Anyone ever take your dog canvassing?

[BainsBane]

I'm wondering if I should take my dog out canvassing with me. Any thoughts on whether this could interfere with the job? She is very friendly and has no aggressive tendencies.

[Lefta Dissenter]

1. I wouldn't

just because the dogs who live at the homes you're visiting might not appreciate such a visitor.

(this, coming from the owner of three dogs who are EXTREMELY LOUD when they see other dogs outside their door)

[jenw2]

2. Biting a potental voter...

is not the way to earn supporters! Keep your dangerous animals away from others.

[BainsBane]

3. there is nothing dangerous about her

and she has never bitten anyone, ever.

[Kurska]

6. This may be true, but many people are afraid/alllergic to dogs.

I'd suggest not taking it.

[jenw2]

16. sigh

What is typically the first thing out of one of those animal owners after an attack? "But it has never bitten anyone!" when it is a boldface lie when it just did. Two weeks ago after I saw a dog bite a three year-old in the neck, I heard a woman say that lie. Everyone that saw it knew it was a damn lie since the dog just bit someone. Why do those people say that lie?

[BainsBane]

24. What's your problem with dogs?

I've decided not to bring her, but for you to accuse me of lying is insulting. You obviously have a problem with dogs, which is your issue alone.

[jenw2]

40. And after your animal bites someone...

I bet the most likely thing out of your mouth would be "my dog doesn't bite." Am I right? If not, I apologize, but for most owners of those things, their knee-jerk reaction is to lie.

[roody]

32. She might be hurt by other dogs.

Keep it simple. Leave her home.

[Kurska]

5. Humans are far more dangerous of an animal than dogs.

A well trained and sociable dog isn't a threat to anyone.

That said OP shouldn't take his/her dog because you don't know if the voter might have an aggressive dog themselves or if they are afraid of dogs.

[BainsBane]

9. right, as an earlier poster said

In fact, my dog is far quieter than other dogs, who bark when any dog approaches. It's probably not a great idea. Thanks for your input.

[TBF]

35. lol at hysteria from gungeon.

Seriously maybe say something like "Best not to take a pet along even if it is normally friendly. Your neighbor may be scared of dogs or allergic".

[badhair77]

4. It could encourage conversation with many.

A problem could be a resident that has an aggressive dog at the home you are canvassing. They may not appreciate your friendly dog. If you're at a stand it could be a good thing and draw people to you.

[Lefta Dissenter]

8. Ooh, I agree

with the tabling suggestion. Could be a big draw there, if your dog loves humans and other animals of all sizes.

[BainsBane]

12. That's the positive side

Whenever I go anywhere, she is definitely the popular one, not me. Everyone loves her. She's beautiful and very friendly. But others dogs are a concern, not so much that she'll be hurt but that they start barking and it irritates their owners.

[Lefta Dissenter]

23. That's why I think it could be good for tabling

because other dogs out in public are probably pretty well socialized. But that's also why I didn't like it for the canvassing.

[arthritisR_US]

7. I wouldn't mind at all but many people are

allergic to dogs, or deeply afraid of them. Also, there are dogs that are very aggressive to other dogs and even more so in their own territory so I would worry about your dogs safety.

[BainsBane]

10. I hadn't thought about allergies

another good point.

[TDale313]

11. Personally, I probably wouldn't...

Aside from how any dogs who live at the houses you visit might react, there are people who get very nervous around strange dogs. JMO.

[cherokeeprogressive]

13. Taking your dog to someone's door, no matter how cute and cuddly, just seems presumptuous...

For all you know, the homeowner/resident could be highly allergic, or deathly afraid of dogs. Perhaps they have an aggressive dog. Who would you blame if your dog got hurt on someone else's porch? Most likely the homeowner I'd bet.

Your dog should be able to survive without you for a few hours.

[s-cubed]

14. I did one year.

I had a bum shoulder and couldn't carry the materials. She started some conversations, but often prevented them because homeowner's dogs were noisy. I'd recommend against it.
Edit: she carried materials in a backpack.

