The Do’s And Don’ts For Bring Your Dog To Work Day

As we approach National Take Your Dog To Work Day once again, we thought we’d run through a few tips to make getting through the day a breeze. After all, bringing your dog to work isn’t without its stresses.

This year the occasion falls on 23^rd June 2023. With your preparation best done in advance, there’s still time to pack the dog anxiety vest, stock up on cleaning supplies (just in case), and ensure the occasion is enjoyable for you and your pooch both.

Is Bring Your Dog To Work Day Right For Your Pup?

We understand the thought of bringing your dog into work can be exciting. And there’s good reason for that. Spending time with dogs can help to reduce stress in humans while also boosting morale. After all, is it any wonder so many of us choose to adopt dogs into our homes?

The benefits don’t end there, either. Dogs are also great for helping us to exercise. With that in mind, Bring Your Dog To Work Day could provide a great opportunity for you and your colleagues to enjoy a lunchtime walk together. Even if it’s just a five-minute break from your computer screens, it all counts!

That said, there are a few do’s and don’ts to keep in mind. Remember, each dog is unique, and bringing your dog into work might not be best for everyone – or every dog, for that matter.

Keep reading for our list of dos and don’ts to help you prepare for the occasion.

Do’s

When it comes to the do’s, there’s two things to consider: what you can do before bringing your dog to work, and what you can do on the day itself. First, we’ll look at what you can do to prepare beforehand.

Preparing For Bring Your Dog To Work Day:

• Make sure everyone is happy with the plan – The first step is to make sure everyone is comfortable with your dog coming into work! There may be people who are afraid of dogs or who have allergies, while some landlords may not accept dogs in the building due to their insurance or simply because it’s not a suitable environment for a dog to be in. Allow plenty of time in advance to check with those in charge.

• Set some rules for how people should interact with your dog – It’s good to establish rules regarding treats and games to prevent your dog becoming overstimulated. After all, an overexcited dog could be a disaster in a busy office.

• Find a colleague who is happy to take responsibility for your dog while you’re away – Even if it’s just for five minutes here and there, you’re not going to be beside your dog all day. Find someone you trust who can take responsibility for your dog and relax knowing you’re covered if you need to pop to the loo.

• Prepare everything you’ll need on the day – Pack a bag with food, a water bowl, a bed that’s been treated with calming spray for dogs, toys, treats, a lead or harness, poop bags, and any medications your dog needs. It’s a good idea to pack a dog anxiety vest, too. This provides a gentle pressure, a little like swaddling a baby, that will help your dog to relax in this new environment.

• Extra training at home and when you’re out – It’s a good idea to work with your dog to understand cues for resting on their bed, greeting people calmly, recall instructions and so on. Use positive reinforcement in your dog’s training as this in turn will help your dog to cope with the excitement of their new environment on Take Your Dog To Work Day.

• Dog-proof the area – Check your workspace for power cords, rubbish bins, toxic plants, or just about anything they could chew. Often the best approach is to get down on your dog’s level to understand what is accessible!

With these tips in mind, you should be just about ready for Bring Your Dog To Work Day. Next, we’ll look at a few pointers to consider on the day itself.

Looking After Your Dog On Bring Your Dog To Work Day: 

• Take your dog for some exercise before they arrive – This will help calm your dog and prevent them from becoming too excitable when you first arrive.

• Be mindful of how loud and busy the work environment is – An office can be an intimidating place for humans and dogs both! A dog anxiety vest such as ThunderShirt will help your dog to remain calm.

• Make sure your dog has their own area to settle down in – Having their own space free of human interaction will ensure your dog has a safe place to relax.

• Reinforce and reward good behaviour – Don’t forget to reward your dog for remaining calm in the office during the day.

• Use natural support – Keep some natural calming spray for dogs to hand. ADAPTIL Transport can be applied to your dog’s bedding and will give your pup an extra measure of calm should it be needed.

So, that’s the do’s covered. Last of all, we’ll look at the don’ts.

Don’ts

When considering bringing your dog into work, the most important thing is to not put your dog in any situation that could make them stressed or unhappy. Here are some things you should avoid:

The Don’ts For Bring Your Dog To Work Day:

• Don’t bring your dog in if they don’t get along with other animals – You’re unlikely to be on your own on National Take Your Dog To Work Day. If your dog doesn’t get on with other dogs, it’s time to reconsider bringing them in.
• Don’t bring in your dog if they’re going to find it challenging – Every person and every dog reacts to situations differently. If you know your dog is going to struggle with a busy workplace, don’t force them.
• Don’t force your dog to greet everyone – Let people choose if they want to come and meet your dog.
• Don’t forget cleaning supplies – After all, accidents happen!

Keeping Your Dog Calm

So, that’s everything covered. Hopefully now you have a clear idea of the best way of approaching Bring Your Dog To Work Day. Or perhaps you’ve decided it’s not suitable for your pup? There’s no shame in that! Keeping our four-legged friends happy should be our first priority, and no one knows your dog better than you.

For more tips and advice on keeping your dog calm in new and stressful situations, please get in touch. We offer a range of natural products to support dogs. If you have any questions about our products, you can find the answers here.