[UPDATE: We have a winner! Read about Stacy Dubuc and Ginger [3].]
 
We’re excited about Take Your Dog to Work Day [4] on June 26—not just because it’s something we do nearly everyday but because we know under the right circumstances ice-breaking, comforting balls of fur at the office [5]can be good for the dogs and for their people.

So, we’ve come up with two ways to share our enthusiasm for canines near the copier with two—yup, two—Take your Dog to Work contests.

Tell us your strategies for bringing your dog to work. Post your tried-and-true advice as a comment below, and we’ll select one lucky tipster from the entries to receive a Bark goodie bag. We also start the ball rolling with some of our own ideas with something we call “Office Petiquette” in a sec.

If you’re more the picture’s-worth-a-thousand-barks type, send us a photo of your office dog [6] (your own or a colleagues’), and we’ll include our favorites in our Dogs @ Work slideshow [7]. It’s easy.

Office Petiquette
Pet-friendly workplace policies vary, but they usually include several basic elements: The needs of people who have allergies or don’t want to work near animals must be accommodated, pets must be housebroken and kept on leash or under control, and employees must clean up after their pet outside. Here are other “petiquette” points and suggestions for pet-proofing your work zone:

•Your dog should respond to basic commands, such as “sit” and “stay.”

•Your dog should be socialized to people and other dogs.

•Your personal workspace should comfortably accommodate your dog.

•Keep a supply of chew toys on hand to occupy your dog when needed.

•Leave squeaky toys at home, and invest in dog tag “silencers.”

•No fleas at work! Keep your dog clean and well-groomed.

•Walk your dog in a designated area several times a day, and clean up afterward.

Above all, consider your dog’s temperament. If she’s extremely shy or uncomfortable around strangers, the workplace may be too overwhelming. And, of course, if she has a history of aggressive behavior, leave her at home and get help from a professional trainer or behaviorist.

Source: SF/SPCA

5 Tips for a Dog-Safe Office
•Keep small items (paper clips, loose change, staples, rubber bands) off the floor.

•Store ink cartridges, pens, markers and highlighters out of your dog’s reach.

•Put cleaning solutions in a safe place; they can be toxic and potentially deadly.

•Leave shredders unplugged to protect dangling ears and tails.

•Contain your dog if you can’t supervise him.