Bring your dog to work day

**theworm**[$] · #1 07-07-2007, 05:22 PM

I love animals, and I love dogs, but I don't know what would possess people to think that it's ok to bring their enormous dog to work.

It's Sat, but I and a few members of my staff had to work a half day. There is soooo much work, and its the only way we could hit some deadlines. Ok - you do what you have to do. Another person who works with us offered to help. This is a person who has a lot of "stories" in the organization, but it was very very nice of her to offer, and we appreciated it. Until she showed up with her oversized giant stinky dog. The dog that has been known to bite when spooked. The dog that has been known to have a sensitive stomach and suffer from bouts of explosive projectile diaahrea.

No - he didn't bite and he didn't poop, but he did bark and he did stink, and between her overly loud personal phone calls, the dog barking and the very loud "you're such a good doggy!" exclamations, the rest of us had a hard time being as productive as we had hoped.

**amykhar** · #2 07-07-2007, 05:45 PM

I think dogs at work really depend on the dog. My family doctor has an office dog. She is very well behaved and she's great comfort for children who are getting shots or what-not.

A stinky, noisy dog wouldn't be cool though.

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #3 07-07-2007, 05:47 PM

I :heart: Thor, when my coworker brings him in. Do some work, throw the tennis ball, do some more work, play tug-of-war... keeps me from wandering into the kitchen between tasks

**theworm**[$] · #4 07-07-2007, 05:49 PM

EVP occasionally brings in her very well behaved giant doggy who sits in her office and doesn't make noise, bother anyone or smell badly.

**amykhar** · #5 07-07-2007, 05:49 PM

I would love to have an office dog where I work now. We're a small group, and I think it would be a good fit. Unfortunately, I don't think it would ever happen.

**theworm**[$] · #6 07-07-2007, 05:52 PM

a few jobs ago Abby would come visit work - we all loved her.
You're right - it depends on the dog, but I think that bringing in your dog just because isn't right.
Owners can do so, but my accounting person had to bring in her 3 year old and the dog barked at her and growled at someone else. Growling dogs at work aren't good.

phoenixx · #7 07-07-2007, 07:34 PM

Better a stinky dog than a noisy, needs-to-constantly-entertained-and-monitored kid

**theworm**[$] · #8 07-07-2007, 07:41 PM

Quote:

phoenixx said

Better a stinky dog than a noisy, needs-to-constantly-entertained-and-monitored kid

true - but neither should be brought without some discussion and approval

**mtomm**[$] · #9 07-07-2007, 10:18 PM

No, not true. One isn't better than the other. Both are inappropriate and just as annoying.

*emeleel* · #10 07-07-2007, 10:29 PM

Kids don't generally stink unless they need a diaper change. And they rarely sniff your crotch.

wivabef · #11 07-07-2007, 11:44 PM

I don't own pets because I already have two kids.

I say this because I take pet ownership seriously. Besides "love and affection," they require food, water, exercise, healthcare, training and companionship.

I believe that pets are the products of their owners. So many people don't bother training their animals to manage and cope in the world in which they must share with their owner.

My children have had to come into work with me two times due to school closings. I do not like doing this, and if I could work from home, I would. My children are properly trained. And my coworkers actually really enjoy having them there because the few times they come out of the conference room and into the newsroom, they are polite, quiet and considerate.

Of course, I clear their appearances with my entire staff. And, they come fully equipped, with portable DVD player, Nintendos, snack food, homework, and, most importantly, earphones.

Any dog can be trained if the family truly cared enough to do so. But too many times, people treat dogs as if they are just pets. They are not. They need to be and can be properly trained to behave. It takes time and effort. Just like good parenting.

That is why we don't have pets. I am busy enough raising two daughters to be respectful no matter where they are. I get compliments all the time for my good work. I wouldn't have a third child. So, therefore, I shouldn't have a pet.

**mtomm**[$] · #12 07-07-2007, 11:52 PM

I often get compliments on how well behaved my children are but that's only because they are shy to a fault and not necessarily from good parenting.

Oh, and Melanie, I promise my kids have never humped a leg either.

wivabef · #13 07-08-2007, 12:13 AM

I am sure, Margo, that good parenting is involved in it, though. Kids who are "shy to a fault" are often considered "moody" by coworkers.

frazzledspice · #14 07-08-2007, 09:25 AM

I've brought my little shih-tzu to Vacation Bible School and social events at the church where I'm a music minister. The elderly people really enjoy her, and she's a good size for cuddling.

