It’s that time of year again! June 21 – 24 is when people just like you and me get to take our dogs to work with us. What could be more fun than packing up your cuddly canine companion and carting him/her off to work with you?
There are a number of fantastic benefits to having a dog-friendly work environment. This is true not only for the employees but for the company as well. Before we get into the fun part of today’s post about dressing up your little buddy for a trip to your job, let’s take a quick look at 5 good reasons you should do it:
Jump ahead to a specific section to discover the reasons why you should take your dog to work:
Lower Workplace Stress and Anxiety
Let’s face it; work can sometimes be highly stressful. If not, it would be called “play”. And bringing a dog to work helps to not only reduce your stress levels, it does the same for your coworkers as well.
Having a sweet and playful pooch around helps to relax people and ease tension. In general, it can have a calming effect on everyone around. It also makes the work hours go by a whole lot quicker.
Boost Team Morale
Dogs tend to bring a positive energy and vibrant attitude around whoever they encounter. Unless you are someone who just doesn’t like dogs (and we feel sorry for you), having a pup around simply puts you in a better mood. When this type of mass good mood takes hold at a place of business, it can lead to a number of work-related benefits including:
- Increased productivity
- Improved revenue
- Higher quality/potential recruits
- Satisfied customers/clients
However, for the employees themselves, having doggy friends at work makes for easier shifts and more enjoyable hours.
Promote a Healthy Work-Life Balance
There is a lot more talk these days about the need for the proper balance between work and life. For many decades, we have fostered a society that values hard work over personal time. Over the last few decades, however, we have seen the result that can have on people’s mental health and personal relationships.
We now know that the best way to get the most of ourselves is by balancing our personal and professional lives. Having your pooch at work reminds you to take little breaks and even get outside for some fresh air from time to time. Life isn’t always just about work. Having a furry, little four-legged friend around makes that easy to remember.
Promote Teamwork, Cooperation, and Communication
Dogs make a lot of things easier, especially when it comes to dealing with other people. For one, they make it much less difficult for people who have a harder time communicating. One reason is that it gives anyone something to strike up a conversation about at any time.
And as we already mentioned, since they tend to relax people and put them at ease, it creates and fosters a much more easy-going work environment. This allows for thoughts and ideas to be shared more freely. In addition to these things, people who love animals often bond over that philosophy very quickly.
So, on top of the working relationships that you and your coworkers might have, dogs in the workplace can also help build a few personal ones.
It’s a LOT of Fun
As if the first four reasons for bringing your dog to work aren’t enough, this one should seal the deal. With stress levels and anxiety on the rise in so many other areas of life, we don’t need them at work as well. In fact, we need a few ways to start reducing the stress in our lives. Even just 5 minutes to take Fido for a fetch can reset your whole day.
Now that you have a few reasons why you should take your dog to work with you, let’s talk a little bit about how you should take them to work with you. Why not dress them up? Better than that, you could even dress them in a costume related to what you do!
Play Dress Up
Here are a some great dog costume ideas for Take Your Dog to Work Week
Postman - Mail Carrier Costume
Do you deliver mail or packages for a living? How about adding a pooch trainee to your route? Your puppy will be the toast of the shipping center while brightening up your coworkers’ day at the same time. It is a wonderful outfit for several breeds including:
- French Bulldog
- Maltese
- Chihuahua
- Westie
- German Shepherd
- Corgi
- And many others
Guitar Player - Guitarist Dog Costume
You don’t have to be a rock star to have a job as a guitarist. There are plenty of music teachers, band members, and club players who could bring their little ax grinder to work this week. Dress them up and watch the faces of your coworkers light up when they stroll in for their solo.
It also makes a great Halloween costume. It's lightweight and easy for them to get around in. It's the perfect size for medium breeds such as Toy Poodles, Pugs, French Bulldogs, and others.
Pilot - Windproof Dog Aviator Hat
Whether you work in the airport or the cockpit of the plane, a dog aviator hat is the way to go! Your pooch will be ready for the controls when they put on our pilot’s trapper hat. It’s available in black, burgundy, and green. It’s great for small, medium, and large breeds. So, get one for your Chihuahua and your Border Collie.
Cowboy - Ride 'Em Cowboy Dog Costume
Just like musicians, there are a lot of ways a cowboy can earn a living. And in most of those places, dogs should already be welcomed every day. So, during bring-your-dog-to-work week, it should go without saying that your pup should be bustin’ broncs and ropin’ steer with you!
