Does Anyone Have A Pet In Their Home

Decorating By Sports Updated 29 Dec 2009 , 7:44pm by CookieMeister

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Sports Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 12:07pm
post #1 of 59

I was just wandering if anyone has a pet in their home and still bake cakes for others. I have three boys and all they want for Christmas is a dog. We are still debating. Do people frown if you have a small pet in your home...that doesn't shed????

58 replies
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joenshan Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 12:38pm
post #2 of 59

Not sure where you're from but in Pennsylvania, regulations state that you cannot have pets of any kind if you are a home baker. You may want to check with your state's Department of Agriculture.

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Texas_Rose Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 12:41pm
post #3 of 59

I have pets and still bake for friends and relatives (not legal to sell cakes from home in my state). My pets aren't the kind that can wander, though...5 birds, a fish tank and a hedgehog. We're getting a hamster today too, not by my choice. My kids want a dog but so far I've resisted.

If you live somewhere that licenses home bakeries, then there's probably rules about it, so you might check that.

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tootie0809 Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 12:57pm
post #4 of 59

In my state, you can have a licenced home bakery, but free-roaming pets are not allowed. I have dogs. Since there was no way to block access from the kitchen for them, I built an entirely separate kitchen/bakery in my basement where they have no access to. I was not willing to give up my babies in order to bake from home, so I am very grateful my state allowed me to have a separate kitchen and still have my dogs. Check with your local health dept and they will be able to tell you what the rule is on pets in the home.

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Darthburn Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 1:05pm
post #5 of 59

Same here for living in a state where you can't sell from home, but I make for friends and family. Btw... if you've seen my cakes, I couldn't charge for them anyways! haha!
I have 2 pugs... which are notorious for shedding. They rarely come in the kitchen, especially when I am baking... but even not for that, I challenge anyone to come into my kitchen and find one hair. icon_smile.gif I keep a lean, mean, CLEAN kitchen. And I don't run anything that moves air when I bake (air conditioner, heater, fans... although I do have an AprilAire filter system with 2 inline HEPA filters).
So I dunno, I think having a doggy is ok. Poodles don't shed, and if you don't like poodles it has become popular to get mixed breeds... they breed with poodles so the dogs get the "no shed" trait.

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Rylan Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 1:57pm
post #6 of 59

I have a dog but I only do this as hobby and only bake for family and friends.

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sweetcravings Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 2:11pm
post #7 of 59

Yup, i have a dog too..not selling my stuff at this point but i too have strict rules when i'm baking or working on cakes/cookies. Prior to starting baking i do a thourough cleaning of the kitchen, dining room area.. sweeping, disinfecting etc.. While i'm doing that the dog is downstairs and is not allowed up until everything is finished. I even put a baby gate up to make sure he won't come up while i'm not looking. I also don't run the ceiling fans, or open windows just in case i missed a few hairs on the ground. Haven't found a hair in my cakes/cookies yet..thank god.
I fear my hair getting into the stuff more than my dogs. I wear a skull cap and tie my hair up into it so that no hair is gonna fall. Then i check all my clothes before i start.
You know sometimes i think the home baker is cleaner and more concerned about these things than a bakery.. For example how many shows have you watched where the bakers, decorators have their hair uncovered working on cakes?

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2SchnauzerLady Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 2:15pm
post #8 of 59

I have 2 mini schnauzers - no shedding from them! I do have to put up a baby gate, as they like to make sure the floor stays clean when I'm cooking.

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JustToEatCake Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 2:49pm
post #9 of 59

Not sure about the doggie thing but I can say I much rather buy from a hobby at home kitchen baker with a doggie than most legal kitchens I have worked in. Most home bakers take pride in their work and their kitchens, esp if the buyer gets to actually SEE the kitchen which in most bakeries you only see the store front. I am talking about the bakeries that make more than just cakes. And of course not all are yucky! But the things I have seen behind the scenes...ugh

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LaBellaFlor Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 3:08pm
post #10 of 59

Love dogs, so nobody take this as a hate dog statement. I can not tell you how many people I have met that will NOT buy a cake from a house with a dog in it, period. And I totally understand that, cause I wouldn't either. My state does allow home bakeries and pets. They will test your product and youi don't want to know the test results of the houses with pets. I'm sure they think they are very clean, but heck, I got to be really carfeul with my own hair.

