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Remove Your Pets for Showings - Friendly Turns Mean!

By Donna Harris

Real Estate Agent with Donna Homes, powered by JPAR - TexasRealEstateMediationServices.com 0480809

June 09, 2011 03:45 AM

If your house is for sale, just like you and your family should leave, you should do something with your pet family members as well. Just because you think they're the friendliest dog you've ever known, doesn't mean she'll be friendly to strangers in your house.

I made an appointment the other day to view a house. The seller said she had a very friendly dog and asked if she could leave it in the house as it would be difficult to run home and remove her. I asked what kind it was. She said it was a Shih-Tzu. I love Shih-Tzus! I grew up with a couple and my mom still has one. They are very friendly dogs, so I said she could leave it if she was unable to remove it as my buyers really wanted to view this house.

This dog was a terror!! She barked at us during the entire showing. I tried to herd her into the utility room where her bed was, and she peed on the floor. I cleaned that up, you're welcome Mrs Seller. I continued to try to get the dog away so my clients could enjoy the house, and this tiny little dog attacked me! It lunged forward and showed me all her teeth! I've never seen a Shih-Tzu act this way before in my life.

Finally, I decided we would just leave the dog alone and ignore her. She proceeded to follow us through the entire house barking at us. The 5 and 10 year old were terrified of her attacking them. They were constantly watching the ground to make sure the dog wasn't near.

All in all, it was a very uncomfortable showing experience as this dog wanted us out of her territory. Mr and Mrs Sellers, I don't care how friendly your dog is to you and to your friends when you're around, but your dogs aren't friendly when you're not around. Remove them from the house or crate them!!

**Are You Packed Yet?**

Donna Harris, REALTOR®
RE/MAX Austin Skyline
www.DonnaHomes.coma
Donna@DonnaHomes.com

Austin TX Real Estate

and the surrounding areas of Lakeway, Bee Cave, West Lake Hills, Cedar Park, Round Rock, Spicewood, Circle-C, Steiner Ranch, and everywhere in between... Hill Country Austin TX Real Estate and beyond. Whether you're buying or selling an Austin home, I'll be with you every step of the way.

For real time Austin TX listings, click here.

** Multi-Million Dollar Producer Year after Year **

Copyright© 2011 By Donna Harris, All Rights Reserved. You may re-blog with links back to this post.
* Remove Your Pets for Showings - Friendly Turns Mean! * was first published on donnahomesblog.com.

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Brian England

Ambrose Realty Management LLC - Gilbert, AZ

MBA, GRI, REALTOR® Real Estate in East Valley AZ

I agree, I don't like showing homes where the pets may possibly get out or they are constantly jumping all over me or my buyers, thanks for the post.

Jun 09, 2011 03:57 AM

Gary Scardino

Gary Scardino - InvestPro Realty Group - Katy TX - Broker - Katy, TX

Katy TX Real Estate - Traditional and Investment Real Estate

Donna I could not agree with you more! I have been in a similar situation but it was with two BIG dogs instead of one little one. I finally got them in the laundry room and gave them some of their dog food to shut them up! Not a pleasant experience for me or my buyers.

Jun 09, 2011 04:08 AM

Craig Rutman

Helping people in transition - Cary, NC

Raleigh, Cary, Apex area Realtor

While many of us love our dogs and they are part of our homes and families, they often don't know when a stranger's outstreched hand is coming towards them for a petting or to cause harm. It's best to remove them from the home when a showing is scheduled.

Jun 09, 2011 04:25 AM

Gabe Sanders

Real Estate of Florida specializing in Martin County Residential Homes, Condos and Land Sales - Stuart, FL

Stuart Florida Real Estate

Absolutely Donna. Even friendly pets and buyers who are pet lovers are a distraction and often a nuisance when showing homes. Does not help the sales process.

Jun 09, 2011 09:20 AM

Renée Donohue~Home Photography

Savvy Home Pix - Allegan, MI

Western Michigan Real Estate Photographer

Yes dogs are instinctive to protect their territory! I love animals too but this is the truth. The smaller they are the more vicious they think they are too!

Jun 09, 2011 02:33 PM

Richard Weeks

Dallas, TX

REALTOR®, Broker

I am sure the seller think her agent is just going a terrible job in marketing her home.

Jun 10, 2011 01:21 AM

Melissa Brown

Helen Adams Realty - Charlotte, NC

Realtor - South Charlotte NC Homes for Sale

I showed 2 homes last month that the buyers probably would have bought if they had not been terrified of the dog and could have spent more time there. I'm gonna re-blog!

Jun 10, 2011 06:44 AM

Christine Donovan

Donovan Blatt Realty - Costa Mesa, CA

Broker/Attorney 714-319-9751 DRE01267479 - Costa M

Donna - It is best if dogs are putting away, or better yet removed from the home for a showing. It's just more comfortable for the buyer.

Jun 10, 2011 04:11 PM

Joyce Godwin, Realtor, CRS

RE/MAX Elite Properties; Serving Cypress, Spring, Tomball, NW Houston - Houston, TX

RE/MAX Elite Properties

Hi Donna, Barking dogs on the other side of the fence are bad enough, but one following you around the house barking at you and terrifying the buyers is worse!

Jun 12, 2011 04:35 AM

Hrisco & Associates

Hrisco & Associates - Roanoke, TX

Roanoke Homes for Sale - Roanoke Neighborhoods

Hi Donna, how did you ever get the horns on that Shih-Tzu, funny....you are so right though. I have four dogs, they are the best dogs, but even an over firiendly dog could be annoying during a showing as well as a barking one.

Jun 13, 2011 08:50 AM