Dogs at work?

[wilkeliza]

I think that's an ideal way to handle things like this.

It is a policy that too a point works. Some managers are more understanding that others. There is really only a handful of positions that have to 100% be in the office but even then industry standard would require one day of the 5 in the office for in person processing. Of course the higher ups don't always agree with that standard but I don't work in that role any more so don't worry too much about it. We'll see what changes once the company that bought us takes over but I do enjoy being able to work from home when waiting for deliveries or after my puppy was healing from surgery. A lot of new moms even use it as a way to extend maternity leave if they aren't in traveling positions.

 

[Magpie]

We're a cat household, and I have never had a cat that would do well outside our house....and they were all house cats.
As for dogs at work, it depends on the dog. A co-workers Golden Retriever got attacked by a Pit Bull and got stitches, and she brought him in for 2 weeks. He never left her work space, even if she left. He never barked, and other than wagging his tail when one of us came by and talked to him or petted him, never moved.
On the other hand, some one else brought in their high strung dog in, and he ran wild through the building (our building is 2 city blocks long) and left a mess in another department. As cute as he is, he needs to stay home.

I had one cat that I used to stick in the pocket of my duffle coat when going to classes at University. Hardly anyone would even notice he was there (certainly the profs never cottoned on!). He was super-chill, however. He'd play fetch, and greet us at the door like a dog. When I had my first baby, he used to lie down next to her and let her crawl all over him. He wouldn't even complain if she pulled out chunks of his fur (to be fair, though, he had long hair, so it came out easily and apparently painlessly).

I never tried to take him on any outing that was longer than a couple hours, however. I really miss that fuzzy guy. He was at the vet's when he passed (complications from a kidney stone) and we never got to say goodbye.

 

[Squirlz]

Sometimes it's hard to get any work done.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

Our office does not allow pets, but if it did, I'd have my dog with me all the time.

 

[Kitty 34]

We have a dentist in town that has her collie roam the rooms and hallways while patients are there. I like dogs but I think that's going just a bit too far.

 

[Tuffcookie]

I don't think it is fair to compare a sick child to a healing pet. Two different scenarios.

I could have used vacation time but my employer said he did not have a problem with her.

She has not let out one bark in the two days she has been at work. She will be well enough that I can leave her at home on Monday.

I work for the PD in our city and the Chief's secretary brings her dog in every day. I'm glad I work in a dog friendly environment!

TC

 

[HM]

There have been occasions that coworkers have brought their dogs in for one reason or another. Most of the time, if the dog stays in their office, it's not much trouble. It's the people that want to show off their dog or the people that interrupt their day to go see the dog. It's the same as if someone brings in their baby. Lots of lost productivity.

 

[katie01]

When I worked at a nursing home, one of the doctors brought her giant dog that was a certified therapy dog.

 

[AppleDumpling]

It's nice you were allowed to bring her in, under the circumstances. I personally wouldn't mind but might feel differently if I had allergies. Also, I think it's ok for a day or two, provided she is quiet and well-behaved, but on a regular basis, it would be a distraction.

 

[BrianL]

We have a dentist in town that has her collie roam the rooms and hallways while patients are there. I like dogs but I think that's going just a bit too far.

Yeah, at a dentist's office that's a bit odd. My vet has a collie that roams around, but he's a vet so it's expected.

 

[pryncess527]

It's nice you were allowed to bring her in, under the circumstances. I personally wouldn't mind but might feel differently if I had allergies. Also, I think it's ok for a day or two, provided she is quiet and well-behaved, but on a regular basis, it would be a distraction.

I'd think the opposite -- if they are only around for a day or two it's new and exciting and everyone wants to see them. If they are around all the time, it's routine and people stop caring.

 

[Kellykins1218]

We have a dentist in town that has her collie roam the rooms and hallways while patients are there. I like dogs but I think that's going just a bit too far.

I used to work for a pediatric dentist that had his Schnauzer in the office everyday. He was the sweetest dog and really helped calm the kids.

