 It was not uncommon for household dogs to accompany—or at least follow—their owners to church services at this time.If at any point they became loud, fought with other animals, attacked congregation members, or were otherwise disruptive, it was the job of the dog whipper to remove them from the church as well to allow the service to continue in peace.Dog whippers were generally paid for their services, and records of payments to the local dog whipper exist in old parish account books in many English churches.