**theworm**[$] · #15 07-08-2007, 11:04 AM

Some kids and dogs are great at work, some aren't.
I just wouldn't bring a pet to work without first making sure that the people I work with aren't allergic, scared, or otherwise not open to the idea. I don't have kids and don't think anyone is allergic to them, but same basic principle.

Sorry
I didn't mean to start a symposium thread - I just was venting that I had to get up early on a Sat and work, and then couldn't be productive because of the dog.

**hadassahchana**[$] · #16 07-08-2007, 11:11 AM

Ugh, Delia, that sounds just awful. IMO, nothing worse than the dog whose owner hans't bothered to train him not to be an annoyance coming to work. Libby goes to work with me almost every week. The social workers love her there, and she just loves most of the clients - she can sit and cuddle for as long as somoene needs her.

One of the board members, though, has two LYD's (little yappy dogs) who don't appear to be house-trained, who mark their territory and who bark and growl at our clients. No one can convince this man that we can't have those dogs in the office. They are his surrogate children and they are above reproach, and it's just godwawful when they come in.

Oh, and children don't bite without warning, either.

*emeleel* · #17 07-08-2007, 03:43 PM

Um..... let's amend that to MOST children.

**pippadaisy**[$] · #18 07-08-2007, 07:25 PM

LOL I was just thinking about it the other day. One of the moms who brings her kids to the daycare across the street brought their dog and let it out of the car... no leash. And she was CONFUSED when my gf yelled at her and told her to get the dog in the car. Two little girls are TERRIFIED of dogs. I had Buster run howling into my house HERE because he was afraid the dog would cross the street. I was teed because we've been working really hard with getting him over his fear of dogs. Every time he sees something like that (and the dog doesn't come to heel) it sets him back. *sigh*

**mjfrombuffalo**[$] · #19 07-08-2007, 07:59 PM

Quote:

theworm said

Some kids and dogs are great at work, some aren't.
I just wouldn't bring a pet to work without first making sure that the people I work with aren't allergic, scared, or otherwise not open to the idea. I don't have kids and don't think anyone is allergic to them, but same basic principle.

Sorry
I didn't mean to start a symposium thread - I just was venting that I had to get up early on a Sat and work, and then couldn't be productive because of the dog.

Exactly. Our coworker with the dog brought him in because we asked her to, we wanted to see him. He turned out to be a little gentleman and so we told her to bring him back any time. Another coworker had a larger dog who once walked into the conference room while the executive director was having a meeting with other executives from out side our agency. The dog looked at everyone for a minute and walked out. Our boss said something funny about our agency's policies about hiring for diversity and the meeting continued. No problem for productivity, and actually helpful for that employee - the dog was sick and needed monitoring and meds throughout the day, and she would worry too much to get much done if she was at work and he was home alone. (This is the same coworker who, when she saw me so upset that Buffy was dying, asked why I hadn't brought Buffy to the office if I absolutely had to come in. Her next suggestion was to pack up work to take home and work from home while Buffy was in his last stages.)

It sucks that this person is tone-deaf to the fact that her pet is disruptive and not welcomed by everyone, and I'm sorry your plans to knock stuff out were thwarted by something so silly.

**mtomm**[$] · #20 07-08-2007, 08:06 PM

I don't think this is a symposium thread. I see that everyone agrees they don't have a problem with children or dogs that are pleasant and well behaved but that some people are blind to their own "children's" problems.

I'd love to take my dog to work but I know she would not be well behaved (she doesn't like strangers and esp. strange men) so I would never consider it. There is this one fellow I'd like to stay out of my office though. . .

wivabef · #21 07-09-2007, 11:42 PM

Quote:

wivabef said

I am sure, Margo, that good parenting is involved in it, though. Kids who are "shy to a fault" are often considered "moody" by coworkers.

Reading this later, I realized it came off sounding wrong. I meant to say that for your coworkers to comment about your children they can't consider them moody, so they must consider them respectful. I sometimes think of "shy to a fault" as withdrawn. For you to get compliments, I doubt that's the case.

In otherwords, it was meant as a compliment!