Learn how to identify signs of anxiety and help your dog feel comfortable at the office.
If you have a pet, the best work scenario is one that allows your pet to come with you to the office. This can be especially true since pet parents often feel guilty for leaving their pets alone for long periods like that of a work day. But, with new environments comes the possibility for your pet to show signs of separation anxiety. Here are a few ways to identify and solve for separation anxiety in the workplace.
The first step is identifying that your pet is acting differently than normal. “Normal” can be different for each breed — a Beagle or Siberian Husky may be more prone to vocalizing while a Sheepdog might herd — so make sure to know the baseline for your dog. From there, you’ll want to make sure it isn’t a medical issue. Some medical conditions can mimic the signs of separation anxiety, like urinary tract infections, Cushing’s disease, or cognitive dysfunction. If you notice a sudden behavior change that is concerning, consider scheduling a visit with your veterinarian.
“In some cases, symptoms of separation anxiety may have an underlying medical cause. One clue that this could be the case is if the behaviors occur in the owner’s presence, not just when the dog is left alone. Any new behavior change should be brought to your vet’s attention. They can help rule out medical issues and discuss a management plan going forward.” -Dr. Liza Cahn
If there’s no underlying medical concern, your dog may be experiencing separation anxiety. Dogs with separation anxiety become extremely scared and anxious when separated from their owners. When left alone, these dogs may show distress behaviors such as vocalizing, house-soiling, destructive chewing or scratching, escape attempts, and self-harm. Some owners may notice behaviors or signs of anxiety as they are preparing to leave the house as well.
Check out our guide on how to best identify symptoms of separation anxiety in your dog and ways to alleviate its prevalence. For cats, anxiety symptoms can look like marking, hiding, changes in grooming behaviors, changes in appetite, and increased vocalization, and while they’re likely not joining you at the office, it's still important to know what the signs are and how to help them.
An office can be loud and full of smells, sights, and sounds your dog is unfamiliar with. Combine that with the potential for other pets in the office and your coming and going, and your pet may get overwhelmed. That’s why a sense of safety and security is critical in helping them feel comfortable. This can be a crate, with the door left open for them to move about freely, or an area next to or under your desk, but here are a few things to consider:
Sometimes, distractions can help lessen your dog's focus on their separation anxiety. This is especially useful when you need to be away from your desk for a meeting, lunch, or casual conversation.
The best thing you can do before taking your dog to the office is to get them used to the environment. Most times, you can’t just swing by the office with your dog for a few minutes here and there (although that’s the ideal), but you can replicate that same idea at home. Start with exploring and focusing on independence training so that your dog feels safe and secure away from you. Work on training to ensure your dog knows how to stay even when you walk away and isn’t distracted by anything.
If you can, bring things from the office home to get them used to the smell. They’ll already know what you smell like when coming home from the office, but perhaps leave a toy of theirs at your desk for a week and then reintroduce it to them.
When bringing your dog to the office for the first time, start with one area at a time. A big office can be overwhelming—even for people—so imagine it from your dog’s perspective. Take them around to the areas you often go to or those they would have access to, but ensure they don’t mark any areas. From there, you should set up their safe space by where you sit and show them where to find things.
This is also a good time to train them to tell you they need to go out. At home, you may have a signal, a bell, or some other means of knowing, so try and bring that same habit to the office.
In a perfect world you’d be able to introduce your dog to any other dogs at the office in a neutral space, but that’s unlikely. Instead, understand what the behaviors and personalities of the other dogs are and introduce them at your own pace. An aggressive or territorial pet should never share common space with others, so if you notice any posturing, let a manager know.
As with any other situation involving your pet, you’ll want to lay ground rules on how people approach them. At work, decide if co-workers need your explicit permission to engage with your pet. If you feel uncomfortable with your pet being there, don’t hesitate to remove them from the situation.
Work on training your dog a “go to your place” or “go to your bed” command at home. You can then bring their mat or bed with you anywhere you want your dog to have a designated safe resting space, including to the office.
As with traveling, some dogs just aren’t suited to accompanying you to the office and that’s okay. It’s better to have a happy pet being taken care of somewhere else than one filled with anxiety and stress by your side in the office. Managing separation anxiety can take time and patience.
If you’re worried your dog’s symptoms are greater than you can manage, reach out to a professional for support. After all, as much as we love our furry friends, our jobs are also important, and we want to be respectful to our roles and responsibilities at work as well as our coworkers by not bringing in a dog that needs constant care and attention.
If you find that bringing your dog in isn’t conducive to your productivity, consider leaving them with a friend or significant other during the day. Sending your pet to day care or hiring a Rover can also be an option if you’re concerned about leaving your pet alone at home.
