5 Tips for Taking Your Dog to Work

Posted on June 20, 2012 by Kate Sheofsky

June 22nd is Take Your Dog to Work Day. If you’re like me, the thought of having your dog at your feet while you work is right up there with unicorns and pots of gold on the awesome scale. I take my dog Riley to work from time to time, and I’ve worked at several places, Banfield headquarters included, that allow dogs in the office. Over the years I’ve compiled a mental list of dos and don’ts when it comes to 4-legged workmates. In the interest of creating more happy, dog-friendly workplaces, I thought I’d share my list.

  • Know the rules. It should go without saying, but make sure your office allows dogs. Out of courtesy, check with your co-workers before bringing your dog. You’ll also need to make sure your dog is up-to-date on all vaccinations.
  • Put your dog first. Now, before you get excited at the thought of ignoring your co-workers and catering to your pup all day, what I mean is, ­you know your dog best. As much as you may want your pal with you at work, if your dog’s temperament isn’t suited for the office, or if you know he/she would find the environment stressful or unpleasant, leave your dog at home. In my own case, Riley doesn’t like a lot of commotion, so if I know the office will have a lot of activity or people coming and going, I leave him home so he can spend the day sleeping on my clean laundry. In short—don’t set dogs up for failure by putting them in a situation where they are likely to act out.
  • Make the office feel like home. Keep your dog on the same schedule he/she follows at home. Give bathroom breaks or meals/snacks at the same time. Bring a blanket, towel, or other familiar item to use as a bed. Make sure to bring a water bowl and favorite toys to keep him/her busy.
  • Keep your dog confined to your work area. Keep the leash on, and don’t let him/her roam freely around the office. Not all of your co-workers may appreciate an uninvited visit from a pet while they are trying to work, and it presents safety hazards as well. Not to mention, you don’t want your dog to have unsupervised encounters with other office pups.
  • Bathe or brush your dog. We groom ourselves before heading into the office, and the same idea applies to your dog. Some of your co-workers may have allergies, and a clean, well-groomed dog will help keep the workplace pleasant for everyone.

Following these few rules will help you, and your dog, have a good day at the office.

About Kate Sheofsky

Kate Sheofsky is a member of the Marketing team at Banfield. Originally from San Francisco (Go Giants!), she now lives in Portland, Oregon with her dogs, Riley and Pico. View all posts by Kate Sheofsky →


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