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 am 50+ and work in a pet friendly office (mostly dogs, the odd cat).

There would be 5-8 pooches in on any given day (3 levels). Honestly they are no trouble and nobody expects anybody to be interested in them.

I think you are overthinking this.

No, it wouldn’t “make me think”. My office, my rules and we are dog friendly. Like the company op is applying to, we make it abundantly clear that there will be dogs in the office. If you don’t like that, it’s not the place for you.
As it is, we have an excellent team, absolutely no shortage of candidates for positions and many people see it as a plus point, saves on dog care/dog walkers fees etc, they can be quite claiming if you’ve had a difficult meeting too!
Many people do actually like being around dogs and if you don’t? It is of course your right to not work there.

Hell no. I know it’s an unpopular opinion but enough with bloody dogs.
is nowhere safe. Grrrrr

I would have loved having my dogs in the office! Anything to not have to work would have been great!

I work in a WeWork so dogs are allowed. It's generally OK, people usually are considerate and the dogs are well behaved, although I've been pathetically stared at a few times eating lunch! I have to say though, as a dog lover, I don't think dogs in the workplace are a good idea. Even parking the fact they are a massive distraction to though who like them, there will be allergic/phobic people who simply can't use their local office just in case... that doesn't sit right with me.

We have a dog friendly office. Not everyone brings their dogs in and they do consider which dogs get along. It works out really well and you hardly notice them. I’m a dog person though so I’m not on edge thinking about them. Give them little notice and you’ll be fine. I would mention that you are slightly scared of dogs as they then might be a bit more mindful of keeping them out of your way.

I hate dogs so this would be a no for me.

If it’s a voluntary organisation, I can vaguely understand there might be more flexibility to encourage volunteers to attend. But a place of work with a professional function, where people are being paid a salary to do a job is completely different. A place of paid work is no place to indulge entitled dog owners.

I work in an office thay allows dogs. We have quite a strict policy on behaviour. Three strikes and they are out. I think most people find it quite therapeutic (think therapy dogs). It's definitely largely popular. I have 2 dogs that I have taken in since they were small. They are very well behaved. We are lucky we have quite small offices rather than large offices so it works quite well.

@Fountofwisdom obviously you've never worked in a military organisation. There's always some officer with a labrador in tow. Dogs are a given.

Depends on the fogs, my now late ddog used to go to work but exh had own office and was the only dog on the floor when he trotted off to nab biscuits off others, he slept 18 hours a day by that point so mostly was in his bed or on the bean bag near the coffee machine (and biscuits)

This is a typical oblivious response. There are plenty of posters here who have told you what the ‘trouble’ is. So the op is not overthinking it. And I dread this work culture happening to me. Why do the needs of pets and pet owners take priority over humans?

What an odd post. It's not oblivious, it's my opinion. The OP is in my opinion overthinking. The dogs don't bother anybody in my office setting, they don't approach you and there is no expectation that you approach them. It is just not a big deal. I was trying to offer an insight which might help the OP see another POV. 🤷‍♀️

Based on this post...
@Screamingabdabz

Most hospitals have dogs now as they provide much valued emotional support to patients.

Just something for those who want to try to avoid workplaces with dogs to consider.

Obviously they can’t be avoided altogether due to legal obligations to allow assistance dogs.

At my place of work it is the boss who brings his in the most. His company, his rules.

Our main office has been dog friendly for quite a few years now- pre covid. Its a global corporate so not a small operation.

There is a pet policy, a rota to monitor the numbers of dogs onsite at one time, a two strikes and out policy for behaviour, dog free meeting rooms and lifts, and increased hygiene and allergen controls.

Have to say though, from both when it was originally implemented, and for new hires now, the message is very much like it or lump it!

I love it, but I've never brought my own dog in as I would be shown up to high heaven 😂

My old dog would have bitten you all, stolen all your lunches and growled if you'd come near my desk.

Much like her owner really.

I would prefer dogs over people to be honest 🤷🏼‍♀️😂

I’d like it. I once shared an office (overseas) with a Brit who brought his German Shepherd (Simba) to work every day. He was extremely well behaved, and would come and ask very politely when he saw me opening my desk drawer and getting my biscuits out. 🐶❤️

The locals were not used to seeing such a big dog (or non feral dogs at all TBH) and most were wary of him.

And ticks.

And care homes. And schools. And now courts as well. I can't think of anything worse than being immobile in hospital or a care home and having a dog sticking its nose in my face. It's so unfair to impose it on people.

Admittedly with the courts it's to help child witnesses and they ask them first if they'd like help from the therapy dog. As long as it's purely voluntary that's fine. Not so great for the staff though. Same with cafes and shops - it's really not very fair on the staff.

Apparently only 31% of households in the UK have dogs. You'd think it's 90% from the way businesses indulge their owners.

Did you see that Aibu thread not long ago where a woman’s friend had dog sit for her and then found they were covered in ticks? The woman defended never treating the dog because there had “never been a need” only to later find out her dog and home (and subsequently, now her friends home..) had also been infested with fleas. Proper grim reading.

Nobody seems to care about dog allergies.

I think people think its all a figment of the imagination.

Yes that was what me think of it!

I run a lot and we often go along trails where there are deer and people also like to walk their dogs, and I always worry a bit about ticks.