5 reasons why your business should allow office dogs

Having spent over a year working from home, with their canine companions by their side, it’s not surprising that people are keen to take their dogs into the office with them.

Many offices across the globe have introduced a little pooch to their workplace already, but is this something you’ve thought about as a business owner?

Natural dog food brand Barking Heads have explained the 5 main benefits to have office dogs…

INCREASING PRODUCTIVITY

One of the most talked about benefits of having an office dog is the increase in productivity among employees.

A 2019 study by the University of Lincoln revealed that employees who often bring their dogs to work reported 22% higher satisfaction with their working conditions, increased absorption in their work (33.4%), and an overall increase in work engagement by 14.4%.

Giving team members a reason to have a little break from their desk can refresh their minds and have them come back with a more engaging outlook on their work.

STIMULATES COMMUNICATION & TEAM CONNECTIONS

Increases in communication is another one of the great benefits of having an office dog. A canine companion for the office is a perfect way to get people talking. Being in an environment that stimulates conversation between colleagues can only lead to working relationships forming. This can encourage a higher rate of job satisfaction for your team.

Research shows that dogs can also have positive influences on group dynamics, social interactions, and social behaviours, and trust is rated higher in groups in which a dog is present. Dogs tend to improve the quality of social interactions with strangers and also with friends and acquaintances, which even leads to friendships and more social support in groups.

This might be related to a dog-related increase of oxytocin in humans, which is linked to an increase of pro-social behaviour.

ENCOURAGING AN ACTIVE LIFESTYLE

Having a reason to promote a healthier lifestyle in the office or workplace can be beneficial for both the team and the office pooch. Team members can interact with the new dog by doing things like playing or walking them.

A research study found that dog owners more likely report regular physical activity patterns, a healthy diet and ideal blood sugar levels compared to those who do not own dogs. This is beneficial to your heart health because increased physical activity helps strengthen your heart muscles, making it more efficient in pumping blood throughout your body and improving overall heart health.

Working in a place that actively encourages this will lead to the team being healthier and have more energy.

SUPPORTS MENTAL WELL-BEING

A little dog walking round the office can instantly cheer people up, especially when they look into those cute little eyes. Keeping stress levels to a minimum and having a friend to greet you in the mornings can start people’s days off the right way. This will spread to everyone else in the office and maintain a level of positivity throughout the day.

Studies show that the simple act of stroking a dog releases a relaxation response and promotes the release of serotonin, dopamine and oxytocin, all hormones that can play a part in elevating mood and reducing anxiety. Levels of anxiety among heart patients dropped by 24% when they were in the presence of a dog.

And researchers have found that levels of epinephrine, a hormone the body makes under stress, dropped by 17% when people were visited by a dog. In addition, just 10 minutes with a dog can reduce levels of cortisol, the main hormone responsible for stress.

YOUR DOG ISN’T LONELY!

We think this is the top of the list of benefits of having an office dog. As well as cheering up everyone in your workplace, your pooch doesn’t have to say goodbye to you for 8 hours a day and is constantly surrounded by people. Reducing the likelihood of developing separation anxiety and bad behaviour.