Objective opinion needed- dogs in the workplace

[hugApug]

Hello all!

I work in a pretty small office - about 10 women in my program. I'm the admin assistant, so I pretty much help everyone 24/7. Our office happens to be dog-friendly, which was a great perk when I was hired.

I have a small (15lb) pug, who is extremely friendly, a bit hyper active, but over all gets along with every dog at the dog park and avoids confrontation. A few months ago, a coworker who has some aggression issues of her own adopted an older black lab(about 60 lbs.).

This dog has been through A LOT (bullets in his butt, hip displaysia, an overall terrible start to his life). The first time she brought him in, over a few months ago, he immediately snapped at my dog with his big mouth & teeth. This was really frightening for me. It's happened more than once, unfortunately, and we now avoid him.

Last week I asked my coworker if we could keep them seperated for my dog's safety, and she flipped. She was upset for me bringing up his snapping and growling, stating that I called him an aggressive dog. He is an otherwise lazy & boring dog, but has this scary habit that puts my dog in danger. She refuses to compromise, and I feel that I can't bring my dog into the office anymore.

I need an objective opinion. I didn't want to have to bring up the snapping, but she continuously brought the big dog into our "safe" office space. I felt that she was disregarding our feelings, and the one time I stand up for myself, I get chewed out.

What would you do? Is snapping not an aggressive behavior? Is it office behavior?

Thanks for any help

 

[shaylyn]

I see only a few options.

You stop bringing your dog in.
New office rules: Each dog must be leashed (on a short leash) to the desk of it's owner OR No more dogs.

Are you in the position to make the dog rules?

 

[Hidden_Mickey]

I'm not objective because I'm terrified of all dogs, especially big ones. Even small ones make me uncomfortable. I don't think they belong in the office at all.

Your colleague should respect your and your dog's space. Your concerns should not be blown off, and you should not be afraid at work, for your safety or your dog's.

 

[RNMOM]

I think dogs are not always the best things to have around an office but that is my own feeling.

Most dogs will have to learn to get along on first meeting and if they had a chance to be together on leashes for another trial they might not have any issues. Then again they may not. There always has to be a pecking order with animals and little dogs always seem to want that job.

Perhaps you will need to evaluate the situation. Maybe consider giving the dogs alternating weeks to go to the office, including all the dogs in the policy.

 

[Mermaid02]

I would think there would already be a rule in place that all dogs must be "dog friendly" It's really a no brainer The last thing you need in an office besides a "cat fight" is a dog fight.

 

[Tink888]

How many of the other women are bringing dogs to work besides the two of you? You mentioned your dog was hyper-active, so your dog could be as much of the problem as the bigger dog.

You could keep your dog on a leash; or bring a crate to work and keep your dog separated that way; or have everyone in the office alternate which weeks they can bring their dog in.

I love dogs. My VP used to bring his dog to work at the last place I worked. Dogs at work sounds great in theory but it gets old quick, especially when the dog has free roam of the office. I'd have a very low tolerance for dog drama at work and change the rule to no dogs pretty quick if it became an issue.

 

[krcit]

I don't think dogs belong in an office at all.

 

[MIGrandma]

I don't think dogs belong in an office at all.

This.

 

[NBCGal]

I think it's wonderful that your workplace is dog friendly! However, it is difficult enough for people to get along in the workplace and adding pets makes it more difficult. As a long time toy dog owner, I know the dangers that toy dogs face when interacting with big dogs. I had my CKCS attacked while taking her for a walk by a GS & the owner just watched! Many people think small dogs are full of attitude & thereby cause the big dog to be defensive or aggressive (this is usually NOT the case). If your co-worker is unwilling to assit in keeping the 2 dogs apart then your responsibility to your dog is to keep him/her safe. If that means keeping the dog home, then that's what you should do.

 

[goofy4tink]

While some may feel that dogs don't belong in the office, that really isn't the point here. Many offices allow dogs, as long as there are no 'doggie' issues. My dh's office allows dogs, our rector brings his dogs to the church office with him. But...if the dogs are causing a ruckus, then something needs to be done.
Small dogs can be an issue just as well as big dogs. A hyper dog can set another dog's nerves on edge, making the larger dog snappy/snarly. The dogs need to be restrained, not allowed to roam freely. So, either you both restrain your dogs or stop bringing them to work.

