Every day was Take Your Dog to Work Day with Jitterbug.
My little Tibetan spaniel was the perfect workplace guest. Quiet, calm and always ready for a bellyrub or a walk with a co-worker in need of de-stressing, she spent her days by my desk, sleeping mostly, but ready to play therapy dog when needed.
Ruthie, a 2-year old female Dachshund Yorkshire Terrier mix greets her owner Kyle Goodman on Friday as he works as an administrative analyst during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Kai Kleinberg, looks at her miniature Poodle Stan Lee, a 1-year old male, as she works on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Senior Analyst Tara Ross types on her keyboard as Scrappy, her 11-month old Pit bull Chihuahua mix, appears to be checking her work on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Scrappy, an 11-month old Pit bull Chihuahua mix, plays with a toy as Ruthie, a 2-year old female Dachshund Yorkshire Terrier mix owned by Kyle Goodman watches from above on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Steven Weischedel, an implementation specialist, works on Friday under the eye of his 3-year old Australian Shepard Border Collie mix Delilah during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Sharing a chair, Kaos, a deff 7-year old female Jack Russell Terrier, watches as her owner, Jennifer Dentino, sr. compliance specialist, work on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Griffin lets owner Public Relations Specialist Ryan Whittington give him a belly rub on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea. Griffin is is 10-year old male Yorkshire Terrier in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Employees meet to take their dogs out as a group on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Max, an 11-year old male Yorkshire Terrier, explores the penes-in workspace with Scrappy, Scrappy, her 11-month old Pit bull Chihuahua mix, as their owners work on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea. Scrappy is owned by Senior Analyst Tara Ross and Max is owned by Group Analyst Jocelyn Brambila in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
Nicole Numbers, veterinary education program specialist tends to her work as her 13-year old female Beagle Lucie takes a nap on Friday during “bring your dog to work” day at Nationwide Insurance’s Pet Insurance division office in Brea in 2015. (Photo by Ken Steinhart, Orange County Register/SCNG)
This year, the annual Take Your Dog to Work Day is Friday, June 23. Created by Pet Sitters International “to celebrate the great companions dogs make and promote their adoptions,” the event can be a marvelous way to show off your pup to co-workers and give them the opportunity to learn not only about how wonderful dogs are but also how many positives they bring to our lives.
But if you’re going to partake, make sure of a few things first:
Is it OK? Be sure your employer supports bringing your dog to work. Some workplaces don’t allow dogs because of employee health issues, health codes or a landlord’s refusal to allow dogs in the building. We all love our dogs and want to be with them all the time, but don’t break any rules to show off Fido.
Is it OK with your dog? Not all dogs enjoy going to work as much as we enjoy having them there with us. Some dogs are way out of their comfort zone in new areas. Others might be comfortable at a dog park but not know how to act in a strange building with strange people. If your office is a noisy place, consider what your dog might think of that.
Does your dog like people? Only social butterflies need apply for Take Your Dog to Work Day. Your dog should enjoy interactions with strangers and people of all kinds. Otherwise, you’re likely to cause him stress that makes his accompanying you not worth it.
Do you have a way to give your dog a break? Not all dogs need a breather if they’re at the office, but some might. If you have an office and can close your door to give your dog a chance to relax when he’s had enough visiting, that’s great. Or, if your dog’s crate-trained, bring his crate so he can get away from the crowds. If you don’t know your dog well enough to know whether this is important, it’s probably best that he stay home.
Don’t forget the water: Your pup is going to need some drinking supplies, so be sure to bring a bowl and water. Drinking water, of course, leads to a need to know …
Is your pup house-trained? If she doesn’t know how to hold her stuff or tell you when it’s time for a break, leave her at home. Most workplaces frown on doggy business being done on their carpets.
Are you ready for it? Last, be sure you have the time to keep an eye on your dog during the day and to monitor how she’s doing.
If you’re feeling good about your answers to these questions, bring your pup to work and have a blast showing him off to your co-workers.
