News for hackers. Stuff that matters.
Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by pcunite on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @07:05PM (#12439894)
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.

Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by Normal_gaussian on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @07:23PM (#12439971)
This is horrible and immoral advice.

Disagreeing, complaining, and litigating are one thing. Deliberately falsifying a situation is quite another.

This is of course leaving aside the fact that the course of action you suggest could easily lead to a life being taken.

It is impossible for me to courteously describe how appalled I am at your advice.

Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by pcunite on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @07:32PM (#12440007)
Sigh ... it is humor.
Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by delecti on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @07:47PM (#12440072)
Maybe an attempt at it.
Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by throwawaydog on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @07:31PM (#12440004)
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.
Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by placeybordeaux on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @08:17PM (#12440192)
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.

Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by TillE on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @08:03PM (#12440135)
Aggressive dogs are incredibly rare, especially if you're just ignoring them and not trying to interact.

Here's what my city looks like: http://dogswaitinginberlin.tumblr.com/

Unleashed dogs everywhere. Never heard of it being a problem.

Re:Ask HN: Office merge. They have a pet policy. I'm scared ... by DanBC on Tuesday September 06, 2016 @08:23PM (#12440212)
Dog bites in Berlin. http://www.claudia-haemmerling.de/2012/hundebisse-2012.pdf

700 people in a city of 3.5m feels like a tiny number. Although I don't know how badly these people were bitten. (Or if this list include attacks without bites).