Ok is there anything I can do to report the company owner anonymously?

[MOODYGIRL]

Ok is there anything I can do to report the company or owner anonymously?

Hello, have not been here in forever any who OK before I start don't get me wrong, I love this job it's just these dogs she is taking. OK I work at an animal hotel, I would say the name of the place, but she knows a lot of people all I can tell you it's in Maryland. OK yesterday I had at that moment had enough with these aggressive dogs that she is taking that she doesn't have to take. It's like they are just getting worst and worst. Like this is not a freaking shelter. I mean come on she keeps taking dogs who bite people only thing she would say is let a manager handle them like does their safety and life matter too like everyone is scared to speak up. Then not to mention half the dogs there do not like the black or Hispanic workers there so we have to get white co-workers to handle them (that part she does not know). I was thinking about saying something to her, but I was told if I even made it seem like she cares more about making money, then our safety, I would get fired which I think it's true (just how things are done there). Then when she gets's upset, she is a VERY nasty person how she talks to people. Like I don't understand how a person can be the sweetest person on the plane then change like a flip of a switch then get mad when someone defends their self because of how you are talking to them. Is she bipolar? Sorry it's a bit much just fed up also if it makes a difference it's privately owned, and I was told the rules don't apply I thought it should most of all if peoples safety and lies are at risk. As for what set me off, I cleaned it up a little it was very vulgar I posted it on my Facebook.

OK so I had this freaking dog snap at me when I was taking them to the owner (because they are owner protective) then the owner did not even correct the dog or even say they were sorry. Then we have this freaking dog who guards her bowl. It's like the dogs are just getting worst and worse & no one freaking cares; & there is no one to talk to. Everyone to freaking scared to speak up, I can't do it by myself.

 

[release the hounds]

Keep looking for another job, no sense settling for that type of work place.

and when someone gets injured and files a work comp. claim I imagine she'll care more about worker safety. that said, working with strange dogs for a living should require the person have a bit of skill in dealing with these types of dogs and be able to do it safely.

 

[Greenmagick]

It seems weird that there are that many HA dogs around honestly. When I worked at the kennel we had some here and there that were manager or trainer handle only but for the most part, being as they were mostly just really scared and stressed, it was manageable. We only had a couple over the years that we had to flat out refuse, it was quite rare.

 

[Romy]

Her liability insurance company may care if someone was to let them know. I don't know though, if I was working at a boarding facility I'd expect even normally friendly dogs to be stressed/scared and potentially bite me. But then I've never worked at a place like that before, so don't know if that's normal or not.

 

[Romy]

Thinking on it a little more, "correcting" a resource guarding dog for resource guarding only makes the behavior much worse in the long run. So, it's probably a good thing they didn't correct the dog.

I'm not sure what exactly you mean when you say correct though. I'd be mortified if my dog snapped at someone. But I wouldn't yell "no" at it. Maybe give it the "leave it" command but that's not a correction, it's a command that is incompatible with that behavior.

Personally I'd be trying get it away from people asap and work on the reason for the behavior. I had to deal with this a bit with Luna, since she became very possessive of both me and food, but only around other dogs and not humans. Now she's fine with me paying attention to other dogs and her eating around them, but it didn't get that way with corrections.

 

[Greenmagick]

Bowl guarding, I missed that but yeah, that seems quite normal to have to manage while at a kennel. That are stressed, things are different and fear based behaviors are going to be worse. No reason you can't do a bit of modification with her while she is there? Do you know how to work with resource guarding at all? Do you have extra bowls? Is it when she is getting food? Just fill a new bowl and put it in the other corner and then take the old one?

Working in boarding and grooming there are a lot of dogs that are going to be managed. There should NOT be a lot of true HA dogs however but fearful issues are going to be there for sure. Most dogs IME will settle better if just some basic classic conditioning happens.

 

[MOODYGIRL]

Hey everyone sorry I have been busy. A lot of people have been bit she doesn't seem to care a manager said to us it's about the money. I mean we had a manger almost torn apart by a dog.

 

[Sweet72947]

I'm not sure about the law in Maryland, but I know in Virginia if you get bitten while working at a vet or a kennel or place like that, it's considered an "occupational hazard". I suppose if you and the other employees wanted to, you could bring a suit against your employer alleging an unsafe work environment, or something like that.

I have a question, is the atmosphere where you work more about positive reinforcement, or is it more punishment based? I have worked at a boarding kennel for almost three years, and we are very much about positive reinforcement, and counter-conditioning behaviors. We have our special "problem children" that board and rarely is anyone ever bitten because we work with the dogs and not against them. For example, there is a GSD named Romeo who boarded with us recently, who HATES to go back in his kennel after a wall, and WILL BITE YOU if you try and fight with him. We put canned dog food in a bowl and set the bowl in his run and he will walk right into it, no issue. Way more people are injured by cats where I work than by dogs (mostly because it's way harder to use positive reinforcement on a terrified cat than a dog).

