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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:
londongirl12 · 05/09/2025 18:50

noidea69 · 05/09/2025 10:48

I think its something aimed at young uns.

I’m 40s and would love this! But I find stroking a dog to be quite calming. But I get this wouldn’t be everyone's cup of tea.

Pherian · 05/09/2025 18:53

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.

I worked with a person who was blind and had a service dog. It laid under his desk and caused no issues.

Ive never worked in an office where anyone could bring their dogs.

If it’s not for you then politely decline the interview.

C152 · 05/09/2025 18:56

I am a dog person, but I still don't want to work around other people's dogs.

I worked in a shared working space where dogs were welcome. I loved the dog next door, as she was really well trained and did everything on command, immediately. But there was a totally useless dog owner who had a horrible dog they couldn't be arsed to train - it barked and growled and stalked people and it was obvious it was going to bite me at some point. I asked the owner twice to please keep the dog on a lead and she refused the first time and grudgingly put it on a lead after I asked a second time, but only when she saw I was working that particular day. She felt very hard done by and seemed completely oblivious to the fact that it was her inability to train her dog that was the problem.

FlockofSquirrels · 05/09/2025 19:14

Just dig a little more (politely) about how it's managed and ask for an office tour if possible. It's like a lot of work environment things - the implementation is important and what is a plus for some is neutral or negative for others. Consider the layout of the office in addition to how many dogs and how often.

I use a service dog and my job frequently has me visiting client offices, so it's hard for me to miss the number of offices that do have poorly-managed dog policies. There are also plenty who handle it well and it's a neutral thing for non-dog people and a positive for those who like being able to take a break and rub some dog ears.

And service dogs are obviously different than pets, but FWIW my dog does get to take breaks from his job and socialize in designated locations (inside and outside) when we're in our own office. There's usually a little line of people waiting to take their own break with him... I've long accepted that my four-legged shadow is always going to be more popular in the office than I am.

Passportparanoia · 05/09/2025 19:19

Our office is dog friendly. The big boss has a dog. I have never seen more than one at a time. They are all well behaved and stay out of the way. Except mine. He is a barky nightmare. My colleagues all find it funny and ask when I am next taking him in.
I would ask how common it is and if offered the job make a decision on that info. I don’t see what else you can do.

Surveille222 · 05/09/2025 19:26

This reply has been deleted

This has been deleted by MNHQ for breaking our Talk Guidelines.

VeronicaRaven · 05/09/2025 19:32

I love dogs and have a dog but prefer workplace to be dog free.
However there was dog or two sometimes in my last job. In the building, but not my office and people were expected to be ok with it.
In my current job there is a person who is allowed to bring their dog in, again not in my office and that person doesn't work full time so it's not ever day. But the dog wanders around the building a bit.
I wouldn't bring my dog to work ever. My dog has a small dog syndrome and is very reactive, it would be a lot of barking 🤣
I would want others to be constantly bothered by my dog, also dog fur EVERYWHERE.
Op I would ask if there will be any dog in your potential office, there is a chance you won't see them very often/at all.

MistressThere · 05/09/2025 19:47

We allow dogs in the office, I lead the HR and I’m a bit meh about it, not a dog person at all. When people plan on brining their dogs in they post it on our company message board (small company) and ask people to let them know if it’s a problem but also means people who don’t want to be around a dog can avoid those days.

I know who has a fear of dogs so I keep an eye on it.

we only have 3 people who regularly bring them in.

Casperroonie · 05/09/2025 20:25

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.

Omg this would be my dream come true. But get not for everyone....

XenoBitch · 05/09/2025 20:26

The vibes of that office do not align with yours, and that is ok.
Good luck with your job hunting.

Barso · 05/09/2025 20:37

I'd hate this. Strange that the company assumes everyone would see this as a plus point. If you turn down the job because of the dog policy make sure they understand that this is the reason- might just make them think.

tillyandmilly · 05/09/2025 20:40

I would love dogs in my work environment!

Barso · 05/09/2025 20:44

MistressThere · 05/09/2025 19:47

We allow dogs in the office, I lead the HR and I’m a bit meh about it, not a dog person at all. When people plan on brining their dogs in they post it on our company message board (small company) and ask people to let them know if it’s a problem but also means people who don’t want to be around a dog can avoid those days.

I know who has a fear of dogs so I keep an eye on it.

we only have 3 people who regularly bring them in.

