Take the Dogs Away

dog "Friendly dog inside. One year old Lab." Yeah, right! I know he's a part of the family... but....

I arrive after (car problems, don't ask) my clients to show them a house, they meet me with, "Do you know there's a big dog ?"

Here I have Mr & Mrs New Buyer with Mrs Buyer's father and uncle along watching............. "No problem. It's just a lab, I'm sure he's fine. I'll go around back and let you in the front door"

"He was in the back yard, now he's inside. But, ok. Kim. If we hear you scream, we'll call for help"

It's just a Lab. One year old, he just wants to play. I've had a lab, they are very good dogs. I can handle this. I know I don't like big dogs that I haven't met - but I'll be fine. Darn. I forgot to get those dog bones in my car. Well, I don't have a choice, if he bites me, I'll leave. Everyone is waiting for me - I can do this. He really is barking, but he is probably just letting us know he's here. Oh, there is a dog door. Will he come out to greet me? Ok, the gate says "Keep locked at all times" . What if I need to get out fast? Kimberly, just do it. You won't have to run.

I approached the door of loud barking, "Who are you? Don't you think you're coming in here!"

High Voice..... "Sammy. It's ok, Sammy"

"Stop trying to baby me. I'm not a baby. I'll tear you apart."

I get the door open, and step inside to see Sammy ... hmmmm Labs don't do that..... "It's ok Sammy. Come here , come here"

Sammy is now standing with all four legs spread apart in a stance of "I RULE this house". His ears are standing straight up. And I saw teeth. Lots of teeth.

I'm reminded of the two dogs on Magnum PI. I give up.

I come cowering around the corner, "He isn't happy. He doesn't want us to visit. I'm sorry"

My clients were fine. They completely understood. I called the agent and let her know. Dogs are totally different people when the owners are not around. And most of the time this is a very good thing.

Keep in mind, when you are showing your house - just make arrangements for the dog to be away. Often times they aren't happy with strangers coming in to their territory. And in many cases, that is a really good thing! They are protectors, and want to take care of the family! (Another blog..... dogs that are too friendly for showings :)

PS We are going to Sammy's house (Mrs Buyer's words) tomorrow - with hopes and promises Sammy won't be there.

Posted by Kim Wood on 01/12/2008 07:28 PM

Comments (16)

home sales, dog, showings

This post has been included in Pennsylvania Information Chester County, PA Information

16 Comments on Take the Dogs Away

JAN

2008

I had a listing like that once. The dog was a big black lap, in a fenced yard. It barked and scared an old lady to death just about. I had to ask my sellers to take the dog to work (husband was in construction) when we had showings.

Hi Kim, Great blog. I have dogs and I KNOW how they are when someone comes to the door. IF I know there's a dog inside a house, I will not show it.

Agents should insist that the owners either take the dog away during showings or be there the dog before the buyers get there. I remember the time I was showing a property and there was no mention of a dog in the listing. As soon as we rang the door bell, the seller opened the door with 2 big black dogs barking at us. One of my buyers who was deathly afraid of dogs ran away so fast, as soon as she saw the dogs. Of course, my buyers did not end up buying the house.

I ask my clients with dogs, that if the dog cannot be crated, to at least put it in the garage the day of showing. That way if the buyers like the house, they can come back when the owner is there to take the dog for a walk and see the garage.

Kim, this was a really fun read- and all too true. I'd have gone the other direction, with paramedics called to the house to treat all of us after the attack.

I wish I understood about owners and dogs. Others do not like dogs and most do not like dogs in the home when looking. I will not show with loose dogs. I am not fond of cats either but I do the cats because they hid most of the time.

Kim, I loved your story!! I have had labs and they can be very protective. Having pets in homes is always difficult. I broke my foot one time on a brokers tour because the dog got loose and came running down the steps where there was a line of us and the person in front of me fell back on me - :)

AMEN! Kennel the dogs! Sometimes sellers are even more cruel locking up a dog or a pet in a confined space all day.

It can be a problem that's for sure.....there are time that the people looking don't like dogs or are afraid of dogs. I don't like to see pets, locked up in those cages all day, that breaks my heart. There must be a way of working this out for all.

Patricia Aulson/Hampton NH Real Estate

Dogs should definitely not be present in houses when they are being shown. And by the evidence of so much doggie damage to houses, they probably shouldn't live in the house at all. My granddaughter says that I am not pet-friendly....but that's the way I was raised.

I love dogs, but not when I am showing houses. One scared my clients to death, we did not go back to see the listing and that was the seller's loss.

JAN

2008

Missy - I haven't had to deal with it on a listing... yet :)

Kay - I'm glad you respect them and how they could be. I'm probably crazy to still try!

Gail - I agree! I've come across uncrated dogs that the listing/showing instructions haven't warned of - that's nuts!

Nancy - That works. I've seen people put them in basement - I don't like that idea as much - so much importance in the basement.

Laurie - Yikes!

Susan - The smell seems to be the other bad issue with dogs and cats!

Jo - I didn't ever know Labs would act that way. Broke your foot! Wow!

Jim - We've all come across that I'm sure. I had to water and feed one in a sectioned off area - I don't think it had been checked on in a few days :O

Patricia - True, true! I think a walk would be agreeable to all :)

Barbara - I don't know if I'd go as far as the "shouldn't live in the house" part.... but I know there are those out there that feel that way - and I'm not to judge :)

Chelle - Love your name! Exactly showings + animals = disaster. I've also had clients spend time oooohing and aaaahing over the pets and neglect the house!

Kim- I have had this happen too. I once showed up with my client, all 4ft 11' of her, to show a home and there were 3 huge dogs there. The listing agent had no mls box and we were supposed to go through the back door after getting by the 3 dogs. We did not see that home and she never went back either. Agents beware, warn us that there are animals.

Vanessa - So true... PLEASE warn us - so that we can assess the situation first. Yeah, get by the 3 huge dogs in THEIR house... yeah... right... sounds like fun, eh?

JAN

2008

Cats can terrorize visitors as well. My Somali doesn't like other people at all. When I had my own home on the market, it was evident. An agent came with buyers, so I left the house to go next door. I was standing in my front yard, talking with my neighbor when I heard this pounding on the windows. I looked up, and the agent was rattling my second-floor window. I turned to my neighbor, "Oh, I think he's showing the buyers the new dual pane and how sturdy they are."

Then we heard screams. I dashed into the house to find the agent and his two buyers cowered in a corner. My cat was sitting on the floor, growling at them. They were terrified. Unfortunately, I couldn't suppress my laughter. Needless to say, they didn't buy my house.

I'm sure my dog is a nice playful dog, and would bite nobody, but if my house was on the market she would have to vacate. I trust my dog, but not many other dogs. Actually I don't like dogs, I only have a dog because of the wife and kids.

I would have never tried to open the door as you did. And then there are cats, they will make me vacate a house faster than anything!

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Kim Wood

West Chester, PA

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