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6. Don't: Get Too Distracted
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Having your pet dog at your side at work can be a delight, but it's important to strike a balance between appreciating their company and keeping your attention on your work. Your dog can cause you to get overly preoccupied and result in missed deadlines, lower productivity, and maybe souring of ties with superiors and colleagues. Remember that your dog's presence should improve rather than impede your professional performance; you are in the office mostly to work.
Managing the natural inclination to want to interact with your dog continuously is one of the main difficulties of having her at work. Dogs are naturally curious animals, hence their adorable antics or just presence can be quite effective in diverting attention. Giving in to every impulse for amusement or attention, however, might adversely affect your output and quality in your work. Clearly define your expectations and teach your dog to know when it's suitable to interact and when it's time for business.
Think about designating a dog's workspace inside your desk or office to help you stay from being sidetracked. Your dog can relax in a comfy bed or kennel where it won't want continual care. Using positive reinforcement methods, teach your dog to settle in this area during business hours. Your dog will learn over time to link this space with quiet time, therefore freeing you to concentrate on your work.
It's also vital to fight the need to play with your dog or check on it nonstop during business hours. Although you should naturally want to make sure your pet is comfortable and happy, regular interruptions might interfere with your job and make it challenging to focus on difficult projects. Rather, set up particular times for quick meetings, say during your lunch hour or regular break. This method lets you provide your dog love and attention without sacrificing your ability to perform at work.
Think about how your contacts with your dog could impact your coworkers. To others attempting to focus on their work, excessive cooing, baby talk, or puppy play might be distracting. During business hours, keep your contacts low and quiet to save more active play for your breaks or after-work.
Having to record and post your dog's existence on social media adds still another possible cause of distraction. Although it's easy to grab adorable pictures or videos of your pet companion in the office, try to fight the need to continuously update your social media profiles during business hours. This not only takes time away from your work but also conveys the impression that you are not totally committed to your employment.
Should your dog constantly divert your attention, you might want to consider whether it would be wise to bring them to work. Certain dogs could need more care or have more energy than others that would make them unsuitable for an office setting. Under these circumstances, it could be more advantageous for your dog and you to investigate other options including hiring a dog walker or a respectable doggie daycare facility.
Setting a good example when it comes to handling office dogs helps especially those in leadership roles. Should you find yourself spending too much time playing with or tending to your dog, your team may receive the incorrect impression of job priorities and expectations.
Recall that taking your dog to work usually comes with a privilege contingent on keeping a professional and efficient workplace. By proving that you can manage your pet care obligations with your employment, you assist to ensure that rules allowing pets can keep on and maybe grow at your company.
In essence, even if having your dog with you at work is great, it's important not to let their presence cause an excessive distraction. Having your dog at work will let you enjoy the advantages without sacrificing your professionalism or output by defining clear limits, creating routines, and keeping your eye on your professional obligations. This all-around strategy will assist your dog, you, and your coworkers have a great time and promote harmony and pet friendliness in the workplace.
