Office dogs - a cleaning perspective
Dogs in the Office: The Pawsitive Perks and Clean-Up Challenges
At our cleaning company, we really love dogs! It just might surprise our visitors, contractors and prospective interviewees that we welcome them into our own offices.
We think that there is nothing better than being greeted by Rory's happy wagging tail or an impromptu game of fetch right here in the office!
As a cleaning company be also need to be realistic that of course having dogs in the office comes with its fair share of cleaning challenges too.
So the question is....... is the joy of office dogs worth the extra effort? Let’s explore the pros and cons of dogs in the workplace—based on our personal experience and industry best practice.
All the positives: Why Dogs in the Office Are a Pawsome Idea
1. Stress Relief and Boosted Morale
Dogs are known for their incredible ability to reduce stress, they pick up on how we are feeling and can be an amazing pick up for a gloomy sort of day.
Here at T&H Contract Service we have seen firsthand just how having a dog around can transform a tense day into a more relaxed one and a serious training session into a joyful team event.
Our hard working mobile teams love coming back to the office to by greeted by the dogs and love popping off for a short walk with a cheerful 4 legged companion - the perfect way to take a break.
2. Team Bonding and Happiness
Bringing dogs into the office creates an immediate icebreaker. Our furry friends make sure that they are the first to welcome new coworkers to the T&H team. Its great to see everyone to bond over the playful antics of the office dog, and we’ve noticed it brings people together—whether it’s sharing a laugh over a dog’s zoomies or taking a joint pup-break walking down to the nearby coastline and woodlands.
3. More Movement and Mental Breaks
Office dogs encourage regular movement and breaks throughout the day. A quick stroll outside or a game of fetch gives our team a chance to step away from their desks, clear their heads, and come back to work feeling refreshed. It’s a boost for our physical and mental well-being.
Sharing a quiet lunch break with a furry friends' head resting gently on your lap helps to decompress and find a moment of calm in a busy day. Although we can't promise they won't do the puppy dog eyes on you for a little bite of your sandwich!
4. Cleaner Air... Thanks to Regular Cleaning!
Believe it or not, keeping dogs in the office can still mean a clean space—if managed properly. We know a thing or two about maintaining clean, fresh environments, and with the right vacuuming and mopping the occasional shed fur doesn’t stand a chance. Maintaining regular cleaning routines helps keep pet dander at bay and ensure the air stays fresh and healthy for both two-legged and four-legged team members.
The Cons: Cleaning Challenges of Dogs in the Office
1. Fur, Dander, and Dust
We love dogs, but their fur—it gets everywhere. We have fully experienced that Labradors really do have 2 moulting seasons a year, January to June and July to December!
We all know that dog hair can be a challenge to manage, sticking to upholstered furniture and carpets throughout the area, especially when you’ve got several office dogs mingling in the space.
Rory has very short hair but even the shortest haired dogs shed and its not long before little balls of fluff have accumulated. As a cleaning company, we’ve got it covered with regular high powered vacuuming and trying our best to keep dogs off the furniture.
We find that having a nice cosy dog bed here in the office helps keep sleepy dogs in one place and limits the shed fur.
With even the best strategies in place to keep the spread of fur to a minimum we need to be realistic and any office teams that want to share their workspace with dogs need to be prepared for extra vacuuming and attention to detail to keep spaces looking spotless.
2. Pet Accidents Happen
We can't deny it but accidents are part of the deal when it comes to office dogs.
Even the best-behaved pups might have a slip-up indoors. Whether it’s a bathroom break gone wrong, especially for young puppies, a messy chew, unstuffed toy or a water bowl spill, these accidents require quick clean-up to avoid unpleasant odors or stains.
Having cleaning supplies readily available is key to ensuring that any mess is dealt with immediately (and professionally cleaned if needed). We really do benefit from having our highly skilled cleaning teams on hand - with steam cleaning or a high powered hot water extraction clean - we've got all the tools for an effective clean up.
3. Allergies and Sensitivities
Although we find it hard to believe - not everyone’s a dog lover, and even if they are, some employees may suffer from allergies to pet dander and hair.
While we know how to manage allergens with the right cleaning products and frequent vacuuming, it’s still highly important for workplaces to consider allergies and ensure that the workspace is safe and comfortable for all.
4. Odor Control
Dogs can be smelly—especially after a rainy walk or a little swim. The distinctive odour of wet dog isn't one we all enjoy. We ensure that guests are not met with the smell of wet dog by frequently cleaning our dog beds, toys, and bathing and grooming the dogs themselves. This helps keep everything smelling great for a professional, fresh-smelling office.
As dog owners we also make sure to use odor-neutralizing products that are safe for both pets and people.
5. Managing High-Traffic Areas
Just like humans with shoes, dogs bring in dirt, leaves, and other outdoor debris on their paws, meaning high-traffic areas need extra attention. A quick paw scrub and rub down with a towel ensures that the worst of the mud from a pre-work adventure is removed before it drops onto the office carpet!
We make sure that high traffic areas are cleaned more frequently to prevent dirt from spreading and to keep entryways, carpets, and floors sparkling clean, no matter how many paws pass through.
Balancing the Pawsitive with the Practical
Here at T&H Contract Services we’ve learned that with the right cleaning routine, the benefits of having dogs in the office far outweigh the challenges. Here’s how we make it work:
Daily spot-cleaning: We’re always prepared to tackle any mess—big or small. Having a nifty little cordless Henry hoover ready to go makes short work of picking up excess hair and fluff. We always have cleaning supplies readily available makes quick work of spills or accidents.
Regular deep cleaning: Regardless of whether we have dogs or not deep cleaning for carpets, floors, or upholstery on a regular basis is key to a healthy environment.
Pet-friendly products: We only use pet-safe cleaning products, ensuring a clean and safe environment for both humans and their furry companions. For surfaces here in the main office we are completely chemical free - using only aqueous ozone water to sanitise surfaces effectively. Once it hits the surface the ozone quickly turns into oxygen, improving the atmosphere indoors.
Exercise: Getting out for a good walk is the key to a relaxed and settled dog at work. Early morning walks, plenty of sniffing, chasing squirrels and toilet breaks ensures an easy and mischief free work day. Trying to walk in different routes and a variety of settings, field, woodland, beach gives great mental stimulation for our dogs, tiring them out both physically and mentally.
We love a few ball games, training games and engaging playful chasing games with the family - of these contribute to a sleepy, happy, working dog.
Final Thoughts: Dogs and Clean Spaces Can Coexist!
Dogs in the office bring us all the most incredible joy, reduce stress, and create a more dynamic workplace.
Yes, of course, there are cleaning challenges, but with the right approach, they’re manageable—and well worth the effort.
At our office, we’ve found the perfect balance between a clean environment and a pet-friendly culture, proving that you can have the best of both worlds.
So, if you’re thinking of allowing dogs in your office, just remember: with some extra cleaning love, your workplace can be both clean and canine-friendly. Why not give it a try? Or pop by and visit us - experience the best welcome of all - that of a dog!
