I am a researcher of all things. I like to know details and understand inner workings so I can be prepared and confident. This was no different picking our puppy. When we got the call, I went to work. First thing was figuring out how we were going to manage full-time jobs, graduate school (for me), and a packed social calendar. Fortunately, for me, I was working for a company that had a dog-friendly policy, and I was able to bring Pax to work with me every single day. Even luckier, my boss gave me “pawternity” leave where I worked from home for the first 2-3 weeks we had Pax. I have been out of the corporate world for 6 months now and the majority of those months I’ve been recovering from my boating accident. So, with all that said - sounds simple to have a dog at your office right?
Wrong! Your dog might be totally fine, but people are not. People are the problem (in a greatest possible way). People love puppies. People love teddy bear puppies. Imagine having one in your office! You’d probably do a “sneak by” 36 times in one hour! I know I would. I eventually had to put up a sign that said, “If I’m sleeping, please let me be. I need my beauty rest to look this cute.” just so people wouldn’t wake him up. While Pax was at the office sleeping peacefully under my desk, I would be on coaching calls and taking finals in graduate school. I absolutely loved having my buddy with me all the time and he was just so great in the office. It took time for him to understand what happened there but after a short while he got it and just slept under my desk most days. Below are the most important things to think about when preparing to take your dog to work with you.
Here is my my bring your doggo to work day checklist
1. Portable water bowl
2. Is your pup going to be in a crate? We brought Pax’s, but he never slept in it. Are you in a space that can be overwhelming to the dog with all the people that walk by? Luckily, I was in a corner and against a wall so it was quiet and we could hide out there.
3. Potty pads for when they are unable to go outside when your pup hasn’t completed the vaccines!
4. TREATS- I brought EVERYTHING from high value treats to keep his attention, chews/bones/kongs for meetings and back to back calls.
5. Plan when you will take your pup out throughout the day. Are you in meetings most of the day? The younger they are the more you have to take them out.
6. Talk to your co-workers and make sure they are not distracted
7. Talk to yourself and make sure YOU’RE not distracted
8. It’s ok to say, please let them be. It is. I promise.
9. Try to manage less than 8 hours with your dog at the office- I noticed Pax would kinda lose it laying around by hour 6.
10. I brought tennis balls, towels from home, and CBD goodies for him.
11. Patience and flexibility. It’s not going to go perfect because your pup is a living breathing thing!
12. Walk your pup if you can before going into the office to get some energy out!
13. HAVE FUN! If your dog is allowed to come to the office make it a positive experience rather than a stressful one.