Your pup will be so excited to spend the day with you at work, but make sure you give him or her some time to adjust to your new routine.
So in this post we’ve drafted out different tips to Get Your Pup Ready for Taking Your Dog to Work Day!
While the novelty of Take Your Dog to Work Day will wear off quickly, making the transition as smooth as possible.
This will keep your dog’s excitement up and ensure that he or she isn’t overwhelmed by too much change all at once.
The more time you spend with your dog before Taking Your Dog to Work Day, the more comfortable he or she will be at work and on the way home in the evening.
Get Your Pup Ready for Taking Your Dog to Work Day!
Preparing in Advance:
If you’re planning on taking your dog with you to work and trust us, that is a great idea—it’s good to be prepared.
Some dogs are more social than others and might even enjoy spending some time with their owners while they work.
But if you don’t think your dog will like being in an office environment, make sure they can spend part of their day alone in a room, where they can’t bother people who want peace.
If necessary, get them food (and treats) before you go.
And, of course: make sure your pup gets enough exercise before arrival so she doesn’t just take off for home when it’s lunchtime!
Also, as always, bring water, toys, and blankets in case there isn’t much room for your pet at the office.
Finally, keep their leash handy just in case you need to take them out for a quick walk during the day.
Preparing Beforehand:
First, start early: if you’re bringing your dog to work on Take Your Dog To Work Day, she needs some time to get used to everything.
Start bringing her into your office or cube with you on weekends.
If you don’t have a dog or can’t bring hers in, try visiting a friend who does (who lives close by) and have her walk Fido around their neighborhood.
This will get him used to being near loud machines and other dogs while also providing great training in public places.
Plus, it gives him time with you outside of work so he doesn’t think of coming into work as just another errand.
Second, make sure he has the right gear.
You’ll need an ID tag with his name and phone number on it, along with one that reads I’m friendly to ward off any would-be attackers.
He should wear comfortable clothing.
Especially shoes that grip well – and long hair should be trimmed back from the eyes.
And lastly, take him out before you leave to do his business and give him lots of water before leaving because excitement leads to dehydration!
Preparing at Home:
Make sure your dog’s nails are trimmed, his/her vaccinations are up-to-date, and that he/she is well-groomed.
Having a set schedule will help him adjust easily when you get to work.
Walking or playing with your dog before and after work can also help with adjusting.
Be sure not to allow too much barking at other people or dogs while outside, as that may lead him/her to become stressed in an unfamiliar setting.
It’s good for dogs who go into public places regularly (ex: vet offices) but not great for those who have never been around other people or animals.
However, if it helps settle your pup down – use it!
Make sure the area where they’ll be staying during the day has a crate or kennel so they’ll feel safe and secure.
You want them to feel like their den where they feel comfortable; this way they won’t be stressed out in new surroundings.
Don’t forget to take their favorite toys, blankets, and chew toys so they don’t miss home too much.
If possible – give them food twice per day – just like we do!
When we come home from work our pets seem extra excited when they’re hungry; feeding them more than once per day could reduce separation anxiety.
Onsite Preparation:
Before you start celebrating, there are a few things you need to do at home.
The first is to make sure your dog is up-to-date on his shots (vaccinations) and parasite control treatments.
You don’t want him getting into any trouble or spreading anything around your office, so he must be protected.
And if you have a puppy, take time during playtime (outside of work hours) to prepare him for what it might be like in an office setting.
Pay attention to any stress signals he may show and find ways of reassuring him through rewards or distraction.
If possible, get a feel for the environment where your pup will be working before he comes to visit so you can help him adjust better when the day arrives.
To prevent accidents in the office, train your pup not to eliminate indoors by rewarding them with food outside.
If they do relieve themselves inside, immediately clean it up using enzyme cleaners and citrus cleaners (rather than vinegar which smells bad).
Enzyme cleaners break down organic material such as urine or feces whereas vinegar just masks the smell.
There are also many new sprays and products available that will keep your dog from marking its territory.
These products contain a strong, natural scent that dogs dislike but humans barely notice, so you won’t have to worry about smelling like a dog yourself after use.
Finally, we recommend giving your pup short training sessions with reinforcements in advance of bringing him to work.
Practicing some basic commands with positive reinforcement goes a long way towards keeping everyone happy and safe while still having fun!