Take Your Dog to Work Day: How it started and different ways to celebrate

In case you hadn’t heard, tomorrow, Friday June 21 is Take Your Dog to Work Day. For dog lovers around the country, this is an exciting opportunity to bring their best friend into their place of business, throw the ball around, and have their coworkers adoringly fawn over Howie’s piercing blow eyes.

Whether your workplace is dog-friendly or not equipped to handle Scooter’s midday zoomies, this article will share a little bit about the history of the holiday, its significance, and ways to celebrate.

Take Your Dog to Work Day history

Take Your Dog To Work Day (or TYDTWDay) was originally started by Pet Sitters International (PSI). The goal was to celebrate their favorite four-legged companions and help promote adoptions. PSI estimates that roughly 300 businesses participated in the first ever TYDTWDay. Since then, the observance has gained a lot of traction across the country and even inspired some offices to adopt more pet-friendly policies.

Now, the main idea here is to bring your dog to work, so obviously TYDTWDay needs to coincide with the work week; according to the pioneers, it’s always celebrated on the Friday following Father’s Day.

June 21 actually marks the 21^st consecutive year of TYDTWDay!

Tips for taking your dog to work

If you have a pet-friendly office, there’s no doubt having the option to take your dog is enticing — just prepare yourself. Here’s a few tips from the pioneers at PSI to help ensure you and your doggo have the best experience…

• Consider leaving your puppy at home — Your fur baby may not be equipped to handle the sensory overload that is the customer service department. If your pup hasn’t been potty trained or is still learning most of the basic commands, you may want to hold off on bringing them in just yet.
• Plan out your schedule — Dogs usually stick to a routine. Plan your day ahead of time so their schedule closely resembles what they’d typically experience at home. Put some brief holds on your calendar to schedule feedings or potty breaks before the big day.
• Bring the treats — Make sure to pack some treats for the big adventure, it’s a great way to reward your doggo for being on his/her best behavior.
• Prepare to be social — How does your good boy do around other dogs? If you don’t typically socialize at the dog park, make sure to anticipate some potentially hairy situations and be ready to be the intermediary.
• Know when it’s time to leave — TYDTWDay might be great for you, but it can potentially be stressful for your best friend. If they’re having more accidents than usual or seem uncharacteristically timid, it might be a good idea to send them home early. Have a game plan so you can drop them off back home or have someone pick them up later in the day as necessary.

Alternatives to TYDTWDay

Don’t have the ability to take your dog to work June 21? That’s okay, there’s some great alternatives you can take advantage of in place of the holiday.

• Visit a dog park — This is a great chance to bond with your pal and help them socialize with other dogs and people. Make it a priority to get them out of the house and enjoy some extra play time.
• Plan a dog-friendly staycation — Believe it or not, a lot of hotels out there are dog-friendly. Plan a little staycation around your dog — they’ll love you for it.
• Eat at a dog-friendly restaurant — Now that summer is here, it’s the perfect time for you and your first mate to take advantage of a little sunshine on the patio while you enjoy a meal. Do a little Googling to find some dog-friendly spots, make sure to call ahead if you’re not sure.
• Treat your dog while you’re away — Purchase a Wi-Fi camera & treat dispenser to bond with your pet while you’re away. These cool devices allow you to speak to your dog and watch their excitement as you dole out treats.

Adopt a dog

Of course, you can’t bring your dog to work if you don’t have a dog. If you’re looking to adopt, now is the perfect time to find a furever friend. Check your local shelters and rescues for adoption specials throughout the month. You can also use sites like Pet Finder to browse listings online and pair up with a pint-size pal.

However you celebrate, happy Take Your Dog to Work Day from your friends at Offerpad!

*Images & pups provided courtesy of Erin Garcia, Offerpad Senior Graphic Designer