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CookieD-oh Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 3:09pm
post #11 of 59

I have a geriatric parakeet, but I only bake for friends and family andyway. He does fly around, but he's not allowed in the kitchen.

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TexasSugar Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 3:45pm
post #12 of 59

Others have brought up an interesting point. If you live in an area that allows home baking, then check with the regulations and see what they say.

I am a hobby baker, I live in a state that doesn't allow home baking and if they did I still wouldn't be able to do it because I have a dog and *gasp* a cat. I grew up with dogs/pets and I don't think I'd give up having pets just to do a cake now and then. The people I bake for (family and friends) know I have them and are fine with it.

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Kitagrl Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 3:57pm
post #13 of 59

I am a licensed home baker in PA and I have one outdoor (ONLY) dog....he was approved by the inspector because they said outdoor dogs (like hunting dogs that stay kenneled) are fine. I don't encourage outdoor dogs though, he is old (and big and has a fluffy warm coat) and likes the outdoors...and we would never buy another dog only to keep him outside. Ours is only outside due to circumstances beyond our control. After he passes on we won't get more pets, even though my kids would love one...due to both baking and my allergies.

Anyway....its hard enough to keep my house clean with my four boys and all the baking...I'd hate to have to worry about dog hair. I shed enough myself. haha.

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mim1106 Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 4:04pm
post #14 of 59

I only bake for friends and family, and I have two dogs. Like TexasSugar said, I grew up with dogs in the house, so I wouldn't ever think of getting rid of them! My house is as clean as it can be, it's no different if I invite them over for dinner - still have the dogs.
I would never even THINK about trying to sell out of my house though!

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JustToEatCake Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 4:14pm
post #15 of 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by LaBellaFlor

Love dogs, so nobody take this as a hate dog statement. I can not tell you how many people I have met that will NOT buy a cake from a house with a dog in it, period. And I totally understand that, cause I wouldn't either. My state does allow home bakeries and pets. They will test your product and youi don't want to know the test results of the houses with pets. I'm sure they think they are very clean, but heck, I got to be really carfeul with my own hair.



Give it to them for free and see if they turn it down because there is a dog in the house.

They'll go to a restaurant or bakery and buy food where there are bugs and rats in the kitchen...If they ONLY knew! Even the BEST commercial restaurants and bakeries that are run by conscientous owners have trouble with varmints at one time or another, it's the nature of the beast. Lots of food, lots of places to hide, staff that are there for the paycheck and could care less.

My mom (when she was alive) ran a home daycare for 20 years and her home had to pass inspection and I can tell you that it was often a joke. She always had an A but she/we knew, just like all business establishments that some of the things they inspect, or lack of inspection you could have a dirty place and still pass. Oh she had 2 dogs and carpet. She only got pts off for the dog and carpet 3 times in 20 years, many others said it was a much cleaner place than most "commercial" daycares (remember they/she serve food). In fact she had several inspectors ask her about keeping THEIR kids and referred kids to my mom.

Give me a clean home home establishment with a dog or without one anyday. I know I've worked in them...at least the ones around here.

Just a note, I don't EVEN have a dog!

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LaBellaFlor Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 4:23pm
post #16 of 59

I was speaking from my expierence and not as an attack on those who bake and have pets in the home, to give the OP all persepectives. And I know not all restaurants are sparkling clean. I think we all know this. But it's one thing to not see anything in a restaurant and another to actually see a pet dog in someone's home you want to order a cake from.

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grandmom Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 5:42pm
post #17 of 59

I don't sell cakes. I bake only for family and friends,. I have one cat in my house, several others who live in separate (and relatively posh) quarters.

Even though I am fanatically clean and proud of it, I'm sure if you hunt hard enough you'll find hair or dander - not only from that cat but from myself and my balding hubby. And lint from textiles, and who knows what else.

And for decades I've followed Consumer Reports, and have seen where they count the bug legs and specks of this or that in our pre-packaged foods. Everything has something in it... sugar, cereal, peanut butter,... everything. Seems all that food with bug legs and specks of who knows what passes inspection from some govenment agency.

I totally understand and agree with the need for and desirability of cleanliness, but I don't understand taking it to extreme degrees. I would eat dinner at a friend's home where there are pets, unless I knew the home to be dirty, and I would order a cake from a home baker where there are pets, unless I knew the home to be dirty.

