Dogs in the office

[Merryoldgoat]

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.

I’m just pondering whether to bring my dog into the office today.

I work for a construction company so a significant proportion of our workforce are in people’s homes every day, and dealing with whatever animals they have there. If you had a pet allergy you couldn’t work for our company.

The rules are that in the office dogs have to behave, stay out the way, no mess, no one is expected to fuss over them.

if the company wants the workers in the office then sometimes compromises have to be made. Dogs can suffer from separation anxiety, and some will be fine as long as they have a bit of company.

I worked at a number of places that allowed this and there were general accepted ways of behaving rather than written rules. My dog ;sadly no longer with us) was a very well behaved Labrador. He did scout bins after lunch and convinced people to take him to the dog treat cupboard, and was generally adored. There were a couple of clients who weren’t keen/scared so we ensured he didn’t bother them, although one of them over time asked him to be in meetings (but only him, not the more jumpy dogs) and another person ended up getting her own dog she said because he was so lovely and all the previous dogs she’d interacted with had been poorly behaved. Everyone said they found him quite calming and people would come over to our office specifically to say hello to him. Whenever we went away there was a stream of volunteers to mind him as they already knew him. And on at least three occasions he was taken away on long weekends and camping trips with colleagues without us!

the second place he and I worked was busier and larger and so we kept him to one building, we had a temp who had an allergy for a time so we kept him away from that floor. Same in that some people weren’t keen but after a while got used to him and liked him. I think a calm, non barky, dog that keeps a distance unless invited is fine. He really wasn’t smelly, did shed though so people avoided him if they were wearing white clothes! He used to go to work with my husband too and they did a whole party invite around him and clients would specially come in on his working days just to see him.

i miss that dog, have borrowed dogs since and of the three I regularly have (same or similar breeds) none of them have the perfect temperament to do both a day in the office or indeed the commute. So I think it really is very dog specific but if well and sensitively managed it is a huge plus as they do reduce stress and encourage people to interact more.

It depends... I used to own THE office dog but he was very well trained and behaved! He also knew who was friendly and who wasn't- he had his 10 o'clock treat with one person, knew when it was time for lunchtime walk and used to bring the post up to us, something I trained him to do for a bit of fun (he had a basket to carry... our office was 1st floor and postman just put the post in the basket... obviously had to pay the dog tax as well.)
But mostly he just snoozed in his bed beside my desk.

We had others try and bring their dogs in but mostly failed because of barking or restlessness... I think that's what would concern me the most. 8f it's a job where you deal with phone calls or have to concentrate, you don't want a dog rummaging around.

Dogs do pick up if you don't like them so wouldn't be worried about to much interaction past the first few days.

I have a dog and love dogs but I don’t think they should be allowed in the office because some people don’t like them or are allergic, everyone should be comfortable at work

No one needs to bring their dog to the office. It’s ridiculous. This wouldn’t be accepted in my workplace anyway, we wouldn’t be allowed, but I wouldn’t be too impressed.

I love our office dogs

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

Short answer, no it isn't. You don't like dogs and they've told you there are dogs. The dogs (no matter how well behaved) aren't going to be invisible or stand like statues and you will start complaining probably sooner rather than later.

There are dogs that are well behaved, and those who are not. Makes a difference.

If you are to approach it at interview, perhaps ask if the dogs they mention are hearing dogs, guide dogs or another kind of assistance dog?

As a starter - I love dogs and feel comfortable around most breeds. I worked in a ‘dog friendly’ office for a bit - ie a director brought their big collie dog in and no one could say no. It was really unpopular with everyone else - the dog would wander round the office and up to peoples desks. The office would also really smell of wet dog after the owner had walked them in when it was raining and then again on a wet lunchtime. We were also expected to keep an eye on the dog when the director had meetings. Lots of the team had dogs of their own and never brought them in - they didn’t like it either and recognised how disruptive it was. HR was glad when the owner got a new job and a no dogs in office policy was swiftly brought in!

If I were able to take my dog to work, I would understand that not everyone likes dogs, and couldn’t care less if you didn’t even acknowledge it, never mind fuss it. The reason I wouldn’t take my dog even if I could is because she isnt of the right character- over friendly and I know she would annoy and distract. It’s the dog owners who don’t recognise this sort of aspect that are problematic but you’d hope a good dog policy would cover it.

I worked in a dog friendly office & a colleague would bring in his little dog who, without fail would always choose underneath my desk to shit or throw up under if if wasn't very well.

That said, it was quite nice to have the little fella about.

Why go to the interview if it's something your against?

I used to work in an office where there were two dogs. It wasn't 'intrusive' - it's not like the dogs are reading your emails. They just snoozed on their beds in the corner most of the time or pottered around the room. I like dogs so I used to make a fuss of them. The people who weren't into dogs just ignored them.

We had one colleague on a temporary contract who was openly annoyed by their very presence and would constantly tut and say 'Eww, shoo!' whenever they went within about six feet of her (she did know there would be dogs in the office when she took the job). We didn't renew her contract as she was a very difficult and rather overbearing woman who annoyed everyone, though, so I never got to witness how she'd have coped longer-term with the dog thing.

If you're already having misgivings at the interview stage, my guess is that you really aren't a great fit for this office environment. There's nothing wrong with you not wanting to work in an office with dogs, and there's nothing wrong with an office that allows dogs - you and this office just aren't right for each other, that's all. There was a thread on here recently where someone didn't like working in an office where they had a radio on all the time - same applies. This just isn't an office environment that's right for you.

I would not even consider working in an environment where there were dogs slobbering all over the place.

I can't imagine it's much fun for the dogs. Don't they get bored? I'm not a dog owner so not certain about this.
Also it's a quiet way of putting Muslims off applying to work there so no hugely inclusive or culturally aware.

I've worked in 2 dog friendly offices. First 1 dog a day was allowed in and in one room only. The owner had to book in in advance so no more than one turned up. This was fine and unless I sought out the dog I'd never have seen it
The other was awful. Anyone allowed to bring them in. There was always at least 3 regulars and normally a few more ad-hoc ones.
None were on leads. They barked whilst you were trying to have calls. They smelt disgusting (rolling around in crap or nervous farting). They sniffed and tried to eat anything on the floor so shoes/handbags
I don't mind dogs but they just had no control over it

Oh yes and weeing over the floor, I used to just step over it then let the owner know, but I'd be tutted at as I didn't volunteer to clean it up of her owner was in a meeting

And the dogs fighting, growling and going for each other

My colleague brings her dog in most days. She says hello and then just lies on her bed or plays quietly with a toy and then goes out with owner for lunch where on return has a quick hello then goes back to being a good girl

I like dogs, and have my own, but am not overly bothered in a working environment. The only bother is the occasional fart, tbh.

If she was a boisterous dog who wouldn’t calm down she wouldn’t be invited.

My manager used to bring his dog in. Very strick with it, wasn't allowed near our work space.
It did tip my tights a few times when I was near it.
I am a massive dog fan, but it wasn't the best at work to be honest.

I’m thinking ahead to my late-teen dc having to negotiate this hurdle when job hunting. They’re massively allergic 😢

YANBU

I had one job which involved making visits and teaching people in their homes. I forgot this till now but the clients often had dogs and I got in the habit of taking treats in my handbag for them. It was a really sweet part of an otherwise difficult job and it REALLY helped me build rapport with the clients.

I just don't think I'd get any work done with dogs around. I'd be spending far too much time giving them fusses.

Totally agree with this. I wouldn't expect to bring my cat in to work with me so no need for dogs to be there, apart from genuine assistance dogs obviously.