Tonight was real different! I was scheduled for a loan application signing and when I arrived, the signer refused to put away his pit bull terrier. When he came to the door, he was half dressed and told me to hold on a minute while he put some clothes on. And closed the door.
When he opened the door again, he was fighting to keep a dog from escaping, so I backed up. And he said hold on for another minute and closed the door . I was hoping he was putting the dog away. After a few minutes, he opened the door again and started to tell me that the dog “insists” on staying where we were to do the signing and that it will be “okay.”
Well NOT for me! I quickly and adamantly said “No! For my safety you must put the pit bull away.” I don’t know if he got offended because according to him, his dog is “friendly but always gets a bad rap,” but that he’s not putting the dog away, was the final outcome! He said since I won’t come in and do the signing with the dog (apparently) then he’s calling the signing off.
I said well all you have to do is put the dog away - I don’t feel safe with a pit bull at my heels while I’m trying to do a signing. And he said No ! The dog stays, no other accommodation is going to be made, and so, he again canceled the signing. I quickly left and notified the signing service!
You were in the right! I call ahead of time and explain to the signer that it will be necessary for any pets to be in a different room from the signing area. I will not go to the signing if that is a problem. Pet people need to be reasonable. You are not there to see his pet, but to get paperwork done. Dogs and paperwork don’t mix. If they had an unruly kid I have the same rule.
I also avoid loan applications, people usually don’t have the extra paper work in order.
Yes! The no pet in the same room rule will definitely be in my arsenal going forward! I have been in signings where there was a cat, a small cute little doggy, but I got to draw the line at pit bulls!
I sensed that he wasn’t too keen on the appointment anyway and maybe was having second thoughts about obtaining the loan. Who knows? All I know is that pit bulls and signings are not to take place in the same room! Yes pet lovers, you must be reasonable. This gentleman was not being reasonable. Thank you for responding!
@csmallsnotaryAbsolutely There is no acceptable reason for your courteous request to have been denied.
One additional action you may want to consider taking is:
Have your phone in-hand with the hiring party’s number on the screen
This will enable you to make a very prompt call (on speaker phone) to them requesting guidance in this regard.
Normally, this action will result in acquiescence of the stubborn behavior as well as placing the hiring party on ALERT that there is “trouble brewing” with their client . . .
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@jennjoneisThese tenets are quite similar to ones I’ve defined & implemented over the years.
We can anticipate what we will probably encounter during the process of professionally & successfully completing a Signing Order [SO]; however, we never know for certain, until the client opens their door . . .
The minute you have someone on speaker phone, they’re immediately cognizant that another party is “witnessing” their demeanor and this will usually squelch any ego/his word/her word antics in progress.
I always ask about pets ~ some times they are not dogs ~ amazing what people have for pets these days. Only exception I made was DOJ couple who said there dog was trained. Dog stayed in laying position during the signing and when I was close to door for departure his command “at ease” and dog went to owners side. Very impressive.
Most times the dog or cat, or rabbit will not cause too much trouble. It’s that one time when you get bitten that changes everything. Hold fast to your rule. It is reasonable. I like the calling from the venue idea however if the dog appears to be threatening I don’t think I would stop long enough to dial. That phone call will have to come from the car.
I agree! I appreciate your insight. When they realize someone else is witnessing their demeanor and behavior, it should compel them to do the right thing. It would have been so easy just simply put the dog in another room. But I think that he wasn’t keen on signing the loan application; maybe he was having second thoughts and used the opportunity to refuse putting away his pit bull as a way of getting out of it.
The problem with most well-meaning pet owners, is that not everybody loves their pet like they do! Not everybody loves a pit bull terrier ! I can handle the occasional cat, small doggy, even a roaming iguana, but I draw the line at Pitbull terriers nipping at my heels while I’m trying to get its owner to quickly sign those documents!
I was met at the door by about 8 little barking small dogs. Two went out the door and the signer was not happy, but he got a phone call and we both went into the house. The living room was tile floor with pee and poo in piles. The signor remained on the phone, so I went to open the door to let the two who left to come back inside, which they did. The signor has lost his wife, he was elderly and only one chair at the kitchen table. Nearby was a upright soft cushion chair that I pulled up to sit down on. Immediately I knew that was a mistake, by bottom became wet with what I assumed was dog pee. It was a loan consolidation signing and the signor said his daughter did not want him to sign. I understood and could not get home fast enough to change and shower. Pets ugh! The expierences we all get to enjoy. lol
Wow! You’re right! The things we go through! Let’s just pray that it wasn’t pee but maybe he spilled his tea! They should all put away the pets, it’s not like we’re going to be there overnight. We get the signatures, check the work, and we’re out! And their menagerie can be set free!
I am so sorry you went through that. I have two big dogs and I am not afraid of dogs. However, I am shocked at the insensitivity of some dog owners. Almost every closing I go to with a dog on the premises…the dog greets me at the door before the owner. Once I express its ok because I am not afraid of dogs…the look on the owners face is like I joined the human race. I dont know why people think that behavior is ok. Dogs are not to be taken lightly and sometimes they can be very unpredictable. I would always say go with your best instint. You were right.
We all have had those signing experiences that have taught us well for the future. I laugh when people say, their animal don’t bite! If an animal have teeth, the animal can bite. We all have some type of “horror” story, roaches, toxic smells, guns out on the table, etc. We offer a concierge service, so if we arrive at the location as expected. 50% of our job has been accomplish. The signer has an obligated to adhere to our agreement that was made during the confirmation phone call. Here’s one of my stories, I had driven a hour to a signer’s home during the high point of covid, we all agreed that everyone would wear a facemask. As I drove up the signer’s driveway, I noticed the wife was standing outside of the house. I noticed in their parked truck a facemask hanging on the rearview mirror. The wife wasn’t wearing a facemask and she told me her husband didn’t want to wear one as well. I simply stay at my car, told her I would be leaving and calling the hiring company to request the assignment be reassigned. I was paid my full fee. My safety or health are not up for discussion, I decide what are the acceptable work conditions, not the signer(s) nor the hiring company. As long as I made a good faith effort to show up to the assignment my obligation had been fulfilled. We are professional public officials and will be treated as such!
I actually was bitten on the hand by a Dalmatian. Upon arrival at a signers home before I could even get out the door of my car. They came running around the corner, so I know what it’s like to be afraid of dogs. I couldn’t get out of there fast enough, even though I was basically in shock and had to drive 25 miles for medical treatment.
. I was hoping he was putting the dog away. After a few minutes, he opened the door again and started to tell me that the dog “insists” 
on staying where we were to do the signing and that it will be “okay.”
There is no acceptable reason for your courteous request to have been denied.
Safety First!
! I can handle the occasional cat, small doggy, even a roaming iguana, but I draw the line at Pitbull terriers nipping at my heels while I’m trying to get its owner to quickly sign those documents! 
you poor soul. What a horrible experience. That guy desperately needs a housekeeper