Many companies are starting to allow employees to bring their dogs to work with them every day or let doggies tag along at work on specific days. This can be fun for people who have a companion dog, and can be an appreciated privilege considering the cost of doggy day care and the steps one must take to ensure a dog is safe alone during the day. But, in order for take-your-dog-to-work to work for everyone involved, there are certain dos and don’ts that should be followed. The rules to taking your dog to work might vary from company to company, but generally they go like this:
Rules to Taking Your Dog to Work:
Dos
Make Sure Management is Onboard
Doggie should only come to work if management says it’s okay. Your co-workers might think it’s a great idea for you to bring your pup, but does your boss or your company’s owner? The higher ups in a business are in charge of evaluating company culture, and their decision regarding dogs in the office rules.
Pack Your Dog a Backpack and Lunch
Just as you come to work prepared with snacks and necessities for yourself, your dog should have everything needed for a complete day of working. A backpack or briefcase for your dog can include water and food bowls, potty pads and poop bags, a leash, toys, wipes, and anything else that’s required for daily care of your dog. Make sure you bring food and treats for your doggie too!
Groom Doggie Away from People
Not everyone wants to put up with dog hair like you might be willing to, so when you pet or brush, or get active with your dog, do it away from people in your office. Go outside or in an empty location in your office (definitely not in the lunchroom or cafeteria)! Make sure your friend comes to work clean and smelling good too!
Make Your Workspace Dog Proof
You don’t want your dog to chew on cords, dump over trash, or eat anything that can be harmful, so take some time to dog proof your work area and leave it in tidy, safe condition for your companion. It also wouldn’t be a good thing if your pup grabbed your important flash drive off of your desk, so keep anything your doggie might steal safe in a drawer or at least away from the edge of your desk.
Rules to Taking Your Dog to Work:
Don’ts
No Manners, No Work
If your dog can’t sit still or stay quiet, coming to work is not going to work. Rules for taking your dog to work dictate that if poor behavior is something you’re currently working on with your pup, a work day with doggie needs to happen in the future when good manners have been learned. This goes for potty training and licking people who don’t want to be licked too.
Sick Dogs Aren’t Allowed
Dogs who are sneezing, dripping goo out of their eyes, trying to hold in diarrhea or vomit, or even harboring illnesses that show no signs, should not come to work with you. Dogs and their human companions can carry germs that might get passed onto others, so leave sick dogs at home and keep up with proper hygiene yourself if you’ve got a sick dog in the house. Also, all dogs who come to work should be properly vaccinated.
The Office is Not Free Reign
Keep your dog on a leash next to you at work, at all times, unless management specifically tells you that dogs can roam free. Even if this allowance is offered, it’s best to have your doggie close so you can make sure that no foreign objects are ingested in the workspaces of others.
Even the best-behaved dogs need extra attention and care in a workspace because there are so many potential hazards, as well as experiences, that come with unknown consequences. If you want to bring your fuzzy friend along to the office, ask your employer if there are rules to taking your dog to work. And, call me or reach out to me on my contact page. I help with dog crate training that lovingly guides doggies into adoring their temporary carriers and crates, so they can come along on outings and excursions. I am a private dog trainer who’s actually a private dog-human relationship coach. Instead of strict training that focuses on compliance, I show my clients how to encourage best scenarios with their dogs.
