Can I keep my dog in the yard during a showing?

Absolutely! Just let the Realtor know in advance that your friendly pup will be in the yard on a leash during the showing.

Keeping your dog in the yard during a showing is possible but generally creates more risk than it resolves. Most experienced listing agents recommend a clean departure for all pets during showings. In Georgia and throughout the Southeast, buyers form their first impression of a home within seconds of arriving, and a dog in the yard, even a friendly one, creates a distraction that pulls attention away from the property. Buyers with dog concerns or allergies may cut the showing short. Buyers who love dogs may spend time with the pet rather than evaluating the home. Either way, the showing becomes about the dog rather than the house. There is also a liability issue. Even a well-behaved dog can react unpredictably to strangers in its territory, and a bite or jump incident during a showing creates legal exposure for you as the homeowner. Most homeowners insurance policies cover dog bites, but the incident itself can complicate the transaction and create reluctance from the buyers side. The simplest solution is to have a plan: take the dog on a walk, drop them at a neighbors or doggie daycare, or crate them inside during the showing window with an air freshener and a note. Removing the dog entirely is the cleanest approach for protecting both the showing experience and your sale. Kevin Neely & Kaitlynd Robbins | K2 Sells, Keller Williams Elite Partners

Have your agent place a note in the private remarks and on the showing instructions. But some people do put their pup in the garage and put a note on the door, if that is any better.

Yes! Just have your agent make a note in the "agent showing remarks" that you have a dog. It is also not a bad idea to put a note on the door to the backyard just incase you do have a buyer that is scared of dogs.