset tum.
Try having a doggy treat jar and having an office rule that only treats from the jar can be fed. Set limits on how many treats are appropriate – try breaking treats into smaller pieces to make them go further.
Make sure you keep the water freshly topped up and avoid having the bowl in direct sunlight so the water stays nice and cool. Bowls need to be cleaned with dish soap at least a couple of times a week.
Make sure your workplace dog has a comfortable, accessible spot they can go to if they need to get away from the hustle and bustle, and that all members of staff respect that sometimes their furry co-worker needs some space to themselves.
Unless your work’s exterior is fenced and safe, all doors offering access to the outside should be kept closed. If staff or customers tend to leave exterior doors open you may need to install an automatic door closer.
If your workplace has a workshop or warehouse where there are hazards such as machinery, moving vehicles and chemicals, access to these areas should be restricted. Even your office plants need checking, as some are toxic to dogs so should be placed out of reach.
It’s important that at least once every six months you take an ‘enjoyment stocktake’ for your workplace dog. Does the dog seem happy and excited to go to work? Do they ever show signs that they might be frightened, such as cowering, hiding or even showing signs of fear-aggression such as growling? Are they choosing to interact and participate, or are they preferring to spend more time on their own? Has their behavior changed in the past six months?
If your ‘enjoyment stocktake’ indicates that your workplace dog isn’t having a good time, it’s important to take action to either improve the workplace experience for the dog or remove the dog from the situation. Everybody should enjoy their time in the workplace, and that includes the workplace dog.
Companion Animals New Zealand is a registered charity dedicated to enhancing animal welfare in New Zealand and promoting A Good Life for companion animals. Companion Animals New Zealand also own and operate the New Zealand Companion Animal Register, New Zealand’s only lost and found pet microchip database.
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