Companies all over the world are making their offices dog-friendly. People and dogs have strong bonds and it’s natural to want our canine companions with us every day. But it’s not always easy to incorporate dogs into an office pack. When the offices at Cesar Millan Inc. (CMI) opened, everyone was excited to bring their dogs to work, but it was – and still is – a work-in-progress to achieve and maintain harmony. The advantage is that we know what we need to do to be good pack leaders and we support each other through the process. If you are one of the fortunate ones who work in a dog-friendly office, use these tips as a guide to help make it a smooth and fun experience for everyone.

Communicate. Discuss with your co-workers if any dogs, including yours, have issues and support those who do. Don’t discourage others from bringing a dog with issues and don’t be discouraged if it’s your dog with the issues.

Walk together. For those sitting next to each other in the office, it would be ideal to come in early and do a pack walk together. Introduce the dogs in neutral territory outside the office where they can smell each other and walk together. During the day, join co-workers for a pack walk so the dogs can get a little exercise and eliminate if they need to.

Exercise. I always suggest starting the day with at least a 30 minute walk, but for those that need more exercise or to drain more energy, consider a bike ride or run before work or have the dog carry a backpack.

Know how to act with new dogs. Hopefully, the humans in the office will do what’s best. That means no touch, no talk, no eye contact.

Give the dog a place to feel safe, not territorial. As soon as you go into the office, have a destination and a place set up for the dog (a pillow or dog bed or even a crate). They feel safe when you direct and guide them and they know they have a place of their own. Don’t let them find their own place or they can become territorial. If you bring them to their place, they share the territory.

Exchange toys. One way to accelerate the friendship among dogs is to let them exchange toys, or share a toy that belongs to another office dog, for 20 to 30 minutes. This lets them get to know the scent of the other dog.

Share owners. If the dogs are balanced enough, you can even swap dogs with your neighbor for 10 to 15 minutes at a time – that allows the dog next to you to put his scent on your hands, clothes, and space, sharing the scent of both dogs and preventing them from becoming territorial.

No food or treats. In the beginning, don’t give the dogs bones or treats when another dog is present. In fact, don’t feed dogs in the office at all. A common water bowl area is a good idea.

Know your dog. If you do have a dog you don’t trust and everyone is supportive, you can try bringing him in with a muzzle, so you don’t miss the experience of a special day like “Take Your Dogs to Work Day.” Using a physical boundary like a muzzle or a baby gate in your office space doesn’t solve the problem, but it gives you the peace of mind that you may need to bring a dog with issues to the office.

Practice calm assertive leadership. Always maintain a calm assertive energy. It can be hard to do that in a stressful workplace, but it is what’s best for the dog AND you!

Click here to see Cesar’s Office Pack Photo Gallery.