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Original poster

Boss' dog at work

80 replies

ElderAve · 21/01/2020 21:59

Boss has a very sweet medium sized dog that he often brings to work.

It stays with her in her office and is generally well behaved but does like to investigate people and will jump up a bit.

I'm not a dog person. I don't hate them but they're not something that's ever been part of my life and I'm not used to it.

Is it very unreasonable not to want a dog pawing at me and slobbering over my (dry clean) work suits when I'm in his office?

OP posts:

Eckhart · 21/01/2020 23:08

Saraclara, don't lump all dog owners together. I've got a dog and adore her, but I think it's unreasonable to expect everyone else to love her too.
Drooling and jumping up is not ok, op, and you've every right to feel pissed off, and to tell your boss that you feel uncomfortable. If your boss doesn't want to listen, find another boss.

Cherrysoup · 21/01/2020 23:32

My children are all miley allergic in that they can cope with the dog on the house, but can’t have physical contact with it (have to wear long pants constantly with it otherwise they’ll suffer from massive hives). My oh is even so more allergic he can have no physical contact, and his sinuses have swollen to the point where he’s not tasted food for nearly 3 years.

For real? That’s just completely stupid. Your dc and dh can’t ever touch the dog? Dogs are pack animals, mine must be with us when we’re home, touching them is essential for loads of reasons (petting, towelling dry, cuddles, holding a paw, so much!) I actually think it’s cruel to the dog to be unable to touch it.

whattodo2019 · 21/01/2020 23:42

Another Doggy person here who would dogs at work.

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Dogs

TwiddleMuff · 22/01/2020 03:40

I’m a dog person who would also love one at work. However I respect others who don’t.

YANBU

Time40 · 22/01/2020 03:50

I am probably being unreasonable, but I just do not understand people who do not appreciate dogs. Dogs are pure joy!

Yes, you're BVU. Dogs are not pure joy. Dogs are horrible stinking things with unpleasant habits, and they sometimes bite you.

justilou1 · 22/01/2020 03:50

Is there an HR department? That sounds like a conversation for them. Alternatively, look elsewhere. TBH, I am a dog person, but I genuinely don’t think that dogs need to be taken everywhere. I think they need to be left at home. I think anthropomorphising animals creates anxious animals and that we are creating antisocial dogs.

Cantdoleft · 22/01/2020 04:42

I couldn’t stand that.

Dogs that lick themselves like that do my nit in (and stink)

The jumping up and slobbering would drive me nuts.

I bet the whole office smells of dog breath and smelly dog. It gets in the carpets and furniture.

Dog lovers are happy to put up with that in their own homes (not all, some manage to keep the dog smell under control) but most places with a dog honk as soon as you walk in.

thatmustbenigelwiththebrie · 22/01/2020 04:50

Yanbu. I do not like animals and this would be my worst nightmare.

Shev1996 · 22/01/2020 04:53

Quit your job then tell me where to apply as your replacement 😂

DisinterestedParty · 22/01/2020 05:09

I love dogs but badly trained dogs don't belong in an office.

My dog would just sit under my feet all day if I brought him into work, and that's really the only type of dog that should be in an office.

I am a dog person but some people seem to lose all reason when it comes to them and think everyone should be a dog person which is just stupid. Dogs should not be jumping up, slobbering, barking and so on.

BethanyGilbert · 22/01/2020 06:35

@Herpesfreesince03 that’s bananas. You have all had to suffer for a dog that the children cannot pet and now your husband cannot taste? is a dog really that essential?

AlphaNumericalSequence · 22/01/2020 06:47

It should be quite easy to teach the dog to keep its distance from you. Would you feel judged if you told the dog a firm 'No' when it touched you or jumped at you,, etc?
If so, I'd have a chat with the owner about that. It should be quite easy to teach the dog to keep its distance from you. Your boss should actively help you to do that. If not, or if he makes you feel bad about it in any way, then he is being v unreasonable.
Mind you, we all have to cope with an amount of other people's annoying decisions in the workplace. Smelly sandwiches, coming to work with a cold, etc. Perhaps the dog hassle is just on a par with that.
Personally, I think every workplace should have at least one dog. I'd br awwwww-ing all day and would get nothing done.

