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Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

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Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#41

Post by beachstartup »

outworlder wrote: post #39
j28xfc5qsc wrote: post #21

If you don't want to work around dogs, your employer should accommodate that. But it's also worth considering that it sounds like you have a phobia, and phobias are a curable condition. It would help you going forward if you weren't afraid of dogs. If getting bitten by a dog in the workplace was a significant risk, your employer's insurance would not allow them to put dogs in the workplace. A psychologist could help…

For me, the biggest cure to (admittedly, mild) phobia was my significant other getting a dog (miniature schnauzer-like). In my case, I big component of my fear was due to just not understanding their behavior. After living with one for almost 3 years, I've basically lost whatever fear I had. I was fine(ish!) around small dogs, but got really scared of big ones. Now I just don't care what breed or size it is, I can ju…

just look at it like this: most humans are dog-autistic.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#42

Post by vacri »

bluedino wrote: post #22

I had a job where it was okay to bring your dog in - my dog was well-behaved, more quiet and lazy than anything. She'd just sit under my desk the whole day, just like she would if we were at home. She'd get up and wander around if I went to use the bathroom or to the kitchen, and being 130lbs she would startle people. On the other hand, a co-worker would bring her dog in and the thing would non-stop run around the of…

At one office, the owner would visit and bring his old dog, which was deaf as a post and supremely uninterested in people. The dog would do the rounds of the office, and almost everyone would put their hands out to pat him... which the dog would ignore on his way to check out the employee's trash bin. Move on to the next bin to look for anything interesting, completely ignoring the friendly humans :)

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#43

Post by outworlder »

beachstartup wrote: post #36
j28xfc5qsc wrote: post #21

If you don't want to work around dogs, your employer should accommodate that. But it's also worth considering that it sounds like you have a phobia, and phobias are a curable condition. It would help you going forward if you weren't afraid of dogs. If getting bitten by a dog in the workplace was a significant risk, your employer's insurance would not allow them to put dogs in the workplace. A psychologist could help…

i like all sorts of dogs, i have a rescue dog, i'm a dog person. big, small, pure, mutt, rescue, whatever. i love them all. but there's absolutely no way i would suggest, or insinuate, that someone with a fear of dogs (phobia or otherwise), get "help", or even have to worry about the remote possibility of dealing with dogs in any office environment that doesn't have "veterinarian" in the description. it's just straig…

> but there's absolutely no way i would suggest, or insinuate, that someone with a fear of dogs (phobia or otherwise), get "help", or even have to worry about the remote possibility of dealing with dogs in any office environment that doesn't have "veterinarian" in the description.

Sure, they shouldn't be required to get help in order to keep their job. That would be ridiculous.

However, addressing the phobia would really be helpful. Better yet, learning how to handle dogs is a useful skill to have, even more so if you don't like them.

Now, can anyone give me tips on handling cats? I can't read their body language and I always feel I'm going to get scratched suddenly.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#44

Post by dota_fanatic »

cpersona wrote: post #2

I'm all for freedoms until they infringe on the freedoms of others. You shouldn't have to go to work in a place where you don't feel comfortable. Raise the issue. Any responsible and reasonable employer would either nix the policy or find a way to accommodate your situation in some way.

And yet open office plans are rampant despite ample evidence that they infringe on the freedoms of others (to get their work done). Seems like a much more reasonable thing to accommodate, no? Still, at many places, places of professional aspiration even, it is not. Hmmm.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#45

Post by beachstartup »

chris_7 wrote: post #38
anexprogrammer wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having worked two places where this was possible, there's a number of advantages. Everyone in the office became a fan of the mutt, and I had lots of volunteers for lunchtime walks! Including the lady who was wary of German Shepherds at the start, who ended up curing her phobia "Oh it's only him, he's harmless". He'd sleep near the desk until someone came over to talk to him, and as a result I wasn't clock watching qu…

I work in an office with a dog. I detest it, the dog distracts me constantly with barking and such. I genuinely believe that the dog has a negative financial effect on the company - I'd be much more productive without it, and productivity is $$$. However, I would never say anything, as this could lead to me being ostracized as a non-"team-player". Something to keep in mind when all feedback on an element workplace en…

see my other comment -- i don't think anyone should be subjected to this, for any reason.

but, as long as you're stuck in the situation, have you ever considered trying to train the dog, since the owner obviously hasn't? it only takes about 15 minutes a day. check out youtube.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#46

Post by sliverstorm »

chris_7 wrote: post #34
fletchowns wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You have a very low threshold for what is considered gross. That's just the tip of the iceberg with pets! (and babies)

Neither of those noisy (distracting) things belong in an office, though. Offices are a place for focus.

Haven't had an office dog, but shop dogs are usually wonderful- sweet, quiet, unobtrusive, and pleasant to have around.

Not all dogs are like that, of course

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#47

Post by sliverstorm »

outworlder wrote: post #43
beachstartup wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

i like all sorts of dogs, i have a rescue dog, i'm a dog person. big, small, pure, mutt, rescue, whatever. i love them all. but there's absolutely no way i would suggest, or insinuate, that someone with a fear of dogs (phobia or otherwise), get "help", or even have to worry about the remote possibility of dealing with dogs in any office environment that doesn't have "veterinarian" in the description. it's just straig…

> but there's absolutely no way i would suggest, or insinuate, that someone with a fear of dogs (phobia or otherwise), get "help", or even have to worry about the remote possibility of dealing with dogs in any office environment that doesn't have "veterinarian" in the description. Sure, they shouldn't be required to get help in order to keep their job. That would be ridiculous. However, addressing the phobia would re…

Let the cat approach you. Avoid the belly. Stick to the head & ears for wary cats. Offer your crooked finger/knuckle for them to rub their cheek on or smell.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#48

Post by bhhaskin »

The thing I think everyone is missing is that it isn't their employer who has the policy. It is the other business in the same office space. I would still talk to HR about it, but it might not be up to that employer if dogs are allowed or not (except to find another office space).

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#49

Post by Torgo »

delecti wrote: post #18
Torgo wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Having a phobia is by definition not reasonable.

That's true, but accommodating a phobia very well could be. It's not like OP has a phobia of keyboards.

I personally would draw the line at compelling other people's behavior, assuming it was not intentionally antagonistic.

Re: Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared of dogs. What can I do?

#50

Post by placeybordeaux »

throwawaydog wrote: post #13
pcunite wrote: post #8

Pet owners always say, "Oh, he won't hurt anyone. Isn't he cute? Down fido! Down boy! He's just excited. Can I get you something to drink?" The trouble is that animals act differently when the owner is not around. If possible, spray apple juice on your clothing before you leave for work that day. The animal will bite you, but you won't see it again after that.

This seems like pretty bad advice, considering my issue with dogs is feeling like I'm going to get bitten. Why would I bring that on myself on purpose.

Yup, thats awful advice.

The best advice for the work place is certainly to talk to HR/your manager, but in a more general way it might help you to be able to read basic dog body language. The most basic is to simply look at the tail. If a dog is wagging it's tail it is most likely happy and is a strong signal it won't attack. Conversely if it's hackles are up, if any hair on it's back is pointing up or raised then it might be concerned and should be avoided.

Only dogs with serious problems would react without giving some sort of sign that they are upset and most will avoid confrontation unless they feel like they are defending territory or resources.

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