WWYD: Bosses dog in the office?

[mrschica]

My DH's boss is a huge dog lover and even competes some of his dogs, they've even won a few times, and they're all really sweet. He keeps one around the business that he adopted when he found him wandering the streets and it just so happens that this particular dog has taken a liking to my DH and likes to hang out in his office with him.

The problem is my DH says the dog hasn't been bathed and now DH has flea bites all over his legs and even some on his back and arms. People are always coming in and out of DH's office so he can't keep the door closed and the dog out because his office is in conjunction with another that has access to a safe. I joked and suggested he bring the dog to our apartment so we can give him a bath, which I'm seriously tempted to do.

I understand DH's boss is busy with work and also with his other prize winning dogs, so maybe he's just let the office dog go by the wayside in the grooming department, but it's really making DH's life hell with all the itchy bites.

Do you ladies have any suggestions? DH has only been there a month and feels a little weird approaching his boss and suggesting that maybe the office dog needs a bath, he doesn't want to insult him but he doesn't know what else to do because he can't also keep the dog out.

The dog is really sweet and a little guy, I feel bad that the haven't bathed him! :(

[dionysia]

If they have an HR department, talk to them.

Buy a child gate and put it up at the office door.

Di

[Happy1]

I would say that DH should go up to his boss, tell him how well behaved the dog is and that he doesn't have a problem with the dog in his office but that he's noticed a really bad issue with fleas (he should feel free to show his boss if the boss doesn't believe him). That way he's stating the truth-he doesn't have a problem with the dog but he does have a problem with fleas. I bet the boss doesn't even know about it and considering the boss is such a dog lover, I doubt that he would purposefully let the office doggie go with fleas.

We have 3 indoor kitties and it wasn't until we took the youngest one to the vet to get her fixed that the vet told us she had fleas really bad and the other 2 probably had them too. We set out a flea trap at home and sure enough. An infestation right under our noses and we didn't even know about it.

Nikki :D

[MLA]

I agree, w/dionysia. If there's an HR Dep't, definitely talk to them. If not, he really should bring it up w/his boss. Maybe his boss hasn't noticed the problem. If he loves dogs as much as you say he does, he's not going to want his pup suffering w/fleas.

[jennylou]

I agree with the others. However, if your DH doesn't like confrontation, he could always get the dog a little gift - a gift cert to a local dog groomers? Or he could offer to take the dog for a walk at lunch and get the bath himself?

Finally, though, a simple bath usually isn't going to cure fleas. Why not get some Frontline and ask the boss if it's okay if you apply it since you noticed some fleas and just wanted to nip it in the bud before a problem starts?

[mamax2]

It sounds like it's probably a small company (based on the fact that there are dogs in the workplace) in which case there may not be an HR dept. And, even if there was, I think I'd still go to the boss first. I think your DH can totally frame it like he's concerned for the dog (i.e.: "Hey, Mr. Boss! I noticed Buddy was itching a bit and when I checked him out, I found some fleas. I knew you'd want to know so he doesn't pass it around to the other dogs!") I think that comes off as really helpful and kind. What dog lover wouldn't want someone looking out for their pet?

[diam124]

I do think he should say something to the boss. It could be sort of in a non-direct way (like mentioning while the boss is around that he has flea bites). I can sympathize, I used to work for a very small company and my boss (and other employees) would let their very large poorly behaved dogs run rampant. I used to shut my door to keep them out all the time.

[karlatta]

I definitely agree that he should say something to the boss. And I like the non-confrontational suggestions above.

If your DH wants to try to keep the dog out of his office, I suggest a baby gate. My old boss used to keep raccoons in her office (long story), and we all got really used to just stepping over the gate when we wanted to go in there.

[Cali*Girl]

ITA with mamax2.

I would phrase it as a concern (which I'm sure it is). If the boss is truly an animal lover, he will appreciate the concern.

[vwinkel]

Talk to the boss. He may need to fumigate (sp?) the office though. If nothing happens immediately, buy Advantage and apply it to the dog.

[jesvet]

Someone does need to talk to him- the flea larvae will hang out in the carpet and upholstery so even if the dog gets Advantage you may still get bitten. The place will need a head to toe cleaning/fumigation.

[mrschica]

Thanks for all the advice ladies!

Yes, it's a small company, so there is no HR department but his boss truly does love his dogs and is an approachable guy, so I'm going to suggest to DH that he just bring it up a casually as a concern. I do believe that his boss will appreciate it, his boss is always talking about his dogs and even bought his prize winners the other day to show them off. :D

I'm sure his boss knows what to do from experience with so many dogs and shouldn't feel alarmed about it or anything. I actually don't think there's carpeting, so it should be easy to clean up around there.

[albrez]

I definitely agree that he should say something to the boss. And I like the non-confrontational suggestions above.

If your DH wants to try to keep the dog out of his office, I suggest a baby gate. My old boss used to keep raccoons in her office (long story), and we all got really used to just stepping over the gate when we wanted to go in there.


Your old boss' name wasn't Linda by any chance was it?

[karlatta]

Your old boss' name wasn't Linda by any chance was it?
Nope, it was Valerie. She also sometimes had opossums. They weren't as cute, though.