While showing a home to a buyer in the Baker neighborhood of Denver, we were greeted by an animated, bouncy Yellow Lab in the backyard. The dog went bounding around the side of the home, returning with a dead squirrel that he proudly dropped at my buyer’s feet. My buyer was a great sport and found this dog’s show of endearment amusing. Dog lovers or not, most home buyers prefer that the home sellers find an alternate arrangement to leaving the pup in the house, backyard or basement during showings.
Your dog may be the perfect host to guests while he is at home with you. However, all bets are off when intruders are barging through her front door with you gone. Case in point: My videographer met me to do a shoot for a listing while the homeowners were not home. This otherwise mild mannered Chocolate Lab – backed up the video guy and growled until I raced to the pantry to return with a treat.
One of my Standard Poodles, who is the quintessential gentle giant, will growl and corner my eldest son’s friends in the laundry room when they get the bright idea of entering without knocking.
Okay, so your dog would never do any of the above – think about:
Some home buyers are just plain terrified of dogs and will refuse to enter your home when a dog is present. On the flipside, dog lovers can get flat out distracted from actually seeing your homes wonderful features as they are playing with your pooch.
Next, think about your dog’s safety:
Dogs, especially little ones, intuitively know that the stars perfectly align for an escape the second the Realtor goes for the lock box to secure your home. On more than one occasion I have chased a dog through a yard to get them safely returned to their home.
Please just make arrangements with a neighbor to remove the dogs during showings or put them in doggy daycare. It is safest for all involved.
By the way – I offer proof over my love of dogs in a former post: Portuguese water dogs.
Michelle A. Potter
Denver Realtor
RE/MAX Professionals
