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Original poster

Office dogs

119 replies

ExhaustedMama68 · 19/10/2022 07:10

Does anyone else work in an office where people are allowed to bring their dogs along with them?

I’ve been in the same office for over 6 years and In the early days, one person was allowed to bring their dog on the odd day.

Now, as the company is growing and more new people are starting, they all seem to be bringing their dogs for various reasons - no care for them, want to save money on dog walkers etc.

My issue is that I’m actually terrified of dogs (which everyone in the office is aware of) and it’s becoming quite uncomfortable going to work each day and not knowing if there will be a dog or not.

I never bring my DC to work because my childcare has fallen through - I just make alternative arrangements?

WFH is unfortunately not an option.

OP posts:
HighlandPony · 19/10/2022 07:48

OnTheBrinkOfChange · 19/10/2022 07:37

There's no reason for an attitude like that. You have no idea why she doesn't like dogs.

Show quote history

It doesn’t matter. I feel exactly the same towards adults afraid of things like spiders or bees etc. I can’t look at any adult with any kind of respect that’s afraid of something so mundane.

Sparklybees · 19/10/2022 07:49

@HighlandPony can I ask what you think are acceptable fears for an adult? None I'm guessing?

NightmareSlashDelightful · 19/10/2022 07:51

OP have you had any conversations about it yet? At work I mean. Depending on how understanding your corporate culture is, they might be willing to look at a compromise or bringing in a policy.

But if they don’t know there’s a problem… 🤷‍♂️

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Dogs
SirChenjins · 19/10/2022 07:52

I'd love to take my dog to work but the chances of getting any work done with him there are slim - he's not going to sit quietly at my feet for 8 hours, esp if there are other dogs there. Unless it's a working environment where dogs are part of the work eg a groomer or doggy day care they need to stay at home or with a dog sitter.

BarrelOfOtters · 19/10/2022 07:54

I love a well behaved dog in the workplace.

I used to be scared of dogs, even though had them when I was a kid…but then we got one and I know understand their body language so much better. Rarely find a dog I don’t like now.

Twizbe · 19/10/2022 07:55

I'd hate this too. I'd start bringing my kids to work on inset days because I don't want to have to pay for childcare.

What's good for the gander is good for the goose right?

Lopilo · 19/10/2022 07:56

Someone used to bring a dog into an office I worked in. The dog was very nice and well behaved but it really smelt. I don’t think the owner could tell.No one liked having the dog there but no one wanted to upset the owner. It is really awkward because people love their dogs, so you will make an enemy if you say anything negative about their dogs. I found another room to work in, but I realise that solution isn’t available in most workplaces!

Dozycuntlaters · 19/10/2022 07:58

My dog comes into work with me every day, I asked my boss if I could do this before I got her otherwise I wouldn't have been able to have a dog. There are only four of us though and before I had my girl they all had dogs who came to work so there used to be three dogs there. To be honest you wouldn't know she was there, she potters about, sleeps or looks out the window.

She was most put out yesterday though. She's claimed the meeting room as hers, and we had people in yesterday so the meeting room was being used. She just sat outside the door waiting for them to go 😂

I6344 · 19/10/2022 07:59

I was the first person to bring my dog into our office 4 years ago and everyone loves her. However I did check with every single member of staff in the office that they were ok with dogs. If they had a fear or were allergic I would not have even got a dog as I was full time in the office when I got her.
Now everyone has jumped on the bandwagon and there's about 10 dogs that come in. It's mayhem 🤣. But I do work from home now 99% of the time so I'm not really contributing to the office dog situation anymore.
Is it worth a talk with your manager?

Original poster
ExhaustedMama68 · 19/10/2022 08:01

Yes, one of the people who brings a dog is the office manager. She thinks as long as the dog is kept away from me then it is fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
ExhaustedMama68 · 19/10/2022 08:02

NightmareSlashDelightful · 19/10/2022 07:51

OP have you had any conversations about it yet? At work I mean. Depending on how understanding your corporate culture is, they might be willing to look at a compromise or bringing in a policy.

But if they don’t know there’s a problem… 🤷‍♂️

Yes, one of the people who brings a dog is the office manager. She thinks as long as the dog is kept away from me then it is fine

OP posts:
NightmareSlashDelightful · 19/10/2022 08:04

Then ladder up. The office manager isn’t senior enough to be a policymaker on this. Talk to the MD or CEO. As long as you’re reasonable about it they won’t mind having the chat, surely?

VenusClapTrap · 19/10/2022 08:05

Many years ago I had a job that involved visiting lots of different offices. Some had dogs. I’m not afraid of them but I’m not a fan, and frankly those offices were a total pain in the arse.

