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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

About dogs in an office

99 replies

happymummyone · 06/08/2015 13:57

I'm not a dog lover. I've never met a dog I've liked. Some of you will probably say this is unreasonable enough on its own.

My question is, in an office, is it acceptable to bring a dog or dogs?

I I know it's ideal for dog lovers who work the 9-5 but don't want to leave their dog to pine at home but what about those that come to work and don't expect to have a dog pulling stuff out of our bins, slobbering on our lap or filling our noses with that dog smell that can be so unappealing to some?

What about those with allergies? Do they take an antihistamine and suck it up?

I'm not talking about service dogs here, they are beautifully trained, life giving animals.

Am I the only one that would rather not work with animals in the office?

OP posts:

Nargles · 06/08/2015 21:32

I worked in an office once where the boss woukd let his dog and kids run around. It was hell. I'm a huge animal lover and I could imagine a scenario where a small docile dog in certain kinds of offices could be ok but despite bring an artsy non corporate type trying to work in an environment that's overly informal is actually counter productive for me.

Nargles · 06/08/2015 21:34

Cam I just be clear though that my comments were not in reference to assistance dogs, that's a completely different matter.

maddening · 06/08/2015 21:35

yy to amicissima - when it comes to severe allergies and antihistamines it really isn't that simple.

Asthma is not hey fever and antihistamine is not The main part of managing asthma, possibly used alongside when the person also suffers heyfever, additionally long term every day use should be avoided - there is evidence of increased risk of dementia and impact on kidneys - why should people risk their health so people can bring pets to work.

coolaschmoola · 06/08/2015 21:43

When I worked for the MOD on Army bases it was absolutely normal to take dogs into work. Every office had at least one, usually more. Loved it!

wheresthelight · 06/08/2015 21:46

I work in an office where one of the girls brings her dog in but her hubby is one of the directors so not much that can be done about it!

I have a dog but I wouldn't take her to work. Although as irritating as the dog can be at times we do work in a small office in the middle of absolutely no where and she does alert really well so when I am on my own in our office and she stays rather than go into meetings with her owner then it is quite reassuring that no one can get near the building without her knowing.

monkeymamma · 06/08/2015 22:24

In my first job a man in a neighbouring/related department used to bring his dog into work. He wasn't senior himself but a very longstanding employee and had the ear of the boss. His dog was a massive nuisance. One day he came in after the weekend and his dog had an open wound after being in a fight with another dog. One of his fleas bit me and it became itchy. Twenty four hours later I was on emergency antibiotics as the bite was infected and the size of a saucer. I was incredibly ill and to top it off reacted to the antibiotics and spent the weekend vomiting up bile. I didn't do anything about it in work and maybe should have. Anyway not a fan!

EquinoxEclipse · 06/08/2015 22:24

I'm amazed at how many of you have dog friendly offices!

I wouldn't be bothered one way or another if there were dogs in my office, as long as they were well behaved. But I wouldn't be happy about some slobbery dog being a pita.

Wavesun · 06/08/2015 22:32

My dog is a saluki lurcher and would be perfect for office life. He stays by my side and sleeps 20 hours a day (by happy choice!). He's not exciteable in the least.

However, I wouldn't like to take him to work. We have a pet free office and I prefer that. Would seem a bit chaotic if everyone brought their dogs!

CatthiefKeith · 06/08/2015 23:31

My dog ate the bosses lunch a couple of weeks ago and it still wasn't a problem!

MidniteScribbler · 07/08/2015 01:39

I often take one of my dogs to work with me. I'm a teacher, and she is well trained (has therapy certification) and used to being in the classroom. The kids know the rules about how to interact with her, and I have a crate set up next to my desk so she can have some time out and is kept safe when I'm not supervising. She does great work when someone needs a bit of time out and a cuddle, and all the kids around the school love her.

EgyptianSnow · 07/08/2015 01:42

the salon I use to go to one of the hairdressers would bring their dog in. Lil dog looked so bored, I did use to think it was kind of strange but I do love dogs/animals

LaLyra · 07/08/2015 02:04

I've been on both sides of this and I think the main difference is how well trained the dog is.

School - Head Teacher's well trained dog that you barely noticed when you were busy - fine.

Office - Boss' unruly dog that clambered on desks, knocked things over and slobbered all over people - not fine.

I do think it should be made clear at interview if dogs are present. My sister is terrified of dogs after being badly bitten as a child. It took her months to get used to our nephew's (not her son) assistance dog. I'd be livid on her behalf if she accepted a job, quit her old job and then turned up on day one to discover 3 big dogs bumbling around that would make it impossible for her to work there.

exLtEveDallasNoBollocks · 07/08/2015 06:06

In my last job at any one time we could have up to 10 dogs in our office - two rotties, two cockers, a lab, a collie, two lurchers and two mutts (one mutt was mine).

