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Orrex

(65,893 posts)
Thu May 29, 2025, 09:08 PM May 2025

Dog people, explain something to me. (A low-key rant) [View all]

My job takes me into people's homes to work on audio and electronics. I'm often there for hours, often crouching/sitting/lying on the floor to get at wiring or equipment.

It's very common for the customer to greet me at the door with a barely restrained dog, and they invariably say "you're ok with dogs, right?"

If the dog looks like it'll be an issue, I express my concern, and 100% of the time the dog's owner is clearly offended, like how dare I not want to manage their animal for them while working on their $5,000 system?

I've had dogs jam their noses hard and repeatedly into my crotch while I'm trying to explain technology to non-tech-savvy customers, and the most they'll do is say "Falcon, stop that."

Or I've had them actually start to hump me while I'm working, and the owner always says "Oh, he never does that."

I've adopted a new one-strike policy, which I communicate to the dog owner: the dog gets one strike, and I'm out.


So here's my question: Why do certain dog owners have no qualms about inflicting their unruly beasts on service professionals on-site to do a contracted job? And why do they get visibly irritated when I express impatience about their dog forcing itself on me? Why not put the dog in the guest room/crate/basement/yard while the stranger is present?

What is the proper response in that situation? (And I haven't even mentioned the obviously aggressive dogs that the owners refuse or are unable to corral).

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Excellent question My Friend BOSSHOG May 2025 #1
No idea, but can you specify all dogs be removed prior to your arrival in your contract? SheltieLover May 2025 #2
Thank you. Orrex May 2025 #3
Is there someone at your company who you can talk to about this? SheltieLover May 2025 #7
I have one particular friend who's very supportive Orrex May 2025 #12
Great idea! SheltieLover May 2025 #13
Well, they are inconsiderate but you know that. Maybe make it clear when you set the appointment hlthe2b May 2025 #4
Very sensible suggestions Orrex May 2025 #6
Maybe you could say something like "as this is sensitive electronic equipment, it would be best if you locked Fido up SheltieLover May 2025 #8
I have two dogs Lifeafter70 May 2025 #5
You are making a great case for the saying soldierant May 2025 #9
This message was self-deleted by its author Ponietz May 2025 #10
That's very much the case (nt) Orrex May 2025 #11
We have very friendly dogs but we still crate our dogs when a service person is in the house LetMyPeopleVote May 2025 #14
Let me get this straight True Dough May 2025 #15
I'm fine with subwoofers Orrex May 2025 #16
That's really Rude! Sorry you have to deal w that. electric_blue68 May 2025 #17
Thanks for understanding! Orrex May 2025 #18
'For service workers, the egocentric first-time dog owner in "The Friend" will be all too familiar' Donkees May 2025 #19
Good article! Orrex May 2025 #21
Doesn't need to be a "low-key" rant, IMO. It's a very legitimate one. Sogo May 2025 #20
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