If a dog was going for you (A smaller one maybe!), and the owner was watching,.. would you take a kick at the dog in self defence, or let the dog bite you to save offending the custy?
Sounds like a silly question,.. but I've seen that exact thing happen,.. and the dog didn't get the kick it deserved!
Personally I wouldn't think twice,.. custy or not!
But,.. the 1 job I do have with the 3 rothweiller's (Our biggest customer's country house) does make me kinda nervous,.. 3 dogs and only 2 feet,.....