The rotties were ace, one cocker was a mare, one lurcher was a mare, my mutt was the best behaved (of course) and the others were fine.

When recruiting the interviews took place in the dog filled office and each potential understood the environment they'd be joining. One tried to moan after the fact but had no chance- the union backed us.
I miss working there every day (and so does my mutt)

londonrach · 07/08/2015 06:51

How do you get any work done? Seen it on the tv but thought it was a one off or home based work. No way at my work unless an assistant dog as i work in a nhs clinic. (Huge dog fan here..thats the problem, if in my place of work i wouldnt get any work done as id be with the dog all the time)

MuddhaOfSuburbia · 07/08/2015 07:10

a total disorganised mess of trailing wires, stacked boxes in the lobby and in the school holidays we have up to 9 children running around the office

Sorry op

I did lol a bit

This sounds like a bbc1 sitcom pitch

Littlefluffyclouds81 · 07/08/2015 07:31

I used to take my little dog to the office with me. I just did it from the start and got away with it for over a year before I got told I couldn't bring him. He was really chilled and just lay under my desk most of the time, coming out for the occasional fussing. Everyone loved him.

In the end a horrible cow who was after my job and made up loads of stuff to get me sacked complained about him and I got told not to bring him in anymore. I cried.

TerrorAustralis · 07/08/2015 07:32

YANBU, your situation sounds like a nightmare.

I've been on both sides of this and I think the main difference is how well trained the dog is.

^^YY exactly this. I worked in a small office where a colleague would occasionally bring in her dog. He was exactly the kind of beast suited to an office, in that he ignored everyone unless they paid attention to him, and just lay on the floor sleeping until it was time for walkies.

I think if people want to bring pets into an office they need to pass a test. Jumping, slobbering and bin raiding = automatic fail.

VivaLeBeaver · 07/08/2015 07:50

It sounds amazing to me but I can understand how it wouldn't be good if you like dogs. But your co workers probably view it as a real perk.

I work in the nhs and there is one office in my hospital where staff bring kids/babies to work with them. Often a baby under a desk. Which amazes me in such a big organisation.

HearTheThunderRoar · 07/08/2015 07:54

YANBU. I would hate it and I have had dogs over the years.

I'm shocked at how many dogs are brought into offices.

In all my 30 years of working in various offices, I have never ever had a colleague bring a dog to work. I don't live in the UK though.

Skiptonlass · 07/08/2015 08:05

I work in a really nice little office and two people occasionally bring their dogs in. They're incredibly well trained and the two people share a little office so that they are both together. They are so quiet and good they don't even come out of the office when we are all sitting three yards away with food/cake.

When I first started there they asked me if I was allergic to or scared of dogs. They are in the office with the approval of everyone (it's a very small office!)

So I think it depends. If the dog is in a separate room, and no one has an issue with I think it's fine. If anyone is allergic/scared or the dog is roaming free it's a very different matter.

LifeHuh · 07/08/2015 20:17

But if your dog sleeps all day - and thus is no trouble - why can't it just sleep at home? And if it is going to be actively participating in office life then it'd be a distraction. And if dogs are ok then is it ok to take cat/ gerbil/ hamster/ budgie? My budgie was free flying and it would have been nice to have her flying around at work! She missed me when I was out, too
And if you just like having your pet at work what about all the non- pet things you might like yo have the chance to do at work??

Becauseicannes · 11/08/2015 11:59

I like dogs. Just not in an office. Oh and they bite the wires if they are puppies.

Gottagetmoving · 11/08/2015 12:55

My boss used to bring his dog in. It was not well trained and was a bloody nuisance. I don't dislike dogs but I don't want one that runs around and jumps up at me in the office.
My Boss was offended because I always tried to ignore it and did not fuss it and even asked me 'Don't you like dogs??!!'
Leave dogs at home FFS.

ProudAS · 11/08/2015 13:10

The OP was not talking about assistance dogs Frankie (especially non shedding ones like yours). Trying to make you change roles because of a colleague's (fully controllable) allergy is not on. Even if the allergy was severe, uncontrollable and life threatening and your dog the cause (unlikely if it's non-shedding) they should have moved one of you to a different desk but same role.

My colleague (an Equality Officer) has a guide dog, his coat is treated to minimise shedding and he is kept under her desk on his own blanket to reduce contact with allergens. She always sits in the same place to keep the dog hair contained but most people hot desk and anyone with a severe allergy is quite at liberty to sit elsewhere.

The other posters are talking about domestic pets and judging by some of the posts not very well trained ones at that. They are different and have no place in an office.

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