Dogs in offices

[ApplePenPineapplePen]

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?

I take mine sometimes, I have my own office, its company and security when you are a lone worker, also none of your business what other bosses allow

I'd love to work somewhere where dogs were allowed. Sounds great.

And in schools? Again, not heard of this. Pets? The children's pets or what?
Yes our dog went to school for pets show and tell when my oldest was in Year 1 and the puppy was a few months old. Lots of different pets, but no disasters.

We do! It's our company. 11 staff. The dog coming into work was discussed even before we got her. She is hypoallergenic because my DH is very allergic to animals. There's no fur, but she doors bark a bit until she settles.
Everyone was asked individually and no one minds.
If one person is not happy she won't go.....

'Lots of schools, hospices and care homes have dogs'

What of those who don't like dogs?

'. It allowed an excuse for junior people to just drop in to say hello and was very good at setting a less formal office culture.'

So the dog lovers get to be matey with the boss while those who don't like dogs don't? And we all know about how that sort of stuff pans out irl.

And why dogs? Snakes for example are much quieter. What about a tank full of tarantulas on the desk? Rats are supposed to be very good pets. Etc etc

Or cats. Cats would be fine too.
Not in the same office as dogs though.
That's just asking for trouble.

Extremely common in the forces to have dogs in the office.

Do people really believe their employees "don't mind" or is it more they're not gonna say "no" to their actual boss?

See it makes me feel ill when dogs watch people eat.
I don't see at all. Why?

'Everyone was asked individually and no one minds.
If one person is not happy she won't go.....'

No one will say no in those circs.
Anyone who doesn't feel comfy will be sacked, come on be straightforward!

Failing that, what about rabbits?
You can litter train a rabbit I think.

Failing that, what about rabbits ?You can litter train a rabbit I think.
It would give the IT department a challenge, certainly!

Always, because people are different!

I'm sure there are some things you don't like.

@AlwaysLatte because being stared at by slathering panting dog (TMI alert: and if it's a male sometimes the lipstick pops out 🤮) puts me off. Who is this not understandable?

I stopped going to a friends for a fortnightly takeaway because she let her poodle sit on the sofa arm staring while we ate our food and throwing him chunks of chicken chow mien

YANBU offices aren't a good environment for dogs.

That said I don't see the problem with dogs in schools - most children love them, and those that don't aren't forced to interact with the dog. DD's school has a 'wellbeing dog' and he's much loved by the staff and students.

@NiceGerbil

At DD's university many staff bring dogs, helps a lot with stress apparently. Again most have their own office

What on earth is going on?!

Moto are all pets allowed?

I’m pretty sure I have read studies on the impact of dogs/ cats in the office and that they can have a very positive impact on the mental well-being of staff- reducing stress and improving team dynamics. Although I agree the practicalities surrounding allergies and dislike of dogs need to be considered. Also the temperament of the animal has to be right. Having said all that it’s just what I’ve read. No actual experience of an office allowing dogs in the workplace (except on certain sites). I think the status quo is still no dogs allowed generally.

@NiceGerbil

'Lots of schools, hospices and care homes have dogs'

What of those who don't like dogs?

'. It allowed an excuse for junior people to just drop in to say hello and was very good at setting a less formal office culture.'

So the dog lovers get to be matey with the boss while those who don't like dogs don't? And we all know about how that sort of stuff pans out irl.

And why dogs? Snakes for example are much quieter. What about a tank full of tarantulas on the desk? Rats are supposed to be very good pets. Etc etc

Well some places do have cats, fish, rodents and reptiles. Some have goats and donkeys too. The question was about dogs though.

Nobody was matey with the boss; they all wanted to see the dog. It’s a choice. People who don’t like the smell of coffee surely avoid the coffee area, those who don’t like lifts take the stairs.

Perhaps if the whole world didn’t want to shut everything down or rule out every difference for fear the odd person might not like it, we’d have a more tolerant society. In reality, far, far more visited with treats than avoided him (the dog, that is).

I can’t answer for every school, hospice, care home, university, hotel or shop with a dog. I merely point out it’s not that unusual and not a particularly new idea.

Before I had two dogs, I’d have said you were a killjoy and dogs are calming etc etc etc. Now that I have two, I’d say that only extremely well trained dogs should be allowed anywhere near an office. By that, I mean they don’t chew, don’t mark with wee, don’t approach people without invitation, don’t eat food that isn’t theirs...in short, pretty much the only dogs that are as reliable as that are assistance dogs. Most people don’t train their dogs well enough for them to sit quietly all day and any breed like a springer or beagle would go nuts keeping still.

One fart and my labrador would clear an office!

It sounds nice having dogs in theory, but practically it would be a nightmare.

Dp runs a company that allows dogs in the office. He and his business partner both have dogs and want them in. Everyone who joins gets told in advance and has the option of working at home.

I can't see what's wrong with it.

I'd much rather have (well behaved) dogs in the workplace than miserable dogs left at home all day.

Dogs allowed at my office.

One shat under a desk.

There was a wheelie chair.

Grim. Should not be allowed.

@Wearywithteens

'Everyone was asked individually and no one minds. If one person is not happy she won't go.....'

Yes this happened in our office, everyone agreed but several people admitted secretly that they didn’t feel comfortable saying otherwise - dog owners are notoriously defensive and touchy and those that don’t mind dogs don’t understand the issue. Sometimes at work you just don’t need another thing to have to raise your head above the parapet about. You just live in hope people aren’t dicks and don’t want to do dickish things like bring their dogs in and assume everyone is over the moon with it.

Well said. I feel sorry for anyone out in that kind of situation