Pets at the job site are one of the most common sources of incidents in residential service — bites, escapes and injured animals. Nearly all of them are preventable with a question and a checklist.
In this article
Ask when booking
Add one question to every booking: "Will any pets be home during the service?" The answer lets you plan where the animal will be and prevents surprises at the gate.
Request containment politely
"Could you please keep the dog inside while we work in the backyard?" is a normal request. Most owners prefer it, because they worry about the dog escaping through an open gate.
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The open gate is the biggest risk
Many dogs escape because a technician left a gate unlatched. Close it every time you pass through, even if you will be back in a minute. If the customer asked for it to stay open, confirm the animal is contained.
An aggressive dog
Do not go in. Call or text the customer, wait in the truck and note the time. No job is worth a bite. If the customer cannot contain the animal, reschedule, and charge a trip fee if your policy allows.
A friendly dog
Still ask the owner whether you can work with the dog nearby. Chemicals, tools and cords are hazards to the animal, and if it gets hurt, the claim can land on you.
Treatments and re-entry
In lawn care, pest control and cleaning, tell the owner how long the pet should stay away from treated areas, and put it in writing on the job notes.
Record it in the customer file
Note the pet's name, temperament and usual location. On the next visit, anyone on the team arrives prepared, and calling the dog by name helps.
Train new techs
New hires often do not know how to read a dog's body language or what to do if a dog charges. Spend ten minutes in onboarding on it: stay calm, do not run, keep a tool or clipboard between you and the dog, back away slowly toward the truck.
Insurance
Check whether your general liability covers injury to a customer's animal, and confirm that workers' comp covers a bite to an employee. Most policies do, but you want to know before, not after.
Where to start
Add the pet question to every booking confirmation starting this week, and add "gate closed" to the end-of-job checklist.
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Frequently asked questions
What should a technician do if a dog is loose and aggressive?
Not enter. Call or text the customer, wait in the truck and note the time. If the customer cannot contain the dog, reschedule and apply a trip fee if the booking terms include one.