Working with a Dog: The Art of Office Pet Etiquette

March 08, 2011

The inside of our Portland headquarters, located right off the corner of 21st and Irving, looks exactly like you’d expect a young, local office to look. Bikes line the atrium, next to a coffee table covered with Pamiris Payroll brochures and swag. Offices constructed out of wood and glass offer the perfect balance of privacy and sociability. Jars of Sterling Coffee Roasters coffee beans sit, almost empty, next to a well-used espresso machine. But the first thing most people notice is Chief, the Pamiris office dog. Chief is a 1-year-old lab/mastiff mix, certainly not a lapdog. And while the Pamiris team appreciates his enthusiasm and charm, we also accept that not everyone is going to adore Chief like we do. How does a business maintain a professional work environment without compromising a love for their dog? Here are some of our standards:

Take care of any outstanding behavioral problems before moving your dog into your office. Ask friends and family for candid feedback on your dog’s behavior. Identify any problems and make sure they’re taken care of before your pet sets foot in the workplace.
Keep your dog clean. Don’t give clients or prospective employees any reason to dislike your dog before they even see it. Maintain a regular cleaning regimen to avoid unpleasant smells.
Inform first-time office visitors that you have an office dog. If they’re aware of the excited greeting they’ll receive upon entering, they’re less likely to be put off by it. Additionally, mentioning the presence of a pet upfront allows clients with allergies to suggest an alternate meeting place.
Designate a dog-free meeting room for clients who may be allergic. For some, the inability to buddy up with your pup isn’t dictated by personal preference, but by health restrictions. Be sure these clients have a place to conduct business with you where they won’t be distracted by itchy eyes or a more serious allergic reaction.
Make sure your dog gets some exercise before arriving in the office. A dog with too much energy bounding through a small office is a perfect recipe for toppled monitors and shredded reports. Take your dog for a quick walk or run around the block before the two of you head to work. The morning activity will mellow out your pooch and the fresh air will clear your head allowing you to work more productively.
Take responsibility for your pet. Every now and again accidents happen. Even the best owners have to clean up after mystery stomach flus or quiet a fit of sporadic barking. Always apologize promptly and sincerely for any misbehavior. If applicable, couple your apologies with a plan of action. Show the affected person or people that their concerns are important to you, and that you’re taking steps to fix the problem.

Awareness is the key to a peaceful workplace, with or without an office pooch. Remain sensitive to the needs and preferences of your clients and employees. They’ll appreciate your considerateness, and your dog will appreciate the extra positive attention.

Does your office have a pet policy? An office dog? What tips do you have for maintaining a productive, worry-free atmosphere? Leave them in the comments. The writer of the most interesting tip will receive a package of McTavish gingerbread cookies embellished with the Pamiris logo. Trust us - they’re really good.