Work Like a Dog Day

It may be a dog-eat-dog world out there, which can force you to work like a dog even during the dog days of summer! Work Like a Dog Day, which is celebrated on August 5, honors people who put in that extra bit of hard work. This quirky day is inspired by the reputed strong work ethic of canines, especially service dogs. Today, pause to appreciate the hard workers who inspire (or in some cases, frustrate) you. There’s no other day like this one so stick around because we’re sharing some fun ideas for the hard-working canine in you!

History of Work Like a Dog Day

Although the origin of the holiday National Work Like a Dog Day is unknown, we’ll gladly inform you about the source of the saying itself.?

You’ve probably heard the phrases “working like a dog” or “it’s a dog’s life” when someone is referring to working on a task without taking any breaks. “Working like a dog” simply means to go the extra mile and work extremely hard. The saying comes from farm dogs who work from the crack of dawn till the sun sets, and sled dogs and sheepdogs that perform grueling tasks every day. Either way, the quote is a reference to persevering canines. Sounds relatable? Then today is your day to celebrate!?

Whether it is school homework, house chores, office work, or personal projects, put your maximum effort into getting things done. Work Like a Dog Day isn’t just about personally pushing yourself to get work done, it is also about showcasing your determination and dedication for others to notice. There’s no point doing anything half-heartedly, so give it your best shot. The best part is that after you’ve “Worked like a dog,” you can also take a well-deserved long slumber because, after all, “It’s a dog’s life.”

Animals teach us so much, and working hard to attain your goals is a life lesson that you can’t go wrong with.

Work Like a Dog Day Timeline

1700s - The Start of the Industrial Revolution

The invention of a spinning jenny and a series of other innovations heralds the Industrial Revolution, paving the way for higher productivity and, not surprisingly, more overworked humans.

1997 - Artificial Intelligence Breakthrough

Deep Blue, IBM's supercomputer, beats world chess champion Garry Kasparov.

2009 - Jeff’s Dog Days

The fourth installment of “Diary of a Wimpy Kid” titled “Dog Days” is released.

2016 - The Age of AI is Almost Here

An artificial intelligence algorithm developed by Google beats a human at Go, a Chinese board game that's tougher than chess.

Traditions

The traditions for Work Like A Dog Day are to go the extra mile at work, be as productive as possible, and celebrate those who do this throughout the year! Hard work is never going to go to waste, and will always guarantee positive results. The key is to work hard and achieve maximum output without exhausting yourself or straight-up burning out.

Today is a good time to assess how your time is distributed at work and whether or not it is efficiently utilized. Figure out how you can manage your time well and what needs to change to eliminate any drawbacks. Something as small as skipping lunch may be hampering your productivity. Give workers who work overtime and really do their homework a pat on the back, and don’t forget to express your gratitude, preferably with a token of appreciation.

Work Like a Dog Day by Numbers

34.4 – the average number of hours a week that Americans work.

41.6 – the number of hours Alaskan residents work — the most hours in America.

20 – the number of overtime working hours that are standard in Japan.

2.5 – the likelihood increase in nurses who work 10-hour shifts wanting to quit their job.

52:17 – the ratio of minutes that is considered perfect for a work-to-break balance.

4th – the quarter of the year when the average work hours per month are higher.

1,700 – the number of hours an office worker spends annually in front of a digital screen.

2,255 – the number of hours worked in a year by Mexicans.

13.77% – the percentage of millennials who feel more productive with flexible work hours.

80% – the percentage of Americans who are dissatisfied with their jobs.

Work Like a Dog Day FAQS

What does it mean to “work like a dog”?

Saying someone is “working like a dog” may mean they are putting in a lot of effort and working tirelessly toward a project or goal.

Work Like a Dog Day Activities

Put in some extra hours towards your goal

Your boss might not notice you putting in extra effort at work but that shouldn't stop you from working diligently. Be inspired by the day and work a little harder. It will pay off in the long run.

Remember your local law enforcement

Police officers are often overworked. They toil night and day to maintain law and order. Take this opportunity to recognize their hard work and bring them gifts. Homemade cookies or doughnuts are food ideas.

Be creative

Since you are a human, you have an advantage over other animals: your developed brain. If you've been working like a dog for a long time, get inspired to come up with a creative solution that reduces your effort. After all, every invention in history was born out of necessity.

Facts About Employee Productivity

Proper rest boosts productivity

A Harvard study found that sleep deprivation and lack of proper rest costs companies almost $65 billion per year.

Multitasking decreases productivity

It is commonly believed that multitaskers are more intelligent and multitasking saves time — but, ultimately, it is more of a deterrent.

Employee benefits = better productivity

Ensuring that employees are satisfied with the benefits offered to them leads to better productivity.

Tuesdays are the most productive

This has been the case since the 1980s — after taking Monday to ease into the week, the commitment to work really starts on Tuesday.

Fridays are the least productive

And, of course, Fridays are the least productive day for getting work done.

Why We Love Work Like a Dog Day

It pays to persevere

In a world dominated by get-rich-quick schemes, National Work Like a Dog Day reminds us success comes after you have paid your dues. (Or, success comes if you're lucky enough to marry rich.)

It reminds you that the word 'dogged' comes from dog

Seriously, while we were compiling this piece, it dawned on us that 'dogged' comes from dog. Dogged literally refers to possessing dog-like qualities, such as persistence, determination and grit.

It's a testament to human ingenuity

We hated walking long distances so we invented the wheel. We got tired of making things by hand so we invented industrial machines. Human history is full of examples where our brains have made tedious tasks easier so fewer people have to work like dogs.

Quote of the Day

Dreams will get you nowhere, a good kick in the pants will take you a long way.

-Baltasar Gracian

Article proofreading, substantive editing, copy-editing, and formatting by : Farzad Rahbari

Date : August 5th, 2024