a dog. If you go to someone's home, and you know they have a large friendly dog, is it right to ask that he be put outside like a dog? I'll put him in his room, but not outside. He may look like a dog, and he may smell like a dog, but he's my best friend. I don't treat my best friend like a dog.
Even if the guests are my grown children, I feel they knew before they came over that I have a dog that I love. They know how I treated their dog growing up, so why do they try this every time they come over. It doesn't work. My dog is part of my family. He didn't leave home. My children left when they got married. My dog is still here.
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Comments: 43
Now, that being said.. drop in on me unannouced or univited... you're going to see the dog coverings on my couches, and you're going to get drooled on, slobbered on, and lots of kisses. I'll try and keep them down, but they have to greet you first. Then they'll go lay down after the initial excitement of having somebody there, to see them they think, of course.
You say, "Yah sure" well when you get old like me you can do that and I have. My wife's grandson aske me not to smoke in the house one day and I looked at him and asked him "James, Who's house is this?" The conversation went no further.
I taught my son the fact that when he is is someone else's house he follows their rules. If he don't like the rules leave.
I once had a mouthy employee who though he knew more than I did about my business. I handed him his paycheck one day when I was fed up to here with him and said, "Bogie, Did I sign your paycheck?" He looked and said, "yes". I told him, "Don't forget it". That shut his yap for good.
We have two dogs and unless we are having a large party when hors d'oeuvres are going to be on the coffee tables, the dogs get to do their usual thing. Granted we bathe them before anyone comes over, but except for the power stare begging thing, they are fine after initial introductions.
People really hate being around dogs who snarl, bite, and growl, but they don't want to help socialize animals. I guess some people like their own dog but not anybody else's. Unless a dog is unstable or dangerous, or someone has a psychological disorder and is terrified of dogs - which might be disturbing to the dog, truthfully - I say, don't invite them over.
On your adult kids, though? They sound like they are jealous of the dog, and as you seem to favor the dog? Maybe this is the real problem. Try ignoring the dog when they are around and see if that makes a difference.
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I have 2 big dogs that love to give kisses and greet people by putting their paws on the new friends chest and it is scary to those who aren't around animals much. The girls are dobies.... and are very gentle. But they do have the bad habit of begging... so when we are eating I do often put them in my room where they are comfortable and not doing the stare-down....
"The more I learn about people, the more I love my dog.............."
how dare those people that went off and abandoned you for new lives come over and demand you put your dogs out, I think I'd feel pretty put out if mine did that...my puppies are all put to rest though---I just haven't found the right one(s) to adopt after my loss...
If someone does not like an animal, and knows that the owners will not get their pet out of view, they should just politely not come over.
That being said. Dixie, our Basset, loves everyone and stays to herself after the initial introduction. Maggie, on the other hand, is a different story. Being a typical Aussie, She doesn't like 'strangers' and will bark and carry on, defending her family. Knowing she needs the socialization to feel comfortable with company, I usually go up and hug everyone or pat them of the back, shake their hand to make her realize they aren't a threat. THat eases her tension quite a bit, but still she is leary and barks when they make sudden movements. Some times we have to put her out a few minutes (like a time out) until she calms down and to let her know her behavior is unacceptable. We'll let her back in and if she behaves, she stays. I encourage people not to challenge her with making eye contact or to force the issue of becoming friendly. She's got to get to know them on her terms. When she is interested in you, I'll have little treats for them to give her. She'll take her guard down and relax after that.
Some dogs are just instintively protective of their family. Some could care less who comes in. I have one of each. lol
Some people just need to learn how to make friends with a dog. Friendship is made on the dogs terms. Not theirs. If they try to force the issue and insist on trying to pet or lure the dog to them, it will never work. If the person is relaxed, the dog will be relaxed.
When we take her to our in-laws or to my parents house for holidays and there are a lot of people, she does fine. She not in her home and doesn't feel the need to be defensive. She does, however, keep a 'safe' distance while all along remaining in the same room with people. Often under my feet or laying beside me.
I do howvwer tend to put the dogs in another room if I think they are getting over excited or if they seem like they need time away. Like when the kids won't leave them alone. My dogs don't bite..never has. They love being around people.
I know that if you weren't used to it, it was a little unsettling....but that was the fun part, watching people squirm!
I can't, however, be in a house where someone has a cat. My allergies would just go nuts, so I don't bother.
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As for my friends, I really don't say much about their pets. I treat their pets like I do my own because I value them as friends and know they love their animals.
Good post!