Dog came to our house viewing

I would be very angry with the Estate Agent. Even if they believed you wouldn't mind a dog being brought to the viewing they shouldn't have lied or minimised your concerns. If you are not tied to a contract I would drop them.

If I was the OP I would be straight on the phone to the estate agent tomorrow to cancel my contract with them for two reasons, bringing a dog into my home and for lying about it

And then I would review on their website, social media or trust pilot about the fact they did this and lied about it

I don’t allow friends and families dogs into my home so I certainly wouldn’t want a random strangers.

Can't belive someone rocks up with a pooch tbh. How entitled. It doesn't matter if you are carrying it or it's on foot. Or it's it's a county Manor or a bedsit. No one wants your dog in their house. They put up with it to sell it, but you can be sure secretly they despise you and hope you love the house because doggy does and pay full price! Especially if just been hoovered and cleaned for a view.

I have dogs and they aren't invited, it's not as if they are going to have a say in buying it:) they can wait in the car or stay home.

Op, judging by your latest update as well as the dog incident this EA is not serious at all.

Just get rid of them and find a better one if you can?

It's bang out of order the EA lied. If you've made it explicit that no pets can be present at viewings then they need to adhere to it. Some people have extreme allergies and the notion the EA thinks they can get away with having the dog there without consequence is very unprofessional.
Of course you don't care if the buyer owns a dog, but you should tell EA in no uncertain terms if one is brought into the house you will know, and you'll happily use someone else to sell.
I honestly think a lot of EAs will do anything they can for a comission. They are not regulated and unfortunately the 'profession' rarely attracts the brightest and the best.

Dog owner and lover here! Totally outrageous behaviour, I’d be tempted to say one of your kids has had a mild allergic reaction and you want the place cleaned!

The state agent might not have known the viewer was bringing a dog, and they aren’t going to turn away a potential buyer, but they should have handled this situation better.

@Barney16

hiw much of a deep clean do you think a carpet would need after a handbag dog has taken a dozen steps on it exactly??

Is there any reason the dog can’t stay outside (assuming it’s not 90 degree sunshine)?

I'm an estate agent and it annoys me so much when people turn up with dogs, and I'm a dog lover. I don't let them in, or they do it turns while one stands outside with the dog. I just explain that I don't know if anyone is allergic in the house so it's better to err on the side of caution. People that turn up with cups of coffee is another one that annoys me, like what if you spill it, they are often a similar type to the dog people LOL!

I would not mind at all, I'd be a bit miffed if it was a hairy st Bernard sloshing slobber everywhere but if it's a little dog being carried it wouldn't bother me.
But then I prefer dogs to people any day of the week

@Fanlover1122

because if someone in the sellers family is allergic to dogs, it doesn't matter if it's a guide dog or not, they're still allergic to it.

Honestly imagining was a cavalier spaniel

Disagree with this. It’s a private property. My DH has a guide dog and wouldn’t dream of viewing a private house without giving the home owners some notice / asking permission. obviously reasonable adjustments have to be made but no harm or issue with giving people a heads up.

I don't work in the legal industry, but I don't think discrimination laws apply to private home owners, although I could be totally wrong. I'm actually interested to know that answer?

Oh and of course I would welcome a blind person and their dog into my home, but I'd really struggle not to pet and make a fuss over the working dog - which I don't think you are supposed to do 🤣

When I'm selling my 7 figure property I shall absolutely tell you to leave your dog behind. My dogs don't need your mutt in their home.

It’s a bit weird, I have two dogs and can’t imagine why I’d bring them. Maybe their dog can’t be left alone and they don’t have a sitter? I think you are overreacting though. What’s wrong with the dog being held over or near your baby’s cot?

Dog lover with two dogs and no way would I think that’s ok. My husband has an assistance dog so legally we can take her into a lot of places other dogs can’t go but still wouldn’t dream of taking her to a house viewing, at least not without express permission of the owners! Bonkers.

This is an interesting one.

I'd be surprised if the duty to make reasonable adjustments or not behave in a discriminatory manner applies to an individual householder, under equality law (from which you're using terminology).

Of course, it would be appropriate morally.

It also raises interesting questions about how a blind person might approach a house viewing: presumably bungalows only, smells important, accessible area.

I would LOSE my shit! When we had our house listed for sale, every viewing I took our two dogs out with me. If we had have come home my dogs would have picked up the scent of the "intruder" and lost their shit!! especially my male as he would have tried to mark where he smelt the other dog, especially if it was a male!! Time to fire that agent and find a trustworthy one!

I would never take my dog to view a property. And I would expect smokers not to smoke in my property if viewing.

Completely out of order- you could have an allergy, it could have fleas, worms or dirty feet.
Request that no animals or people eating food consuming drinks or smoking/vaping be allowed in your house.
It’s staggering that we are at this point in society where we have to spell out the obvious in respecting other people’s property.
Given the agent lied to you, i’d question if they had my best interests in mind and would potentially change agents, paying them no fee as they’ve breached your trust by lying to you.
Do you think they’ll act and negotiate well on your behalf?

I guess it depends on how keen the seller is to sell the house then?