 

[cabanafrau]

Wouldn't be allowed here. Although when the K-9 officers bring their dogs in it typically attracts a lot of attention. Some of the officers are very strict, hands off policy, others will let folks pet their dogs a bit.

I like dogs and wouldn't mind being around well behaved ones. But I do think that if someone has an allergy, dogs shouldn't be allowed. In the end the people who are employed there have to come before coworkers being able to bring their dogs.

 

[AppleDumpling]

I'd think the opposite -- if they are only around for a day or two it's new and exciting and everyone wants to see them. If they are around all the time, it's routine and people stop caring.

I suppose, for the co-workers, but it would be a distraction for the dog owner and time spent caring for the dog would take away from their productivity on the job. Though I guess it really depends on the particular dog, owner and type of workplace environment.

 

[cabanafrau]

I suppose, for the co-workers, but it would be a distraction for the dog owner and time spent caring for the dog would take away from their productivity on the job. Though I guess it really depends on the particular dog, owner and type of workplace environment.

Hopefully it would become routine for the dog and they would settle in.

I had a golden that was a sweetheart and well-behaved, for at home. I can never see him being one to have settled down somewhere with lots of people he could nuzzle for attention all day long. He took everyone he saw as a potential friend/petting machine. I would have had plenty of coworkers startled by a wet nose on the back of their arm or a head suddenly squeezing around their chair and desk to rest in their lap and sigh with dramatic effect to let them know he was not currently being petted.

 

[BLAZEY]

I think it depends on the dog. We have a dog friendly office, many of the managers have brought their dogs in. I have also brought my sick kid to work for part of the day. She sat at my spare desk and coloured while I did payroll and then we left for home where she went back to bed. I was either I bring her in or payroll would be late. I work for a family owned business that is flexible like this. I have come in early to accommodate early meetings and will go out to run the scale house on a moments notice. My boss appreciates me being flexible to his schedule and returns the favour when I need the flexibility due to family emergencies.

 

[mefordis]

Molly went to the vet on Wednesday and was spayed, micro-chipped, and had 5 stubborn baby teeth extracted! I asked permission at work to bring her in Thurs. and Fri. so I could keep an eye on her. She is a Mal Shi, and never barks and has been good as gold! She is enjoying the extra attention from everyone.

Have you ever taken your dog (or cat!) to work with you?

TC

I've always worked for employers who allowed us to bring our dogs in. They had dogs, too! No one ever had issues with it. We had about 75 employees in our office.

 

[okeydokey]

My dog is a barker, so she is not a good fit for the office. However I have several coworkers who bring their dogs in, and I love it.

 

[Gumbo4x4]

Just for short spurts - say I have to drop her at the kennel for the weekend. The kennel opens at 8 & I'm at work by 7 on Fridays. When 8 hits, I'll duck out & run her over there. My boss, his wife, and daughter all bring their dogs frequently. A couple others have on occasion.

 

[KBoopaloo]

I'd love to be able to bring my dog to work and would have no issues with others bringing their dogs either but I do think the dog friendly office trend while nice in theory can be tricky for a variety of reasons. There are plenty of people who are fearful of dogs no matter how sweet and well behaved they are (as a child I was really fearful of dogs) and I could see how having dogs in the office would be difficult for someone like that. And as much as I love dogs, I really dislike cats (and am very allergic) and would likely not be able to work comfortably in an office that allowed cats so I have some sympathy for someone who feels the same way about dogs.

My very first job out of college was fairly dog friendly for a while (not in any official way, more informally) but at some point we had several people complain to HR about the dogs in the office and they had to make a no dog decree. I felt terribly for the people who complained as they felt awkward about complaining and did suffer some rolled eyes and hurt feelings from some of the dog owners who could no longer bring their dogs. I think companies need to be careful about making sure their dog policy is clear and defined. If someone accepts a job knowing the company is dog friendly then they should expect to deal with dogs in the office. But in an office like mine, it was a surprise for some employees to find out that dogs were allowed and they did try to deal with it for a while but it really made them uncomfortable.

Having said all that, I wish I could take my dog to work now but she really hates the subway. LOL