Checklists – Take Your Dog To Work Day®

PSI’s Take Your Dog To Work Day® (TYDTWD) is coming up – it is always the Friday after Father’s Day.  It was started by Pet Sitters International in 1999.  Are you thinking of participating this year?  Here are some checklists for Owners and business Managers to prepare for your new Office Buddies! 

Yellow Lab wearing glasses peers at papers on a desk

Owner Checklist – Take Your Dog To Work Day®

Before TYDTWD:

  • Check with your manager for approval. 
  • Check with all of the people who share your workspace.  Ask them if they’re planning to bring an Office Buddy dog, and ask all them what concerns they have. 
  • Remove dangerous cords, valuable items, and poisonous plants from your immediate workspace.
  • Bring any bulky beds, floor coverings or confinement items with you beforehand – crates, baby gates, tethers etc.
  • Know where a good potty space is for your Office Buddy dog.  Make sure it’s not too close to open windows or doors, or near where people eat. 
  • Plan how you’re going to get your Office Buddy to and from work with you. 
  • Make sure your Office Buddy is clean – give your dog a good brushing or even a bath!

On TYDTWD, bring:

  • A healthy dog who genuinely enjoys going to new places and meeting new people, and who has enough social skills to navigate other, excited dogs
  • A leash and well-fitting harness or collar
  • A lot of small, high-value food treats for rewarding the behaviors you want to see
  • Poopy bags
  • A baby gate, pen, crate, or barrier to keep your dog in your workspace when off leash, if appropriate
  • A mat or bed for your dog to lie on
  • Plenty of chew toy “projects” for your dog to work on while you work
  • A backup plan in case your dog is finding it all too much

Manager Checklist  – Take Your Dog To Work Day®

  • Select an event coordinator
  • Ask employees what concerns they might have
  • Have a written policy, including what to do if a dog is being disruptive, or other employees complain. Consider allowing owners of disruptive or upset dogs to leave early.
  • Designate a doggy potty area, and have clean-up supplies ready
  • Designate any no-dog zones (such as kitchens, dining areas)
  • Invite a dog trainer to a lunchtime “lunch and learn” talk
  • Consider contests such as lookalike, best trick, costume etc, and having a fundraiser to benefit a local rescue group
  • Notify your landlord and/or leasing agent and your insurance provider
  • On TYDTWD, be sure to get lots of photos to share with employees, clients and customers! 

Little round portraits of 5 office dogs

Want to know more about how to make sure your dog is a good Office Buddy and your workspace best set-up to include your dog?  Look for the Office Buddies book, coming soon!  In the meantime you can follow the Office Buddies account on Instagram or Facebook.