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Visitors Who Don’t Like Dogs
It’s an awkward social situation
A friend of mine was telling me that when her sister-in-law comes to visit, it can be very uncomfortable because that sister-in-law really hates dogs. She voices a lot of criticism of the cleanliness of houses with dogs and the fact that so much time is wasted cleaning up after dogs, which my friend naturally finds annoying. To her, the dogs are family and the extra effort to keep the house clean is worth it. (By the way, I have been in this friend’s house and I consider it immaculate! I’ve been in houses that have a little too much dog hair and eau de dog aroma even for my taste and this house is nothing like that.) It’s perfectly reasonable to tell potential visitors that if they don’t want to be around dogs, they are more than welcome to stay in a hotel and that you’d be happy to help them find a conveniently located one that is to their liking. However, we all know that family dynamics can sometime make this option very sticky. Being asked to kennel your dogs or keep them locked in the backyard or in one room are all requests that have been received by various friends or colleagues of mine from assertive relatives. The simple reply that the dogs are part of the family and as such as not shut away or sent away, no matter how tactfully stated, is likely to upset the sort of people who would make such demands in the first place. It’s hard to explain how much we value our dogs to someone who just doesn’t get it. If you’ve faced a situation with visitors who don’t love dogs and expect you to remove your dogs from the situation, how have you handled it? |
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I had a friend come for an afternoon visit who was terrified of my pitbull so I offered to put Charlotte in her crate when the friend came to the door with the intention of letting her out as soon as everything settled down and positioning the dog on the couch next to me on a leash.
The friend was too afraid to walk by the crate, as if Charlotte would pull a Houdini, rip the crate apart and sink her teeth in. I realized that was a real phobia--and my friend's visit would be mercifully short.
For most people, keeping Charlotte on a leash close to me works--and dressing her in a feminine pink tutu (really) decreases the threat. She has won most pit bull sissies over, who end up crazy about her.
Good luck. It's tough with family.
Lynn
http://www.facebook.com/lynnericsonfineart
Not prepared to deal with my dogs when you visit me? Then dont visit!
Until yesterday I had a German Shepherd Dog (he went to Doggy Heaven yesterday)
I have many guests as I belong to Couch Surfers. Some people didn't realize I had a dog until they got here because they hadn't read my profile properly. For some of them it was a real shock because he was so big and he slept in the lounge where they slept. My attitude was "that's your problem not mine" and in the end he usually one them over with his friendliness.
I have other friends and relatives who didn't like visiting because of him and that's fine. We meet for coffee elsewhere and they didn't stay here. It's not my problem if they don't like a much loved family member.
I'm sorry to hear about your dog.
Warm thoughts to you. It's so hard to lose a dog at any time, and I love knowing that yours won over the hearts of many visitors.
We have 5 dogs in our house ranging from a very small deaf Jack Russell up to a 70lb pit mix. Most are rescues and one in particular is rather "grumpy" and will only allow certain people to enter our home. If we have people visit we work around the dogs, sometimes they go to a doggie hotel for play weekend, sometimes they go out back with a yummy bone and sometimes they stay home. It depends on the situation and how I can make everyone, human and canine comfortable.
If I have a large group of people, I usually put the dogs in the bedroom. At some point during the evening I usually let them join. I'm sure some don't like it. I haven't ever had anyone say anything. I think they know better.
As far as I'm concerned, if you don't like my dogs, just stay at home. They are more loyal than most people I know.
My very best advice is find friends who have dogs and you won't have to worry every time they come over.
I usually tell people that I don’t know before they come over that I have dogs. If they are nervous around them when they get here, I usually give them a Healthy Bones biscuit treat so they can “make friends” with my pet-kids.
I think a little courtesy and consideration go a long way -- I don't necessarily like other people's kids all over me and I can appreciate that some may not love dogs.
I have a new young rambunctious dog. My sister, her kids and I were visiting my dad. I considered it a training opportunity. I kept Esme leashed and near me. I allowed her to approach and attempt to politely greet the non-dog lovers. As it turns out, neither were too interested in each other after all and the afternoon went well.
My dog is a resident of my home every bit as much as I do. If you wouldn't ask me, my husband, a roommate, etc. to leave when you visit, don't ask me to make him leave, either. If you do, one of you will be undoubtedly be leaving...and it won't be the dog.