5 Business Lessons I Learned from My Dog

Applying these key business lessons to your business can lead to an increase in productivity, creativity, and resilience.

Our furry friends bring immense joy to our lives. Their ability to project love and happiness into the world helps us feel calm. They seem to live entirely in the moment, which is something we can learn from as humans. We can take it a step further and analyze how their behavior could be emulated in our own lives, particularly when it comes to business.

While there are certain dog characteristics we don’t want to replicate as humans (you can probably name quite a few), there are several that could lead to an increase in productivity. In this article, we’ve gathered five of the best business lessons to be learned from dogs. Each one has its strengths, and applying these business lessons to your work will undoubtedly lead to an improved way of doing business.

As we look into the specific business lessons dogs teach us, keep in mind how their instinctual behaviors can make us not only better colleagues but also more adaptive and resilient professionals.

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Here are the five valuable business lessons dogs have taught us about business:

Clear and Frequent Communication

1. Dogs are always communicating. Though their communication may not be as clear to us if we aren’t familiar with their behavior, their messages come in bright as day to the dogs around them. If you’ve ever taken a dog to a dog park, you will see what we’re saying. A bow towards the ground with a tail wag means, “I’m ready to play!” while a tucked tail, cowering stance and whimpering means, “I’m scared!”

The dogs who send these messages are hoping for a response in the dog they’re communicating with, whether it’s to engage in play or leave them alone. The dogs who observe these behaviors instinctively know what they mean. Though they might not always respect what the other dog is saying, the message rarely gets misconstrued.

We can take this lesson into our business lives by remembering the importance of clear and frequent communication. We have a lot more to say than dogs, so it’s even more vital that we are upfront with what we’re thinking and feeling. We can’t expect a person to respond if we don’t engage. And just like dogs do, we should be prioritizing open communication through both verbal and nonverbal cues to maintain coherence and clarity.

Embrace Regular Outdoor Time

2. If you’ve ever tried to work alongside your dog, you know they can be quite demanding when it comes to breaks. Dogs want to spend as much time as possible being outside, and they’ll let you know if it’s been too long since they’ve felt fresh air. Animals crave being outdoors. Let’s not forget that humans are animals, too. It’s quite unnatural for us to sit behind a computer for 8+ hours a day, so we have to remember to take breaks throughout the day.

Set a timer on your phone to remind yourself to get up and stretch. When you have a longer break, take a moment to step outside, even if the weather is bad. A deep breath or two in the outdoors will help you reset. Once you return to work, you’ll feel refreshed and ready to be productive.

Find the Rewards in Learning

3. Most dogs want to learn because it makes us happy. Some need to be bribed with treats or play time. No matter the dog’s age, though, they are generally receptive to learning new things. Training a dog to do tricks or have manners provides them with enrichment and rewards. Dogs tend to learn quickly, and they never seem to forget the things they’re taught.

As humans, we can apply this to our own lives by always seeking out learning opportunities. While we might not be rewarded with treats, we will be rewarded with knowledge, and we can use that to improve our business, make more money, and work more efficiently.

Prioritize Making a Good First Impression

4. Most dogs love humans and other animals. When they first come across someone they’ve never met before, you’ll see them exhibit quite a variety of positive behaviors in an effort to bond with their new friend. They might wag their tail and bring them one of their toys, offer a paw to hold, roll over, or give them a thorough, kind sniff. All of these actions seem to say, “I’m a good dog, you can trust me.”

People should attempt to say the same thing when they first meet someone, especially when it comes to business. Gaining trust is a key aspect of becoming successful as an entrepreneur, so showing others your open, happy, and accepting side will make a lasting impression. A smile, handshake, and light, positive conversation goes a long way.

Remain Alert and Adaptive

5. Though dogs do love socializing and meeting new creatures, they also have a protective nature, meant to keep them and their pack safe. You can see this behavior play out when the doorbell rings or a stranger walks by your house. They will bark loudly, alerting you that something is happening.

If you inspect the danger and tell them nothing is wrong, they eventually adapt their behavior, going back to what they were doing prior. When everything seems peaceful, they are always keeping their nose, ears, and eyes on high alert, waiting for anything out of the ordinary to happen.

We can implement this lesson by continually looking out for inconsistencies, and staying in touch with our instincts. If something in your work seems wrong, look into why that is, and adapt accordingly. In business, it’s important to stay in tune to what is happening, so we can keep up with changes and refine our strategies. Change is inevitable, and being open to that will help us reach new levels of growth.

The wisdom imparted by our canine friends supplies us with endless inspiration for our professional lives. The business lessons they teach us, such as clear communication, the importance of breaks, continuous learning, making positive first impressions, and remaining adaptive, are essential for success in today’s business environment.

By utilizing these principles, we not only enhance our productivity and creativity but also foster an atmosphere of resilience and mutual respect in the workplace.