- 23 February 2023
3 minute read
Four-legged friends look out for us – how can you look out for them?
What’s your pooch’s personality?
Consider your doggo’s temperament – are they anxious? Not a fan of sudden noises? Might panic, lash out or stop listening to commands if stressed?
Remember, a dog’s hearing and sense of smell are stronger than yours; construction sites or loud tools and machinery can get overwhelming for even the most chill of pets.
Not everyone’s a dog lover
Plenty of people love having a dog around, but some won’t. Workmates could find them distracting, and clients may be cat-owners, have small kids, or even their own dog who won’t be thrilled about another pooch in their territory. It’s worth asking if they mind your dog coming too.
Check with the boss
All employers have a duty of care, so as the owner, you have to let management know about your dog’s risk profile. If they approve, you’ll probably then need to sign off about the safety of your dog, and they’ll share info about safe interactions with pups with the wider workplace.
Are they there for work or company?
Tradie dogs can sometimes take on important jobs, in everything from plumbing, to forestry, to search and rescue. If you’re considering turning your pet into a colleague, check local laws, talk to management, and make sure the dog has all the necessary training down before day one.
Keep an eye on that pup
It’s impossible to predict what even the most well-trained dog will do 24/7. Whether it’s their first day on-site or their hundredth, make sure you or someone your dog trusts is monitoring them, making sure they’re happy and not doing anything they shouldn’t.
Can’t bring a dog? Imagine one.
Here are some dogs your workmates might remind you of. Turn work into a dog park through the power of imagination, or… just have a laugh.
Sparkies - Border Collie
Sparkies are jumpy, energetic animals. They’re smart, and great workers when they set their mind to it, but… they’re also escape artists. When knock-off’s close, be careful – they’ll always make a run for an open gate. Probably straight into traffic, too.
Plumbers - Dachshund
These pipe-shaped dogs were bred to dive down holes, so this just made sense. A wily breed, plumbers usually like to be left to their own work. How social they are is down to their mood. Good day? They’re your best mate on site. Bad day? They’ll take a hand off.
Chippies - German Shepherd
The chippy is your quintessential working breed of tradie. They’re smart, big and generally a friendly sort, working all hours in all conditions. They can also get a bit rowdy when bored and are prone to losing hair… German Shepherds, we mean. Definitely not you.
Gardeners - Minature Schnauzer
Your typical gardener can be left alone in the beauty of nature all day… but being a sharp breed, they know how to get away with being cheeky too. If keeping a gardener, remember: they need a lot of grooming; like a garden, they’re high maintenance.
Painters - Golden Retriever
A painter has an eye for the small things… even if they’re a bit clumsy doing them sometimes. Painters tend to be everyone’s friend, but much like your conventional breed of gardener, will often need serious grooming help after a day on site.
