Dogs can be some of the best teammates and possibly your favorite co-worker! Bringing your dog to your workplace can be a new and exciting adventure for the both of you! Pups can bring positivity and communication into your work environment and help reduce some of your work stress. But before you take the dive to introduce your pooch to your work family, consider a few things:

Is Your Dog Ready for the Office?

Make sure your pup has all their vaccinations and shots up-to-date! If there’s other office dogs, you want to ensure your pooch isn’t spreading or catching anything from them!
A well-socialized dog will do well in an office setting as there will be lots of new people, situations, sounds, and sights for them to take in. Making sure your pup is relaxed in this setting is key!
If your office environment is static, think about how your dog will feel about it. If you are sitting at a desk all day, your dog will still need to be entertained and taken out.

Prepping for the Office

Making your workspace pet friendly. Putting away any wires or cables that can be chewed, putting a lid on the trashcan, and hiding anything you don’t want to become a toy is best to make sure your pup behaves in the office!
Leaving a dog gate at work. If you are in an office that isn’t open, having a dog gate will allow you to keep your pup close, but let them roam free off the leash.
Putting on a collar with ID. You pup can easily be identified if you put your contact information on their collar, just in case they decide to explore.
Bring a bed and food supplies. Your dog is probably going to want to nap, eat, and drink while you’re busy at work, so making sure you have these supplies on deck is helpful.
Bring toys. Your dog will likely get bored if it’s slow or grind-time in the office. Bringing their favorite toy will help them from creating chaos out of boredom.

At the Office

Introduce your pup. New surroundings can be scary for dogs. Introducing your dog to the space, your colleagues, and letting them investigate will ease their nerves.
Safety is important. If you bring your dog in, make sure you are paying attention to what they are doing so they don’t accidentally cause harm to themselves or others.
Bring cleaning supplies. Dogs sometimes can’t help accidents, especially in new situations. Bringing poop bags, dog-friendly cleaning products will easily help if you need to do a quick clean up.

Bringing your dog to the office can give you and your co-workers a new spark to be motivated to get your work done and create a friendly environment! Your canine companion will easily become an office favorite if you follow the guide above!