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Original poster

Why don't people take the dog out when they have a house viewing?

258 replies

RingFence · 11/02/2018 10:04

It's really off putting! I hate walking viewing a house with a strange dog sniffing my ankles. Or jumping up at toddler DD, who gets scared and then has to be carried. Or yapping and snarling from the kitchen because I've asked the owner to shut it away.

Viewed one recently where the owner hadn't even bothered to pick up a dog poo in the garden. Toddler DD stepped in it Angry We didn't notice until she left a trail of dog poo indoors. Owner tutted because of the floor, but I was so angry at the thought of having to clean dog poo off her shoes, having the smell in the car, disinfect them at home etc I just thought 'serve you right'. Why on earth would you not pick up after your dog when you're trying to sell your house??

Then there are the owners who say 'I'll just keep him in the living room' and sit holding the straining/growling/whimpering dog by its collar, so you have to rush that bit of the viewing.

We saw one house where the dog was in the garden, barking and growling. Owner said 'he's all right with people but he might jump up. Do you want to go in?' We declined and ruled out that house.

Why don't people take the dog out for a walk or get a friend/relative/neighbour to look after it for the half an hour it takes to view? We always book a time days in advance so it's not like it's short notice.

OP posts:
YetAnotherNC2017 · 12/02/2018 21:53

I sort of agree TBH.

We sold our home recently. Had about 20 viewings or so.

We took it in turns - one to do the viewing, one to do a dog walk. On the rare occasion that only one of us could be home, the dog was left in the car.

There’s no reason for dogs to be present.

itsalldyingout · 12/02/2018 22:05

My dog was always put outside during viewings. If viewers wanted to look around the garden they were welcome, but were told to watch out for poo as I had no idea if he'd done one while I was showing them around. Poo was (is still) always cleaned up ASAP so it wasn't a problem apart from that possible occasion.

If there's a dog in the garden, wouldn't you expect some degree of poo there, too? Not everyone cleans up after their animals like we do (or worms them regularly so at least it would just be a mess and not a potential illness).

I never took my toddler daughter to viewings. Her opinion wasn't valid enough to put me off somewhere I might have loved but she turned her nose up at. And definitely not vice versa! She didn't like my choice of clothes at that age either - if she had her way I'd have been dressed like a colour-blind, rainbow-glittered Disney Princess!

Her opinions would also vary dramatically from day-to-day (sometimes in minutes).

I don't understand why both parties can't be reasonable and respectable these days. I still wouldn't allow animals at a viewing as I understand not everyone likes them. Equally, I wouldn't take a toddler to a viewing - I wouldn't want to feel responsible for damage if I took my eyes off her for a moment, and we all know that these things can happen.

Nor would I want to spend many thousands on a home that I hadn't inspected closely - anything I'd feel unable to do with a small child trying to explore in tow. Common sense, really.

caringcarer · 12/02/2018 22:06

You think a dog is bad. I once went on a viewing where I was not warned that there was a snake in one of the bedrooms. I have a phobia of snakes and screamed and ran out and nothing would get me in that house again. I felt physically sick. People should have to state if there will be any pet in as many people are afraid/phobia/have allergies etc.

Whoopwhoopwooo · 12/02/2018 22:36

What’s you theory on other pets that are not caged. I have a house cat, she can’t be put outside or walked. What would you expect me to do with her??? People have house rabbits and all sorts of things that roam around the house that couldn’t really be removed, would they put you off a house viewing or is it just dogs?

UgandanKnuckles · 12/02/2018 22:49

@bunsygirl you know fine well what I mean but by all means continue to be hysterical.

SingingSands · 12/02/2018 22:50

When we viewed our current house, the owner tried to throw the dog in with the sale!

We declined.

Little blighter then dug up most of the garden, chewed the radiator caps off the kitchen radiator, chewed the skirting board in the kitchen and the bottom of the kitchen units. Angry

Tunaandbobby · 12/02/2018 23:08

WE once viewed a house where the owners had 2 dogs. One of them had taken the dogs out for a walk while we looked round however going off the horrendous smell of dog in the house they might as well have still been there.
We couldn’t look in the garden of that particular house due to their chickens being loose in the garden.
The house was ridiculously overpriced anyway.

yummumto3girls · 12/02/2018 23:19

We are selling our house but every viewing we take the dogs out!! It’s a pain as often have to come home from work to do it but no one would want to view my house with them there!! Also can’t understand why owners stay, it’s very off putting to view a house when the owners are breathing down your neck!

MissesBloom · 12/02/2018 23:41

I've never heard such disgusting descriptions of dogs before. honestly some of these replies... stinking repulsive 'fur baby' seriously Hmm I think it's odd to call an animal repulsive.