How do you deal with a dog who displays fearful and/or aggressive behavior where you work? BTW I'm not in any way trying to imply that you or other employees are at fault for being bitten, just trying to offer up an alternate way of dealing with these dogs to help make your workplace safer.

 

[MOODYGIRL]

No, we are just told if we can't handle them get a manager. However, the mangers can't handle every dog. I mean 90% have aggression issues. In addition, it's only one manger per shift.

 

[amberdyan]

No, we are just told if we can't handle them get a manager. However, the mangers can't handle every dog. I mean 90% have aggression issues. In addition, it's only one manger per shift.

I'm not sure if you're being serious or speaking in hyperbole because you're frustrated, but 90% of dogs have aggression issues? In a boarding facility? Maybe we have different definitions of "aggression issues", but by any definition that seems extreme. If I were you I would start looking into laws in your area regarding the type of issues you're seeing. I know nothing about running a boarding facility but is there some kind of certification process through an entity you can contact anonymously? Can you contact a lawyer in your area for advice on whether it's an occupational hazard? I don't think there's any way you're going to be able to call one place and have them come in a fix the situation, unfortunately. If the company really is just out to make money, you might want to consider employment elsewhere (although I know it's never that simple to switch jobs).

 

[MOODYGIRL]

No, these dogs has aggression issues period. Weather it's suite aggression, food, just walking pass them, owner aggression. Like it's to the point to where some time the customers are at risk when they are in the lobby. She literately has NO limit or cut off to what she takes. Even if the dog is trying to kill you she will take it. That is what I mean. That is not a figure of speech. And yes it's not easy to find a job either she isn't to happy of people leaving either. So, we can't really put that job down. We found out a fellow co-worker was leaving she called the job they were going to and give them a bad reference.

 

[Greenmagick]

I just am shocked that there are that many aggressive dogs in your area. In the years I worked at the kennel, I had to turn away maybe two dogs for aggression...the rest were all managed pretty easily.

 

[StillandSilent]

If you were in NC, I would swear that you were working at my old job. Same problems, sounds like the same boss.

The problem is, when you start taking aggressive dogs, you get a reputation for taking aggressive dogs, so everyone wants to dump their aggressive dog off on you. Then the clients that have nonaggressive dogs don't want thier dogs there, due to the aggressive ones. Pretty soon you have a kennel full of nasties. Some of which can be handled safely, and some of which you have to handle in pairs due to the danger level.

I wish I had some good advice, but I don't. As long as the USDA inspections are passed, you're kind of between a rock and a hard place. You can try OSHA, but they didn't do much when we called.

I ended up quitting, and it was the best thing that ever happened to me.

 

[MOODYGIRL]

I just am shocked that there are that many aggressive dogs in your area. In the years I worked at the kennel, I had to turn away maybe two dogs for aggression...the rest were all managed pretty easily.

Same here. As I have said I have work in the shelter these dogs are by far worst then any shelter dog.

StillandSilent - We will all be fired if we did that. I am looking for a new job. It's just hard due to as I said she is not to fond of people leaving.

 

[release the hounds]

who cares if she doesn't like people leaving, you don't have to tell her anything.

 

[Dogdragoness]

No, these dogs has aggression issues period. Weather it's suite aggression, food, just walking pass them, owner aggression. Like it's to the point to where some time the customers are at risk when they are in the lobby. She literately has NO limit or cut off to what she takes. Even if the dog is trying to kill you she will take it. That is what I mean. That is not a figure of speech. And yes it's not easy to find a job either she isn't to happy of people leaving either. So, we can't really put that job down. We found out a fellow co-worker was leaving she called the job they were going to and give them a bad reference.

I thought it was illegal to give a bad reference? If that is the case, I would ask a few of your co workers if your new job could contact them for a reference, maybe if more people say good things about you then it might override the manager's bad mouthing? And you could tell them you will return the favor if they every decide to quit. I used to work for an asshole like this, he would hit the roof if he found out someone was quitting (if "sweet talking" didnt work) and he has been known to call the person the employee was leaving him to work for and threaten THEM.

I know the polite thing is to give two weeks, but in this case I would quietly search for a job, and just up and quit once you know you have another job secured.

 

[MOODYGIRL]

I thought it was illegal to give a bad reference? If that is the case, I would ask a few of your co workers if your new job could contact them for a reference, maybe if more people say good things about you then it might override the manager's bad mouthing? And you could tell them you will return the favor if they every decide to quit. I used to work for an asshole like this, he would hit the roof if he found out someone was quitting (if "sweet talking" didnt work) and he has been known to call the person the employee was leaving him to work for and threaten THEM.

I know the polite thing is to give two weeks, but in this case I would quietly search for a job, and just up and quit once you know you have another job secured.

Yea that's what we are doing. Yes it is illegal I don't think she cares.