[nagdu] Question about taking dog to work for the first time

[Marsha Drenth]

Tonia, 

I personally would get one of those collapsable crates, clear a corner your planning on using as the pups corner, put the crate there. And go unpacking and organizing. I don't think its going to matter much if the dog is in there with lots of boxes. This is not probably a place your going to be working the dog. I mean I guess you could. but if its the normal size room 15 by 20 or something, its not huge. If your classrom was like hundreds of square feet then work the pup. Since your going to be in such a vital part of the working relationship, its more important, atleast the way I see it, as if your with the dog. Again this is only my opinion, so you can take it or leave it. We had another gentlemen on the list about a biology lab sitation right after he got his dog, and he is now using the crate. I mean once you get everything in its order, no more crate. I was only suggesting the crate so pup wont be under foot. 

HTH 

Marsha drenthSent from my iPhone

On Sep 10, 2012, at 9:20 PM, "Tonia" <tonton at insightbb.com> wrote:

> Hi again!  One more question.  I'll  have what's probably a unique situation
> to deal with when I return to work with my new dog; and hoping to get your
> advice on the best way to handle it.
> 
> 
> 
> I am an assistive tech trainer at our state rehab center and while I'm gone
> to TSE in October, our AT department is going to be moved upstairs in to a
> new area.  On the positive side, I'll have more space in my new
> office/classroom for the dog to have his/her own little corner of the room.
> On the down side, I'll be returning to a large room full of furniture
> that'll need to be rearranged and lots of boxes that'll need to be unpacked,
> computer equipment to be set up etc.
> 
> 
> 
> I hate taking the new dog in to a situation that will no doubt be chaos for
> several hours while I get organized.  At the same time, I'm not sure it
> would be such a good idea for me to leave the dog at home with my husband so
> soon after returning home.
> 
> 
> 
> It may help to know that I'll be flying home from NJ on a Thursday, plan on
> taking off work on Friday and will officially go back to work on Monday.  In
> other words, I'm not going back to work the very next day after we come
> home.
> 
> 
> 
> I do Have coworkers (including one who has a guide dog) who have volunteered
> to baby-sit the dog in their office while I get unpacked and all.  Although,
> that means the poor dog will not only be in a strange new place but also
> away from me and with people he/she doesn't know.
> 
> 
> 
> Two other options I've thought of are:
> 
> 
> 
> 1.        Going in to work for just a few hours on Friday to introduce the
> dog to everyone and to the building where we'll be spending a good deal of
> our time.  This might allow the dog a chance to begin getting comfortable
> with the new surroundings and coworkers; and especially with the coworker
> who may watch the dog on Monday, if I go that route.
> 
> 
> 
> 2.        My husband and I both going in to the office over the weekend,
> while no one else is there; and letting hubby and dog play and bond while I
> work on unpacking.  That way the dog is hanging out with somebody he/she has
> already been getting to know for the past couple days, I'd be a bit more
> free to float between unpacking and giving the dog attention, and we
> wouldn't have the distraction of students and coworkers constantly stopping
> by to meet the new dog.
> 
> 
> 
> I guess my biggest concern is not wanting to cause any more stress or
> discomfort on my dog, realizing that we'll already be in a crucial
> adjustment period; having just returned home and needing to work out all the
> typical kinks as a new team.  I wish I had the luxury of taking more time
> off work when we get home, or returning to work half days for a few days;
> but finances nor my leave balance would allow that.
> 
> 
> 
> So, please share any suggestions you might have and tell me what you think
> you would do if you were in my situation.
> 
> 
> 
> Thanks so much,
> 
> 
> 
> Tonia, who'll be so happy when I can call my dog by name (LOL!) 
> 
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