patience comes with age - Contractor Talk - Professional Construction and Remodeling Forum

oldrivers · 03-13-2008, 04:40 PM

No it doesnt , how the heck do you deal with a yelping mutt all day long? i know ive had to deal with this in the past but today i could barely do my job i even cut myself "minor wound " because i was getting so annoyed . i actually had to put down my tools ,walk outside ,talk to myself , and then go back with a fresh attitude i never had to do that before.

but how do some of you other tradesman deal with that reaching up into the back of a sink trying to thread a pipe with two fingers behind your head with both your legs bent behind your back all the while the dog in the next room is yelping .

Chris Johnson · 03-13-2008, 05:17 PM

I find it easiest to go and see the mutt, play with him for a few minutes let him know you are there...leave him be and most times they stay quiet for a hour or two before they get restless again, repeat the procedure.

Or

Bring a 22 to work with you and end it by 7:05 am and the rest of the day is clear

BuildingHomes · 03-13-2008, 05:26 PM

I have one regular client with a dog like that. The dog barks itself hoarse.

I have to yell while going over the job I was doing just so the client could hear me. Last time I told him either remove the dog or I'm leaving and billing for the time spent.

I'll do the job for you, but shut your damned dog up.

**framerman** · 03-13-2008, 05:52 PM

sometimes the ultrasonic buzzer works. I had a neighbor that had a dog like that, doesn't keep working though, just enough to shut him up for a minute. I've also heard of plastic milk jugs rubbing against each other drive them away, who knows, maybe a wives tale

Jason W · 03-13-2008, 06:02 PM

Hire a helper, your back will start feeling better soon after

kevjob · 03-13-2008, 06:16 PM

1st thing i do when there is a dog let them get used to me so when we start it hopefully isn't angry.

Dustball · 03-13-2008, 06:44 PM

Ask the owner if you're allowed to give the dog treats. Get the dog to like you and get used to you and you'll be good.

wizendwizard · 03-13-2008, 08:09 PM

Prozac crushed and baked into doggy treats works for me. I finnally found a good use for that prozac left here by my ex wife. I guarantee that dog will not bark ALLLLLL day.

A W Smith · 03-13-2008, 08:25 PM

last summer i was helping another contractor do a kitchen install. The client had two big dogs that were a nuisance and left steamers all over the house. they didn't bark much but they had a habit of greeting you by jumping up and pawing you with their urine soaked feet. The cabinets were stacked in the living room but there was no way the carousel would fit through the dining room and into the kitchen. So me and Jim carried it out the front door. with me following. I didn't quite close the storm door completely. As we carried the cabinet around the house I had to stop and clear all the turds on the back deck so we could carry the cabinet up the deck stairs and through the slider. Just as we get the corner cabinet wedged into the slider i hear the owner calling out the dogs name from the front yard as a car slams on the brakes and the sounds of a dog yelping in obvious distress. I look at Jim and hes got this OH NO look on his face while I'm thinking. one down one more to go. he leaves me wedged in the slider opening with the corner cabinet as he runs out the front door. I manage to un wedge myself from the slider and slide the cabinet into place and set about installing it. I really don't give a s*** about dogs as you can tell. Jim volunteers to drive the dog and the owner to the nearest vet because the owner doesn't want to mess up her car. Turns out the dog is fine. Just has to wear some sort of brace.

TempestV · 03-13-2008, 09:10 PM

my dad was working at a house with a barking dog. the dog was on a run line under the deck, and my dad was working just inside the door to the deck. He took a 5 gallon bucket of water and put it near the edge of the deck. When the dog started barking, he would walk out, take the bucket, and dump 5 gallons of water on it. It didn't take long for the dog to figure it out. The home owner thanked him for quieting the dog down, and he told them that dog training costs extra.

deckman22 · 03-13-2008, 10:12 PM

Doggy downers works every time like someone else posted. I use benadryl inside of a little piece of meat or my lunch sandwhich.

Bozzy · 03-14-2008, 03:53 AM

Not barking, but dog related. Went to bid a job a while back, got to the house with a fenced yard and beware of dog sign. Gave the gate a good rattle and whistled for the dog; no responce. Assumed the dog was in the house, as I had just called 10min. prior, to let them know I was on the way. Entered the gate, knocked on the door and rang the bell; no responce. After knocking again much louder, heard growling. Turned around to see a German Sheppard about 15ft away looking very displeased with my presence. Without thinking, tried to open the door to the house, which was locked. This really pissed the dog off, as it then came at me.

As I was fending the dog off with a lawn chair, the H/O (female) came around the side of the house and tried to control the beast, but to no avail. I am now thinking it is kill or be killed time, and conveying these thoughts to the H/O. Then her little girl (in pig-tails with a lolly-pop in her mouth) about 6 or 7 yrs old, comes around the side of the house, and quickly assesses the situation. She casually walks up to the dog and kicks her square in the jaw, which sends the dog off yelping. She took the sucker out of her mouth and said, "all you gotta do is kick her in the mouth", then walks off.

Turned out the dog recently had puppies, that were inside the house.

threaderman · 03-14-2008, 06:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BuildingHomes

I have one regular client with a dog like that. The dog barks itself hoarse.

I have to yell while going over the job I was doing just so the client could hear me. Last time I told him either remove the dog or I'm leaving and billing for the time spent.

I'll do the job for you, but shut your damned dog up.

I've also found that this is a effective way to deal with annoying animals,and dogs!

EricTheHandyman · 03-14-2008, 06:49 AM

I actually got a painting job last year because I was the only bidder who was willing to help with the customers dogs--let them out, fill water bowl, etc. Of course, I added some $$ to the job for this extra service, the HO was just glad that I was willing to do it.