Office dogs: Expert reveals tips on how to prep the office in a heatwave

Revealed: The Best UK Cities to Take Your Dog to Work

🌡️ Always check the temperature before heading into work with your pup as expert reveals heat stroke in a pup can be fatal in up to 15 minutes. 🌡️

• Manchester is home to the most dog-friendly offices; 49 within ten miles of the city
• 51% of people in Bristol are in support of dogs in the workplace
• Belfast is the city that wants dogs in the office the least, with only 7% in favour

There is no disputing that Britain is a nation of dog lovers, and with more and more people becoming dog owners over the last year, it’s understandable that new ‘pawrents’ may be concerned about leaving their four-legged friends at home now the time has come to return to the office.

To investigate the growing number of puppy-friendly workplaces, Brother looked at job postings on Indeed with a reference to ‘dog-friendly office’ and analysed a sample of these job postings to reveal which sector was most open to dogs in the office. Also, a survey of 1,000 UK adults was carried out to find out what the public thinks about this doggy development.

Brother also partnered up with pet expert and founder of Yappy.com, John Smith, to gain insights in ways workplaces can ensure it’s a safe environment for dogs and colleagues, and what to do in a heatwave.

Top 10 cities with the most dog-friendly offices:

Rank	City	Population	No. of dog-friendlyoffices within 10 miles	Per capita(per 100K pop)
1	Manchester	395,515	49	12.39
2	Brighton	139,001	11	7.91
3	Edinburgh	464,990	25	5.38
4	London	7,556,900	364	4.82
5	Exeter	117,763	5	4.25
6	Newcastle upon Tyne	192,382	8	4.16
7	Bristol	617,280	24	3.89
8	Bradford	299,310	10	3.34
9	Liverpool	864,122	22	2.55
10	Aberdeen	196,670	5	2.54

Manchester leads the way with the most dog-friendly offices

Manchester is the dog office capital of the UK according to our research, as the city currently has 49 dog-friendly offices within ten miles of the city centre. That’s 12.39 per 100,000 people!

In second place is Brighton, with 11 dog-friendly offices near the city centre, resulting to 7.91 per capita. With 25 dog-friendly offices, Edinburgh is in third place. Equating to 5.38 per capita, whereas the UK’s capital trails behind in fourth place, despite having a whopping 364 offices accepting our four-legged friends – but when it’s compared to the city’s population, it only equates to 4.82 dog-friendly offices per 100,000 people.

The survey revealed…

Brother surveyed 1,000 people, asking them if they felt having dogs in the office was a good or bad idea, and their reasons for feeling this way.

More than half of respondents (51%) think that a pet-friendly office is a good idea. Out of all the age groups, 16–24-year-olds were the biggest fans of dogs in the office.

However, 35% of 45–54-year-olds are against the idea of pets in the office – more than any other age bracket. Reasons cited include phobias, allergies, and pets being a distraction.

Overall, out of the total people surveyed, 28% think dogs should not be allowed in the workplace while 21% said they weren’t fussed either way.

The top 10 cities which most support dogs in the office

Rank	City	Overall Score
1	Bristol	51%
2	Leeds	41%
3	Cardiff	39%
4	Nottingham	30%
5	Birmingham	28%
6	Plymouth	26%
7	Manchester	26%
8	Glasgow	25%
9	Norwich	22%
10	London	18%

• 51% of people in Bristol support dogs in the workplace, which is more than any other city
• Leeds (41%) came second, and Cardiff (39%) came third

Residents of Belfast support dogs in the workplace the least – with only 7% wanting their four-legged friends at work. Some of the reasons against dogs in the office are distraction, being frightened, allergies, biting, and barking.

John Smith, Pet Expert and Founder of Yappy.com, said:

“At my company, we are big advocates for working alongside dogs and believe that having dogs in the office can boost morale, improve employee wellbeing and reduce stress levels. It also provides a daily fix for team members who can’t have their own dog at home due to personal circumstances and restrictions of living in rented accommodation.”

“However, there are lots to consider when taking your pet into the office, to ensure that everyone is happy and safe! Here are some top tips on ensuring a harmonious working environment. Rotate the days that you take your dog into the office with other colleagues so there aren’t too many dogs in the working space on any given day – this will be dependent on the size and set up at your place of work. Keep your dog on a lead except for regular off-lead play times when they can release some energy and zoom around the office space!”

“Ensure there are lots of toys, treats and a comfy bed available as well as a supply of fresh water at all times. Be prepared for emergencies and minor injuries in the office by taking part in a canine first aid course and keep a dog first aid kit such as this handy compact version containing 36 useful items for treating minor injuries until professional treatment is sought.”

“Walk and talk! Consider a walking meeting with the dogs – mental and physical stimulation for your furry friend and often more productive than a sit-down meeting. Also, draft a ‘dog friendly office policy’ that all dog owners sign up to – this ensures the health, safety and wellbeing of dogs and owners as well offering some basic rules for office dog etiquette to keep everyone happy!” 

What to do in a heatwave

“You may be surprised to know that when the temperature reaches 20°C, there is a danger your dog could experience heat stroke. If your pup gets heat stroke, it means they have a high temperature not caused by a fever. This happens when a dog can no longer self-regulate and keep their temperature at a comfortable level. Heat stroke in a pup can be fatal in up to 15 minutes. So always be prepared and check the temperature before heading into work with your pup.”

“In some conditions, it may be too hot for a lunchtime walk, if this is the case, make sure there is plenty of ventilation and fans in the office to cool them down. Try freezing one of their toys or towels for extra relief. Dog bowls should always be filled with plenty of water. Keep a damp towel on hand and pat your pooch down with it every so often when it gets a little too warm.

“When it gets cooler, take your dog out for small walks, be mindful to stick to the shaded areas and don’t stray too far from home in case they do become worn out or agitated.”

With the nationwide shift to pet-friendly offices in full swing, welcoming our fluffy friends into the workspace is becoming the new norm. Whether you’re in a home office environment, hybrid working or returning to the office full time, dogs make the perfect companion.

You can find out more here: https://www.brother.co.uk/business-solutions/hybrid-working/dog-friendly-office-index