Dogs at the Office: Secret to Work-Life Balance?

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We have a similar situation- a boss taking advantage of the situation. I also know of a similar situation in a second company.
Our boss claims that the office dog is a big morale booster. Big morale booster for her, I guess. She never walks her own dog. People are very tired of having to be interrupted to walk her dog.
It's the "office dog" and supposedly we are supposed to "share" the burden because we enjoy the dog's presence. However, we can't understand why the boss isn't sharing the burden!
Unfortunately, even though it's the best dog in the world, people rather dislike it - because of this power - play garbage or whatever her issue is. I can see that sometimes she's too busy to walk the dog. But she'll often go out for a long lunch and return late afternoon and no one has gotten a break. First thing she does is ask if the dog has had a walk and if not, why not.
I know of similar situation in a second company. In both cases the boss is the owner of the company, so I guess everyone has to just deal with it. But in both cases, no one has much respect for the boss and have grown to hate the dogs involved

Pali of NY 1:44PM March 17, 2011

It's not so great when it's not your dog. Our boss brings in her dog pretty much every day. We deal with foul smells, uncontrolled barking, urination and vomiting in the office on a regular basis. Kinds of impedes productivity, not to mention morale of the staff - very inconsiderate, I think.

Susan of MI 3:39PM February 26, 2010

I'm amused and disgusted. I can't beleive there are people out there that are so open about taking advantage of another individual. However, in the same paragragh she tries to adhere to the notion of accountability. America is the way it is today because of people like this.
"usa is already has the LOWEST PRODUCTION that most other 1st world countries in manhours vs. production". I wonder why? Is it because to many people like "you" spend to much time trying to get a hand out.
"i tripped and sprained my ankle in Safeway parking lot last year and just collected $4500.00 for the injury"...what a loser! Now a company has to pay out because you can't walk. Meanwhile that went over the company budget and a hard working employee has to get fired. Sick!! There goes your production. Now the company has to put a sign up that says ,"FLAT SURFACE PLEASE WALK CAREFULLY"
"Id make sure to be the first one to tease one and get bit(or stab myself with scissors) and make an insurance claim for the injuries"...That's mature! It sounds like you have more issues in life than a dog being in an office setting. Maybe you should see a doctor. If you weren't such a masochist you could get a boyfriend. Then again you might try to think up some way to sue him too.
Liz awesome job on this article. Having dogs at work does make a positive difference. I work for a company that allows dogs. A dog in the office can bring the calm out of any stressful situation. It's a shame there are people out there that would rather tease an animal just so they can sue someone.

Voice of GA 8:37PM April 03, 2009

Yikes...sounds like Dana of CO needs a hug--or maybe a nuzzle with a friendly black lab?
As an employee of Burgess Advertising & Marketing, the agency noted in the blog (and I'm NOT one of the dog owners, btw), I can attest that our dog-friendly policy has been good for all Burgess employees, and has not impacted our productivity in a negative way. I've been here nearly 9 years and to my knowledge we've never had an issue or complaint...in fact, our clients LOVE the fact that we have dogs in our office. In our market, it's seen as a positive that we don't take ourselves SO seriously, that we're friendly and approachable. And in the midst of a deadline frenzy, the dogs provide a welcome respite, even if just for the time it takes to bend down and scratch one of them behind the ears.
I guess I'm glad I don't work in a place that's more afraid of frivilous lawsuits (or with coworkers who are ligitious and greedy!) than of making our office friendly and down to earth.

Jennifer of ME 3:57PM March 27, 2009

what a stupid suggestion...usa is already has the LOWEST PRODUCTION that most other 1st world countries in manhours vs. production...yeah sure lets bring our dogs to work too for some MORE DISTRACTIONS, maybe we could be LAST in the world !!! woo-hoo !!!......maybe we can add them on our benefits package next too !!!...stoopid, stoopid stoopid...let's all grow up and be adults now, dogs are ok for kindergarten show and tell, but not in the workplace....i tripped and sprained my ankle in Safeway parking lot last year and just collected $4500.00 for the injury.......do you NOT think, if dogs were at my workplace, Id make sure to be the first one to tease one and get bit(or stab myself with scissors) and make an insurance claim for the injuries, and that would be the end of this notion in the usa......give me a break, this article is a joke right ? the author "LIZ" should be fired and should stop SLEEPING WITH HER DOGS, get a boyfriend.

dana of CO 11:24AM March 22, 2009

to enjoy petting SOMEONE ELSE'S dog at work.
I do love to pet every one of them that is not a biter, but I would not want to be responsible for my own dog in a workplace.
It's all I can do to regulate my own bathroom breaks and temptations to bark, much less worry about those of the dog.

Muser of NM 12:04PM March 20, 2009