Dog and visitors

queengoth

sheramber wrote: »

If someone os frightened of dogs i shut my dogs in another room that no one needs to go in. If you are worried that a child will annoy them then use a baby goat on the door.

:rotfl:

I don't think introducing a goat will help !

Fireflyaway

I agree with the comments suggesting you meet elsewhere. A small child and an energetic dog, neither of whom know each other, along with someone who is scared of dogs is not a great situation. Could turn out bad! If the guests really can't meet elsewhere then shut your dog securely away so the two can't meet. You invited them so as host its your responsibility to protect your guests welfare and your dog too. Fear of dogs is not irrational. There are some very aggressive animals out there and plenty irresponsible owners. Your guest could have had a bad experience and it wouldn't take much for a 2 year old to get hurt by even the friendliest dog by accident. Also you don't want your dog to get scarred if the child did something silly like pull its tail. Could change its behaviour forever.

seven-day-weekend

I agree with those who say dog elsewhere, with or without crate. Don't try and make them like the dog or not be frightened. Just treat them with kindness and respect.

I always put my cats elsewhere when one particular visitor comes as she is quite nervous and jumpy if they are around, thinking they are going to jump on her. I wouldn't be much of a friend if I ignored or trivialised her feelings, would I?

My mum was terrified of dogs all her life, I would not have dreamed of trying to inflict them upon her.

Timpu

A huge thank you for everyone for taking the time to post and share your ideas :beer:

So the plan now is to keep our dog in the kitchen and ask the parents to please stay out of that room.

We did consider a pub based visit but understandably, the lovely lad loves running around so it's not very relaxing for Mum and Dad. Fingers crossed if the weather is good, we can take them off to the park (leaving our dog with a stuffed kong).

gettingtheresometime

Undervalued wrote: »

Where as you of course are perfect?

Is it actually "irrational" to have a fear of dogs? Maybe s/he feels it is irrational to want to share your home with a creature from another species?

A little understanding would be a good start!

I read the post that whilst the OP had sympathy over the friend's fear of dogs, the friends didn't have the sense to stop their child going somewhere that was the dog's bolt hole.

gettingready

sheramber wrote: »

If you are worried that a child will annoy them then use a baby goat on the door.

Love this

rach_k

It sounds like you have a plan in place. Good luck!

I'm not sure if anybody else mentioned it, but it may help to remember that you can do something really useful in this situation if you take charge. You can teach the child that dogs need not be feared but must be respected and given space. If the child has parents who are daft and/or scared, unless there is somebody else around to teach him/her how to behave properly, the child will grow up to be daft and scared too. If you're firm with the child and explain things carefully e.g. 'the dog is in the kitchen because he likes some quiet time, we can go and see him later but you must do X, Y, Z so you don't make him scared' or whatever you want to explain, you'll also be giving the parents a lesson too, something others may not have done because they're grown ups who should know better!

Silvertabby

“ If you are worried that a child will annoy them then use a baby goat on the door.
Originally posted by sheramber ”

Love this

Me too - good old spell check!

Katiehound

Timpu wrote: »

So the plan now is to keep our dog in the kitchen and ask the parents to please stay out of that room.
.

No, sorry. I would be telling them to stay out of that room because you don't want their child to be frightened.
It seems they don't have a lot of common sense!

Hope it all goes well.

I did laugh at the baby goat too......

fierystormcloud

sheramber wrote: »

If someone os frightened of dogs i shut my dogs in another room that no one needs to go in. If you are worried that a child will annoy them then use a baby goat on the door.

I also have friendly dog who find visitors exciting. All the more reason to show consideration for a scared visitor.

If you want the dog to meet the other members of the family them by all means invite them outside , when the scared one can decline and stay inside.

Otherwise I would meet them out of the house somewhere.

gettingready wrote: »

Love this

Katiehound wrote: »

No, sorry. I would be telling them to stay out of that room because you don't want their child to be frightened.
It seems they don't have a lot of common sense!

Hope it all goes well.

I did laugh at the baby goat too......

:rotfl::rotfl::rotfl: Didn't notice this when I posted on this thread the other day!

Baby goat!

Curse that autocorrect!!! :D:D