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Learn From Your Dog

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A few weeks ago, I wrote an article about the many things that cats can teach us. By following their furry lead, you can be both happier and more successful at work.

Now I think it’s time to turn our attention to dogs. Dogs are the best! They’re loving, loyal bundles of joy. My parents’ dog, Max, is such a sweetie. He’s noisy and kind of high-maintenance, but he has such a good heart. And even though he’s not as wise or crafty as a cat, I think Max still has much to teach us about how to be a happy, productive employee.

Here’s what you can learn from your dog…

  1. Be a team player – Dogs are pack animals. They love to be around the people and animals that they care about. They’re social, they look out for their pack, and they work together to get things done. You should try to do the same when you’re at the office! It’s great if you have the ability to work independently. But it’s also important to be able to work with your fellow employees, when necessary. Try to listen to what they have to say, be open to their ideas, and help them when they need it.
  2. Don’t hold grudges – Dogs don’t hold grudges. They might occasionally feel hurt or angry, but it doesn’t tend to last. They have a wonderfully forgiving nature and they’re really resilient. Try to follow their lead. If someone upsets you at work, you can talk to that person about it if you feel like it’s necessary. But after that, try to let it go. If you hold a grudge, you’ll use up a lot of energy and probably end up upsetting yourself more than the other person.
  3. Stay focused on the present – Dogs really live in the present. They’re completely focused on whatever is happening at the moment, and they get so much joy from everyday things. I think this seems like a good way to approach work. Try not to worry too much about what’s happened in the past or the events that are coming up in the future. Focus on the present and the tasks that you need to finish today. And take time to enjoy the fun things that might be happening around you. You don’t want to miss out on the good stuff!
  4. Be dependable – Dogs are there for you. And you should be there for your coworkers! Be dependable at work. Your manager and teammates will really appreciate it.

 

Gisonni, D. (2014, July 8). 10 things dogs teach us about what matters most. The Huffington Post. Retrieved from: https://www.huffingtonpost.com/debbie-gisonni/lessons-from-dogs_b_5556867.html

 

Dogs and Emotional Intelligence

By in Learning, Living Well No Comments Tags: , , , ,

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The following is an (edited) excerpt from a recent 60 Minutes report, “How Dogs Express Their Emotions.”

If you have ever watched YouTube videos of dogs welcoming home returning service members, it’s easy to see the bond between dogs and their owners. But have you ever wondered if dogs love us the way we love them?

Brian Hare, an evolutionary anthropologist at Duke University, says there’s proof of that bond. It’s found in our bloodstreams: “We know that when dogs and humans make eye contact, that actually releases what’s known as the love hormone, oxytocin, in both the dog and the human. It turns out oxytocin, the same hormone that helps new mothers bond with their babies, is released in both dogs and humans when they play, touch, or look into one another’s eyes. What we know now is that when dogs are actually looking at you, they’re essentially hugging you with their eyes.”

And when dogs are making a lot of eye contact with you, it’s not that they’re just trying to get something from you. It probably is just really enjoyable for them because they get oxytocin or an uptick in the “love hormone.”

All these new discoveries about dogs have led Brian Hare to create a science-based website called Dognition, where owners can learn to play games to test their dog’s brain power.

So the next time your dog fixes you with those big, trusting eyes, he’s really thinking of you, not just his next can of Alpo.

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