How can you be afraid of dogs...
By reinydawn
@reinydawn (11642)
United States
September 10, 2009 9:25am CST
If your job takes you into people's houses?
We're getting our house appraised to refinance it and the guy that shows up is like freaking out about my dog. Now, granted, she is big, and she is barking. I tell the guy before I open the door that she's going to come out on the porch, smell him then run back into the house and hide - or lick him to death if he pets her. Oh, he is like freaking out! He tells me I have to put her outside or something because he's not coming in. The only time our dog has ever even tried to bit someone - that wasn't physically harming her - was when she thought my brother was hurting the kids (they were wrestling and the kids were giggling but sounded like screaming).
So, I put her outside and she's barking to get in, and scratching my door up because she wants to say hi to this guy. What a moron!
So, do you think that people who will be inside other people's houses for a living have to have some sort of good "pet disposition"? What about allergies? Do you think it would be a problem if these professions had animal allergies?
4 people like this
14 responses
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Our neighbor is afraid of dogs - well, I guess I should say "WAS" afraid of dogs. The first time Sable ran up to him to be petted, he freaked out, but we were with her and she sat and waited for him to pet her. They're best of friends now.
@Bad_Daddy55 (497)
• Canada
12 Sep 09
Hello; in most Countries pet requirements for people entering your home or premises requires the owner of the pet to be kept pets away from the person entering the place unless they tell you it is ok for the pet to be in the same room or near them. Whether they fear animals or not.
Some people are afraid of all animals dogs, cats ,birds, snakes, spiders and so on. You do not know what these people have gone through before they enter your place. They may have been attacked by an animal that the home owner said was safe..
I train dogs, big dogs, working dogs obediance and security and know that they can put a hurt, BIG DAMAGE , on people expecting to be attacked or not.
When people entering r attack it is up to u to keep the people safe, so place the pet in another room and be safe even if u feel your pet is the safest pet around people, they don't know that especialy when the the pet is barking etc..
REMEMBER ALWAYS LUV/ CARE FOR YOUR DOG/ PET, THYE WILL ALWAYS LUV U..
2 people like this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Nah, there's no such requirement around here like that - although a lot of communities are starting to ban "aggressive" dogs in their neighborhoods.
Through reading the responses, I think I have found that I would not have been as upset - and neither would my dog - if I had known ahead of time that I needed to contain her. He never said anything about it until he showed up at my house, and by then Sable was very excited to have company - and possibly a new person to pet her and pay attention to her.
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
10 Sep 09
It depends on what kind of dog you have. Some people are terrified of pit bulls, dobermans, bulldogs, and German Shepherds because those dogs hurt when they bite and they have no idea that your dog is a big lovely puppy. Some people have been bitten when they were children and the fear has never left.
I would suspect that this man when he was young was bitten by a dog and possibly seriously mauled, so stop getting on his case. Put the dog outside, give him a bone or something to play with like a ball. That man cannot read your dog's mind. He has no idea the dog does not think of him as a large sandwich.
Then there are those who are allergic and usually they do not take jobs where they will be around pets and if they need the job, they will phone ahead of time so you can put the dog in another room.
Oh there would not be a problem if the professionals had animal allergies because they would have put that on their application form and their company will make sure they do not go out to houses unless the people have no pets. So that is a no brainer.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I would kinda understand, because she is a fairly large dog. But before I opened the door I told the man that she's going to come out, sniff his leg, then run and hide from him. Now, why would I let my dog out with this man if I thought she'd hurt him? That just give him reason to sue me...
I guess, being a dog-owner myself, I am trusting of other dog owners. I do have friends who put their dogs away because they don't know how they're going to act around others.
1 person likes this
@suspenseful (40192)
• Canada
20 Sep 09
He is a big dog and you aggravated the situation by saying that the dog will sniff him. I mean, the man does not know that dog is not going to see how good he tastes. 
Just say the dog's harmless and tell the man to ignore him, then throw a ball so the dog will chase it. That will solve the problem. Like my sister=in=law and her husband have this rambunctous poodle who is always jumping on furniture. He was on the couch. Guess whose chair he did not try to sit on? Mine.
Just say the dog's harmless and tell the man to ignore him, then throw a ball so the dog will chase it. That will solve the problem. Like my sister=in=law and her husband have this rambunctous poodle who is always jumping on furniture. He was on the couch. Guess whose chair he did not try to sit on? Mine.1 person likes this
@smileonstar (4007)
• United States
11 Sep 09
Hello,
first I want to say, your dog sounds so sweet... and cute. I love pet and especially Dog. I know some people afraid of a dog so bad and no matter what you do, he/she still fear of them. Sometimes he had a bad experience with dog once before and that made him learned. In my country, dogs are mean to people cuz they train them to guard the house only, not to friendly at anyone.
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
For the most part, Sable is pretty cool. But if I had a problem with dogs, I'd make sure I didn't have to deal with them during my job. And around here, lots of people have dogs as pets, and most of the time they're nothing to worry about. Although there are some people who's dogs are mean - but those people will usually keep them away from other people.
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
13 Sep 09
I think that anyone going into someone elses home for a living should have a people friendly and pet friendly disposition. Allergies - well if you have them and you are going to be in other peoples homes on a regular basis you either should find a different job that is easier on your allergies, take medication but you need to accept that other people miight use scent candles or have pets or whatever you are allergic to.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
That's kinda funny because my husband HATES to have dogs lick him, but he will "kinda" tolerate it in other people's homes. I mean, that's the polite thing to do.
