Well, I finally did it I sent in my application/water test to the Dept. of Agr. - I've been seriously trying to figure out if this is what I want to do ( I love to decorate cake/cookies) I just don't want to put a product out there and have someone find a dog hair! Yes, I have a dog and she sheds like crazy (Black Lab). I was told that I can have a dog I just have to clean the kitchen prior to making cakes and not let the dog in the kitchen. Easier said than done - so I'm making her a comfortable home in my cellar for when I do cakes. The problem is no matter how much I clean I find dog hair 
Luckily the license only cost $10.00 a year so I won't be out much if I do decide to not go forward with it.
Here's my question where do the inspectors look and does anyone else have a dog that has gone thru this? What did you do? Any tips on how to keep the dog hair from entering my kitchen while the inspectors here 
I love my dog and so do my children so I can't get rid of her and I can't make her an outside dog because she's to much of a baby besides I live in Maine and lately if it gets above 0 it's a great day! 
I guess I'm really not sure what to do I'm just so confused!! 
Any tips or words of encouragement would be greatly appreciated 
I can't help you out, but I definitely feel your pain. I have two mini schnauzers that do not shed, thank goodness, we love our dogs too.
I will say, though, that I would be completely surprised if they would license you with the dog being able to come into the kitchen. Is there anyway to keep the dog out of the kitchen? I have checked into being legal here in MO and I have to have a separate kitchen. I told them we have two dogs, and they said that as long as the kitchen is separate, with a separate entrance, and there is a self closing door to the rest of the house, it would be no problem. Is there anyway you can do that? When we moved into our house, I put my indoor kittys of 10 years in the garage, they are no longer house cats, so I did make sacrifices since they shed.
I'm sorry I can't help you, but just wanted to let you know that I know our pets are family!
I am in the same situation. Here in VA they do allow you to use your home kitchen with pets, like you, just can't be in there while we are preparing the food to sell. I don't know if you saw my story that the lady from the health inspector place told me. Apparently when one of the inspectors was at a lady's house her cat was rolling all over the counters, AHHHHH. I guess he just told her that she did know that cat could not be in there while she was baking!!! So her advice was to make sure to put the pets up while the inspector was there, LOL!!! I think for one thing I am going to get a chef's smock (is that the name?) because I think I carry a lot of the pet hair on my clothes too. It is sooooo hard to make sure it is all gone. Luckily our main floor with the kitchen is all hardwood which I think helps. Our house has an open floor plan so there is no way to keep them out of there all the time. Good luck!!
Kristin
I am not sure I can give you any words of encouragement. Any kind of hair, whether it is animal or human is not something someone wants to see in their food. Some states are far too lax on this, but I am a stickler about hair. When we were in New York, we stopped by a restaurant, and while we were waiting on our food a cat walked out of the kitchen, I almost had a cow!! Needless to say, we walked out. No animals are allowed in any food establishment here with the exception of a seeing eye dog, and no home bakers, you must have a seperate facility. If it is your intention to sell your products, you may have a customer that finds this unappealing, and it might hurt your business. I am an animal lover, but they do have a place when it comes to food, and its not in the kitchen. I have a seperate facility for baking for the public, and I am glad we have tough laws. I hope you find a solution.
Well, my house is also an open floor plan so it is hard to try and keep her out of the kitchen but I will put her in our basement. I have thrown around the thought of blocking of what I call my arts/crafts room. It's big enough that I could put on one half of the room my decorating business and the other for my childrens arts/crafts. It has two door ways but it would be a major overhaul just because of our design.
