Appraisers Vs. Dogs

[Kate]

My first reaction is to run. I get so scared with I see teeth and growling. I can't help but look them in the eye. I think I will buy some pepper spray for my appraising fanny pack.

 

[Ross (CO)]

Put your arms up over your head, hands spread apart as far as they go, look directly at the beast, and yell and growl back at the TOP of your lungs as you take several 1/2-steps in fast succession toward the animal ! He who makes the most noise usually wins the confrontation. Keep yell-growling and if the animal begins to cower and turn away you keep approaching them and they might immediately put the tail between the legs and scoot. That's when you do a 180....and scoot. It works for grizzly bears, it can work for you.

 

[Cliff Salisbury]

I had a young female bassett hound relive hersef on my shoes while I was talking to the home owner. I was wearing Hush Puppies. Really happened.

 

[Charlotte Dixon]

I've been bitten 7 times since 1982. There won't be an 8th, at least inside of a house. The dog has to be caged or someone has to have the thing on a leash. I did an appraisal last week after going back for the 4th time. Directions to the Realtor were as above. Ching..Ching.. $75 x 3 plus the appraisal fee. The $75 x 3 was charged to the Realtor at settlement.

Outside, I use pepper spray for critters of all kinds, including groundhogs. But, only if they're aggressive.

 

[Bill Rose]

Cliff,

That's the dogs way of saying you're spoken for!!

Another, cheaper alternative to pepper spray is Windex. Works great for indoor bugs, too.

 

[Nancy Wyatt]

I've only been bitten 1X, and the dog could only reach my ankle. I have never had a situation were I was scared of a dog. They all seem so small compared to mine so I never have any anxiety that they can pick up on.

If I enter a home where the dog is barking at me, I put down my tape/camera/file and squat on the floor and talk to them. It helps. I think is helps the homeowner feel better about the situation also.

 

[Mike Simpson]

"Outside, I use pepper spray for critters of all kinds, including groundhogs."

About 20 years ago I had a Marmot drag my clothes off into some rocks. I hadn't noticed, and saw it just as it disappeared with my last shoe.

I was afraid to go in after my garments...looked like a good place for scorpions & rattlesnakes but, I wasn't walking out of there in my birthday suit.

Damn varmints.

-Mike

 

[Elliott]

Clipboards have two sides, one to put in front
of a dogs face and a decent edge that can wack
if need be. A good loggers tape held in your
hand makes a good brass nuckle.

I once had a german sheppard charge me at full
speed in his back yard....I raised the the loggers tape as if
to throw it (in an instant I decided it was either
him or me). He wisely decided to stop in his tracks
and we decided to think about this situation. I let him
bark, I backed away slowly.

I've been nipped at by a number of dogs. I don't
accept the owner promise that "Don't worry, he's
friendly, he never bites."

elliott

 

[Blue1]

A dog sees itself as the first line of defense in the household 'homeland security' system for it's family.

The family dog treasures it's family....not you. You...to the dog....are an unwelcome interloper skulking around the outside of the house with strange things coming out of your hands. The dog's mission is to stop you by any means it has available to it. Which is it's job........

ALWAYS.....ALWAYS.....ALWAYS.....At a minimum....Have the dog-owner with you when you are in the same area as the dog!!!!! Don't EVER listen to such words as....."Oh...He'll just lick you to death".....OR....."He wouldn't hurt a flea"......Truth is....That dog has been planning how to take you down from the moment you knocked on the door......The only thing that stands between you and that dog trying to rip you to shreds........is the owner......Beware..... h34r:

P.S......Even more scary...When the owner has no control over the dog..... Please....Be careful out there....

 

[Eric Bishard]

My first appraisal I shadowed another appraiser, he asked me to draw the house, so as Im walking around the house I get to a fence about chest high with a raggity *** dog on the other side of the fence. He didnt look like he could jump the fence or really even attack, but as I edged a little closer to the fence to try and see how the house was shaped around a corner and teh +++++ jumped the fence and letched on to my arm, his K9's ripped through my skin and bloodied my nice polo. I was really scared about rabies or something else like that. The owner hit the dog really hard and he ran away. Very scary situation considering this was the first time I had ever REALLY been bitten where it seemed the dog was hungry for apiece of my flesh. I will have scars to show for ever.

From now on I will never inspect a yard or a house without first asking if there is a dog and to secure him before I do my work.