Scarsthelot · 22/01/2020 06:49

Every office I have worked in, with a dog, has been made aware before interviews. Its their choice to apply.

I think just introducing a dog at work without consulting others, is poor behaviour.

My current work has a dog and I can take mine if I want. I don't because they are ridiculously sociable and would want attention all day. I can not sit in a meeting with an adult cocker on my knee. Do is at home during the day so no need

The other is a puppy and no work would be dont if she was at work. And I dont eany to be nipping g out every 20 mins for her to wee.

My boss owns the company. It's his decision. If there was no dog and then he just started bringing the dog, that wouldn't be ok. It would force people out of the job.

If the dog was there first and OP knew this, then she is bu. If it's a new thing or she didnt know she is not being unreasonable.

GiveHerHellFromUs · 22/01/2020 06:59

I'm happy to switch jobs OP
I love dogs but if you're not a dog person you're not a dog person. And even if you were a dog person it's not unreasonable to not want to be slobbered on at work.
I don't know what the solution is but if your boss is quite professional I'm sure he wouldn't mind you going to him with your feelings.

weddingdrama123 · 22/01/2020 07:06

I love dogs, I have a dog he's my fur baby, and I don't understand people who don't like dogs (especially mine coz he's so goddam full of joy).

That being said there are people in the world for whatever reason don't like dogs like the OP and I wouldn't like my own dog jumping up at me when I'm in my best dress and therefore she's not unreasonable for not wanting something she does not like near her in her at work.

If it was a snake or other reptile I would be out of there like a shot but there are people out there that would think I'm unreasonable for that.

Alicatz66 · 22/01/2020 07:11

I love cats and I like dogs .. I'd quite like office animals but I don't understand why people who are severely allergic to animals choose to have them in their home ?

SoldiersinPetticoats · 22/01/2020 07:17

YANBU but people can be VU about their dogs if you dare criticise them.
I used to use a local gym until the owner started bringing their dog to work. There’s something off-putting to lying on a yoga mat and finding dog hair in your face.

Oblomov20 · 22/01/2020 07:25

I am a total dog lover. Ds2 adores dogs.

But I think it's wrong to have a dog in an office all day. 2 jobs I've gone for interview for recently had dogs. The stink was unreal.

I'm not surprised it's becoming more commonplace. People don't want to leave their dog alone at home. Just saddened because I think it's wrong. Unprofessional.

TheMemoryLingers · 22/01/2020 07:30

I have a dog, but I don't think dogs belong in the office - unless you work for an organisation that's dog-related where it could be assumed that everyone would like dogs (or had lied on their CV), e.g. The Dogs' Trust.

Inforthelonghaul · 22/01/2020 07:33

As long as the dog was friendly I would be ok with this but I would dress down and definitely not be wearing anything drycleanable or expensive.

But, if I hated dogs or had a severe allergy it would be different and if my Boss put the dog before me I would be out of there sharpish.

It just requires a little consideration and respect from the dog owner and this seems to be lacking.

lavenderlemonade · 22/01/2020 07:43

It's not acceptable to have a dog in the work place at all. I'm not a dog person and I think some people who own dogs get a bit wrapped up in it sometimes - they certainly don't seem to smell their stinky dogs or see any problem with them slobbering all over people. I used to go to a salon where the owner had her poodle and it would sniff around and lick my shoes when I was stuck in the chair and I hated it.

YANBU but I don't think there is much you can do as it's the boss' dog.

Snog · 22/01/2020 07:48

It's not acceptable for any owners to allow their dog to jump up at people. The issue is the owners lack of control over their dog.

cushioncovers · 22/01/2020 07:49

Who was there first the dog or you ?😄

Snog · 22/01/2020 07:51

When the dog jumps up try catching it before it's paws land on you, push it off and at the same time walk forward a step or two. Ignore the dog, don't acknowledge her. You are claiming the space for yourself.

Weepingwillows12 · 22/01/2020 07:53

Is it your bosses own business and did they tell you in interviews about the dog?

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