My brother-in-law has two wire haired fox terriers. They tend to terrorize my golden retreiver!! He outweighs them by about 65 pounds but they are hyper and tend to go after him all the time. The only way to stop this behaviour is to allow my dog to deal with it. Once he turns on them and snarls/snaps at them, they stop. Now, they aren't being mean, or nasty. They are being terriers...they can't help it. But, it's my dog who has to deal with it.

 

[Jennasis]

Why is she bringing her dog over to your dog? Is it a cubicle farm or open style office, or do you have your own office or space?

I would HOPE that your dog-friendly office (great BTW!) requires leashes at all times and that dogs are never to be left unattended. I would forget dealing with the labs owner and go to HR or the office manager about this.

 

[FlightlessDuck]

I don't believe animals (besides a fish tank) belong in any work environment that doesn't already relate to animals.

 

[EllenFrasier]

Go get a bigger dog than hers and let her see what it feels like! Know anyone with a St. Bernard or maybe a Doberman?
Seriously though, I don't think dogs belong in the workplace unless it is pet related. If you do bring your dog in, then I think it should be only in your office and the same for anyone elses dogs. Not sure where your two dogs interacted, but I do understand why that poor Lab acted out being in a strange place with strange people and considering his back ground.

 

[JessicaR]

I think its great that you work in a dog friendly office. There should be rules. I don't think anybody would want to work in an environment with a snapping dog. That would be a reason to not have that dog there. It should be up to that woman to either change her dogs behavior or leave him home.

You stated that she is aggressive as well - that will make this more difficult. Sorry. Strength in numbers. Anyone else have a problem with this dog?

 

[JessicaR]

Go get a bigger dog than hers and let her see what it feels like! Know anyone with a St. Bernard or maybe a Doberman?
Seriously though, I don't think dogs belong in the workplace unless it is pet related. If you do bring your dog in, then I think it should be only in your office and the same for anyone elses dogs. Not sure where your two dogs interacted, but I do understand why that poor Lab acted out being in a strange place with strange people and considering his back ground.

hahaha! I have a couple of Mastiffs I could lend her.

 

[FredinFL]

I think snappy needs a muzzle if he's being brought into the office. I'd go to the office manager.

 

[msjprincess]

i don't think dogs belong in an office at all.

mte

 

[walden]

Hello all!

I work in a pretty small office - about 10 women in my program. I'm the admin assistant, so I pretty much help everyone 24/7. Our office happens to be dog-friendly, which was a great perk when I was hired.

I have a small (15lb) pug, who is extremely friendly, a bit hyper active, but over all gets along with every dog at the dog park and avoids confrontation. A few months ago, a coworker who has some aggression issues of her own adopted an older black lab(about 60 lbs.).

This dog has been through A LOT (bullets in his butt, hip displaysia, an overall terrible start to his life). The first time she brought him in, over a few months ago, he immediately snapped at my dog with his big mouth & teeth. This was really frightening for me. It's happened more than once, unfortunately, and we now avoid him.

Last week I asked my coworker if we could keep them seperated for my dog's safety, and she flipped. She was upset for me bringing up his snapping and growling, stating that I called him an aggressive dog. He is an otherwise lazy & boring dog, but has this scary habit that puts my dog in danger. She refuses to compromise, and I feel that I can't bring my dog into the office anymore.

I need an objective opinion. I didn't want to have to bring up the snapping, but she continuously brought the big dog into our "safe" office space. I felt that she was disregarding our feelings, and the one time I stand up for myself, I get chewed out.

What would you do? Is snapping not an aggressive behavior? Is it office behavior?

Thanks for any help

The bolded made me chuckle.

OK, I'm assuming that the Lab doesn't snap at humans? A snap at a human should get him banned from the office immediately.

