Doggo Enthusiasts Offer Sound Advice To Fearful Redditor Following In-Office Dog Policy Dilemma

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Sienna Varady
Jan 4, 2024 11:00 PM EST

The practice of taking pets to work is growing more and more popular in this day and age, and it has many benefits for all parties involved—the pets, their owners, and other employees. First of all, rather than having to wait for us until we return home, the pets get to hang out with their owners and the other staff members for the entire day at the office. Additionally, the delight of seeing cute little doggos wandering around makes the office workers happy and uplifts everyone's spirits.  

But what happens if you don't necessarily love dogs but work in a pet-friendly office? That's the very subject we'll talk about today. We stumbled upon a post on Reddit while browsing that we just had to share with you. OP is asking for help and guidance. Although he is afraid of dogs, he also doesn't want to upset his coworkers by questioning the policies. As doggo enthusiasts, we might not be able to relate, but we can still provide some sound advice. So, check out the screenshots below, and if you feel inspired, feel free to add your advice! And when you're through and in the mood for some pure cuteness, check out these adorable Golden Retrievers!

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  • 01
    Help with dog office policy
    via Canva
  • 02
    Help with dog office policy
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 03
    Posting here because I need a perspective from pro-dog people. My office has about 30 people, 5-6 of which frequently bring their dogs in. More than just not liking them, dogs give me anxiety. I don't trust them especially if I don't know them
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 04
    well. We have open desks, and they freely wander around. While there haven't been any major issues, some of them don't get along with each other, there's been food swiped off desks, whining and begging for attention, and some messes. I
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 05
    am not the only one who gets annoyed by them but probably the one who dislikes them the most. Looking for help drafting an ask to our office manager about creating some boundaries for dogs in the office. What would be fair to
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 06
    find a balance between me who would love a dog free office and those that want them in every day? I do have the option to work from home some days but I prefer to come in, it makes me feel more productive. I don't
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 07
    think I should be made to stay home because our office isn't a good work environment when there's dogs running loose. Any tips for communicating this without being a total hater? Editing to add context: It's a completely open floor plan,
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 08
    basically desks lined up in groupings so there's no closing the door on an office or gating off a cubicle.
    via u/GreatPlaines
  • 09
    Lemon Fantastic513. 20 hr. ago edited 20 hr. ago I think it's wonderful and very mature that you are asking your question here. I bring my dog to the office and it's one of the best perks my office offers. I completely understand not
    via u/LemonFantastic513
  • 10
    everyone is a fan of dogs and some people may be anxious. I think completely reasonable requests are: • Dogs to be ● tethered to the desk of the owner. When not they need to follow them when they go
    via u/LemonFantastic513
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    to meeting rooms, break rooms etc. • It would be reasonable to ask dogs not to be allowed in the kitchen depending on how the office is laid out. We don't have that rule but sounds reasonable.
    via u/LemonFantastic513
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    • Dogs should ● behave well, meaning: not approaching colleagues randomly; not alert barking constantly; they need to get along with the rest of the dogs,
    via u/LemonFantastic513
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    meaning ignoring them, not getting super riled up. Dogs need to be potty trained. • No sick dogs ● Depending on how the office is laid out you may ask to split it so one half is dog free
    via u/LemonFantastic513
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    • You may ask for an air purifier • Owner to clean up the bowls, toys, bed etc. of their dog at the end of every day to keep a tidy office
    via u/LemonFantastic513
  • 15
    I will edit if I think of something else. I would not have a problem with any of these rules and we have most of them in place.
    via u/LemonFantastic513
  • 16
    OpportunityFit2810. 18 hr. ago My dog friendly work has these rules: Always leashed No free roaming unless behind closed doors Proof of up to date flea medication and rabies shots No aggression - any signs and they are banned No
    via u/OpportunityFit2810
  • 17
    dogs In restroom Have 1 to 2 coworkers who agree to do backup for you (if u don't have an office just a cubicle make sure someone is always willing to keep an eye on the dog if u need to go solo into a meeting) No disruptive barking If ur dog has an accident YOU clean up
    via u/OpportunityFit2810
  • 18
    asap Regularly check in with immediate coworkers about allergies or their comfort levels Cleanliness-must not be able to smell dog Personally, I work in a cubicle and I have an accordion style metal gate that I put up and allow my dog to be off-
    via u/OpportunityFit2810
  • 19
    leash in my little space. But he can't get beyond the gate. I have a golden retriever for what it's worth. And everybody lovesthem but I understand that there are People who don't like dogs and as a dog owner. The last thing I would want to do is make people
