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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:
MrsMoastyToasty · 05/09/2025 17:02

I worked in a place where the cleaner was bringing her dog in. That soon stopped when the office carpets became riddled with fleas.

aperolspritzbasicbitch · 05/09/2025 17:05

I do think that sometimes people tend to jump to the worst case scenario - taking away allergies and cultural beliefs.

As a dog owner myself, I don’t envision piles of shit, rabid dog fights or dogs jumping up all over me when I think of dog friendly offices.
i imagine a couple of dogs pottering around, sleeping under desks for the majority of the day. Probably because that’s what my dog does daily - I WFH.

MissDoubleU · 05/09/2025 17:32

MrsMoastyToasty · 05/09/2025 17:02

I worked in a place where the cleaner was bringing her dog in. That soon stopped when the office carpets became riddled with fleas.

Omfg I just posted how that would be my number one fear with office dogs. I can know my dog is fine, I can’t know someone else’s dog is fine/clean. Once an infestation sets in it becomes everyone’s problem and something everyone takes home!

Clearheaded · 05/09/2025 17:36

I worked in a dog friendly office, it definitely gelled people together when one particular dog was in on Tuesday’s and Thursday’s. He greeted every single person but from a distance unless encouraged to be more friendly. If you were having a bad day he would lie on your feet or stare into your eyes.

This dog did once steal someone’s sandwich from their bag and he was a trip hazard if you were carrying hot food. Bins had to go up on the counter because otherwise he would pull everything out. He didn’t get banned for those things, but various people walked him at lunchtime, he seemed to have a fan club. People were always putting him on internal zoom calls.

This specific dog knew not to bother people who didn’t like him and made a fuss of people who did like him. Very good emotional intelligence. I didn’t think much about it before but maybe people who didn’t like him worked from home on those days.

Another dog got banned because he was a pain and he barked. That dog belonged to the ceo!!!!

someone once brought in a dog that pooped on the floor, he was banned.

WhereAreWeNow · 05/09/2025 17:40

I quite like dogs but I'd hate to have them in the office.
Some people are scared of dogs.
Some people are allergic to dogs.
Flea infestations are no joke.

Luton · 05/09/2025 17:47

It’s crazy that companies are happy to choose dogs over recruiting the best staff for the jobs! Madness.

MiseryIn · 05/09/2025 17:57

No from me. I couldn’t do it. I just don’t like dogs and I’m not comfortable around them. I’m not a bad person otherwise lol

Skyellaskerry · 05/09/2025 17:57

I worked somewhere once where a colleague brought his very big dog in - the dog was so calm and gentle I swear it became a therapy dog (did for me at stressful times anyway and took the stress levels down remarkably)

HangryLikeTheHulk · 05/09/2025 18:01

Isobel201 · 05/09/2025 13:04

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.

Show quote history

My pet panther has separation anxiety, shall I bring it in ?

A dog’s “anxiety” is not the employer’s concern.

Umidontknow · 05/09/2025 18:07

The company have made it very clear. The job isn't for you. You won't be happy and you would be an arsehole to go in and try to change the way they run their office.

Umidontknow · 05/09/2025 18:11

HangryLikeTheHulk · 05/09/2025 18:01

My pet panther has separation anxiety, shall I bring it in ?

A dog’s “anxiety” is not the employer’s concern.

Show quote history

This company odviously feels it is and are happy to have dogs in their office. Her not liking dogs in the office isn't their concern either 🤷‍♀️

GonnaeNoDaeThatJustGonnaeNo · 05/09/2025 18:12

I wouldn’t work in a doggy office. No way. 🤢

HazelHedgehog · 05/09/2025 18:15

We have a dog in the office, she sleeps all day and is no bother.

Zanatdy · 05/09/2025 18:20

I love dogs but I can only imagine the complaints if we had them in the office and not fair to those who may have an allergy. I have a dog walker for my office days

Spidey66 · 05/09/2025 18:23

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!

I'm a dog lover and would love to work in such a place, but understand not everyone does. I like the above though obviously even this is only good if you like dogs.

waterrat · 05/09/2025 18:23

Lots of dogs in my office. I pay them no attention
I have surmised that only people with placid well.behaved dogs bring them in. They seem to sleep a lot

Original poster
Merryoldgoat · 05/09/2025 18:23

Umidontknow · 05/09/2025 18:07

The company have made it very clear. The job isn't for you. You won't be happy and you would be an arsehole to go in and try to change the way they run their office.

Again - where have I said ONCE I want to change it?

OP posts:
Phoenixfire1988 · 05/09/2025 18:26

It's clearly not the job for you I'd cancel the interview

onpills4godsake · 05/09/2025 18:28

I wish we were allowed dogs - or any animals in the office - amazing for stress

IsawwhatIsaw · 05/09/2025 18:28

I worked somewhere where initially there were no dogs, then people started bringing them in when the manager - who would have stopped it - was away.
i am allergic but basically no one cared that I was made ill, so I left.

Walker1178 · 05/09/2025 18:31

We probably have a dog in the office maybe 1-2 times a week. Both belong to staff that have their own office so mostly stay by their owner. One is a really lovely old girl though and she definitely knows who her fans are! She’ll pop round in the morning and before home time to say a quick hello to her favourites, she’ll happily bypass those that don’t usually pay her attention

midlifeattheoasis · 05/09/2025 18:35

I have a dog, but I think it’s totally unnecessary to have dogs in the office.

All this dogs every fucking where is really annoying

MrDobbs · 05/09/2025 18:36

I am not a dog owner and I know that there are nuances to every answer... pre COVID, people owned dogs and lots of those people worked in offices and didn't bring them in. What did they do?

BananaCaramel · 05/09/2025 18:42

I wouldn’t work at a company that allowed dogs in the office - beyond ridiculous and often just an excuse for the CEO to not pay for doggy day care. I’m allergic, it would be awful.

BananaCaramel · 05/09/2025 18:43

onpills4godsake · 05/09/2025 18:28

I wish we were allowed dogs - or any animals in the office - amazing for stress

People who say this don’t seem to realise that for many of us, having animals around makes it MORE stressful.