I specifically asked the Dept. of Agr. if my dog would be a problem and they stated no as long as they are not in the kitchen while baking or conducting any kind of business - after taking the dog out of the kitchen prior to baking you have to vaccum all areas and wipe down all equipment - Which I do anyways just because I don't want dog hair in my food either. The dog is not allowed in the kitchen area but when the children are playing the dog sometimes chases them and will go thru the kitchen. Oh I don't know I'm just so bummed about this. I would never ever ever want to put out a product that I think would have dog hair in it or want a client to say "Oh have you been to her house she has a dog running all over the place, I wouldn't buy from her". I guess I've really answered my own question. I will get the license but I am going to talk to the inspector to see about enclosing a room in my basement and what the requirements would be. I already have a seperate commecial stove down there that I don't use. Well, I guess when the inspector comes at least my house will be really clean and it only cost $10.00 so if I do decide to sell something to a friend or family member it would be legal.
Sorry, to go on and on I just am so bummed and know that the only people that really understand my situation is here on CC you guys are just the best!!!
Thanks everyone! 
In North Carolina, pets are not allowed at all if you are going to be a home-based baker. That is why we are going to set-up a completely separate kitchen. Any kind of pet hair is hard to control. Good luck with your decision. If it was me, I'd go with your basement.
Just my two cents worth!
Leslie
I agree with the above post. If you've already got a stove down there why not use it? It sounds like it would be easier to control your environment in the basement. Plus, the dog can stay where it normally does. Hope you find a workable solution. : )
I do not own any animals, but I do understand that pets are like family. That being said, if I was a customer, I don;t know if I would buy from someone that I knew had animals. Like the one person who said her cat jumps on the counters, I mean I think that could be a recipe for disaster. How do you know that your animals aren't licking anything. What would happen if you had a cake order and the customer found dog/cat hair in the cake. I wear a hair net every time I bake and I only bake when I am home alone (the kids have to be out of the house, I am to affraid of little fingers and snotty sneezes). Maybe i am a over cautious freak
I think working out of your home can be tricky and I just want to be safe.
I'm not sure about your floor plan, but this might work...
http://www.petsmart.com/global/include/inc_product_detail_popup.jsp?PRODUCT<>prd_id=845524441780770&FOLDER<>folder_id=2534374302047888&ASSORTMENT<>ast_id=2534374302023695&bmUID=1171463192076
I know this one is expensive but i'm sure there are others, My cousin has a plastic one that she uses for her chinchilla that i think was $20.
I wouldn't suggest putting your dog inside, but they also unfold to make a straight fence. That way just in case, you can make a temporary fence that blocks off the kitchen area and folds down flat when you don't need it. it's like a longer version of a babygate i guess.
I really am not that concerned about it myself. I mean I have fed my family for 20 years without consuming much animal hair. I have a much bigger problem with my own hair. I personally would be more concerned with the overall appearance of the house. Also you know they aren't licking the food as you would have it covered or put up. I mean we don't allow our pets to lick our food now. Also one thing we don't have is rats and from what DH tells me of his life in restaraunt work years ago, many eating establishments have rats hanging around somewhere. He said it is basically impossible to keep them out of the trash area and one place he worked at (a nice restaraunt) had a rat running through the building one morning. This also goes for many grocery stores. I also have known many chefs/cooks in my life and there are a lot of sweaty-hairy people out there making our food. I think just using common sense will eleviate any problems.
Kristin
I agree Kristin! I have 3 dogs - only one of them sheds and that is very little. And they never run aroung licking our food either. Anytime I am baking they either go outside if it is pretty or go to their kennels. I have never had a problem with hair. I also put my hair up in a ponytail when I am doing my cakes. A lot of times I bake really early in the morninigs before they are up and about, so I don't really have a problem with them. My one dog that does shed sometimes is a boxer and he loves his kennel so I don't think there would be a problem with a lab either.
Thanks everyone for your comments/advice - I can see all of your points that is why this is such a hard decision but I appreicate you all letting me vent.
