To love it when colleagues bring their dogs to work and want them to do it more often?

[Natsku]

I work in a factory and people sometimes bring their dogs in (not on the factory floor of course but in the office side or other rooms where they can safely be - today there's two in the women's shower room) and I love it so much as do many others. But I suppose there's a chance there's some people in the building that don't like dogs/scared of them/are allergic so don't like it, though no one has complained yet.

Most of the factory is on holiday this month so I am strongly encouraging people to bring dogs in while its quiet and less people to potentially be bothered, so I can get some canine cuddles when I need a break from work.

You absolutely are entitled to an opinion which is why I said you should voice it to management. You could even request anonymity if you are concerned.

Let us know what happens, they might enforce a no dogs policy or they might not, it might go to a vote either among employees or among management.

Where did I say you are not entitled to an opinion? Futhermore, organisers won't know your opinion if you don't voice it.

Your post came across as sarcastic.

I have already said to her that I would prefer her dog not to be there and said it in front of the team manager (not our manager - it’s a confusing setup). She just laughed nervously and moved on and the manager said nothing so that tells me she will be bringing the dog. It’s not worth me making a big fuss and falling out with her about it.

This is exactly it. It's not about the childish hyperbole of 'Mumsnetters despise dogs'. Granted, some people don't like them. It's not the crime of the century.

I do love animals (with the disclaimer that I don't think they matter more than people). I'm quite fond of dogs although I don't slavver over them the way some do here. It's the silly, anthropomorphic attitudes of their owners, together with the belief that their pet takes priority in public space, shop space, railway seating and all the rest that makes me impatient. Hell, these owners even piss off other dog owners, let alone those who would rather not interact with their animal.

I'm not sure where the recent trend came from that dogs must go absolutely everywhere with their ownrs and are not capable of being without them for one tiny microsecond. That to me seems relatively recent.

How can you talk about the “hyperbole of mumsnetters despising dogs” and dog owners who are “not capable of being without them for one tiny microsecond” in the same post?

Quite.

Annoying, isn't it?

I would absolutely hate this, it would make me really uncomfortable all day and it would piss me off how much it distracted my colleagues (ive seen this happen before, half the staff spend all day fussing over the dog)

I’m very allergic and even to ‘hypoallergenic’ animals so this would be my worst nightmare

Hypocrisy? Yes, very.

People who think their study of being out with their dog and everyone loving on it means everyone loves dogs, simply won't notice those of us who cross the road to avoid it.

I know loads of people in real life who can't stand dogs but most of us don't want to fall out with dog people about it, so we don't make an issue. If I had my way, dogs would be wiped off the face of the earth immediately. But I'd not say that to anyone IRL. But I know many of my friends feel the same.

My cousin's son (3yo) just got bitten in the face by his dog. Small mixed breed, not on the dangerous dogs act list. I'd really rather there were no dogs on earth than this have happened.

Oh god, sorry about your cousin's son; that is absolutely horrendous. I hope he will be okay. 💐

I would hate it! The problem is too that anyone who doesn't like it will find it really hard to speak up and be 'the bad guy'.

I would hate to work somewhere where people regularly brought dogs in. I'm not allergic, or phobic, but I don't like having dogs around. They put me on edge with unpredictable behaviour, they smell, slobber, are noisy, in the way, distract people when you are trying to talk to them and are just generally a bit annoying.

Lots of my friends have dogs, so quite often when we go for a walk the dog(s) comes too and I don't say anything negative, but I'd definitely prefer to have the company of my friends without the dogs!

DS2’s 6th form had two dogs on staff - they had their own profile pictures on the website. One of my lecturers at Warwick used to bring her golden retriever to tutorials in her office. The most annoying thing about regular office dogs is that they have no interest in others! No fair.

Some of us want the interaction we would have with ‘pat’ dogs that visit schools and hospitals. Some dogs (with their owners) even visit primary schools to ‘listen’ to the children read. It’s not compulsory but can have positive benefits.

DD's school has at least one dog (might be two but not entirely sure), apparently students love to go and visit the dog in its office. DS's primary school has occasionally had visits from the library reading dog, for children to read. Both are lovely, though of course both are easily avoidable for any children who don't like dogs.

Today's work dog was the kind that jumps up at you (big puppy who hasn't learnt yet not to jump up) so I can definitely understand why people wouldn't like that dog around, but it was being looked after in a shut room with a sign on the door saying 'dog inside'

So are people having to eat on breaks, with dogs around? It depends on the breed. French bulldogs don't stop farting, they stink,. Another dog could be constantly shedding. So it's eventually going to come about that someone who has a dog, can't bring it in. That's going to be fun.
It's actually indirect discrimination. Unbelievable that you think indirect discrimination is ok.

People are being polite. Very few people are actually going to say to your face that they really find your precious fur baby a smelly, slobbery, jumpy, barky annoyance.
I don’t mind dogs but I hate them being shoved in my face at all possible opportunities. Expressing any form of negative feelings about dogs is akin to animal abuse if I take what I read on here as an average opinion.

There's more than one break room so don't have to be in the same one. Thankfully no farting dogs have appeared so far (well we did have a french bulldog come in but only for a brief visit, on a day when there was only a few people in the entire building as it was nearly Christmas)

This.

My office doesn't allow dogs but my employer's other offices do. I don't agree with it, but not being a dog person is considered akin to being transphobic.. Fortunately I've not had to go to any of our other offices.

It’s ironic that people who love dogs are prepared to bring them into unfamiliar/unsuitable surroundings leave them there

then there poked and prodded by random strangers for there entertainment
must be soo stressful for the dogs
not to mention never leaving your dog at home gives them separation anxiety when the have to

Not for my child. My child HATED when they brought a dog to school.

Work in a dog friendly building. Just dealt with an out-break of fleas.

When will people be encouraged to bring their cats to work? Why should dogs only have the privilege.

Not really. Dog owners tend to know what their dog does and does not like.
Plus, Pet as Therapy dogs are doing exactly what you describe.

Not for me they aren't. Dogs are the absolute opposite of therapy. I am more likely to need therapy after having an encounter with one of the gross fleabags.

PaT dogs are not "gross fleabags", and have to pass assessments and abide by rules to be one. They are also not forced on anyone.
I have found them to be really helpful when I have been stuck in hospital.

when I started in my job there were no dogs.
I’m pretty allergic so would never have taken a job where dogs were present.
then I started getting ill at work. Itching, coughing and then wheezing. I found out numerous dogs were being brought to work on my days off. Those people knew I had an Evan allergy but couldn’t care less. I ended up leaving