I couldn’t just get on with my work because it would be “Oh look, Mr Fluffy wants to sniff you!” and I’d be expected to pat the dog or coo over it or something. One place had a growly dog that wasn’t restrained, and that was pretty intimidating. I couldn’t do my job properly because I couldn’t get near the things I needed to access, because of the dog. Spoke to the guy in charge there and he just said “Oh Rover’s fine he’s just a bit grumpy, just step over him.” No thanks.

Another stank to high heaven of dog because it was carpeted and clearly wasn’t cleaned often enough (if ever). Deeply unpleasant.

The one that pushed me over the edge though was the one that had occasional dog poos lying around. Eventually I thought fuck this shit and refused to visit any office with dogs any more.

HighlandPony · 19/10/2022 08:06

Sparklybees · 19/10/2022 07:49

@HighlandPony can I ask what you think are acceptable fears for an adult? None I'm guessing?

Losing your house, not being able to pay your bills, your kids getting sick (and I mean hospitalised sick, not catching the current bug doing he rounds), your husband dying at sea, being made redundant, bad news on a mammogram, funeral costs for elderly relatives, dying before the kids are grown, kids ending up in crack or heroin, house getting repossessed, landlord selling up, becoming homeless, energy bills rocketing etc etc. I could continue but you get the picture.

Just can’t get on board with daft fears as an adult when there’s so many other real catastrophic things to be afraid of that we’re edging closer and closer to with every sodding chancellor announcement.

Nishky32 · 19/10/2022 08:07

There should be a risk assessment - I was hospitalised with an asthma attack because I was forced to work in an office with a dog- he was a guide dog so had to be there.
Fortunately I could then go and work at another location- your fear of dogs is as important as my physical reaction- why should you work under such stress

thelobsterquadrille · 19/10/2022 08:08

Can you approach it from an insurance point of view?

Most pet insurance policies don't actually cover you if you bring your dog to work - you need specialist insurance that will cover things like fights, damage to equipment or the building etc.

ColinRobinsonsfamiliar · 19/10/2022 08:10

Being savaged by a dog as a kid isn’t a good enough reason to have a fear then?

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 08:15

I'd love for people to bring their well behaved dogs into the office! My boy would just sit on my lap all day!

OP could you maybe try and spend some time with one of the more docile dogs to help you feel a bit calmer? Obviously I don't know where your fear stems from so that might be a ridiculous suggestion

kingtamponthefurred · 19/10/2022 08:18

Your colleagues are behaving very unprofessionally. If they can't bear to be separated from their dogs during the day, they should find other jobs, preferably working out of doors.

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 08:19

kingtamponthefurred · 19/10/2022 08:18

Your colleagues are behaving very unprofessionally. If they can't bear to be separated from their dogs during the day, they should find other jobs, preferably working out of doors.

If they're being allowed to bring dogs into the office then this is the perfect job for them.

If anything, it's the people who are afraid of dogs who should look for alternative employment, surely?

Sparklybees · 19/10/2022 08:21

@HighlandPony fear in all it's forms, isnt limited to what one person thinks is acceptable.

Whinge · 19/10/2022 08:22

A few posters have mentioned they'd love it if well behaved dogs could come to work. But who decides on what a well behaved dog is?

For some that might be a dog who stays under the desk all day, where as others are happy for a dog to wander around for fuss and cuddles. One employee might think a dog who barks is badly behaved, where as another migth think it's good that the dog only barks once or twice an hour as at least it's not all the time.

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 08:23

Whinge · 19/10/2022 08:22

A few posters have mentioned they'd love it if well behaved dogs could come to work. But who decides on what a well behaved dog is?

For some that might be a dog who stays under the desk all day, where as others are happy for a dog to wander around for fuss and cuddles. One employee might think a dog who barks is badly behaved, where as another migth think it's good that the dog only barks once or twice an hour as at least it's not all the time.

A dog who isn't massively affecting anyones productivity would be fine for me.

A dog who's constantly harassing people or barking would be a problem.

Idratherbepaddleboarding · 19/10/2022 08:24

@Whinge my dog would be a PITA as he’d assume everyone was there for him 😂. Barking would be a no no for me as it would be very distracting and no good if people need to make phone calls.

Nishky32 · 19/10/2022 08:24

girlmom21 · 19/10/2022 08:15

I'd love for people to bring their well behaved dogs into the office! My boy would just sit on my lap all day!

OP could you maybe try and spend some time with one of the more docile dogs to help you feel a bit calmer? Obviously I don't know where your fear stems from so that might be a ridiculous suggestion

The op is at work! If she wanted to deal with her phobia she could do it outside of work

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