SELLING A HOUSE WITH A MESSY DOODLE

[Debbie and Thomas]

We are putting our house on the market in 1 week. I am working madly everyday at de cluttering this place and organizing each room. However, what will I do with the doodle? He is 7 1/2 mths old and frankly, he makes a mess. I know I could clean up every morning and make the dark hardwood floors look pristine, then clean the dog drool off the patio doors, the coffee table etc, pick up his toys and bones, clean up the water he has spilled in the kitchen. Then I could run outside and retreive the underwear he finds and takes out to our backyard every morning, PLUS pick up the huge droppings he leaves. Of course he will follow me outside, and because I have reseeded amost the entire backyard because of his urine spots, he will come in with muddy feet and leave dirty footprints all over again. Then there is the vacuum cleaner-he thinks this is the best game ever!! I have to put him outside to do this properly. Then he brings in more mud. Did I mention that we think he is well trained??? Our agent has suggested afternoon and evening appts only with 24 hrs notice so we can remove ourselves and the dog before viewers come by. Any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Doggie Day care for certain days = then you can have a pristine house when it counts.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Good idea-Thks-our trainer will take him in-maybe she will give him a few lessons while he is there.

[Maryann,Roo and Tigger]

I am rolling on the floor laughing. You described the routine you need to go through so vividly. I think the doggie daycare is a great idea. I am only writing you to give you hope. We once sold a 1500 sq ft house while we had a dog, 2 small children and my husband's brother, his wife and their 3, also small children staying with us. We received a call at 9:30 Sunday morning that a prospective buyer would be there at 10 - in one half hour. No one was dressed, in ten minutes all of us were dressed for church (sort of) and the dads and 5 children were shoved out the front door with the dog. The next twenty minutes My sister-in-law and I shoved clothes, toys, dog bowls, under beds, into closets, hit the sliding glass door with windex to remove the worst of the dog drool and kidprints. No vacuuming ( Siberian Husky hair everywhere), no dog poop pick up, no time - just out of there. And that is the couple who bought the house on their first look! Full price. Miracles happen or maybe some people can see past the fact that someone is actually living there! Good Luck and great patience are wished for you LOL

[Debbie and Thomas]

Thanks Maryann, can I also send my son and husband to doggie daycare with him??? LOL I will pray for the patience you mentioned.

[LuvMyAbby&Kaela]

LOL! Definitely by appointment only - 24hr notice. Send him off to a relative on showing day - lol.

[Kim]

LOL. The underwear part is my fav. Allie does that while we are in the shower and then hides them in the couch... hahaha.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Yesterday, I found my undies tucked under a cushion of the couch. There is just no privacy anymore-jeeez.

[Joanne ~ Spud*]

Thomas is the most handsome. I think he should be there on the front porch to greet your house guests. It will explain everything to those who view those flaws you feel your home might have because of a big giant handsome puppy.

I am joking (somewhat ) but I think he will add a touch of warmness and friendliness to potential buyers. Especially those who have and love thier dogs will find the home a place where they can also have a family and a dog.

Put dinner in a crockpot to mask the smell and make it even friendlier.

Good Luck with selling your home, and the new home you have built. Give Thomas a real big hug from us.

P.S. Hide the underwear though.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Yes, I don't think the men's briefs in the yard will attract buyers. Thomas is such a goof ball, he'd probably lick the house hunter's so much that they will either buy the place or run away!!

[Sandy]

Guys - where are you all leaving your underwear so the dogs can get it? That's one thing Toby's hasn't stolen (yet). :)

[Debbie and Thomas]

That is a good question-in the morning, after he has been released, our dog wants to grab something in his mouth (VERY RETREIVER-LIKE) He runs into our bedroom first even before he goes outside-usually jumping on one of us lying in bed. I am usually bleary eyed(not a morning person) and just open the patio door to let him out-he finds a bra or undies in our bathroom or bedoorm which really should have been put in the hamper for laundry. Or he will race upstairs to wake up our son who has clothes all over the floor and will always grab a sock or his boxer shorts and run outside with his treasure. He never chews them-just takes them outside and drops them.

[Debbie and Thomas]

Selling a house with a messy doodle -UPDATE- Well-we did it!! Listed the house June 1st-Sold on June 8th. It was a tough week-my husband was in Peru visiting his brother-so I had to take care of the doodle full time. We had two to three showings per dayand some days 5 or 6, so I took him out with me in the car, for long walks and sometimes, we just sat out in the car waiting for people to leave. Once I cleaned up the house in the morning-we stayed out until these people had finished coming thru our house. It was only 1 week and we are so releived it is over!! My big boy doodle did well though-I think he quite enjoyed himself. Now he can be a doodle slob again!