To be frank I'm astonished this is even a problem. I can't even begin to imagine a business allowing animals in the office area.

First thing, I'll assume he doesn't work for PETA, the ASPCA, Animal Control, a vet, or the Humane Society. If he does - time to get new employment buddy boy!

Again, taking my baseline assumptions as true, his situation describes to me one of the larger reasons why American workers have such long hours and short vacations. It would seem that his fellow employees are simply unable to separate work from home and in turn this causes distractions that reduce efficiency.

I think everyone who works in an office knows people like this. The people seemingly unable to get off their phone - too busy handling the kids, the sitter, their spouse, the remodel job, anything except their function. Well it seems that the man in this video is stuck in an office populated by people unable to determine what is and isn't appropriate for the office.

I disagree. Pets reduce stress, and since the office allows dogs as part of its policy, the problem is not with the culture, but with this individual's ability to adapt to it. If he doesn't like barking, use earphones or earplugs. (I have because my coworkers love speakerphones and never heard of a conference room.)

But what's being missed here is the real question and the response was totally off the mark. He says his primary issue is that "(his) coworkers are distracted." Unless he's their manager, it's really not his call. If he's their manager, then he needs to make sure his staff has an appropriate amount of work to do and make sure it's getting done on time. If he's not their manager, he needs to spend less time paying attention to what other people are doing. I've seen this before in offices with no dogs at all. What's distracting him is the idea that his coworkers don't look like they're working as hard as he is. For all he knows, they're putting in more hours or taking work home. The dogs are getting scape-goated, and if it wasn't the dogs, it'd be something else. It sounds like a change of workplace is in order, for everyone's sake.

I will take this guys job anytime. I wish I could bring my dogs to work. They do reduce stress. On the other hand I do beleive if you are bringing your four legged friend to work you are responsible to take them out to do their "business."

I'd also disagree with that. I bring my (small, quiet, well-behaved) pug to work every day. She has a bed in my office -- which is only used when she isn't sleeping beside me in my chair -- she never barks, and on the very rare occasions she needs to go do "business" during the day, she tells me and we go outside. She is *not* allowed to wander the office all day, but my co-workers do enjoy giving her a treat from their lunches.

That said, dogs that aren't obedient, that bark incessantly or -- my god, are you kidding me? -- aren't house-trained for pete's sake...those dogs don't belong in an office setting. In fact, those dogs belong in remedial obedience school, and their owners belong... well, I won't even get into that.

These people have a serious bloody problem. What kind of responsible adult lets their job duties go all to hell because they're playing with a bunch of dogs they apparently see *every freaking day*? You'd think the novelty would've worn off after a while. And what kind of management lets a bunch of ill-behaved pets (or kids, or people) run amok at the office? The frustrating thing about this kind of situation is that it provides the worst sort of example, and will be used as a reason for other employers to nix pets at the office.

I'm still astonished, to all those who do bring dogs to work - what do you tell your co-workers who are allergic to them?

"Too bad, take some Sudafed and get over it."

Animals are banned from most workplaces for several VERY good reasons. 1, the employer would be responsible for any attacks your animal made on others. 2, the employer would be obligated to clean up any messes they made - including shed hair, food, plus any unsanitary conditions they might track into the workplace. 3, the employer is bound by federal and state laws demanding the workplace be accessible to anyone - including those phobic of animals and those allergic to them. 4, the employer would have to ask you what kind of stress that animal is relieving that a simple 5 minute walk couldn't? That's not a question you want to raise with your boss as it bring into question your competence as an employee.

Points 1, 2, and 3 are very important. While they can allow their presence in the workplace, they must make certain that the place of employment is stil accessible to those negatively effected by the animal's presence. That's an awfully big risk for an employer to take for such a minimal gain in efficiency.

That's not to say it's unheard of to have animals in the office. I personally worked with a deaf man who brought his dog to work every day - the dog wasn't an official escort dog, but rather his personal companion that warned him of approaching people. Employers will make concessions if the payoff justifies the risk - but on a scale as told in the video, unbelievable.

Perhaps pets reduce your stress, but do consider that there are many people who are allergic to pet dander. Do you think it would be too much to ask these poor souls to wear gas masks for your benefit?

If I had killer allergies, and walked in for an interview at a place that obviously had a PRE-EXISTING policy of allowing pets, I would take a different job!

If I couldn't stand kids, I wouldn't take a job at a place where people were encouraged to bring their children to work!

My cousin was a loan officer at Washington Mutual Bank and they let her bring her (immaculately trained) setter mutt to work with her. Dak (the dog) would just sleep under her desk, only coming out to get treats from the customers and co-workers who adored her. On breaks and lunch, my cousin would take Dak outside, and she would do her business then, like a good dog.

The guy needs to find a different job, but frankly there is no excuse for having poorly behaved, incontinent animals. Dogs are EASY to train! They enjoy it!

Freki