Taking Your Dog to Work: A Practical Guide for Tradespeople

Plenty of tradespeople take a dog to work. It is company on long drives and a reason to stop for a proper break. It also adds a few responsibilities that are easy to overlook when the day is full of jobs.

In the van

The Highway Code says a dog should be suitably restrained in a vehicle so it cannot distract the driver or be hurt if you stop quickly. A crate fixed in the load area or a harness clipped to a seat belt both do the job. Never leave a dog in a closed van in warm weather, even for a short call.

On site

Ask the customer before the dog gets out. Some people are nervous of dogs, some have pets of their own, and an open front door next to a road is a risk. On a building site, dust, nails and wet concrete are all hazards at paw height. If the job is messy, the van or home is the better place.

Keep the paperwork in one place

Vaccination dates, insurance details and the microchip number tend to live in a kitchen drawer. A phone record is more use when you are an hour from home. GenoVaq offers a free health record for owners that holds documents, vaccinations, insurance and reminders, and can be shared with a vet by QR code.

Know where the nearest vet is

Working away from your home patch means your usual practice may be too far. GenoVaq's free Find a Vet directory covers the UK, searches by postcode within 5, 10 or 20 miles, and shows prices reported by owners. It is not a booking service, so you still ring the practice yourself.

A short daily routine

Water bowl filled before you leave. A walk at lunch. A towel by the door of the van. Small habits, done every day, keep the dog well and the customer happy.