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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Dogs in offices

721 replies

ApplePenPineapplePen · 19/05/2021 22:26

RANT: I do not understand how or why it became acceptable for people in office jobs to take dogs to work. A workplace is no place for pets. Get a dogsitter or don't have a pet or change job. I don't want their hounds near me i don't want their hairs on my office chair. Am I being unreasonable to think the starting position should be no animals in offices? Rant over.

More calmly, I have 2 reasons that I want to avoid dogs - a severe allergy plus a previous dog attack leaving me generally nervous and stressed around dogs. Work is aware of my allergy and now office returns are being discussed, some measures are in place to minimise my exposure.

But what if that weren't the case though and I just didn't like them? Is it for the individual to check if there are animals in the office before they accept the job? Or should employers disclose in job ads?

Of course I exclude guide dogs/hearing dogs or similar.

AIBU to think the default position should be no dogs in offices?

OP posts:

Thread gallery

Voluptuagoodshag · 21/05/2021 22:48

In principle I don’t actually mind well behaved dogs BUT I do have serious issues with owners who expect me to be as invested in their dog as them. I would be seriously pissed off if I thought a colleague was putting in less effort because they had to deal with their dog. There had been a major shift change in dog ownership recently where things have become very dog centric for some. Well trained, biddable dogs are great but in my experience the majority of dogs are not and it’s the owners who are to blame.

carlywurly · 21/05/2021 22:56

I think if you're doing this, it has to be crystal clear from job ad stage, not interview. Don't waste anyone's time applying and getting that far.

I would personally be ok with a dog or two in our office, but know plenty wouldn't so it won't be happening unless it's a service dog.

ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHaands · 21/05/2021 22:57

Ah. Lovely. I adore dogs. They are so much more likeable than people that I would be nothing but thrilled if we could take ours to work sometimes. We do have a PAT (Pets As Therapy) dog visit for the well-being of the clients (or we did, pre-Covid). I am in charge of that so it's no coincidence that we always get labs or golden retrievers

In reality, I can see see it would not be ideal to have staff pets at at attend work, at least not in most places. Unless they were geared up for it like Amazon.. their employees take their dogs to work and there is a dog crèche and staff to run it. If you have hit a wrong link on Amazon, one of the Amazon dogs appear and it says "oops, wrong page" or something. You can click on the dog from there and see the whole gallery of Amazon dogs and who owns them. Divine!

GreyhoundG1rl · 21/05/2021 23:00

is a dog crèche and staff to run it
Completely different scenario.
In the same way as a workplace running an on-site baby crèche is not the same as literally bringing your baby to work.

whattodo2019 · 21/05/2021 23:02

i love having dogs at my workplace. it's a school and we must have about 8!! it's simply the best place to work

GreyhoundG1rl · 21/05/2021 23:03

@whattodo2019

i love having dogs at my workplace. it's a school and we must have about 8!! it's simply the best place to work

shamelesschocaholic · 21/05/2021 23:05

Here’s my pitch running around my office - I’m one of those office dog people

shamelesschocaholic · 21/05/2021 23:07

Meant to say pooch lol

Wincher · 21/05/2021 23:13

I used to work in a small team of four, and one person got a dog (from a litter bred by someone who worked elsewhere in the department, and several people had dogs from the same litter). My colleague asked us all - multiple times - whether we would mind if she brought her dog to work. I was all for it and it was lovely having a dog around! She used to walk the dog at lunchtimes. The only problem was it was a breed which needs lots of attention/stimulation/exercise so the dog did get a bit bored/naughty at times. But it was still nice.

My kids’ school has a school dog too. I do wonder whether the head just fancied getting a dog and decided to bring it to work!

Internetio · 21/05/2021 23:13

@shamelesschocaholic
He looks so happy! Mine is too lazy for zoomies around the office but moves pretty quickly when someone asks him if he fancies a walk!

GreyhoundG1rl · 21/05/2021 23:22

The only problem was it was a breed which needs lots of attention/stimulation/exercise so the dog did get a bit bored/naughty at times.
Ludicrous.