Well, maybe not. But they can still look the part in their dog cowboy costume. With a hat in one hand and a rein in the other, your lil’ partner will be ready for the rodeo! It has a snug, cozy fit and is perfect for small to medium breeds such as:
- Pug
- Maltese
- Jack Russell Terrier
- French Bullgod
- Boston Terrier
- Corgi
Thespian - Royal Dog Tuxedo with Bow Tie
Perhaps you are an actor, looking for a new costar during take-your-dog-to-work week. Whether you are a leading man or lady on the big screen or a local dinner-theatre legend, your canine stand-in will be ready for the spotlight in this bold and elegant dog suit.
It is a very finely crafted piece, made from velveteen cloth. It’s handmade and includes front snap closure buttons, a waistcoat with detailed embroidery appliqués, a gothic style white shirt with lace cuffs, vintage token buttons with a chain on the back, as well as a matching bow tie.
It’s the perfect ensemble for stage plays, historical reenactments, cosplay, or any type of theatre event. It is suited for small breeds including:
- Yorkie
- Maltese
- French Bulldog
- King Charles Spaniel
- Other small breeds
Professional Lounger - "This Dog Loves Sleep" Bathrobe
Maybe there isn't a costume for what you do specifically. Or, maybe your dog already has their own career as a "relaxation consultant"! If your pooch spends their days taking it easy and lounging around, then bring them to your job dressed that way. It's available for small and medium-sized breeds.
Fun, Non-Work Related Costumes
If you don’t have a job with a relatable dog costume (or even if you don’t have a job at all) you can still join in on the fun too! There are a lot of other costumes that are just as adorable. You could get a spider costume for a dog, an elephant costume for a dog as well as many others.
How to Measure Your Dog
The best way to know your dog's costume size is to take the proper measurements beforehand. Since most people don’t know how to do this, we thought a quick tutorial would be in order. There are three main things that you will need to know; how to measure a dog’s chest, back, and neck.
Taking the right measurements so clothes or costumes fit correctly is very important. It’s not only about your dog’s comfort but also their health. You wouldn’t want them wearing something that was cutting off circulation or making it difficult for them to breathe.
Measure Your Dog Properly in 3 Steps:
Measure
Chest
Measure the girth, the widest part around your dog's chest, right behind the front legs. Consider adding an inch or two for breathing room.
Measure
Back Length
Measure from the base of the collar to the base of the tail.
Measure
Neck
Measure around the neck, right in the middle where a collar would normally sit. Consider adding an inch for comfort.
Things to Consider When Ordering Your Dog’s Costume
You want to make sure that you get not only a cute costume but also one that fits properly. And that means more than just taking measurements we just gave you. There are all sorts of things to take into consideration. This is true for all breeds and sizes. Here are a few suggestions:
Make Comfort the Priority
u may want to add an inch or two to the back and chest measurements for your dog. This is to make sure that they have plenty of room and are comfortable moving around.
Size-Up if Necessary
Many times dogs, especially mixed-breeds, will fall between sizes. When this happens, it is best to order one size larger rather than one size smaller.
Consider the Breed
Certain breeds have unique physical features and characteristics that affect the way costumes and clothes fit. Bulldogs are a good example of this. Make sure that your dog doesn’t have a physique that would interfere with the proper fit of the outfit you are interested in.
Additional Measurements
In addition to the necessary chest, back, and neck measurements, at times further ones may be required. If there are hats, sleeves, or some other accessories involved, measurements of the head, legs, or even tail may be needed.
Tips for First Time Dress Up With Your Dog
It is also worth remembering that if this is the first time you are playing dress-up with your furbaby, you might need to ease them into it, especially if they are a little bit older as it takes time for them to get used to new things.
Just like with anything else, lots of affection, treats, tummy rubs, and head pats are all a great start. The point is to make it a positive experience for them. Dogs love their owners fully and unconditionally. And that makes them want to please you. When they are doing something that makes you happy, it makes them happy.
So, show them how cute and precious you think they are when trying on that new costume. If they seem anxious or nervous, don't try to force them into it. Leave it laying out where they can access it and go up and smell it. Even if they tear it up, it’s ok.
Not all dogs have the personality or temperament to wear clothes. However, the younger you get them started on it, the more likely they are to adapt to it.
Here at theymademewearit.com, we can help you make your pup the office superstar when you arrive. With all of the fun costumes we’ve mentioned, as well as the many other accessories we offer, dressing your furry pal up for any event is fun and easy.
So, don’t wait until next June for doggy work week, or even until Halloween. Whether it is small dog clothes, a tarantula dog costume, or a Frenchie in a bathrobe, we’ve got them covered!
Until, next time. Thanks for reading!
