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159
Estate Agent Allows Buyer’s Dog Into Family Home, Security Footage Exposes The Truth
Interview With ExpertEven though there are over 65.1 million dog lovers in the US alone, this doesn’t mean that everyone wants to welcome a furry friend into their home. Unless it’s a doggie party or another occasion that involves them, the person who’s visiting should always ask if it’s okay that their adorable pooch tags along.
Unfortunately, these potential home buyers didn’t do that and brought their dog to a house viewing unannounced. After finding this out through security cameras, the owner became extremely upset, confronting the estate agent.
Scroll down to find the full story and a conversation with etiquette expert, trainer, and author of Don’t Burp in the Boardroom: Your Guide to Handling Uncommonly Common Workplace Dilemmas, Rosalinda Oropeza Randall, and Arden Clise, president of Clise Etiquette and author of Spinach in Your Boss’s Teeth: Etiquette Essentials for Professional Success, who kindly agreed to tell us more about bringing one’s dog to someone’s house.
RELATED:
Not everyone appreciates others bringing pets into their home
Image credits: Imaeg by Freepik (not the actual photo)
Just like this woman, who confronted an estate agent for allowing potential buyers to bring a dog into her home
Image credits: Drazen Zigic / Freepik (not the actual photo)
Image credits: Memberberry
“It is never acceptable to assume that you can bring your dog to someone’s home or event”
“It is never acceptable to assume that you can bring your dog to someone’s home or event. Even if it was okay the last time you visited,” says etiquette expert and trainer Rosalinda Oropeza Randall. President and founder of Clise Etiquette, Arden Clise, agrees that it’s not okay for the furry friend to tag along without getting permission first. “And, I would add, if the person you’re visiting isn’t a dog person I wouldn’t even ask.”
In addition, according to Randall, the homeowner may feel hesitant about having dogs in their home because they have a new pet that doesn’t play well with other animals or a child or someone with allergies. Moreover, the gathering they’re hosting may be a more formal one, or they might not want any pet accidents on the new flooring or carpet they installed.
Since nowadays many people bring their dogs wherever they go, the chance of a person dropping by with their adorable pooch unannounced is high. When that happens, Clise recommends being kind. “But if you are uncomfortable having the dog in your home, ask your guest to keep the dog in their car or ask that it stay outside if you have a fenced yard,” she says.
In case of an event, Randall suggests that a host consider having a designated area for dogs if a guest brings one unannounced or includes a no-pet policy in an invitation. “If you know that one of your guests always travels with their dog, contact them directly and explain why their dog cannot attend or under what circumstances they can. If the circumstances or environment cannot accommodate a dog, empathetically explain why Fido can’t stay,” she adds.
“Never assume the same freedoms apply in someone else’s home”
When a homeowner feels comfortable with welcoming a doggie into their humble abode, Clise reminds people bringing the pets to make sure that they’re clean and don’t have a smell. “Don’t allow it to get on the furniture, even if it’s allowed to get on your furniture at home. Keep the dog from bothering others. It’s best to have it lay down near you so it’s not wandering the house and bothering people who may not be dog people. Also, your attention should be on the people you’re visiting, not your dog.”
“If your dog is welcome into someone’s home, be sure to apply behavioral strategies,” seconds Randall. “Never assume the same freedoms apply in someone else’s home. Similarly, our quirky or carefree behaviors are best kept in the privacy of our own homes.”
Some other things to be aware of include honoring a dog’s designated area if there is one and asking what the allowed parameters are. It’s also important to always keep an eye on the furry companions. “Don’t assume, because your dog has made themselves cozy on a guest’s lap, that the guest likes it. They may be too polite to say anything,” adds Randall.
Lastly, she concludes by saying, “Being invited to someone’s home is like receiving a gift. In return, we express gratitude, whether we liked the gift or not. As guests, we respect the host’s house rules, whether we like them or not. Don’t speak unkindly about the host if they do not want a dog in their home. It’s their preference. Avoid taking it personally.”
Commenters agreed that it’s not okay to bring a dog into someone else’s home without asking
[kind of ok to bring dog]
Some readers even shared similar stories
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What do you think ?
CD King 1 year ago
The whole bring your dog everywhere with you has gotten way out of control. There are many people who are not comfortable around dogs or have allergies. The Gaul of bringing your dog into a strangers house - and the estate agent being fine with it - without permission is not cool.
Scott Rackley 1 year ago
So the real estate agent lied to their face. This is the person you're trusting with a 6 figure transaction. I'm finding another agent.
MisterE 1 year ago
The balls on these people. One commenter's name is mum2jenny. Look, I am a dog peraon but they are not kids. They don't need to come with to "check the place out." These are super entitled twats.
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
Spocks disagrees with the "they are not kids" part of your statement. 😏😉
Load More Replies...
Nitka Tsar 1 year ago (edited)
It‘s the crib thing for me. Forget the dog being inside, on the carpets and whatever. But WHAT THE HELL does the dog need to sniff the inside of the crib for??? What?
Tabitha 1 year ago (edited)
I would be annoyed, and I’m a huge lifelong animal lover. I don’t blame the animals, I blame their humans. Most people like the ones in the article don’t bother to train their fur babies, and I don’t want to end up with their dog’s p**s and s**t on my floors and carpets, or my furniture chewed, or their “baby” to drop fleas that will then hop onto MY pets! Not your house, not your decision. If I was viewing a house to maybe buy it and saw that same behavior out of the seller, I would walk right out and tell the agent why. I actually prefer looking at unoccupied houses anyway, as having the sellers there can be awkward, like I’m intruding on their privacy, whether they feel that way or not.
Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein 1 year ago
This is no different from expecting you could smoke in someone's house during a viewing. And the comment about the "7 figure property" - what an A-hole. Typical rich person thinking that being wealthy means you don't need to show common decency towards fellow human beings.
Petunia Petal 1 year ago (edited)
I'd be livid if this happened. My son has asthma and dog hair and dander can exacerbate his symptoms. I would take the house off the market and find a new estate agent. I don't like the whole, 'bring your dogs everywhere' thing. Our local shopping centre now allows dogs inside and it feels like it's not the best environment for them to be in.
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
Our local store always seems to have elderly people with small dogs--almost always a chihuahua--in their carts. It's always the same--the poor dog always looks terrified and is trembling. Or they growl at anyone who comes even close to the cart. I don't get it. Why bring a a terrified dog to the store with you. Surely, they're more comfortable being left at home.
Load More Replies...
jburgh 1 year ago
I worked in real estate in the US and this pisses me off. There is no excuse for allowing a potential buyer to bring their dogs inside. I would fire that agent immediately, and insist that the seller’s contract (if there is one,) be voided. Then speak to the manager of the brokerage and ask for the representation be transferred to another broker.
dremetrius 1 year ago
I can do you one better, I was once involved in a real estate transaction where the whole thing got REAL messy two days before closing... because the buyers went to look at the house again through the windows one evening (not creepy, it was a new house), and caught the realtor camping in the living room... with two dogs. I will preface this by saying that I worked with many excellent realtors in my time...but oh my god, does realty somehow manage to attract the most batshit oblivious narcissistic buttheads.
Load More Replies...
Mireille Oosterhof 1 year ago
I mean, I wouldnt make a huge fuss about it there and then, in the US people walk with their shoes on inside as well (where the children play...). the dog will not make a big difference imo. But 1. it is REALLY weird behavior to bring the dog along to something like that and 2. your agent should not lie.
CD King 1 year ago
The whole bring your dog everywhere with you has gotten way out of control. There are many people who are not comfortable around dogs or have allergies. The Gaul of bringing your dog into a strangers house - and the estate agent being fine with it - without permission is not cool.
Scott Rackley 1 year ago
So the real estate agent lied to their face. This is the person you're trusting with a 6 figure transaction. I'm finding another agent.
MisterE 1 year ago
The balls on these people. One commenter's name is mum2jenny. Look, I am a dog peraon but they are not kids. They don't need to come with to "check the place out." These are super entitled twats.
Spocks's Mom 1 year ago
Spocks disagrees with the "they are not kids" part of your statement. 😏😉
Load More Replies... Nitka Tsar 1 year ago (edited)
It‘s the crib thing for me. Forget the dog being inside, on the carpets and whatever. But WHAT THE HELL does the dog need to sniff the inside of the crib for??? What?
Tabitha 1 year ago (edited)
I would be annoyed, and I’m a huge lifelong animal lover. I don’t blame the animals, I blame their humans. Most people like the ones in the article don’t bother to train their fur babies, and I don’t want to end up with their dog’s p**s and s**t on my floors and carpets, or my furniture chewed, or their “baby” to drop fleas that will then hop onto MY pets! Not your house, not your decision. If I was viewing a house to maybe buy it and saw that same behavior out of the seller, I would walk right out and tell the agent why. I actually prefer looking at unoccupied houses anyway, as having the sellers there can be awkward, like I’m intruding on their privacy, whether they feel that way or not.
Jane Jayne Jain Jeign Jein 1 year ago
This is no different from expecting you could smoke in someone's house during a viewing. And the comment about the "7 figure property" - what an A-hole. Typical rich person thinking that being wealthy means you don't need to show common decency towards fellow human beings.
Petunia Petal 1 year ago (edited)
I'd be livid if this happened. My son has asthma and dog hair and dander can exacerbate his symptoms. I would take the house off the market and find a new estate agent. I don't like the whole, 'bring your dogs everywhere' thing. Our local shopping centre now allows dogs inside and it feels like it's not the best environment for them to be in.
Amelia Jade 1 year ago
Our local store always seems to have elderly people with small dogs--almost always a chihuahua--in their carts. It's always the same--the poor dog always looks terrified and is trembling. Or they growl at anyone who comes even close to the cart. I don't get it. Why bring a a terrified dog to the store with you. Surely, they're more comfortable being left at home.
Load More Replies... jburgh 1 year ago
I worked in real estate in the US and this pisses me off. There is no excuse for allowing a potential buyer to bring their dogs inside. I would fire that agent immediately, and insist that the seller’s contract (if there is one,) be voided. Then speak to the manager of the brokerage and ask for the representation be transferred to another broker.
dremetrius 1 year ago
I can do you one better, I was once involved in a real estate transaction where the whole thing got REAL messy two days before closing... because the buyers went to look at the house again through the windows one evening (not creepy, it was a new house), and caught the realtor camping in the living room... with two dogs. I will preface this by saying that I worked with many excellent realtors in my time...but oh my god, does realty somehow manage to attract the most batshit oblivious narcissistic buttheads.
Load More Replies... Mireille Oosterhof 1 year ago
I mean, I wouldnt make a huge fuss about it there and then, in the US people walk with their shoes on inside as well (where the children play...). the dog will not make a big difference imo. But 1. it is REALLY weird behavior to bring the dog along to something like that and 2. your agent should not lie.
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