If your dog will be joining you at the workplace, you need to take steps to make sure your office is pup-safe and pup-friendly.
- Make sure your personal workspace can comfortably accommodate a dog. When I used to bring Miko to the radio station, he would curl up and sleep underneath the counter while I was on the air. It was perfectly Miko-sized! (I wish I had pictures of this, too!)
- Keep all power cords and wires out of range — you don’t want your pup nibbling on any electrical cords. I caught my dog Lally chewing on the cord for the vacuum cleaner one day. There must be something appealing about the smell or texture… but I’ve made sure since then that she can’t get to it.
- Check the floor for small items like paper clips, rubber bands, staples, loose change, and more. These can be choking hazards! Store these small items in a desk drawer if possible so your dog can’t have access to them.
- Store things that are potentially toxic — like ink cartridges, markers, and highlighters — away from curious pets. Don’t let your dog chew on pens or other office supplies. Provide safe treats and toys instead!
- Keep garbage cans away from curious noses and mouths — you don’t want your dog diving for treasures that could be hazardous to his health.
- Keep cleaning solutions in a cabinet away from visiting pets.
- Unplug your shredder — you wouldn’t want a dangling ear, wagging tail, or ID tag to get caught in the shredder.
- Designate an area for dog walking — and be sure to clean up any pet messes. Stay away from busy streets and active driveways.
- Keep your dog on a leash if you’ll be walking around the office or grounds.
- Learn to recognize aggressive body language in your dog or other dogs. Being aware of signs of aggression can help prevent an altercation between dogs at the office.
- If you don’t have an office with a door that closes, you may need to think about bringing a crate along so your dog can be contained if necessary.