I cannot stand cats, but would I let it stand in the way of purchasing a home? No way. The home isn't yours until you've bought it. You have no rights over its occupants.

The fact that you want to drag a toddler along to a viewing and expect her to be involved in the decision is ridiculous tbh. Perhaps try to be more open minded. You'll end up potentially losing out on a lovely property because the owners have a pet.

Elllicam · 12/02/2018 23:49

I would absolutely be put off a house by dog poo in the garden and slightly put off by a dog or cat in the house. Mostly from a pet hair perspective though.

Draylon · 13/02/2018 00:01

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Draylon · 13/02/2018 00:06

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Draylon · 13/02/2018 00:10

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llangennith · 13/02/2018 00:18

When I put my house on the market I removed all trace of dog every time I had a viewing. Crate, dog bowls, bedding, dog and any canine paraphernalia into car and away before prospective buyers arrived. Annoying and hard work but worth it.

Draylon · 13/02/2018 00:20

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Abbylee · 13/02/2018 02:20

If they owned well behaved, sweet smelling dogs, they would take them for a walk while you looked.

BitOutOfPractice · 13/02/2018 07:46

I think this thread is going like this

Some people: lots of houses with dogs smell
Dog owners: mine doesn't

Some people: lots of dog owners don't realise that their dogs are annoying / frightening
Dog owners: mine isn't (proving the point of "some people")

Some people: lots of people would be put if a house with dogs
Dog owners: I wouldn't

Which is kind of pointless.

EboWen · 13/02/2018 08:13

We viewed a house with a strong dog stink, it was horrid and the dog(s) weren’t even there. That gives a worse impression than actually seeing the dog in all it’s smelly glory, it didn’t turn us off the house. I like dogs having been a dog owner for years so I’d likely be more tolerant but there’s no excuse for dirt and muck. Also spare a thought for the agents, cringeworthy!

Letseat · 13/02/2018 09:24

Floorboards probably rotten with piss and half the garden soil would be dog turds
Grin hysterical much!

manicmij · 13/02/2018 10:15

YANBU. Sold house but had put dog in car when the viewer was due. Sold with first viewer. I too don't like everyone else's dog.

GreatDuckCookery6211 · 13/02/2018 10:37

If someone thought it was fine to leave dog poo all over the garden and has piss soaked floorboards, I'm bet the rest of the place would be a shit tip anyway, not a place anyone would want to buy.

Poffley · 13/02/2018 10:46

I'm not a dog person ( don't hate them, but am lazy and couldn't be arsed to take them for walks) but I wouldn't give two fucks about this.

I have two house cats in my flat, I won't be taking them anywhere when we come to sell it. I always quite liked places with animals in when we were looking.

bit - I can never smell dog in other people's houses TBH, despite the fact I don't have one myself.

ginghamstarfish · 13/02/2018 12:55

We've moved a lot and I always dread it when a house has dogs although it wouldn't put us off buying if everything else was good (with a lower offer to account for the deep cleaning/new carpets/redecorating etc that might be necessary, same as a house that's had heavy smokers). On viewings I get DH to go to the door first and check, and if so then ask the owners to put dogs in another room etc as I can't bear them jumping up at me/sniffing my crotch etc. Shouldn't have to ask really, if they had any sense, but as can be seen from this thread some dog owners can't see any problem with it. Went to one place, the stink was so bad we felt sick, it was absolutely ingrained into every part of the house. We could smell it on us all the way home .... and I'm another one who says you can ALWAYS smell if a house has a dog living in it.

Original poster
RingFence · 13/02/2018 14:37

My dog was always put outside during viewings. If viewers wanted to look around the garden they were welcome, but were told to watch out for poo as I had no idea if he'd done one while I was showing them around If there's a dog in the garden, wouldn't you expect some degree of poo there, too? Not everyone cleans up after their animals like we do (or worms them regularly so at least it would just be a mess and not a potential illness)

TBH it never crossed my mind there might be dog poo in the garden of a house for sale. The dog being loose in the garden would irritate me, as it then has to be caught and held/shut inside while you view the garden and you feel like you're a nuisance. Most viewings usually end with the agent saying 'have another look around in your own time' as it's hard to take everything in during the tour. You can't do that if the owner has to keep moving the dog. I like to inspect the garden thoroughly (don't most people?) If it's a big, barking dog I worry it will break free and attack us.

I think it's always best to have the dog off the premises if you can. That way there's no risk of poo on the lawn either.

I can see beyond clutter/dirt/smell/pet paraphernalia but having the dog there is at best distracting. If it keeps barking/growling I just want to get out!

OP posts:
BitOutOfPractice · 13/02/2018 15:07

Poffley I can! And My nose is notoriously not sensitive at all