I live in Maine and have a black lab and I have shedding issues as well. Everyone I do cookies for now knows I have a dog and they are fine with it. I have never had a complaint about any hairs in any of my products. I spend an enormous part of my day cleaning my kitchen. The dog is not allowed in the kitchen at all, but that doesn't stop the hair from entering. I currently "pen" him in the back rooms of the house when I bake-that would seem to meet the criteria of the inspectors. I am considering putting up an outside pen in the spring. I understand, totally, what you are going through though. The dog hair issue has become an obsession with me lately as I too am going to send for a home-baking license. Please keep us posted and let us know how it goes for you.
I know I am the lone voice here, but I think some people are too freaked out about animals. House pets in fact are known to have less harmful bacteria in their saliva then humans-and who lets them lick the food on the counters? Cats are another issue since you don't want one using their litter box then walking on the counter. As far as hair goes, do you have any idea how much rat hair etc is allowed in our food supply? Hair in your food is not appetizing but as long as you are not eating it by the spoonful it will not hurt you.
As far as hair goes, do you have any idea how much rat hair etc is allowed in our food supply? Hair in your food is not appetizing but as long as you are not eating it by the spoonful it will not hurt you.
Elfie-I must say your post has done alot in helping me with my diet 
Kristin
Well Elfie - I do have to say that you made me laugh and that hasn't been easy!! Thanks!
Yankeegal -Enjoy the snow today!
I'll keep you all posted on how it goes with the inspection.
Well in New York, I could see why you would want a cat, to chase out all the rats! I personally would rather have a cat used then any chemicals used in rat traps and the like.
As long as you are keeping your dog out of your kitchen as much as possible and you do clean before you go to back, then I wouldn't worry about it. And if you're worried about the dog hair on your clothes- you can go to Sam's Club and get a 3 pack of these huge lint rollers for a pretty reasonable price.
I have never understood why people would let their cats onto any kitchen counter or table on purpose, they just don't belong there. I grew up with cats and dogs when I was little and we never let the cats up on our table or countertops, we didn't even like them sitting on our kitchen chairs.
Whatever your decision though, you are the one that has to live with it, so you must decide what is best for you.
I'm so glad we don't have rats - I couldn't handle it!
Elfie - yes, those are all mine and I have a husband that make's it 4 children or at least I think he is most of the time (Wonderful Father & Husband). Time is an issue but I'm getting used to 4 hrs of sleep a night just like when the children are first born.
Well, my mom has offered to take my dog (lives across the street) I have to talk to the kids and hubby see what they think. It would be really great for my mom because she lives alone and I know Harley(dog) loves her and could keep her company. Although she can drive me crazy I love her!!
in south dakota you have to have a seperate kitchen. you could add a door in your entry if possible and keep it closed all the time. may not be what you want but it would help keep the hair out. or a baby gate to keep the dog out of the kitchen at all times. seems to me a seperate kitchen just for the business would be best, if you have the room and never let the dog in the room. i have a small dog, and she knows not to come in my cake room.
I'm licensed in Pennsylvania and I have a Siberian Husky and a Rottweiler. Huskies shed more than any other breed of dog, especially in the spring and fall when they're blowing their coats! I'm extremely anal about cleaning not only the kitchen but the rest of my house, too. I vacuum and wipe down my floors every day (my whole house has hardwood flooring - I HATE carpet!) and the dogs are locked away in the cellar on baking days. I've never had a problem with hair being in anything. I think if you keep them away from the kitchen and clean really well you should be fine.
Well, I haven't had anyone say so far that they've gotten a hair and I've asked because they have all been friends or family and I did explain that it was extremely important that they tell me if they did. I clean everyday also and I also have hardwood thru out my home.
I'm in the process of checking into how much it would cost for a separate kitchen in my basement because I have a rollway that I could make into an entrance so they wouldn't even need to come in the house. Until, I can do that my mom said she would take my dog so that I wouldn't have to worry. If it's not feesable(sp) at least I will be able to really clean my house of all the dog hair without adding anymore for a little while. I've talked to my daughter the rest are to young to understand and she said that was ok because she will still see her everyday since mom only lives across the street.
I really appreciate everyone's help! 
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