[SheilaT]

15. What dog owners need to understand is that

amazing as it seems, not everyone loves dogs. Really. It has nothing to do with the gentleness or friendliness of your particular dog. Some of us just aren't as taken with them as you are.

I would never take my cat out canvassing. Cat owners get it that not everyone is a cat lover. Dog owners do not seem to get it that not everyone is a dog lover.

And even more to the point, as someone else has already said, it's not even your dog that's the issue, but the possible response of the dog of some homeowner whose door you knock on.

[Brickbat]

20. This.

[Arkansas Granny]

25. Those are all good points.

[BainsBane]

26. I understand and respect your point

but truthfully, it would be a very unusual cat who could actually canvass. They don't follow directions like dogs do. Anyway, I'm not bringing her. As posters here have pointed out, the drawbacks outweigh the benefits.

[a la izquierda]

30. I love dogs...

But I wouldn't be stoked if anyone brought their dog over uninvited, especially a male dog. I have a very territorial male dog, and he only likes the ladies (and his brothers).

[SheilaT]

33. You are missing the point, which is,

not whether or not cats could actually canvass. I used to have a cat that would go on walks just like a dog.

The point is the extent to which dog owners are often oblivious to the fact that not everyone loves dogs. Really. As incredible as it sounds. And I'm not even talking about those who are allergic or afraid of dogs. Just those of us who simply aren't very fond of them.

[BainsBane]

39. I understand that

but my dog doesn't. She thinks everyone should love and adore her, since she likes them. Anyway, your point is well taken.

[IVoteDFL]

17. How big is the dog?

If she is small and looks totally non-threatening, I don't think it would be a very big deal. If someone is allergic, just stay outside a few steps back.

I can see both sides of the argument. You might be a hit with animal lovers, but anyone who doesn't like dogs could be a bit put off.

[BainsBane]

21. she's 65 lbs nt

[War Horse]

18. Problem is that other people have dogs too

Not all dogs react very well to a strange dog showing up at their doorstep. Could get ugly.

And of course allergies and people being afraid of dogs in general, as others have said.

I get why you'd want to, though.

[ffr]

28. Just about everyone we contacted, had dogs too.

Leave your dog at home.

Dogs are territorial. Not a good combination.

[Brickbat]

19. As a dog owner, I would really resent a canvasser bringing a dog to my house. It's too familiar.

[BainsBane]

22. Okay, I won't bring her

Thanks for everyone's advice.

[quinnox]

27. sure, but I would want you to steer clear

I dislike most fucking dogs, sorry, but that is the way it is. Not everyone in the world is fond of dogs.

[progressivebydesign]

29. No. Not a good idea.

So many people have their dogs run up to the door when someone knocks... and then you have a flustered person at the door trying to contain their dogs in the house. Or worse yet idiots who have their dogs off leash in the garage with the door open.

Leave Rover at home.

[Raine]

31. I love dogs but I have two indoor cats. If someone came up to my door with a dog

it would freak my cats out they could end up hurt or running out the door getting lost or killed.

[hunter]

34. Some cultures consider dogs "ritually unclean," etc.

Immigrant grandma will be very upset if you bring a dog. Her citizen son and his citizen wife will tolerate the dog but feel uncomfortable, and their kids will pet the dog and ask questions just to be little rebels and heretics.

I say no, don't upset grandma.

When grandma's not happy, nobody's happy.

[LisaL]

36. Some people are afraid of dogs.

Myself included.
So I wouldn't.

[Cirque du So-What]

37. My dog barks some

Mentally, you picture my dog, but I have not told you the type of dog which I have. Perhaps you might even picture Toto from The Wizard of Oz. But I can tell you, my dog is always with me. ARF!

[Le Taz Hot]

38. Consider there are people who are

a) afraid of dogs and/or b) allergic to dogs. You might want to re-think it.