As for service people, I'm PAYING them for this service and I think it's realistic to say he should have at least asked about a pet on the premises before making the appointment... And unfortunately, this guy had to go into every room of the house so I had to put her outside - it's a darned good thing it wasn't raining that day.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
13 Sep 09
I think though when people come into my home i'd rather take my little dog out of the same room with them. She tends to be a bit of a pest wanting pets or licking them. Even if they arent scared of her she doesnt need to be licking someone who may not like it. I tend to take her to my room or to my bathroom when theres someone working in my home.
1 person likes this
@magickat (381)
•
11 Sep 09
You must have a fear or phobia of something that other people may regard as strange. I for example don't get why people are so scared of spiders. Everyone is afraid of something and you don;t know what may have happened to this man to make him scared of dogs. i get what you are saying about visiting peoples houses for your job but that would mean testing employees for allergies to everything and making sure they are OK with all possible types of pets. Surely it would amount to discrimination if you refused to give someone a job on the grounds of their fear of dogs?!
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
Oh, I don't like heights. That's why I don't build sky-scrapers...
It would be difficult to "screen" people out of a job due to allergies or phobias, but for me it's just common sense on the part of the person doing the job. Don't do something that you're going to have a problem with.
@rogue13xmen13 (14402)
• United States
11 Sep 09
My mother's sister and I have both been afraid of dogs, but as I have grown up I have learned that dogs are nothing to be afraid of. As for allergies, I am allergic to cats, but I have four cats, and so what I do is I take allergy medication. Even without my cats, I would be allergic to several other things as well, so I just decided to get the cats and take my medication. Honestly, you cannot let your physical conditions dictate your life. I cannot picture my life without my cats. There is no reason to fear your allergies.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I think with allergies it would make things more difficult if you subjected yourself to it all the time. But it sounds to me like you've found a solution that works for you and that's great!
And I'll admit that some dogs are cause to be afraid of, but I don't find that true when the owner has control of the dog and is telling you what to expect from the animal.
@moondancer (7431)
• United States
10 Sep 09
Yes, it would be a huge problem as most people do have inside babies. The way I feel is this is my babies home, they live here. I should not have to lock my babies up or out anywhere. This is there house. Unless they get upset about someone that is here and won't settle down.
People should like animals if they are going to have work or a job that takes them to other houses.
Having allergies would be so hard on them too. But there is medicine for this. Take a pill that lasts all day, no problem.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
That is so true. This is her house as much as mine and she does have every right to be here. If there was any way I thought she was a threat, I'd have made other arrangements. I know some people have dogs that aren't very "people-friendly" and for the most part they take the precautions necessary. But, for crying out loud, I told the guy exactly what to expect - I'm sure in 11 years she hasn't changed her pattern over night... He acted like I needed a "Beware of Dog" sign on my door!
@Eisenherz (2907)
• Portugal
14 Sep 09
Some people just seem to have either issues or traumas when it comes down to dogs. And instead of overcoming those traumas or getting past those issues, they'll behave in a moronic way whenever near a dog. Unfortunetly it's just the way it is...you can't force to educate this sort of people, you can only hope they'll do it themselves. Someday.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I've always had dogs - and when I was a kid I was attacked by a dog. I got over it, and think I'm much luckier to have dogs in my life than to be without them. And yeah, it's a sad thing for the people how can't get over that fear.
@cambiste (1244)
• India
10 Sep 09
Once i went to an auntie's house in a different city for getting coached by home tutors. Two of them, a maths professor and a physics sir were terrified by the small furry pomeranian auntie owned. The physics sir would jump onto the chair when Moglie was under the table. Aunt would always lock up Moglie whenever the tutors came 'cuz of that.
It seems silly to us who were raised with big dogs around us, but city folks, especilaly men, are afraid of anything small and sharp - which includes dog teeth. This isn't sarcasm, just the truth.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
That would be the same. I mean, they're going into people's homes. And quite a few people have animals. You either have to learn to deal with it, make arrangements ahead of time, or go into another profession.
It sounds like your tutors tried to deal with it :)
@harmonee (1228)
• United States
14 Sep 09
Maybe the guy had a bad dog experience. Who knows... We have 3 dogs and none of them are aggressive, but they are big and they do bark if someone new comes to the door. I think if your job is to go from house to house you should be used to the fact that some people are going to have pets and you may have to deal with them.
1 person likes this
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
I guess us dog-owners feel that way, but people who don't have or like them sure feel differently!
@LetranKnight25 (33117)
• Philippines
10 Sep 09
I believe you should at least respect other people's fear and lack of understanding if they are just there for the only a brief moment of time
.I believe he must be just afraid, my mom hates cats that's why she discouraging me to have one because of her allergies. you must have been with animals for a long time, but this person isn't. I know you should hate him for his senseless remarks on your dog, but i believe he just said that out of fear not to be beaten by the animal.have a great day
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@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
And I'm sure you'd try to avoid contact with dogs because of the allergies. I don't think you'd pick a profession that would put you in contact with them any more than necessary.
@reinydawn (11642)
• United States
20 Sep 09
So, would you purposefully put yourself in a position to be around them? I would think that most people wouldn't.
