Cumming, Georgia — As the 11th Annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day” gets closer (Friday, June 26), Bruce Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training would like to provide some helpful tips for the 43+ million U.S. dog owners on how to prepare and manage their dogs when they take them to work.
“This event educates the public on the benefits of responsible dog ownership, increases the awareness of the importance of the bond between owners and their dogs, and supports the efforts of our local animal shelters, rescues and humane societies”, said Edwards.
“When it comes to taking your dog to your work,” said Edwards, “the key to a safe and rewarding experience is to prepare yourself and your dog beforehand and to recognize potential problems in advance.”
Edwards offers these suggestions for everyone bringing their dogs to work:
Items to Bring
- Be aware that this can be a stressful time for your dog. It is a new environment, which in itself can make your dog fearful. Bring something familiar like a blanket or favorite toy as a happy distraction.
- Have your dog’s leash to walk him from your car to the office. The leash will also help you control him in the office.
- Make sure you have food or treats and a water bowl so he doesn’t go hungry or thirsty.
- It could get boring so have some toys like Kong Toys® or Deer Antlers.
Situations to Avoid
- Never have your dog alone with other dogs. In the event you need to go to a meeting, contain your dog in a closed office or have a coworker who likes dogs take over until you return.
- There is always the possibility that other worker’s dogs won’t be as “perfect” as your dog. Be on the lookout for any signs of dog aggression. This could show itself in growling, staring, raised hackles, and stiff body posture. If you see this or fear it is about to happen, the best thing is to just get yourself and your dog away from the area.
- Don’t try to force dogs your dog has not bet before to “become friends.” Get permission from your boss to leave work early if your dog shows signs of fearfulness or anxiety. If he becomes too stressed, overexcited or inhibited, the best thing to do is to leave.
- Never put him alone in your car and go back to work.
Stopping a Dog Fight
- The best plan is to completely avoid bad situations by closely monitoring dog interaction.
- If altercations between dogs take place, do not jump into the middle of it. You will probably get bitten. Use your dog’s blanket to throw over the heads of the fighting dogs. This will disorient them long enough for you and the other owner to grab their leashes and separate them.
Keys to Providing Good Leadership
- According to Edwards, getting ready for a safe and successful “Take Your Dog to Work Day” includes making sure that you are the leader in your dog’s eyes.
- All dogs demand good leadership. If they don’t get it from their owner, they will decide to become the leader themselves. That leads to bad behaviors, such as barking, jumping, aggression and pulling on the leash.
- You must create a consistant leadership role with your dog before you and he head off to the office. One way to do this is to always make sure everything between you and your dog is your idea. Do not let him tell you to pet him. Do not throw the ball when he brings it to you. You must always tell him that YOU want to pet him or play with him. In this way, he will need to focus on your commands. You are the leader.
- Sometimes your dog sill do something wrong and you will have to let him know that what he did was wrong and disobeying your rules. Use a low toned sound to correct and communicate the fact that he was wrong. When he obeys and stops the inappropriate actions, use a high pitched sound to let him know that he is doing the right thing. He will understand his mistake and respect you as his leader.
- Enforce your leadership by always leading your dog— up and down stairs, through doorways, and most importantly, on walks. From your dog’s perspective, the leader always leads. This establishes you as “the leader” and your dog will give you respectful focus.
“Most dog owners begrudgingly put up with their dog’s bad behavior because they have no idea how to fix it,” Edwards said. “Understanding how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language he knows, through voice control and body language, is the key to delivering the leadership needed to always be in control.”
Bruce and Robin Edwards are always ready and happy to answer any questions you may have.
Cumming, Georgia — As the 11th Annual “Take Your Dog to Work Day” gets closer (Friday, June 26), Bruce Edwards, Master Dog Trainer and owner of Home Dog Training would like to provide some helpful tips for the 43+ million U.S. dog owners on how to prepare and manage their dogs when they take them to work.
“This event educates the public on the benefits of responsible dog ownership, increases the awareness of the importance of the bond between owners and their dogs, and supports the efforts of our local animal shelters, rescues and humane societies”, said Edwards.
“When it comes to taking your dog to your work,” said Edwards, “the key to a safe and rewarding experience is to prepare yourself and your dog beforehand and to recognize potential problems in advance.”
Edwards offers these suggestions for everyone bringing their dogs to work:
Items to Bring
- Be aware that this can be a stressful time for your dog. It is a new environment, which in itself can make your dog fearful. Bring something familiar like a blanket or favorite toy as a happy distraction.
- Have your dog’s leash to walk him from your car to the office. The leash will also help you control him in the office.
- Make sure you have food or treats and a water bowl so he doesn’t go hungry or thirsty.
- It could get boring so have some toys like Kong Toys® or Deer Antlers.
Situations to Avoid
- Never have your dog alone with other dogs. In the event you need to go to a meeting, contain your dog in a closed office or have a coworker who likes dogs take over until you return.
- There is always the possibility that other worker’s dogs won’t be as “perfect” as your dog. Be on the lookout for any signs of dog aggression. This could show itself in growling, staring, raised hackles, and stiff body posture. If you see this or fear it is about to happen, the best thing is to just get yourself and your dog away from the area.
- Don’t try to force dogs your dog has not bet before to “become friends.” Get permission from your boss to leave work early if your dog shows signs of fearfulness or anxiety. If he becomes too stressed, overexcited or inhibited, the best thing to do is to leave.
- Never put him alone in your car and go back to work.
Stopping a Dog Fight
- The best plan is to completely avoid bad situations by closely monitoring dog interaction.
- If altercations between dogs take place, do not jump into the middle of it. You will probably get bitten. Use your dog’s blanket to throw over the heads of the fighting dogs. This will disorient them long enough for you and the other owner to grab their leashes and separate them.
Keys to Providing Good Leadership
- According to Edwards, getting ready for a safe and successful “Take Your Dog to Work Day” includes making sure that you are the leader in your dog’s eyes.
- All dogs demand good leadership. If they don’t get it from their owner, they will decide to become the leader themselves. That leads to bad behaviors, such as barking, jumping, aggression and pulling on the leash.
- You must create a consistant leadership role with your dog before you and he head off to the office. One way to do this is to always make sure everything between you and your dog is your idea. Do not let him tell you to pet him. Do not throw the ball when he brings it to you. You must always tell him that YOU want to pet him or play with him. In this way, he will need to focus on your commands. You are the leader.
- Sometimes your dog sill do something wrong and you will have to let him know that what he did was wrong and disobeying your rules. Use a low toned sound to correct and communicate the fact that he was wrong. When he obeys and stops the inappropriate actions, use a high pitched sound to let him know that he is doing the right thing. He will understand his mistake and respect you as his leader.
- Enforce your leadership by always leading your dog— up and down stairs, through doorways, and most importantly, on walks. From your dog’s perspective, the leader always leads. This establishes you as “the leader” and your dog will give you respectful focus.
“Most dog owners begrudgingly put up with their dog’s bad behavior because they have no idea how to fix it,” Edwards said. “Understanding how to communicate effectively with your dog in a language he knows, through voice control and body language, is the key to delivering the leadership needed to always be in control.”
Bruce and Robin Edwards are always ready and happy to answer any questions you may have.
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