house guests?

Question

daughter and family won't come for holidays unless we let them bring their 70 pound lab. with grandchildren under 8 , can't let them bring dog too. am i wrong?

Answer 1

You are not "wrong" it is your house and you can decide whether you want a large dog in it or not. If your daughter choses not to come, that is her decision.

That said, I'd take a close look at the situation. Is the dog hyper and out of control? Then no, you don't want him around small kids. On the other hand, if he is trained, well-behaved, and they are responsible for him then why not let him enjoy the family visit? I train my dogs to have good visiting manners, and I carefully supervise them when we are in other people's homes, so they are welcome to visit most of my friends and relatives with me. But a visiting dog that runs around, messes the house, jumps on people etc. is a pain and not welcome.

Answer 2

I'm sure your daughter and her family feel the dog is part of the family too.

If you are concerned about the welfare of your 8 grandkids, just don't leave them and the dog unattended.

Unless the dog is known to have severe aggression issues, I would have to guess you are over reacting. Most labs get on very well with children.

As a dog owner myself, if kennelling my dog was my only option to take a holiday, I simply wouldn't go. It would be traumatic both for the dog and for myself.

If the daughter thinks the dog will be fine with the kids, I would trust her judgement. She would know best.

Answer 3

I am an owner of 3 dogs (2 pits 70 lbs and a cocker 25lbs). I have never asked my family to let me bring any of the dogs at any time. I usually make arrangements for someone to care for them if we go visiting. I have brought them once when it was just my family and not others for a weekend. I brought crates for the dogs and kept them on leashes. They were fine but I do not think it's wrong for you to say no if you are not comfortable with the dog being there.

Answer 4

Can you ask them to bring a crate for the dog? Is it crate trained even?

I could understand if they have no one to take care of the dog. i would never ut any of my dogs in a kennel only because that's where I rescued them from. I don't have the heart to board my dogs anywhere but at friends or family's homes.

It is your house though and you make the rules. It's not fair for your daughter to put you in this position. Unless of course you have set a precedence by allowing the dog on past holidays?

Tough call, try to compromise somehow and remember that her dog is part of her family too.

Good luck!

Answer 5

Obivously, the dog is family too. Labs are pretty good dogs. I would say why not? I have two boxers in the house with a 2 year old and sometimes she gets knocked over, it happens. I would strongly recommend a kennel in the house though so you can give the dog a time out especially when dinner time rolls around!

Answer 6

Hello. I understand that everyone love's their dog and wants to be with them for the holdiay's, but sometimes we have to be realistic. Is your daughter too far away that she cannot leave the dog home? Is he crate trained, he should be fine for at least 8 hours.
This is your home they are coming to and they should respect you in your wishes of wanting the dog there or not. I would never ask to bring my dog(s) unless I was able to keep them crated or at a facility. If the dog is crate/kennel trained, and they would be able to set the dog up outside, then maybe I'd say sure bring him.

Good luck in your decision no matter which it is your family should respect it. It is your home.

Happy Thanksgiving and Merry Christmas.

Answer 7

I would say make provisions for the dog. Kids love Labs, they are just big snugly goofs. It will be fun. Yes, you ask them to bring a crate if it needs to be confined at times. Good Luck!!! Dont forget you asked a bunch of dog lovers...