Work/Dog Issues

[Crankin]

After reading this thread, I am glad I don't work at your workplace.
I don't like dogs, or any animals much and if I had to deal with this, it would be frightening to me.
One of my clients has a pit pull that is usually crated when I come. They have another dog, too. A couple of weeks ago, the pit bull was out and when I came in, it jumped on me. I almost fell... I was so pissed, told them I couldn't come back, if the dog was not in the cage.
I really don't understand how any employer could allow animals in the workplace. It would be a hostile environment for me.

[Dogmama]

After reading this thread, I am glad I don't work at your workplace.
I don't like dogs, or any animals much and if I had to deal with this, it would be frightening to me.

I really don't understand how any employer could allow animals in the workplace. It would be a hostile environment for me.

As much as I LOVE dogs & all animals, I think Crankin's perspective should be respected. When I'm walking my German Shepherd, or we're in a dog friendly store, I'm always respectful of other peoples' fears. We will move off of the sidewalk or go down another aisle.

Not everybody loves animals. Screaming kids make my blood pressure soar.

[NbyNW]

Very well said, Dogmama. This is actually something I have a hard time explaining to DH, about how some people are just afraid of dogs and that what some people view as "friendly" dog behavior is very frightening to others. And that it's really not appropriate for Gordy to trot up to anyone to sniff them hello unless they have indicated through words or body language that it is welcome.

[Crankin]

Thanks for understanding this. With so many animal lovers, I distinctly feel like a minority, but I know I am not the only one.
+1 Dogmama on the screaming kids. I felt this way even when I had screaming kids! This is why my kids had babysitters, or if they were out with us and started acting up, they were removed from the scene quickly.
I spent a lot of time in restaurant vestibules.

[Kiwi Stoker]

Some places in which I know people can take their dogs/pets to work.

Vet
Animal Shelter
Pet Food company or pet toy/related materials company

However I would believe it should be up to the nature of the dog. My old boss takes his little fluffy dashound to work with him but this dog is so small, no one minds. He simply wanders around and curls up on his dog bed all day. I certainly however wouldn't be happy to meet a medium to large sized dog inside an office unless the dog was very old and slept all day.

I know of a bookshop cat. The shop had a number of cat beds (including the front window) which the cat slept in most of the day. When the shop was sold to a new owner the cat went with the bookshop. Customers knew that a cat lived there and actually asked for him.

[Antaresia]

I loooooove pits so much, there were always way too many at the shelter I volunteered at, and they were all sweet hearts (though usually untrained and terrible at walking on a leash). Small terriers, on the other hand, still make me curl my lip and take a step back.
ah, but my preferences are irrelevant.

If you feel uncomfortable with the dog, that is *very* valid. Do not let yourself be bullied or brushed off by your co-workers. Understand the owner of the pit may take your concerns personally, so try and make it about you more than the dog. As in, "I feel very uncomfortable. I'm sure your dog is very sweet, but I have no idea why he growled at me and he scares me". Any dog can be dangerous, try not to make it about his breed. If anything, people might write you off as an irrational pit bull hater.

Dogs can growl over any little thing, maybe someone was in there harassing him before you. Maybe he was guarding a toy. Maybe he was doing an impression of Arnold Schwarzenegger. Who knows. But you are totally right to be bothered by it, because he also could have been telling you f-off, and that isn't a dog's job.

I hope you manage to work something out.

[Trek-chick]

We are actually such a small company that we do not have an HR Dept. That is why I went to the owner. I have no one else to go to so, I guess I will see what happens.....if anything.

As for the questions about the owner's response....she did tell the dog to stop. Unfortunately, she believes in hitting dogs ( I can not stand this act in people--it makes me so angry) so she smacked the dog too.
I do not think the dog sees her as the Alpha though. She told me a few weeks ago that the dog grabbed her arm kind of aggressively. But, I wasn't there so I am not sure what to think of that.

[OakLeaf]

Ugh. But you still need to go higher up the chain. Whoever is the closest level of management that's the boss of both you and the dog's owner - that's who you need to talk to. If she doesn't see the dog's aggressiveness toward even herself as a problem, it's going to get worse.

[indysteel]

We are actually such a small company that we do not have an HR Dept. That is why I went to the owner. I have no one else to go to so, I guess I will see what happens.....if anything.

As for the questions about the owner's response....she did tell the dog to stop. Unfortunately, she believes in hitting dogs ( I can not stand this act in people--it makes me so angry) so she smacked the dog too.
I do not think the dog sees her as the Alpha though. She told me a few weeks ago that the dog grabbed her arm kind of aggressively. But, I wasn't there so I am not sure what to think of that.

Wow; that's just great (she says in her most sarcastic voice). What a fabulous dog owner. No wonder the dog is showing signs of aggression.

[NbyNW]

Sounds like maybe the dog owner needs to do some additional obedience training with her dog, or maybe exercise some better judgment about whether or not it is a good idea to bring him/her to work. Hey, we're all works in progress, and so are our dogs.

A couple of the knitting stores in our areas have an in-store dog. The ones I have met are quite small, quiet, and friendly. They're like another host, there to invite you in to the shop and make sure you are getting good service.

[Biciclista]

the boss sounds like part of the problem. she hit the dog??? Isn't that making things worse? That dog won't have a clue why it was hit.

Good grief.

[NbyNW]

Is the dog owner also the boss? I'm unclear.

[Biciclista]

the dog owner is NOT the boss. but the boss is an idiot (oops did i say that?)

[Irulan]

Just threaten them with a lawsuit.

Just kidding, jeez. But that will get their attention.

[Trek420]

Unfortunately, she believes in hitting dogs ( I can not stand this act in people--it makes me so angry) so she smacked the dog too.

Ah, so here I had all these theories ranging from: normally friendly dog has an illness and should see a vet, needs socialization to cyclists, practice introductions like when you walk INTO the room and the dog is already there there are some "rank in the pack" issues to be worked out ... blah blah blah.

She hits the dog. Wonderful. Lovely. That teaches the dog NOTHING other than to fear people.

I've heard from a trainer "you get the dog you deserve". Unfortunately that dog has not gotten the person he or she deserved. I'm not sure whose job it is to teach the owner positive training methods, to work towards behavior she wants instead of punishing away from unwanted actions.

I'm not sure if bringing treats, doing some simple "sit" treat and praise goes to the dog demos would help (can this owner be trained?) or if you just want to stay away.