Friday, June 25 is the 11th annual Take Your Dog to Work Day. If you want your place of business to participate, now is the time to start negotiations with your boss.

Luckily, I’m pretty sure my boss will let me participate, but yours may not be so open to the idea.

If your company has never participated in Take Your Dog to Work Day, most likely they have not, you will have some convincing to do.

Unless your boss is a big time pet lover, the first thing he or she is going to think about is a bunch of dogs running around peeing on everything.

Without proper planning this is exactly what it could become. As a responsible pet owner, if you get your boss to grant this opportunity, it is important to ensure that all participants make their dog mind their manners.

To be most convincing, organize fellow employees who also wish to participate. Organize a plan together and approach your boss. According to a 2008 American Pet Products Manufacturers Association survey, nearly one in five companies allow pets in the workplace.

Employers are starting to realize that bringing pets boosts morale and improves working relationships. The survey also showed that the 34 million people who bring their pets to work also work longer hours. Now that is a statistic that your boss will be interested in!

Maybe if you can’t sell your boss on a full day, maybe the head honcho will go for a half day.

Once you have the go-ahead from the top a good plan will be in order. Make sure you cover all your bases.

First and foremost be considerate to other employees. Check around and see who is allergic to dogs or may have a fear of dogs. You may be able to use something like a baby gate to keep your furry co-worker confined to your work space. You may also consider having dog-free zones, like the lunch or break area.

All dogs brought to work should be up-to-date on vaccinations, good health, and like I said before, well behaved. Nothing will make your first Take Your Dog to Work Day your last, like an ill-behaved dog.

You will also want to dog-proof your work area. Remove hazards, like extension cords and bring a bowl for water and maybe some treats. A bone may help keep your dog busy during the work day.

Use the day to educate co-workers who do not have dogs, but may be interested in them. This would be a great way to promote dog adoption and responsible dog ownership.

It might be fun to have treat bags for the other dogs or have a small dog party at the end of the day.

A successful Take Your Dog to Work Day will boost morale and bring more joy to your workplace. Start now and make it a dog day to remember and maybe it will become an annual event.

Who knows, it might even become a daily thing. That is the great thing about my job: Every day is Take Your Dog to Work Day! Remember, every dog deserves to be treated like a show dog.

Tony Barker, The BARKer Shop