    via u/OpportunityFit2810
  • 20
    uncomfortable with my dog. I also have basic human manners. And I would never think it's okay to let my dog just wander around and bother people while they're working or hang out in the kitchen.
    via u/OpportunityFit2810
  • 21
    aahjink 19 hr. ago I bring my dog to work, and everyone in my office likes dogs (all but one are "dog people"). That being said, I keep my dog confined to my desk space with limited exceptions to let other people play with her/pet
    via u/aahjink
  • 22
    her for a bit, then I put her right back to my desk. It's a health hazard to the dog to just roam freely and swipe food, eat staples, or get into trash. You're on the right track, and it might not hurt to
    via u/aahjink
  • 23
    ask "if an unsupervised dog were to get hurt (ate something dangerous/chewed a live wire/some unknown accident), who is liable? And if an employee gets hurt by the action of a dog (whether it's a bite
    via u/aahjink
  • 24
    or a trip caused by an unleashed, unsupervised dog), who is liable? Will the company cover it or is it on the dog owner?"
    via u/aahjink
  • 25
    mst3k_42 18 hr. ago Once on a job interview I toured the office, which was dog friendly. Every single person had a baby gate on the door to their office.
    via u/mst3k_42
  • 26
    Mountain-Jicama-6354 · 20 hr. ago It's good that they can bring them! But crazy that they run loose. As a dog owner I wouldn't want my dog wandering around while I'm distracted! I would have him on a leash
    via u/Mountain-Jicama-6354
  • 27
    near me and give him an exercise/walk at lunch! Having them leashed would solve 99% of issues
    via u/Mountain-Jicama-6354
  • 28
    thetapetumlucidum. 18 hr. ago When I worked in an office for a company in the pet industry, we allowed dogs. We had a calendar that only had so many slots, so only so many dogs could be there on any given day. Dogs were to be leashed and tethered to a desk.
    via u/thetapetumlucidum
  • 29
    The office provided bedding and extra leashes, water bowls, etc. that they kept clean and orderly so you didn't have random dirty blankets and things coming in from people's homes. If the dogs were going to interact with each other or with
    via u/thetapetumlucidum
  • 30
    employees, they had to do so in the designated "dog park" area in the office. In order to be invited to the office, each dog had to be fully vaccinated, dewormed, and come with a vet reference in terms of health and temperament.
    via u/thetapetumlucidum
  • 31
    PumpkinPantz · 18 hr. ago I work at a small company and I bring my dog in from time to time, but I keep on him the entire time he's here. It would be so embarrassing if he were to misbehave or make a mess in the office, it's crazy to me that it seems
    via u/PumpkinPantz
  • 32
    like a repeat offense in yours. The owner of my job has also brought his dog in to play with mine and I will say that got very rowdy and I didn't get much work done so those days are planned ahead of time and far between.
    via u/PumpkinPantz
  • 33
    My dog does free roam in my direct area, but that's mostly just an open space next to my desk where he lays down. I wouldn't be offended if any of my coworkers were uncomfortable with him
    via u/PumpkinPantz
  • 34
    and asked me to tie him up to my desk (which I do when clients come in anyways). Sounds to me like you have some inconsiderate dog owners as coworkers unfortunately.
    via u/PumpkinPantz
  • 35
    smash8890 17 hr. ago. edited 17 hr. ago Maybe ask HR about coming up with dogs in the office policies? It sounds like it's kind of a free for now right now. My office allows dogs but they have to be leashed, up to date on vaccines, and behaved.
    via u/smash8890
  • 36
    If a dog doesn't behave or makes others uncomfortable then it has to go home. We also have to fill out a pet form with all their important information. If dogs are stealing people's lunches, peeing
    via u/smash8890
  • 37
    inside, and fighting with each other then they probably aren't trained well enough to be in public
    via u/smash8890
  • 38
    mikepm07 20 hr. ago They should be leashed. I take my dog to the office once a week and put his bed below my desk and tie him on a short leash to the desk leg. They shouldn't be allowed free roam IMO
    via u/mikepm07
  • 39
    and I think if you approached your HR team with that suggested compromise citing where it's caused inconveniences they'd be very open to that updated policy.
    via u/mikepm07
  • 40
    rangerdanger 9 20 hr. ago Is there a way they could gate off a little section by their desks, or have a small playpen where the dogs can still have a little room and be pet by their owners without being able to approach other people or eachother? Or
    via u/rangerdanger_9
  • 41
    maybe could they be on a leash by their owner? You could approach it from a position of concern, saying you're worried about the dogs either getting into a fight or eating something toxic off another persons desk.
    via u/rangerdanger_9
  • 42
    The other comment is also a great suggestion! Making the dogs pass a behavioral test first is another great idea!
    via u/rangerdanger_9
  • 43
    DogandCoffeeSnob. 13 hr. ago Plenty of reasonable suggestions here for dog restrictions, but this is a tough political situation. While the asks could be perfectly fair, you'll want to be careful to avoid coming off as too publicly anti-dog.
    via u/DogandCoffeeSnob
  • 44
    It would probably be helpful to get a few of your coworkers to back you on whatever you send, and frame the letter as a conversation opener to solve some known issues, rather than a list of demands. Good luck!
    via u/DogandCoffeeSnob

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