5 Questions to Ask Before Taking Them to a Dog-friendly WorkspaceNo matter what kind of day you’ve just had at work, there’s no better feeling than coming home to a dog overjoyed at your return. Well, there might be one better feeling: bringing your dog with you to work! More and more businesses and pet parents are making the pup-at-work lifestyle a reality. So, if your office is dog-friendly, you just need to determine if your dog is office-friendly. Here are some of the things to consider before taking your junior rex-ecutive to work. Is Your Dog Properly Socialized?Your little go-getter is going to be around a lot of unfamiliar people, dogs, sights, sounds and smells. You know how you feel on the first day at a job where everything is new to you — now imagine that feeling from your dog’s perspective! If your furry friend is already well-socialized, adjusting to the office will be much easier (for both of you). Take time at home to reinforce and reward the behaviors you want to see at work and be clear and direct with any cues you give. Otherwise, your pooch will decide for themselves which course of action gets them what they want.Is Your Dog Trained?Dogs don’t understand professionalism on their own, so it’s up to you to make sure they’re trained well and know how to behave. Your dog needs you to teach them that the ride up to your floor isn’t a great time to share their elevator pitch by barking and jumping on people. Dogs that want to enter the office environment need to be trained not to run in the hallways, tear into trash cans or pilfer unattended lunches. Your little buddy might be the cutest thing in the building, but they still have to be professional.Does Your Dog Have Office Gear?Your new favorite officemate won’t need their own laptop, earbuds and travel mug, but they will want some of their own supplies. For example, if your typical day keeps you in meetings or focused on a screen, your dog will have a lot of time to wait patiently or nap, and that means a bed, mat or blanket. Before you two start carpooling, get your pup acquainted with their workplace bedding, meal dishes, toys and other items at home — that way they’ll recognize a few things the minute they clock in. Which Routines Should Your Dog Keep?Maintain consistency for your canine co-worker when it comes to things like food and treats — simply bring what they’d be enjoying at home to the office with you.This provides the comfort of the familiar and reduces the chances you’ll be cleaning up after a nervous stomach. And try to make your first commutes in a vehicle your dog knows and trusts — it’s definitely not the right time to experiment with using a ride service or public transportation. Is Your Dog Up to Date with Shots and Vaccinations?You don’t want to risk your pup catching or spreading anything unpleasant — especially with so many unknown dogs in an enclosed space. There are a number of vaccinations your dog should get on a regular basis, regardless of their employment status. Before your little pal gets their own ID badge and key card, it’s a good idea to visit the vet and be sure there are no health issues that might affect your dog’s office adventures.You’ve bonded with your furry friend in so many ways. Now you have the opportunity to extend your shared experiences to a dog-friendly workplace. We’ll get you started with Hire My Dog, where you can use our dog résumé builder to help get your pup placed in no time. If your buddy is ready to take this next big step — from dog park to office park — there’s a whole new future ahead for you both!
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