Hit 100 water meters read this morning without a single dog chase | Wa Homeowners - Freelance Forum - The Community for Independent Professionals

Finley Mitchell · 2026-07-12T22:20:04.055058+00:00

I've been doing property inspections for a few years now and always dreaded the back yard water meters. Last week I finally hit my 100th meter check where I didn't get barked at or chased by some random dog. What got me there? Started carrying a small bag of treats and making noise before opening gates. Took me about 6 months to find the right routine. Anyone else have a weird milestone like this that made your job easier?

jackson.max2mo ago

You used to think treats were a waste of time too?

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davidshah2mo ago

Jump right in with that mindset and you'll start seeing it everywhere. It's like how I realized most people are just distracted, not mean. That guy who cut you off in traffic? Probably just had a bad day or didn't see you. The rude cashier at the grocery store? Might be dealing with something at home. Same thing with dogs (and people for that matter) - a little patience and a small gesture goes a long way. You treated those dogs like they were just doing their job guarding the yard, and they treated you like a friend instead of a threat.

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ward.diana1mo ago

My uncle had a German Shepherd that would go after anyone who even looked at his fence line, so I feel you on this one. But here's what nobody's bringing up - have you thought about the liability side of carrying treats? I mean, if you start feeding someone's dog without asking, and that dog has allergies or a condition, you could be setting yourself up for a whole different kind of headache down the road. Not saying it's not worth it for your sanity, but I'd keep a little note in your truck about which houses you're treating, just in case someone's dog has a bad reaction and they come looking for answers.

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