Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs in the office

206 replies

Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:45

I’m not a dog person. I don’t really like them but can bear them for a short amount of time.

I have been asked to interview for a job and the website talks about having dogs in the office as a plus point.

This isn’t a plus for me.

I imagine dogs in the office are overly intrusive and I think it changes the dynamic.

I’d like to hear from people who work in offices where dogs are allowed and how it is day to day, especially if you aren’t a big dog fan.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:55

As long as the owners keep their dogs to themselves and don't allow them to wander, and don't get offended when I choose not to engage with their animal, possibly bearable.

This is the crux. Is this kind of environment the type of place where I’m expected to fuss over a dog? Because I’ll just reject the interview. Better for both parties really.

OP posts:
ThirdStorm · 05/09/2025 10:55

I spent time in a workplace that had a dog friendly policy. They made sure dogs were well behaved, had a rota so not too many in at the same time and places where they could and couldn't be. Seemed well managed. I'm not a dog person but I found I was broadly left alone by animals although I did have to remember to close certain doors so dogs remained in their allocated spaces!

IllBeLookingAtTheMoon · 05/09/2025 10:49

Just be honest at the interview.

They are not going to change their workplace for you so you have to inquire so you can see if the presence of dogs is something you could live with (manager's dog sleeps in a basket under his desk all day) or not (dogs wandering around).

It would save everyone a lot of time.

ShesTheAlbatross · 05/09/2025 10:48

I’d assume this wasn’t the job for me.

Unless it’s an assistance dog (which we do have in my office), I just don’t want to spend my day around dogs. I find them annoying and smelly - and I’m sure some aren’t, and someone might come on this thread to tell me how lovely, well behaved and non-smelly their dog is. But I still don’t want to work with them.

noidea69 · 05/09/2025 10:48

I think its something aimed at young uns.

WhereAreMyAirpods · 05/09/2025 10:46

I am not a dog person either and wouldn't like this - definitely not a plus point. As long as the owners keep their dogs to themselves and don't allow them to wander, and don't get offended when I choose not to engage with their animal, possibly bearable.