I have been a guest at their home on several occasions, and the dog was enthusiastically friendly with me, as he is with everyone. However, I had to enter their home recently and when I opened the door and called the dog, his demeanor was extremely threatening, head down, growling. As he is a large and dangerous dog, I hastily retreated. When the client arrived on site, the dog was just fine with me. How do I approach this situation and get along with the dog, I need to be able to get into the home when the client isn't there?
2013-04-29T18:32:54Z
LOL Not the answers I was hoping for, but I suspected as much. I guess it just triggers his territorial instincts if the client isn't there? The client is like, "Oh, we'll just be there when you arrive." Yeah, that's great, but when they leave will the dog revert to being territorial? Does sound like I should just arrange to have the dog confined to be on the safe side.
Julie D.2013-04-29T18:01:00Z
Favorite Answer
I don't know what sort of service you're providing these people, but clearly they trust you enough to let you enter their house when they aren't there. If they at least know what day/days you'll be coming, you could ask them to put the dog in a bedroom with the door closed, or some room that you won't have to enter. Perhaps the dog is use to a crate, and you could also ask them to crate the dog on those days. You should not have to deal with this dog, no matter what the circumstances are. Whenever anyone comes to my house to provide a service, even if I'm home, my dogs get put away. Your client needs to keep this dog contained......period. Ask him/her to do so. Things might not turn out so well if you end up having to sue him/her.
The dog is being protective of his home. Since the owners are not around, he feels that he has to protect the home from anyone. He doesn't really know you, so he wants to protect his home. He does not know why you are there and what you might do. When the owners are around, he knows that you are invited and and safe to have in the house. This is normal behaviour for many dogs, they want to protect their home when their owners are not around.
You need to talk with the client. You should not go into the house without the clients as it could be dangerous. You can ask them the put the dog away when you have to be there alone. It may take a while for the dog to view you are safe not matter what and will take a lot of effort on your part as well.
Sorry, but it is too risky for you to go in when the dog's owner isn't there and I hope you don't try to do that. Although it may be an inconvenience, the owner MUST be there when you enter. Otherwise, you get severely bitten.
If there is a fenced yard, you could ask the owner to leave the dog out in the yard or with a neighbor on the days you have to get into the house.
I would advice that you ask them to contain the dog if they will not be home when you are scheduled to be there, just for your safety, and for the dog's safety and comfort.