Dog and Christmas

aileth

lostinrates wrote: »

The thing is its that one day a year when everyone's patience is already stretched. Food is out because the fridge is over full, the house is full of people who won't remember to close the kitchen door because they aren't used to a dog following them around.

People are tetchy because aunt maud has been critic ing their parenting or uncle Pete has been knipocking back the port and possibly being a bit over familiar with the neighbours.....people are stretched that one day a year more often than not, and the romantic idea that its time we set all worries aside and laught when the dog licks the Boxing Day ham is optimistic.


I think your family are being brilliant. They are telling you what their boundaries are, . Now, you can comply or say, with equal fairness, we love you too, but the dog is important to us so we won't pop in on that day we don't want to leave him alone ....how about you come to us on this later/earlier day or we'd be happier to leave him on that day and visit you.

How long do you visit for? How tough is your dog? Mine love a journey and would be happy in the car for an hour with coats on in cold weather.

Hahaha thank you this post helps a lot. Like I say, it's only about two hours. Yes, pup will be absolutely fine for the two hours, but I suppose it's the concept running through my mind that everyone else and their dogs will be there, yet ours will be the only one 'banned' because he is too excitable, so when all the dogs are tucking into turkey leftovers, all playing together and socialising, he will be sat at home, and it makes me very sad.

lazer

Their own dogs are theirs - they can do as they please - for all you know the dogs could be sent outside or left in one room out of the way when you are there.

Could it by any chance not be the dogs the in-laws object to - but your behaviour when the dogs are present - do you spend the majority of your time running after the dog or do you keep telling everyone - look at what "Rover" is doing - isn't he wonderful etc

krlyr

I often take my dogs to family meals etc. especially as one of them developed separation anxiety (she's now hugely improved).

However, I always ask if it's OK, and I do understand that it isn't always practical. For example, I won't be taking them at Christmas as there's going to be lots of people so they'll need to use the conservatory (the dogs' usual 'base') for extra seating, there'll be lots of nibbles left at dog height etc.

They're not equal to children, and I say that as a dog lover with no intention to have kids! I don't think it's polite to assume they're welcome, especially if you've been told they're not.

Perhaps some training would help change their mind a bit though. Check out Kikopup and Pamelamarxsen on YouTube, both do some fab vids on teaching a dog to settle/be calm. I often take frozen Kongs to occupy mine whilst at family too

Prothet_of_Doom

In our local libary, is a selection of dog traing books, the BEST of which are written by a Mrs B Woodhouse. Get a grip, understand that boiserous is not acceptable, to some people, and believe that any dog can be trained to sit and wait patiently.

We take our boisterous Cavalier to my sister's for Christmas, but stop on the way to give him a run on the beach, and then are extremely strict with him, but with a treat of a bit chicken if he does what he should.

silvercar

aileth wrote: »

Like I said I can understand, but surely for one day a year, when all the family is getting together? Surely one day a year isn't a hardship? We're only normally there for about two hours.

I had to read that 3 times to work out which way round you were saying it!

*Whispers quietly*: If you don't tell it, the dog won't even know it is Xmas day! Let the dog think the following day is Xmas.

aileth

lazer wrote: »

Could it by any chance not be the dogs the in-laws object to - but your behaviour when the dogs are present - do you spend the majority of your time running after the dog or do you keep telling everyone - look at what "Rover" is doing - isn't he wonderful etc

No, I most certainly don't. When we've taken him before, MIL has fawned over him and taken care of him most of the night. I'd love to implement a strict regime for while he's there, but I know that they wouldn't stick to it.

That is another aspect, that when they actually do once in a blue moon say he can come (hasn't happened in a long time though), they make a big fuss over him, let him lick bowls clean even though it makes me cringe, etc.

aileth

Prothet_of_Doom wrote: »

In our local libary, is a selection of dog traing books, the BEST of which are written by a Mrs B Woodhouse. Get a grip, understand that boiserous is not acceptable, to some people, and believe that any dog can be trained to sit and wait patiently.

We take our boisterous Cavalier to my sister's for Christmas, but stop on the way to give him a run on the beach, and then are extremely strict with him, but with a treat of a bit chicken if he does what he should.

He does sit and wait patiently, and when we have taken him he has sat in the living room while we've all eaten, but when lots of people are fawning over him he gets very excited.

He also knows not to beg for food, if food is in eyeline he never takes it, so there is no danger of him running off with any christmas bits.

aileth

krlyr wrote: »

Perhaps some training would help change their mind a bit though. Check out Kikopup and Pamelamarxsen on YouTube, both do some fab vids on teaching a dog to settle/be calm. I often take frozen Kongs to occupy mine whilst at family too

Will check them both out. The idea of a frozen Kong is a brilliant one, thank you.

bluenoseam

If I'm going to someone elses home I follow their wishes & the dog might be part of your family unit, but he's not part of everyones idea of your family. I'd flat out tell you to leave the dog at home - harsh as it might sound I wouldn't be willing to have a dog in the house.

lostinrates

silvercar wrote: »

I had to read that 3 times to work out which way round you were saying it!

*Whispers quietly*: If you don't tell it, the dog won't even know it is Xmas day! Let the dog think the following day is Xmas.

Outraged.

My pets have a Christmas routine and know the words 'rich pickings' (pet safe Christmas left overs) and enjoy :o:o stockings :rotfl:

Aileth, if they have dogstoo, why not arrange to meet for a Boxing Day dog walk instead?/as well. That way your dog gets some dog visiting with his dog 'cousins' or whatever the relationship between dogs might be presumed to be :rotfl: and its a great treat for the dogs to meet and socialise with old friends and have a run together.

Somewhere near me a whole village meet up for a Boxing Day dog walk, we ran into them one year and it was formidable, my very bold and social dogs looked slightly cowed by the ranks of dogs marching towards us. All the dogs were having an amazing time though and it seems like a fantastic village tradition!