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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

Dogs in the office

206 replies

Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:45

I’m not a dog person. I don’t really like them but can bear them for a short amount of time.

I have been asked to interview for a job and the website talks about having dogs in the office as a plus point.

This isn’t a plus for me.

I imagine dogs in the office are overly intrusive and I think it changes the dynamic.

I’d like to hear from people who work in offices where dogs are allowed and how it is day to day, especially if you aren’t a big dog fan.

OP posts:
WhereAreMyAirpods · 05/09/2025 10:46

I am not a dog person either and wouldn't like this - definitely not a plus point. As long as the owners keep their dogs to themselves and don't allow them to wander, and don't get offended when I choose not to engage with their animal, possibly bearable.

noidea69 · 05/09/2025 10:48

I think its something aimed at young uns.

ShesTheAlbatross · 05/09/2025 10:48

I’d assume this wasn’t the job for me.

Unless it’s an assistance dog (which we do have in my office), I just don’t want to spend my day around dogs. I find them annoying and smelly - and I’m sure some aren’t, and someone might come on this thread to tell me how lovely, well behaved and non-smelly their dog is. But I still don’t want to work with them.

IllBeLookingAtTheMoon · 05/09/2025 10:49

Just be honest at the interview.

They are not going to change their workplace for you so you have to inquire so you can see if the presence of dogs is something you could live with (manager's dog sleeps in a basket under his desk all day) or not (dogs wandering around).

It would save everyone a lot of time.

ThirdStorm · 05/09/2025 10:55

I spent time in a workplace that had a dog friendly policy. They made sure dogs were well behaved, had a rota so not too many in at the same time and places where they could and couldn't be. Seemed well managed. I'm not a dog person but I found I was broadly left alone by animals although I did have to remember to close certain doors so dogs remained in their allocated spaces!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:55

As long as the owners keep their dogs to themselves and don't allow them to wander, and don't get offended when I choose not to engage with their animal, possibly bearable.

This is the crux. Is this kind of environment the type of place where I’m expected to fuss over a dog? Because I’ll just reject the interview. Better for both parties really.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:56

IllBeLookingAtTheMoon · 05/09/2025 10:49

Just be honest at the interview.

They are not going to change their workplace for you so you have to inquire so you can see if the presence of dogs is something you could live with (manager's dog sleeps in a basket under his desk all day) or not (dogs wandering around).

It would save everyone a lot of time.

Well quite - that’s why I’m asking. Having no experience of working where they are I was interested to hear what it’s like.

I don’t expect them to change - I’m trying to ascertain whether it’s even worth interviewing.

OP posts:
Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 10:57

noidea69 · 05/09/2025 10:48

I think its something aimed at young uns.

Deffo not me then!

OP posts:
Idstillratherbepaddleboarding · 05/09/2025 10:59

I would love to be able to take my dog into the office, but I work in a big office with lots of dog people and if we were all allowed to bring them in, it would be chaos! And we’d all get no work done 😂. I think the only way to find out what it would be like is to ask I’m afraid.

LegoPicnic · 05/09/2025 11:01

I wouldn’t want to work in a dog-friendly office, so I wouldn’t interview. They’ve made it very clear at the outset, so it’s obviously an important part of their company culture and I think you could expect dogs to be front and centre.

Good on the company for making it clear, though - much better for everyone to know where they stand at the start.

RaraRachael · 05/09/2025 11:02

I wouldn't like this. Our HT used to bring her dog into school and we were expected to fawn over it and if we didn't, we'd get passive aggressive remarks.
She'd bring it into the classroom so my nice calm lesson would descend into chaos

BitOutOfPractice · 05/09/2025 11:03

Dogs are allowed in my office. It’s a shared working space. I am completely ambivalent about dogs and honestly it’s never been a problem. All the dogs are well behaved, not wandering about. I don’t have a problem with it.

so in short: it depends!

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 11:05

Good on the company for making it clear, though - much better for everyone to know where they stand at the start.

