When you, an appraiser, arrive at your assigned property and are greeted by the homeowner and his/her dog, what do you do? Do you continue your observation of the interior and exterior of the home?  Or do you ask the homeowner to confine the dog to closed quarters first? What if the dog shows signs of displeasure or even anger at your presence? What if you ask the homeowner to put the dog away and they don't? Some homeowners will insist their best friend "wouldn't hurt a fly." I know appraisers who have been attacked by one of those supposedly harmless dogs. Should appraisers take the risk of a dog attack as just part of the job? Of course, dogs are protectors of their master and their home. That is their nature. But should we, as professionals, bear the unnecessary consequenses of that nature? If you're not yet in the habit of asking the homeowner to put their dog away, maybe you should be, even if he looks happy to see you.