Work/Dog Issues

[Trek-chick]

Where I work, we are all allowed to bring in our dogs. It is awesome!!! I even brought my two in once. Lately, there have been some instances of agression (to be expected to a point) between the random dogs attending work each day.

Today was different though....

One of the girls has a Pit Bull. She has brought it in several times and it always seems wary, but has been warming up to everyone.

I walked into the office she is in (our files are in there, and I needed to find an order) and the dog started growling at me IMO it is one thing for the dogs to be growling and sorting things out with each other but growling at people. Yikes! I was scared. The breed has a reputation...and not a good one either.

Well, I went and told my boss, because I thought he should know. I let him know it made me totally uncomfortable. I think any of the dogs could be a potential liability but, it just happened to be the Pit Bull that was growling... and at me no less.

Everyone else here seemed to just blow it off as "oh, the dog is just in a bad mood" Did I just take it more seriously because the growling/agression was directed at me? Should I have just let it go? I felt like I had to say something because what if something happens later on and someone gets hurt--I would feel terrible for not saying anything

Honestly, I do not want to set foot in that office if the dog is in there. I do not trust it. What would you have done in my situation?

[Hi Ho Silver]

I would have done exactly as you did - I've been attacked by a "friendly" pit bull before and it is painful. You might want to remind your boss that since you have informed the powers-that-be about the snarling dog, if the dog does go after someone in the future, the company will probably be liable for damages, etc.

[Tri Girl]

I would have done the same thing! Heck, I was attacked by a sweet, friendly cute little scottish terrier one time. Breed aside- if a dog is aggressive towards people, I think that's a serious issue.


And HOLY MOLY- I want to work where you work!!!! I would LOVE to bring my dog to work!

[OakLeaf]

I agree with you, but I think you should be clear in your words as well as in your head that it has everything to do with the individual dog's behavior and nothing to do with the breed (which actually tends to be safer around humans than many other breeds, but can be animal aggressive). Making it about "pit bulls" is just going to cause people to dig in their heels.

Any dog can be territorial. No dog should be allowed to display territorial behavior in an office setting. Period. The dog needs to know that the space doesn't belong to her/him.

[TsPoet]

It sounds to me like maybe the dog has been there just enough times to consider it "home". My dogs would growl at someone coming into their home, but not otherwise. i wonder if some things could be done to let it know that it doesn't posses that space.
I agree with everyone, that behavior cannot be tolerated, and it's only going to get worse. It would be too bad if the dog rules got changed, but it's better that no dogs are allowed in that that someone, or one of the dogs, got hurt.

[NbyNW]

I would ask the dog's owner if she knows whether there was something you were doing that might have triggered the growling, so you could avoid doing that next time. Or if there's anything you can do to let the dog know you are a friend, like give him a treat.

Ultimately, his good behavior is his owner's responsibility, but as long as you need to be going into that space, it might be helpful to talk about how you can get along with the dog. Maybe invite her to bring him to your part of the office for a visit, so he can get to know you in a different setting. Get creative!

It took us a while to figure out Gordy's triggers when we first got him. He doesn't like fists, but the first time someone held out a closed hand for him to sniff as a greeting, we didn't know that. And it took several instances with different people for us to notice a pattern.

It also took us a while to figure out that the more a new person tries to engage with him, the more uneasy he feels. He always gets ramped up when people come to the door. Now when people come over, we have them give him a treat at the door, and then tell them not to interact with him. No petting, no eye contact, no talking to him. He calms down a lot faster that way, and half an hour later he will be totally unconcerned about the new person. Sometimes he will even cuddle up to them.

Don't know why he is like that, but dogs can be funny that way.

[indysteel]

Out of curiosity, where do you work? If you can't be specific, perhaps just indicate the general setting. As much as I love dogs, when I think of the myriad of dog behaviors and the myriad of dog owners, the lawyer in me cringes as the thought of dogs in the average workplace. Unless there were some well understood rules and expectations, along with a clear understanding of the potential liabilities, I just think there's too much room for problems. The mere fact that your concerns were brushed off suggests to me that your workplace hasn't given it as much thought as necessary.

[TREKSTRONG]

Ultimately, his good behavior is his owner's responsibility, but as long as you need to be going into that space, it might be helpful to talk about how you can get along with the dog. Maybe invite her to bring him to your part of the office for a visit, so he can get to know you in a different setting.

I agree, and the dog owner must take control the minute that dog starts to growl. That behavior has to be addressed the instant he acts out in that manner. She has to be the 'Pack Leader', and take control of the situation so that the dog knows that he doesn't have to be the protector of his owner - the pack leader has that role.

Once the dog knows that it is not his job to protect because his owner has it under control he will be able to let his guard down so to speak and allow himself to relax. Dog's know when their 'pack leader' is vulnerable and will protect when it's absolutely necessary.