I also think that you have to take the initiative to keep your dog safe not depend on the Lab owner's good sense -- or lack thereof! As a PP said, keep your pug on leash with you, bring in his crate or, even better, set up an X-pen close to your desk and keep your pug in that. Tell Lab Owner that she has to keep her dog away from the X-pen.

That said, without seeing the snapping incident for myself I wouldn't want to jump to the conclusion that the Lab is truly dog aggressive. Did/does he growl and snap on sight? Was your friendly pug just trying to greet him and perhaps accidentally getting in his face? It sounds as though this guy has been through a lot, he may be in pain, and we don't know his past experience with little dogs.

A growl can just be dog talk for "back off, Buster!" A snap is more worrying, and I can see why you are concerned, but an air snap (snapping to miss rather than to connect) means "you are getting on my last nerve, puppy, get out of my face!" Some larger dogs do treat little dogs like puppies and that would be typical puppy discipline behavior. Polite and sensible dogs (of all sizes) back away after hearing a growl and diffuse tension -- turn their heads away, yawn, go into a submissive pose, etc.

My own pet peeve. Some little dogs (please understand I'm not saying your pug is one of them) never seem to have got the memo on dog ettiquette! I have greyhounds and foster some also. I'm always surprised at tiny dog owners who want to let their little dogs run right up to strange greyhounds and lick their faces. My two are quite small dog friendly, but I never know with a foster.

I always like to recommend this article by Suzanne Clothier to all dog owners: "He Just Wants To Say Hi." www.lasvegasgreyhounds.org/Site/.../ArticleHeJustWantsToSayHi.pdf

 

[FredinFL]

Aw, I LOVE greyhounds...they have the most soulful eyes.

 

[gillep]

The bolded made me chuckle.

OK, I'm assuming that the Lab doesn't snap at humans? A snap at a human should get him banned from the office immediately.

I also think that you have to take the initiative to keep your dog safe not depend on the Lab owner's good sense -- or lack thereof! As a PP said, keep your pug on leash with you, bring in his crate or, even better, set up an X-pen close to your desk and keep your pug in that. Tell Lab Owner that she has to keep her dog away from the X-pen.

That said, without seeing the snapping incident for myself I wouldn't want to jump to the conclusion that the Lab is truly dog aggressive. Did/does he growl and snap on sight? Was your friendly pug just trying to greet him and perhaps accidentally getting in his face? It sounds as though this guy has been through a lot, he may be in pain, and we don't know his past experience with little dogs.

A growl can just be dog talk for "back off, Buster!" A snap is more worrying, and I can see why you are concerned, but an air snap (snapping to miss rather than to connect) means "you are getting on my last nerve, puppy, get out of my face!" Some larger dogs do treat little dogs like puppies and that would be typical puppy discipline behavior. Polite and sensible dogs (of all sizes) back away after hearing a growl and diffuse tension -- turn their heads away, yawn, go into a submissive pose, etc.

My own pet peeve. Some little dogs (please understand I'm not saying your pug is one of them) never seem to have got the memo on dog ettiquette! I have greyhounds and foster some also. I'm always surprised at tiny dog owners who want to let their little dogs run right up to strange greyhounds and lick their faces. My two are quite small dog friendly, but I never know with a foster.

I always like to recommend this article by Suzanne Clothier to all dog owners: "He Just Wants To Say Hi." www.lasvegasgreyhounds.org/Site/.../ArticleHeJustWantsToSayHi.pdf

I think this is a great post, I would take the initiative to keep my own dog safe by setting up an X Pen as well and set up clear rules that she must keep her dog away from the pen, that way your dog will remain safe. Also make sure you talk to your office manager, let her know your concerns and how you want to handle the situation so that she can support the policy of your coworker keeping her dog away from the pen.

I also agree that the type of snapping is really telling, I have a beagle and when he first started going to daycare he would sometimes be a little much for some of the other dogs, the trainers would let them air snap at him to put him in his place. He learned boundaries very quickly this way and really wasn't in danger, it is just one of the many ways that dogs communicate with one another. This other dog could be aggressivly snapping or he could be comminicating with your dog that he is being TOO MUCH right now.