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JustToEatCake Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 6:15pm
post #18 of 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by LaBellaFlor

I can not tell you how many people I have met that will NOT buy a cake from a house with a dog in it, period. And I totally understand that, cause I wouldn't either.




So did you take a poll? I guess your above statement comes across as you've done a major study and have actually polled hundreds since you can't tell us how many, period. Funny for someone without a dog in the kitchen to actually ask hundreds if they'd buy from someone with a dog in their house. Sorry, your post comes off as "I am doing the best because I do it this way, etc. Perhaps it's the tone of the post but I think you actually knew because you prefaced it with "don't be offended"..I think if you had said "i've met people who wouldn't buy from someone with a dog in the house and I wouldn't either" it might have sounded different. May not be the way you intended but it sort of came off as "holier than thou" and no one is...

Don't worry no one here is out to take away some of your business and I say again "I don't EVEN have a dog" so I don't have a dog in this fight and I don't sell cakes and everyone will buy cakes and anything else where they want to. Again personally, I'll take a clean at home kitchen where I DO see a dog to a "legal" place where I don't get to inspect the kitchen.

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-Tubbs Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 6:16pm
post #19 of 59

We have a bearded dragon (lizard) and a non-shedding dog (cocker spaniel/bichon cross), and I also have a separate, licenced basement kitchen.

I hate it when people coming for consultations see my dog - I try to keep her hidden away with the kids when people come, but sometimes it goes awry, like last night when my couple came and my dog could smell theirs and was really interested in them icon_sad.gif I think it's so unprofessional to have kids and dogs around when people come; even my husband makes himself scarce.

I have to make a BIG point of telling them I don't bake anywhere where the dog goes. I still dislike it though, and am thinking of moving all my consultations out of the house to a starbucks or something...

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elizacake Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 6:20pm
post #20 of 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by grandmom

I don't sell cakes. I bake only for family and friends,. I have one cat in my house, several others who live in separate (and relatively posh) quarters.

Even though I am fanatically clean and proud of it, I'm sure if you hunt hard enough you'll find hair or dander - not only from that cat but from myself and my balding hubby. And lint from textiles, and who knows what else.

And for decades I've followed Consumer Reports, and have seen where they count the bug legs and specks of this or that in our pre-packaged foods. Everything has something in it... sugar, cereal, peanut butter,... everything. Seems all that food with bug legs and specks of who knows what passes inspection from some govenment agency.

I totally understand and agree with the need for and desirability of cleanliness, but I don't understand taking it to extreme degrees. I would eat dinner at a friend's home where there are pets, unless I knew the home to be dirty, and I would order a cake from a home baker where there are pets, unless I knew the home to be dirty.




Sounds like reasonble advice to me. icon_smile.gif

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JustToEatCake Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 6:30pm
post #21 of 59

This is sort of changing the subject but has anyone else ever thought about when you dine out that you are eating with utensils that hundreds of others have had in their mouths? ..yeah I know about the "sanitizing" thing but I don't trust it AND I know someone had to put the utensils down on the table and fold the napkins and I've NEVER seen wait staff wear gloves to do that...yeah, give me a dog...haha...

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LaBellaFlor Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 7:09pm
post #22 of 59

Actually I said don't be offended, cause I know how easily some people can get take things out of context, and i was right, cause it's been done. And I'm not worried about losing business, ever.

Focker Out!

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__Jamie__ Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 7:43pm
post #23 of 59

When I walk into a bakery or food establishment considered on the high end of the spectrum (chocolatier, custom cakes, gourmet imported cheese shop) I would frown uponst seeing any small furry mammals. Or scaly cold blooded creature. Or feathered avian creature. The same goes for the couture custom baker if I were to meet them in their home.

Food+animals+exhange of money= not a thing I want involved in the same moment.

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veronica720 Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 7:54pm
post #24 of 59

We just went to my mothers for Thanksgiving (like every year) and she has 4 dogs and 3 cats that go in and out as they please. I don't think twice about pet hair being in anything and I have never seen pet hair in any food either. I was raised with pets and will always have pets. I will have to have a separate kitchen in my state anyway to sell cakes from home.

To me it is the same as an employee who has pets at home and then goes to work serving food. You know there is pet hair on their clothes, but like I said I don't think about that. Germs, lint, hair and dirt are everywhere there is no way to avoid them so eat up!!!!

