Take Your Dog To Work Day

Feel bad leaving Spot at home alone all week while you toil at the office? There’s good news! June 22 is the ninth annual Pet Sitters International Take Your Dog To Work Day, and thousands of businesses across the country will participate.

The goal of this special day is to reinforce what research has shown: having pets in the workplace reduces stress, improves morale, increases productivity and enhances feelings of well-being. But make sure to think ahead, or your pup can add even more stress.

“While at the office, a busy dog is a good dog,” advises author and renowned animal behaviorist Andrea Arden. “If he is busy chewing toys and snacks, he isn’t running around the workplace, getting into trouble or barking from boredom.”

You and your pooch can have a great day at work with these tips from Arden:

• Exercise early: Burn your dog’s excess energy before work with a round of fetch or a morning walk to prevent excessive barking and pacing at the office.
• Keep your dog busy: You’re bound to have conference calls and meetings that require your dog to stay put and to stay calm. Give your dog chewing toys and snacks to keep him happily occupied.
• Introductions are important: There may be other dogs in the office, so try to introduce your dog to the others as soon as you arrive to work. Having all participating dogs meet early in the day will allow them to socialize and get comfortable with each other, and will help prevent possible outbursts.
• Keep ‘em clean: If you ignored personal hygiene for two weeks you wouldn’t be too popular at work, and the same rule applies for your dog. Clip your dog’s nails, give him a bath and brush his teeth before you take him to work - you will have the most popular pet in the office.
• Make space: Your office environment should feel comfortable and safe to your dog. Be sure your office or cubicle has been dog-proofed with no tempting, loose power cords or papers on the floor. Be sure you have a watering bowl and even a pet bed for extra comfort. A gate or some type of temporary barrier at the door keeps Fido from wandering.

For more information about PSI’s Take Your Dog To Work Day and to find expert tips about pet-safe offices and dog-friendly workplaces, visit www.jumboneforlife.com. Participants who register at the website are automatically entered into a drawing for a professional pet-sitting services and a lifetime supply of Pedigree Jumbone. Yum!

Visit DiversityJobs.com for information on Diversity in the workplace.

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