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Original poster

Should dogs be allowed in the office?

82 replies

TheRodent · 26/05/2024 21:05

I rent office space for my freelance work. It is relatively cheap as it is a space that I share with two other people. My three children came to look at the office space when I first started renting and they just popped in for five minutes and then left. One of my so called colleagues reported me for bringing them into work, I never found out who. The trouble is that one of the people who shares my office has started bringing her dog in. He barks most of the time and has taken a dislike to me. He growls and bares his teeth and jumps up at me whenever I come in. The other day he had to be restrained as he wouldn't let me go out of the door. His owner implies that it is all my fault as I smell of cats, I have one, well groomed cat. She also says that I have no right to complain as I brought my children in. Apart from the fact my children only made one short visit and dog comes in every day, none of my children barks non stop, growls and bares their teeth at people and they don't jump up at them either. People from other offices in the building have complained about the barking but the people running the offices have taken no action. I have not been back to office since this took place and I am trying to work from home again in the meantime. This is not a dogs Vs cats rant. Any advice?

OP posts:
BlackEyesLikeADollsEyes · 26/05/2024 21:07

I genuinely love dogs but even I would tell him to keep his bloody dog at home. It's not appropriate for dog with those behaviours to be foisted on strangers trying to work.

wizarddry · 26/05/2024 21:10

No

Blarn · 26/05/2024 21:11

What a horrible attitude they have. I like dogs; I am happy to fuss friendly ones when out, I visit friends who have them. But I am also allergic. I would be very unhappy that someone puts their pet over human work mates. Perhaps they shouldn't have got a dog if they are out at work all day.

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bravefox · 26/05/2024 21:11

Nothing to add but sending my sympathies OP. Deluded 'everybody loves my dog' owners are terrible

Redlorryyellowlorryblue · 26/05/2024 21:13

I’d keep reporting it. They had their opinion about your children, you can have an opinion about their dog.

Meakpumsnethankwand · 26/05/2024 21:14

No

NeverDropYourMooncup · 27/05/2024 08:06

Check your contract. There could be something there that forces the company to do something about it.

Marblessolveeverything · 27/05/2024 08:09

I would ask the building owners have they adequate insurance to cover when the dog bites?

Idontknowwhattodo78 · 27/05/2024 08:11

Well behaved dogs are very welcome in my office. A dog who behaves like the one you describe would not be!!

blobby10 · 27/05/2024 08:13

That’s terrible! I take my dog to work but if she started acting like your colleagues dog then I would have to fund doggy day care. Fortunately she is very wel behaved and has everyone trained well to bring her treats 😊😊

WhatNoRaisins · 27/05/2024 08:13

Once again I'm reminded of that Mitchell and Webb Scooby Doo sketch. Why would you want to bring your dog to work?

PickledPurplePickle · 27/05/2024 08:14

Keep reporting to the building owners

If it continues find a new space to work

I hate dogs in the workspace, unnecessary and unfair on everyone else

DreamingOfItAll · 27/05/2024 08:14

Do the offices allow them?

My company welcomes dogs as long as they’re well behaved, which they all are.

junebirthdaygirl · 27/05/2024 08:15

I would pull out as soon as your contract allows. So mean-spirited to complain about your dc paying a flying visit. And then a dog!! Absolutely not. Sounds like you can't even use it now so it's a waste of money.
That person is so rude to inflict a growling, barking dog on all around her. There is nothing good here for you.

Misthios · 27/05/2024 08:17

Of course they shouldn't. Pets should be left at home, or if you don't want to leave it at home, you pay for a kennel/sitter. You love your dog. Nobody else loves your dog so it is the job of a responsible owner to keep it from impacting on anyone else's comfort.

Such entitlement from some dog owners.

KateDelRick · 27/05/2024 08:17

What kind of workplaces allow dogs? Genuine question.

Dearg · 27/05/2024 08:17

My dogs would hate being stuck in the office - who is going to open the door to let them out/ let them in/ let them out again - while I am working
They wouldn’t behave badly but they would be bored and I would be distracted .

Complain to your landlord .

ManilowBarry · 27/05/2024 08:18

Any dog confined in an office for hours on end (unless it's a sighthound who wants to sleep all day) is going to get bored and may develop behavioural and or territorial issues.

The fact that it's barking indicates it's unhappiness

It's utterly cruel and I would ramp up the complaint.

EricHebbornInItaly · 27/05/2024 08:18

Complain, a badly trained dog with aggression is a liability to them. I’d ask the management company that you rent from if they have the appropriate insurance and risk assessments if the dog happened to bite someone and for allergies, that will get management to send them a notice to not bring the dog in sharpish.

RandomMess · 27/05/2024 08:18

Well behaved quiet dogs are ok if non-public facing but only if non-one has allergies!

Bemusedandconfusedagain · 27/05/2024 08:19

I would email the office owners to explain your concerns and that the dog is growing at you and showing other signs of aggression. I would then remind them of the potential for occupier's liability if you are injury by the dog and ask them to ensure that the dog is no longer allowed in the office.

TheOccupier · 27/05/2024 08:21

Is it a "dog friendly" office? Even if it is there will be rules about dog behaviour. Who are you renting this office from and how does the sharing work? To whom were you reported for your children visiting and what was the consequence? Think it's pretty clear who made that report, by the way!

IkeaMeatballGravy · 27/05/2024 08:22

I would hate to work in an office with dogs. How are you supposed to concentrate with a dog walking around and barking?

I would want to know if the office owners are going to carry out extra cleaning to account for the fur and dander. Also I wouldn't trust that type of dog owner to flea and worm properly, fleas are a bugger to get rid of once they have set in, are the building owners going to carry out preventative flea treatments on the carpets etc?

Scarletttulips · 27/05/2024 08:25

I think your children seeing where you work is irrelevant.

You need to speak to the building manager and explain the situation. You no longer feel safe, the dog barks all day and is distracting.

We have work cafes now - why not look into something like that?

Sheknowsaboutme · 27/05/2024 08:26

The office is not a place for dogs. My colleague has a yappy “something-poo” and is a right attention seeker. She has started to work more from home as “he needs her”. Last week he hurt his paw and she “worked” from home. Work us a word i use lightly.

don’t bring dogs to the office, id take it further.