| Tips for "Take Your Dog to Work Day": June 24, 2011 Posted: 20 Jun 2011 09:10 PM PDT by Carrie Boyko, CEB
Do you work in an office that allows employees to take their dog to work this Friday? Sounds great, right? Maybe. Success may take a little planning. Here's a few tips to get you on the right track: - Call a meeting of all employees who wish to participate. Discuss and vote on a set of guidelines--rules to keep everyone safe and happy.
- Consider giving your dog a job. And no, I don't mean he should be the "Town Cryer". If your Fido knows some tricks, allow him to perform at the opening of small group meetings or when you have a visitor. His concentration on this job will help calm him, while offering an activity that bonds him with you.
- Come prepared with everything Fido will need: water bowl, bed, leash, poop bags, and maybe one or two toys. Keep in mind that if another dog visits your dog's area, those toys should be placed up and out of reach. You don't want any food or toy aggression at work or you may find yourself heading home early, without combat pay.
- Rise early on Friday and take your best friend for a long walk before breakfast. A tired and well-exercised pup will be calmer and better behaved when he arrives at this new and exciting environment. And so will you!
- Begin the day with a stroll around the office to allow your pup to see the whole place, if he has not yet had the chance to be introduced to your workplace. Keep it quick and goal-oriented so that he understands that lingering anywhere away from you is not acceptable.
- If you plan on bringing treats or food, these too should be well out of reach of Fido at work. Offer these when your dog is alone and can finish them before a visitor arrives.
- Think through your dog's placement if you'll be receiving visitors throughout the day in your work area. He should be out of the walk through area of offices, and will often do best if his bed is placed near or behind you. He'll feel safe and you'll have more control.
- Refresh Fido's memory of his basic commands throughout the week. Spend some extra time on "Come when called".
- Offer visitors some tips on how your dog prefers to be greeted. Giving input will help non-dog lovers learn a few new things on this most interesting and unusual day at work. You'll want to be an ambassador for good dog owners when presenting your Fido to dog newbies.
- If your dog is not spayed or neutered, think twice about participating in this event. It should be rated G for Good Dogs.
- Likewise, if you have a puppy that is not house-trained, think again. You really don't want to have to explain that new spot on your carpet.
- And this is a great spot to remind you of the lunchtime walk. Don't forget your poop bag and be sure to allow Spot (pun intended) to take care of all of his business while you're out.
Don't be surprised if your dog is exhausted after a long day at the office with you. Even though he may have done nothing terribly taxing, the new environment and people, as well as any dogs he encounters, will more than tire his active mind. Take some time to reflect, once home, on what you can do to improve next year's experience. Plan for it now and you'll both have an even greater time bonding over your work next year.          
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| All Things Dog Blog Inspires... Posted: 20 Jun 2011 09:01 PM PDT by Carrie Boyko, CEB What a delightful way to start the day. As soon as I signed on to check my morning comments, there it was--an award from Boondocks the Wonder Dog. I'm not sure exactly who we've inspired, but it felt good to know that Boondocks and his family felt our presence. Thanks to Boondocks and his whole pack for this nice compliment.
The fun part of winning one of these blogging awards is passing it along. It gets to travel to whomever I choose X 10. It's always tough to narrow it down to 10. Let's see how I do, and please know these are in no specific order: - Carol Bryant--This is awarded to Carol personally, as a writer that I respect and enjoy working with. She can choose to display the award wherever she wishes--a professional site or her FIDO Friendly blog.
- Kim Clune--The same goes for Kim. Since she has 2 blogs, I'll let her choose where to display her award: Btc4Animals or This One Wild Life.
- Doreen Disbro--For your faith in my efforts to get a giveaway blog hop started, thank you for inspiring me further: Doggies and Stuff.
- Elizabeth Glavin--You've been a delight to work with in our crossover areas of saving money on pet stuff, but most of all you're one of those young women that takes the bull by the horns and gets where she intends to go. You go girl: 20something Saver.
- April of A Mommy's Sweet Blog Design-- Thank you for being so patient and willing to work with my very specific Bow Wow ideas about my blog's little design issues. Your patience earned you this award.
- Paris Permenter--Although you and Dogtipper have probably won every award in the blogging world (or should have), perhaps you'd like to display this at CatTipper as a thank you from my cat, Patches, for all your gracious assistance to me. P.S. Patches wants to be featured as a cat of the day.
- Michael Baugh--Thank you for joining All Things Dog Blog as an Ask the Dog Trainer columnist. Your writing inspires and has earned you this award for Michael's Dogs.
- Pat Bradley, DVM--I can't thank you enough for the hours of devotion you have given to your Ask the Vet column here. Written with such touching humor and understanding, the counselor side of you always shines through.
- Terry Lynn Cuyler--For sticking with me as an Ask the Trainer columnist, through complications in our electronic communications, I am thrilled that you're here and always love the variety you are able to bring to your answers for our readers as their Paws Prof.
- Leslie May at Raise a Green Dog--What can I say except that my blog is your fault! I found your site BEFORE I even conceived of a dog blog. At the time I was writing about green and organic living and your blog introduced me to a way of sharing my dogs in the light of that lifestyle. It was the perfect fit. Thank you for inspiring me.
Grab your award from the top of the page and take enjoyment in the process of choosing those you will bestow the award upon now. The rules say 10, but I'm not counting. Enjoy the journey! 
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