My mom gave me a coffee cup that has paw prints on it and a quote that says "Everything taste better with cat hair in it". She got herself one about dogs. I just laughed because I thought 'how does anyone actually know that, hair is most likely in everything everyone eats'......lol.

Just because someone wouldn't buy a cake from a baker with pets in their home doesn't actually mean they are avoiding anything. I guess 'not seeing is believing' in their case.

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Peridot Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 9:52pm
post #25 of 59

I agree with JustToEatCake whole heartedly.

Yes, I am a dog person! Why is it always the poor dogs that get signaled out? What about cats, kids and smokers?

I have a miniature poodle who is a lot cleaner than a lot of people and he doesn't shed. He is always well groomed, bathed, teeth brushed and I would sooner have him walk through my kitchen than some of the people and children that I have met.

I am a hobby baker and am very careful about my baking and cooking surroundings and cleanliness and habits. If you came into my home you would never know I had a dog. There is no dog hair, no dog odor, no ruined carpet or furniture. You would only know he was there if he barked or walked past you.

I do understand what some of you are saying - don't get me wrong as I have been in houses where I know I would not eat a meal or order a cake or bakery from. But I would not be put off by a clean, well kept house where a dog lived.

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Sports Posted 3 Dec 2009 , 11:53pm
post #26 of 59

Thank you all soooooo much for all your help! I also just bake for friends, family and other's friends. I have a full time job elsewhere and do it for fun. I think I would be more worried about my boys leaving a mess than the dog.....I guess now the question is do we really want to get a dog especially with only 3 weeks until Christmas. I feel comfortable having one in the home and could always hide when someone comes if I need to. THANKS SO MUCH!

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paulstonia Posted 4 Dec 2009 , 3:52am
post #27 of 59
Quote:
Originally Posted by JustToEatCake

This is sort of changing the subject but has anyone else ever thought about when you dine out that you are eating with utensils that hundreds of others have had in their mouths? ..yeah I know about the "sanitizing" thing but I don't trust it AND I know someone had to put the utensils down on the table and fold the napkins and I've NEVER seen wait staff wear gloves to do that...yeah, give me a dog...haha...



A couple years ago I got mono. No one else in my house got it, wasn't kissing anyone but my hubby. Had to be from a resturuant.

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redpanda Posted 4 Dec 2009 , 6:19am
post #28 of 59

The interesting thing with mono is that, while it has the bad reputation of being spread by kissing, it can actually be spread in much the same way as colds and other viruses--somebody rubs their face, licks something off their fingers, or something similar, and then touches something like a doorknob, stair railing, etc.. Then another, susceptible person comes along and touches the contaminated surface and then their own nose/mouth/food.

I had to research mono for a public health class I took a while back, and it was pretty interesting. Apparently, young kids who are exposed are carriers, but don't tend to have symptoms, but older teens and young adults unlucky enough to not develop immunity while younger will develop the full-blown illness. By later adulthood, most people are immune. I had it at the fairly typical age of 17, and never knew where I caught it.

I'm in the good food handling practices are more important than whether there is an animal on the premises group on this discussion. I've seen way too many people do too many things that are downright bad practices to see any validity in singling out pets. For example...I've seen pizza delivery people walk back into the food prep area after coming in from making a delivery and begin preparing food without washing their hands. (I walked out of the restaurant.)

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madgeowens Posted 4 Dec 2009 , 6:55am
post #29 of 59

when I was a kid I got mono while in the hospital and they teased me that I was kissing interns lol.........
just wanted to say that....I am not touching the rest lol

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mightydragon663 Posted 4 Dec 2009 , 6:03pm
post #30 of 59

Hi sports. I am going to add my two cents about dogs. It has nothing to do with baking though. You had mentioned the 3 weeks before Christmas. I strongly encourage you to do some research before getting a dog, so you can get a breed that is really compatable with your family. For example, some breeds need lots of exercise and others don't, some are working dogs and need a "job"; others are just family pets. You will have a much much more enjoyable experience if your dog fits your lifestyle. I told you it had nothing to do with baking. icon_smile.gif

BTW, I have a black lab that lives in the house and sheds like crazy, so I really have to "de-hair" the kitchen and myself before I can do any baking for anyone else. I do not sell cakes though. icon_biggrin.gif

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