Yes, Yes Yes!

Good idea.

Answering an old question, William.

I do expect sellers to remove the dog - small or large, does not matter.

Pets large, small or otherwise should not be present when a home is being shown. This should be made known to the seller when the listing is taken. Ideally, pets should stay with someone else while the home is on the market.

We had a seller that had several Boxers that he would pit in dog cages that were in the garage, while the home was being showm.

I would suggest any pets are removed from a house for showings. It keeps buyers focused on the viewing the home.  Agree with others about making sure home smells neutral and not pet occupied.

Hi William - for the safety of the dog and visitors --- dogs should be properly secured.  

Definately remove the dog and add some Febreze.

It's hard enough to block the telltale presence of a pet. This should be the perfect time to take Fido for a walk. The benefit is good for you, the dog and the potential buyer.

Remove the dog, yes. The buyers do not need to be distracted. It is best if they can focus on the house.

I say remove the dog.  Leaving it in the crate is not a good idea, either.  It will take the Buyers attention away from viewing the home.  If the dog barks, it tends to be very annoying.  

I think the dog should be removed or at least put in a kennel.  It is distracting for buyers if there is a dog barking or one outside.  Some clients do not like pets and if they see a dog or cat in the house - they won't buy just because they know there was a pet inside.

William, I would say to remove the dog if at all possible before a showing.  Having a pet around is often very distracting to the potential buyers even if it is in a crate as the dog will often bark.  The focus is often on the animal instead of the home and buyers can not always focus with a barking dog or animal wanting attention.  I've seen buyers speed through the home when a needy pet was around.

I have been licensed since 1992 . Most of the buyers I have worked with have been uncomfortable even if there is a small dog in the house. 

I'm sorry, I don't want to be friends with your dog.....and your dog knows it!

Sorry, I'm not comfortable with the 'getting to know you ritual' routine for most dogs. I don't know any buyer who signed up for this either.

Sorry, some folks have medical conditions that make their legs extremely sensitive and when Fido does the hop up, it causes great pain.

I currently have a house under contract that is home to 4 70+ pound menacing brutes! The logistics involved compelled Sunday showing only. This actually proved to be INCREDIBLY beneficial to the homeowner when a visionary agent is involved.

And that note on the door that says, "Don't let the cat out!"

Do you realize how much time is spent verifying a cat remains in the house before the agent and buyer leave? In many cases the skittish cat never makes an appearance which means every storage space beneath beds, every closet, behind and beneath every sofa until 'Fluffy' is spotted.

Invariably, a call to the listing agent revealing..."Cat not found. good luck. No, I don't have feedback for you!.......well, yes, about that cat....What were you thinking?"

Yes, the old saying, "out of sight, out of mind" rings true here for many people.  Some people are intimidated by a large, barking dog and it may limit the time they are in the house.  I have seen clients move very quickly on to the next homr, or start to point out lots of things related to having a large dog:  chewed woodwork, stained carpet, etc. 

If the seller wants to sell the house, I say yes, remove the pet. Some agents read the other agent's remarks that say do not let the cat out and think who wants to chase a cat or dog to get it back in the house?

William, yes, large dogs can be intimidatig even when they are friendly and barking dogs are just a terrible distraction.  Preferaly, the owners should remove the dog and themselves and go for a walk. :-)

I prefer they remove all pets for showings or put them in a cage somewhere in a remote room.

The fewer barks the better...doggy day care is a wonderful thing !

I had a listing with a wonderful dog. Friendly, wanted to play, etc. Bit that buyer's agent right on the back of the leg. It is a territorial thing, and you never know when a friendly dog will go on guard duty or for what reason. Anything that causes the buyers to "speed" through the listing should be corrected.

No questions or doubts about that. Also, some people have fears or allergies. And not just big dogs, but any pets.

Yes,

There are lots of doggie day cares around, and they are wonderful.  A

Absolutely ... and this comes from someone who thinks of my Sheltie as family rather than 'just a dog.' No matter how well-trained we think our pets are, there's always the uncertainty of how they will act when 'strangers' (buyers and their agent) invade their territory. It's best to remove the potential distraction so that buyers and their agent can focus completely on the home.

William, it depends on the dog and the situation.

Whether it barks at all or not, it should be removed.  It is a liability and a distraction.

Dog lover that I am, it is realistic to expect some people are not comfortable viewing a propert with loose dogs.

I would remove anything that distracts from the beauty of the house for a Buyer. If it annoys you, as an agent, I would request it...

I saw one listing that requested not to let the snake out (don't worry!!!)

William - If at all possible, I would say yes.

Ideally, yes. Practical matters however aren't always ideal.