I have never been bitten while working as a real estate agent, but while I was contracting to AT&T doing residential installations, I was bitten three times.  Two were my fault, as I pressed too soon - before the dogs were comfortable.  I read that they were nervous. Both of those dogs were my friends before I left the homes.  The potentially injurious bite was from a pit bull that escaped its confinement in a bedroom when a kid peeked his head out to see what was going on.  I saw a brown streak coming towards me.  I moved just in time to get a grazing tooth mark in the butt.  The major cause of dog attacks is, in my opinion, that dog owners do not take the time to socialize their dogs with other dogs and people.  Almost all dogs can be raised to be good dogs.  Many can be raised to be bad dogs.  Even good guard dogs actually need to be socialized and like people.  Properly trained, they can be turned on and off with a simple command.  Anyway, that has been my experience.

I have had a couple of close dog encounters while showing properties, but fortunately no one has ever been bitten.

Roger,

Kudos to you for maintaining a calm head.  Thanks for your input!

Randy,

I just helped a very nice family buy a home.  The little girl was very afraid of dogs, and something like this would have just rocked her world.  Thanks for coming by and commenting.

I do hope that your fellow agent has a swift recovery.  I can't imagine having this happen to us -- and we're such animal lovers.  Definitely a good reminder to be cautious everywhere.

That is just awful. While I do like animals, I am not a fan of big dogs. My neighbor has a very lary cujo looking dog that they let roam the neighborhood and yard freely. I fear for my kids when they go outside or come home after dark. I'm especially fearful of the dog attacking my two very small dogs when I take then out for a walk.

Calling animal control does help because I'm told that they cannot do anything if the dog isn't harming anyone. So needless to say, they are reactive and not proactive.

Maybe it is time to add pepper spray as an added defense and protection.

This is one thing I am always leery of, is a dog showing up in a situation I wasn't prepared for. 

Sounds like the neighbor should be sued!  People need to make sure their animals are secured all the time, not roaming free.

Mike,
The good news, of course, is the Agent is going to be ok but what a scary thing to happen.  I am sure this will be an event that  will always lurk in the back of her mind each time she sees a dog.  I suppose this risk goes with the territory but thankfully, not one  which I have ever experienced.  Thanks for the reminder to be alert.

Jim & Maria,

Thanks for reading and offering your wishes.

Carolyn,

I wonder if one could get pepper spray out quickly enough?  Thanks for commenting.

Becky,

Who can predict a dog's responses?  Thanks!

Cynthia,

Thank you.  We'll take the good news, indeed.

There are way too many people who shouldn't own dogs because they don't know how to handle them.  I'm glad to see that your friend will be okay.

When I was first in real estate, some 10 years ago I had a pit bull experience.  My client and I were lucky my car was close or we could have ended up in that same predicament.  Even thinking about it makes my heart go pitter patter.

You are right we cant' be too careful.

Steven,

I agree, and thank you for your concern.

Marchel,

Sorry if I gave you a little deja vu.  Thanks for stopping by.

Mike, One of the agents at my former company had a similar incident a while back. This is not as uncommon as we would believe.

Ginger

Ginger,

Never a dull moment.  I guess part of always being "ON" as an agent is always being alert.

Sorry to hear of that encounter.  Being afraid of unknown dogs myself I tend to avoid a listing if the owners or agents don't give me the assurance I need that it is safe.  After an experience a few years ago when my clients and I rounded a corner to very dark den and this HUGE black dog came at me,(no where in the listing was that info) I just don't take a chance.  Let tell you....I was not the least bit concerned about my awkward leap onto the countertop.  Saved myself from losing a chunk of my behind I think.

Sybil,

Our agent will have her story to tell, too.

Thanks for sharing yours.