100% agree

OP posts:
IllBeLookingAtTheMoon · 05/09/2025 11:06

You just have to ask them- call to clarify what they mean. It might be nothing, it might be something. They might not have any dogs there at all. But being comfortable at work matters. A dog would not bother me , but a colleague with really jarring and exaggerated vocal fry used to set every nerve on edge. I wish they had put "people with vocal fry welcome" in the recruitment advert- I'd have run a mile!

TheChosenTwo · 05/09/2025 11:06

People in my office keep saying they are going to enquire about bringing their dogs in.
I’m not keen on dogs myself, they smell, bark and I find them generally to be a bit of a nuisance BUT I don’t really think it would impact me hugely. I don’t imagine anyone will give a shit if I stop to stroke their dog or not, we’re all there because we have jobs to do, it’s not a petting zoo. If a dog is barking and causing a distraction I don’t expect it would be welcomed back.

Tillow4ever · 05/09/2025 11:07

My workplace introduced this when I was on maternity leave. I spent months dreading coming back as I was quite frightened of dogs after one went for my throat as a teenager.

When I went into the office it was actually fine. They have VERY strict rules around bringing dogs in - they just have tobe well behaved, on leads except in the off lead field, certain meeting rooms are dog free, max 1 dog per person at a time… basically only calm and well-behaved dogs get brought in! Oh and you have a sign to put at your desk that says “my dog is with me today” so you can avoid if you want! This all massively helped my phobia in fact as I got to know some of my colleagues dogs and worked up to looking after them if they left the desk, then walking them occasionally!

I would ask if they have a “Petiquette” and see what it is - that should reassure you if they do!

Purplebunnie · 05/09/2025 11:13

I temped at an office with dogs. I don't own dogs but I'm okay with them

The set up was a bit weird as some of the admin staff seemed to take care of the dogs, which weren't theirs, they seemed obsessed with them.

The dogs did wander around occasionally and did leave their toys which could be a trip hazard. If you ate at your desk you had to be aware because you know Labradors and food😂 BUT it depends on the rules that the employer has in place. They may restrict the dogs to being under the desk of the owner.

I went there a couple of times, wouldn't put me off as I say I'm ambivalent towards dogs

Endofyear · 05/09/2025 11:16

I'm allergic and wouldn't work in an office that allowed dogs. If they've made it clear on their website, I would just decline the interview. I'm sure it would be a benefit for some but not for me!

Zempy · 05/09/2025 11:20

We have dogs in our offices. I love it.

If I didn’t like dogs I wouldn’t apply for a job in an office that permitted dogs. However, it could happen anywhere you work as people are entitled to assistance dogs.

Clarinet1 · 05/09/2025 11:26

I love dogs but, if you really don’t want any around at all, perhaps it’s not the job for you. OTOH, if you would be OK with a couple of quiet dogs who basically lie under desks in their owners’ private offices, maybe ask about exactly what the situation is or go to the interview and actually see what it’s like.

DiscoNights · 05/09/2025 11:29

I’ve worked in an office with dogs allowed and it was a very happy place.

Yellowlife · 05/09/2025 11:29

I wouldn’t like a dog friendly office either. These places always forget about those with allergies 😕

tigger1001 · 05/09/2025 11:30

Endofyear · 05/09/2025 11:16

I'm allergic and wouldn't work in an office that allowed dogs. If they've made it clear on their website, I would just decline the interview. I'm sure it would be a benefit for some but not for me!

Yep me too, and like you, I wouldn't interview.

its good though that the policy is open, so people can make a decision about interviewing rather than really wanting the job only to be faced with the "hope you are ok with dogs" speech at interview stage or later.

KnickerlessParsons · 05/09/2025 11:31

Do offices that allow dogs also have souped up cleaning regimes? Hoovering and cleaning desks and chairs being the main issues.

feemcgee · 05/09/2025 11:33

I love dogs, but don’t like them in an office. Sometimes I rent a desk in WeWork, it’s full of hipsters and some have their dogs in with them. I wouldn’t like anyone to feel uncomfortable because I’d brought my dog in. You should go to the interview and ask more about it.