Hobbitytoes · 21/05/2021 23:30

@shamelesschocaholic, nope. That would scare me half to death.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 21/05/2021 23:34

@Voluptuagoodshag

Indeed! And many owners have a tendency humanise their dogs. As a result they are often spoiled and poorly trained.

CauliflowerBalti · 21/05/2021 23:36

I own a business and we allow well behaved dogs. Two regularly attend work, one of which is mine. An employee recently got a dog because he knew he’d be able to take her to work - but she’s turned out to be not office-friendly (barks, jumps up, harrasses the quiet dogs). If employees were allergic i’d ban them. We always ask visitors before they arrive how they feel about dogs. But if someone just didnt like dogs... I wouldn’t change the policy. The benefit to the majority outweighs the discomfort of just one person. When they’re at work, the dogs are communal. Everyone walks them, fusses them... they bring joy. If I banned all the things people weren’t keen on... several employees would have to go.

Talkwhilstyouwalk · 21/05/2021 23:36

@Internetio

My dog comes to work with me most of the time when I’m in the office 😬 small workforce of tech bods, I have my own office. I checked with the team prior to getting the dog whether anyone would prefer to not have an office dog. He is adored and referred to as the ‘honorary deputy operational manager’ and has his job title on a plaque (his christmas gift from the managing partner) on his little hideaway den in my office, he is regularly requested to accompany staff on walks and one remote member of staff specifically asks to speak to him on zoom 🙄 he also knows that every staff member has treats for him and goes for a daily wander to see everyone and I often have to go in search at home time and find him curled up with our research director.

If someone objected to his presence he would stay at home without an issue as DH wfh even before covid.

Depends on the culture, for us work is not a chore, we enjoy going to work, it’s relaxed and we do fun stuff, a little fluffball in the office is seen as a bonus as most staff are not in a position to have a pet themselves (mostly young staff renting so not permitted) we don’t have external visitors though, I can imagine that would make a difference.

My point about humanising dogs.....

shamelesschocaholic · 21/05/2021 23:47

In fairness that was a weekend and the office was empty. He’s still a pup and would no way settle in the office although he’d love it!

Wearywithteens · 21/05/2021 23:54

This reply has been withdrawn

This has been withdrawn at the poster's request.

Moulesvinrouge1 · 21/05/2021 23:59

@HHSchultz

I absolutely love dogs, I think they should be able to go everywhere, I hate that they are excluded, I would rather not go to a place where dogs were not allowed. I think it's the future, dogs will be able to go wherever we go , why not they should have every right to

. I am not a cat person but I wouldn't deny them a place in the world or the office.

Your dogs right to go everywhere would put me in the hospital. I’m not trying to be offensive, but some places are for humans, some are for animals and some are for both. Your dog’s ‘right’ to go to human places doesn’t override mine to enjoy actual human places - for humans! - safely.

Daydrambeliever · 22/05/2021 00:25

I'm going to ask if I bring my tarantula in to wander about the office. She's very quiet and likely to find a wee place to just sleep.

Dogs are animals. You weirdos.

astery · 22/05/2021 00:29

@Daydrambeliever I would love that.

smilingontheinside · 22/05/2021 00:47

Apart from the fact I've never done office work I would happily swap workplace with you OP. I love dogs, in fact prefer them these days to people. Be great to have a soft head or silky ear to scratch if feeling a bit tense at work. We have a no dogs sign but let dogs in with their owners as all the staff love animals. We don't encourage two legged small humans though. Wish I could take my dog to work 🐕

stevalnamechanger · 22/05/2021 00:48

Very normal in London . Love it . My office has around 15 dogs in the whole building .

Grellbunt · 22/05/2021 01:06

YANBU

Hop27 · 22/05/2021 03:36

My dog comes to work with me frequently, has worked out to open the boardroom door and like to attend important legal meetings. We have a bed and bowl for her in the office (in our company colours) She is very popular with our clients and at 20kg of pure muscle isn't exactly a lapdog. However she is extremely well behaved and the team like having her around.

NiceGerbil · 22/05/2021 03:45

@stevalnamechanger

Very normal in London . Love it . My office has around 15 dogs in the whole building .

I posted earlier about how this becoming the norm would impact on rush hour tubes buses etc. And what happens in high rise buildings in the event of emergency.

Any thoughts?

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