Now’s about the time of year that workers start planning for Britain’s best day out for dogs – Bring Your Dog To Work Day (June 21st) – the charity day when thousands of us take our precious pooches to help us out at work.
The organisers have put together some essential tips to make sure your furry friend, and your colleagues all have a puptastic fun and memorable day at work.
- Puppies in the office are cute but while they might be house trained it might not be the same at work – take care, make sure they are leashed and safe at all times
- If you’re commuting on public transport, make sure your dog is used to buses and trains – especially during rush hour
- Take into account your dog’s personality - are they people dogs, friendly or reserved? If they are shy tell your colleagues, like people some dogs can be overwhelmed by attention and too much petting. Sometimes it can be a good idea to put a cute jacket or jaunty bandana on a nervous dog and tell your colleagues to be cautious with the dog with the bandana.
- If you are going into a lift - check with the people on board before you get in the lift if they are nervous or ok with dogs
- Even if your dog is not a chewer at home the office cables might be irresistible – bring lots of chew toys to distract them from having a nibble on interesting looking wires. Better yet, tape down wires.
- Take them out for plenty of breaks but don’t let colleagues take your precious pooch out without you unless they know each other very well
- Keep them occupied, and while filing or data entry might be out of the question some puzzle toys to stimulate their brains will keep them busy at their desks – they could become an invaluable member of staff
- It might be a good idea to bring their bed in for the day or a comfortable blanket so there is somewhere that feels familiar and it will encourage them to have a rest after all the initial excitement has died down.
The organisers have also put together a handy HR guide on the website with more essential info.
Canine co-working is taking off and more businesses in UK and around the world are becoming dog friendly as they welcome well-behaved pooches into the office all year round.
Taking a dog to the office can be very enriching for dogs as well as the staff in the office and since its launch in 2014 Bring Your Dog To Work Day has grown in pupularity with lots of celebrities and large organisations getting involved as everyone benefits from having their four legged best friends with them during the working day.
Bring Your Dog To Work Day always trends at number 1 on Twitter – it’s a great day out and our Hall of Fame on our website is packed with some pawsome pictures of dogs having a lovely time at work with their owners. Make sure you sign up now by simply clicking on the donate button, get your company to sponsor your workplace for £100 that will be split between the charities All Dogs Matter and Animals Asia.
The charities and the social pages of Bring Your Dog To Work Day will give your business a thank you shout out on social media. Anyone can donate £10 via the website to post your dog’s picture and description of its work duties on our ‘dog with a job’ Hall of Fame. One lucky winner every year wins £1000s worth of goodies from the sponsors.
www.bringyourdogtoworkday.co.uk
