I recently unlocked a front door and as I pushed it open, the snarling head of a black pit bull came right to my wrist!  I pulled the door shut as my buyers jumped back, clutching their newborn.  This dog is usually behind the laundry room door, but he figured out how to work the lever handle.  There was no way we were going back in.   

I have been bit, dog jumped right through the screen door, a pitbull too, was hanging on for dear life before he let go. Now i wont go anywhere near a home without dogs being taken care of or out of the home. 

I am a dog lover, so my policy is to rub the dog's belly and talk to it lol

That being said, I do think that dogs should be in a cage at the minimum since some people are uneasy around pets. Why do anything that can possibly turn away buyers?

Aggressive dog we leave.  Friendly, happy pooch we stay.  It should always be in the MLS.

I don't show the house - when a young Realtor, I showed a house where there was a 'friendly dog' and his ears were pinned back the whole time we walked through the house and he was following the buyer around the house. NEVER AGAIN I said. The risk was not worth it.

If the dog appears or barks in an aggressive way, leave. Always try and show the house and if the dog is outside then maybe you just don't go outside. Otherwise, I don't mind animals but you may make it a practice to ask your clients if they mind pets to make sure they are not uncomfortable. Then you may call the Realtor and let them know how it impacted your overall showing experience.

Lots of horror stories and ripped pants and one or two bites. If I hear an undisclosed bark when I unlock the door I turn around!

I would never allow a home to be listed and shown unless the dogs were gone.... ..there is too much liability for the homeowner ...and it's a distraction when showing.

Unacceptable. 

I would not show the house, Not because I don't know how to neutralize an animal, but more because I don't know how the buyer may react. This creates a chain reaction which can become uncontrollable.

I would break protocol and leave a note on the door for the benefit of who lives there and provide feedback to the listing agent.

How many pet owner have we seen on TV who refer to 'Spot' as a cute, passive baby, that just took a chuck out of their 2 year olds face. 

Unconfined pets simply create too much liability for EVERYONE and is unacceptable.

 Most the time, I encounter little yappie dogs in cages. Occasionally, I run into some that are a little more aggressive. I ask the homeowner to remove them.

The worst one was the 3 dogs that were baracaded in the kitchen/dinning room, but while the owner was at work, they had chewed holes in the wall and messed all over the floor.  It wasn't a pleasant site for the buyers.  After that, them caged them in the garage.  It wasn't summer, so the heat wasn't a problem.

I close the door and leave.  I will not go into a home with loose dogs.

I have had buyers refuse to go in if the dog scares them. I have corraled some small dogs while the buyer takes a quick look. If I know the buyer has a pet adversity I will make sure they are put up or will not show. You would think sellers would put their pets up ot take them with them.

I don't have any horror stories to share. Guess I'm lucky that way. I don't have a policy. Most sellers seem to be concerned about their pets during showings and they take care of things. Good question. 

This is a concern for sure. Sellers should 'leash' the dog.

Gita nailed this one!

Hi Hank -- I don't a policy per se.  I wish common sense were more common. People who have and love their pets will be responsible to not put them in danger of escaping or fear of visitors.   

When I represent a seller -- this is part of the communication when the home is listed.  So many times these issues have not been addressed and that's a shame and a possible liability issue.

I've entered homes where I've not been told there were animals on the site -- when there is a sense of danger to myself or my clients -- it's out of there in a flash.   Yes, it has happened.   Most times I/we don't return -- that action from the seller/listing agent speaks volumes in my opinion.  

I will not go in the house if there is a dog.  I do not want to take a chance.

Fortunately, no horror stories to report. But if it's a big dog and appears menacing, we won't go into the house or the yard. Not worth taking chances.

Hank Dugie I don't have any horror stories. I once went to a potential clients house and their dog jumped up and put his paws on my shoulders. A little uncomfortable, but a friendly dog.

no personal knowledge but I am a bit uncomfortable with Dalmations in houses without their owners since I had a very difficult one several years ago.