One of the worst experiences I have had in my recent working life of other people's dogs is as follows.
Dark winter evening. Working as part of community nursing team. Rang client who had requested help with care for elderly relative. Agreed to visit the same evening in the dark, ostensibly to provide hands on care support and bring necessary equipment.
Arrived on doorstep, with said equipment carried from car boot set on doorstep beside me. Lone worker, advised in advance of visit, no safety issues.
Rang doorbell, heard dog barking and stood well back. Door opened and large dog, still barking launched itself at me and put it's paws on my chest. I screamed loudly, as not expecting this and ran back to the car with dog in hot pursuit. It was a rural village with no street lighting.
In car with central locking applied, sat and waited for dog to be taken inside and secured safely, but this did not happen. Dog barked and jumped up at car windows, with owner watching and doing nothing to restrain large pet dog.
Rang landline from mobile and spoke to patient's daughter. Explained that the jumping dog was an impediment to attempting to enter the property, but perfectly willing to enter and provide services requested if dog could be put in a room with the door secured. Discussion continued with daughter insisting that they needed the dog for protection when strangers arriving at property after dark.
Explained politely that I simply could not enter the property unless the dog was safely in another room with the door shut, as not willing to be jumped on by dog. Also explained we could send someone the following morning if they were concerned about having HCP in the house after dark. No, they wanted a visit, needed care support, but did not want to put the dog in another room "for their own safety".
Eventually after some discussion dog was eventually shut in the kitchen and I took the equipment in and provided the care required for the elderly lady. The daughter was extremely put out that I would not allow the dog to be present.
After this, I always ring to check if there are dogs present and respectfully request that dogs are put in another room before even getting out of the car, when doing late evening visits.