Sound great in principle, but in practice I'd feel uncomfortable telling someone not to bring their dog in, especially if the person was senior to me.

Enko · 05/09/2025 20:44

I work in a dog friendly office. I love it. Dogs are mostly asleep on their pillow/armchair (one has an armchair) and mostly you dont notice them.

I am a dog lover so every now and then I pop in to day hi to one of the regular dogs. Makes me smile when I hear the little taptaptap. From the small dashhund

WiddlinDiddlin · 05/09/2025 20:49

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.

In my experience (and in a dog related job, thats quite a lot of doggy work places I've been to, spent time in, know of)...

You'd be expected to be as civil and polite as you are with other colleagues - so not expected to cuddle anyone, let anyone lick you... not expected to entertain or exercise or facilitate toileting.

Just don't be actively hostile. They won't want to employ someone who actively hates dogs, squeals if one looks at them etc.. but almost certainly won't care if you simply aren't a dog fan and don't want to cuddle one.

Pices · 05/09/2025 20:55

Choose another job OP. This isn’t the one for you!

JG24 · 05/09/2025 22:34

Fountofwisdom · 05/09/2025 16:01

Bloody hell, is there no escape from bloody dogs these days? Workplaces are no more a place to bring a dog than a baby. I wouldn’t even consider working for a joke of an employer who encourages this. Let me guess - Millennials? 🙄

That's so funny - I was just thinking it was more likely to be gen x! If we're generalising the entitled mindset definitely makes me think of that generation (or maybe it's just because the culprits in my experience were in their 50s which is tainting my view)

CeciliaDuckiePond · 05/09/2025 22:36

Cats in the office would be my preference. Although they'd probably curl up on people's keyboards so not much work would get done!

CeciliaDuckiePond · 05/09/2025 22:38

JG24 · 05/09/2025 22:34

That's so funny - I was just thinking it was more likely to be gen x! If we're generalising the entitled mindset definitely makes me think of that generation (or maybe it's just because the culprits in my experience were in their 50s which is tainting my view)

Show quote history

Nah ... we Gen X people worked in pre-digital offices where you could smoke and going out for a drink at lunchtime was normal. We don't need dogs!

wendywoopywoo222 · 05/09/2025 22:55

I sometimes take my dog
to work. Some people ignore her and because they don’t fuss her she ignores them back and some people make a fuss of her and play with her ball or toy if she brings it to them but mainly she sleeps under my table and follows me about. The managers dog downstairs comes up for playtime together a couple of times a day.

in your situation I wouldn’t bother interviewing.

SadTimesInFife · 05/09/2025 23:46

@Tillow4ever
Lucky you.
Yesterday our business managers two chihuahuas kicked off when people walked past the closed office door. Tedious.

Tillow4ever · 05/09/2025 23:57

SadTimesInFife · 05/09/2025 23:46

@Tillow4ever
Lucky you.
Yesterday our business managers two chihuahuas kicked off when people walked past the closed office door. Tedious.

That’s why it’s important for the OP to check if there are proper policies and rules in place as it’s clear that it CAN be well managed and not an issue for people who aren’t keen on dogs, but if it’s a workplace like yours where it’s hardly managed then it’s to be avoided.

Screamingabdabz · 06/09/2025 00:09

Someone in an adjacent office asked if they could temporarily bring in a guide dog they were training. I didn’t feel like I could refuse so it was agreed. It didn’t really bother me at first as they were cloistered in the other office but a) it made the place stink and b) as soon as we had a birthday gathering in our office the dog followed the colleague and came straight in and shoved its nose up my skirt and sniffed it’s snotty nose all around my jacket and bag. Only doing what dogs do, but horrible and unwanted to me.

I can’t believe so many people are ok with smelly disruptive animals in the workplace and have no care for other people who may be allergic or just uncomfortable with it. It is totally unnecessary and unprofessional to bring pets to work. And it’s not fair on job seekers whose opportunities are limited if they don’t want to be around that.

BlackCat111 · 06/09/2025 00:33

I work in a dog friendly office, the dogs are lovely & don’t bother or distract us, it’s the hygiene that’s the issue for me. Dog hair everywhere & the smell of dog makes me feel ill

allthemiddlechildrenoftheworld · 06/09/2025 04:14

@Merryoldgoat what about asthmatic employees? many of them are allergic to animal dander! they wont be able to work there then!