WWPD?

BzzyBumbleBee

Hey Parents!

I lurk on this board all. the . time. because clearly this is where the cool bumpies hang out. You guys make me laugh and give really good advice so could you help a newbie out?

I have a Christmas dilemma. My husbands aunt and uncle have a huge dog that they bring everywhere. We are worried that they will bring the dog over to our place for Christmas lunch and we have a 6 month old that spends a lot of time playing on the floor. We really don't want to chase the freaking dog around keeping him away from the baby all day, but we don't know how to approach the issue because aunt and uncle are sensitive. WWPD? TIA

BzzyBumbleBee

More important Q: Is this rude of us? would you be offended if we asked you to leave your dog home?

klondikebar

I think it's rude to assume an extra guest is welcome without asking and that includes dogs.

cynnichinny13

We have a boxer, who is really friendly & isn't big, but he is really high energy. We always bring him to gatherings at ILs house. BIL made a comment about keeping our dog away from their 9 month old. He said he wasn't comfortable having him run around while nephew was crawling around on the floor. And that was it. We won't be bringing our doggy over when they are there anymore. It's up to the parents and their comfort level. So hopefully they understand when you ask. They just might have to leave earlier than usual to get home to their dog. If they make a stink about it just reinforce the fact that you, as a parent, would appreciate it if they left their dog at home. Please, thanks, end of discussion. 

Prime

ashleysyn2:

"We're really excited you're coming over, but we'd prefer you leave _______ at home since LO is getting to the age where he plays a lot on the floor."

This.  They shouldn't assume their dog is welcome everywhere.

Disneygeek77

No, I actually think they are the rude ones for assuming their dog would be welcome without asking first. 

Karschingham

ashleysyn2:

BzzyBumbleBee:

More important Q: Is this rude of us? would you be offended if we asked you to leave your dog home?

Hell no! Your house, your rules. They should be the ones asking if it's okay instead if assuming you'll be fine with it.

exactly this.

RondackHiker

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt.

You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

BzzyBumbleBee

RondackHiker:

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt. You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

Yup. Butt hurt EXACTLY.

DH and I will be rock paper scissor fireballing who gets to send the email.

Disneygeek77

Well even if they do get upset, take comfort in knowing that you did nothing wrong.  This is your home and your child and you are simply doing what is in your best interest.  Again, it is rude of them to even put you guys in this position. 

Oh and possibly be prepared for them to say they aren't coming now. 

AshasaurusRex

I agree with everyone else and would just write something like, "Dear, _____ We understand how much you love (dog's name) and that you like to take him everywhere with you. We wish we could have him over too, but since the baby spends a lot of time crawling on the floor we're going to have to ask that you leave him at home, we'll miss him! Thanks so much for understanding, we can't wait to see you!"

Edited to add a missing word.

evelyntaylor

BzzyBumbleBee:

More important Q: Is this rude of us? would you be offended if we asked you to leave your dog home?

Not at all. We have two dogs and leave them home when we know there are other babies or dogs around. We also ask others to leave their dogs at home since we already have a full house. 

RockyTopVols

BzzyBumbleBee:

RondackHiker:

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt.

You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

Yup. Butt hurt EXACTLY.

DH and I will be rock paper scissor fireballing who gets to send the email.

Rock paper scissor fireball? When did fireball get added? Which object does it destroy? What destroys it? what is the symbol for fireball?

I must know. It is pertinent to this conversation.

CoffeeBeen

stw_77:

No, I actually think they are the rude ones for assuming their dog would be welcome without asking first.

Ding ding ding! I know a lot of people feel like dogs are part of their family, but that doesn't mean that you have to accept them as part of your family.

If I receive an ambiguous wedding invitation, I will ask if DS is invited - and he's a person.

And hell, for a mere lunch your autn and uncle don't even need to find someone to watch their dog. 

IncognitoSuperhero

RockyTopVols:

BzzyBumbleBee:

RondackHiker:

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt.

You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

Yup. Butt hurt EXACTLY.

DH and I will be rock paper scissor fireballing who gets to send the email.

Rock paper scissor fireball? When did fireball get added? Which object does it destroy? What destroys it? what is the symbol for fireball?

I must know. It is pertinent to this conversation.

This!
And here I thought I was hip and up with the latest stuff. Fireball.

CoffeeBeen

IncognitoSuperhero:

RockyTopVols:

BzzyBumbleBee:

RondackHiker:

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt. You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

Yup. Butt hurt EXACTLY.

DH and I will be rock paper scissor fireballing who gets to send the email.

Rock paper scissor fireball? When did fireball get added? Which object does it destroy? What destroys it? what is the symbol for fireball? I must know. It is pertinent to this conversation.

This! And here I thought I was hip and up with the latest stuff. Fireball.

And what's the hand signal?  DH always beats me at RPS (it's unreal), I want to spring fireball on him and see what he does.

blowfish11

ashleysyn2:

BzzyBumbleBee:

More important Q: Is this rude of us? would you be offended if we asked you to leave your dog home?

Hell no! Your house, your rules. They should be the ones asking if it's okay instead if assuming you'll be fine with it.

THIS. 

LnR70707

CoffeeBeen:

IncognitoSuperhero:

RockyTopVols:

BzzyBumbleBee:

RondackHiker:

You would not be rude, but that doesn't mean they won't get all butt hurt. You can't control if people will react badly. You are well within your rights to say that you don't want the dog and its hair where your baby plays. And sensible people would be okay with that. I don't know what you mean by sensitive, but if you mean they get butt hurt and overreact about everything, then yes, they might get mad.

Yup. Butt hurt EXACTLY.

DH and I will be rock paper scissor fireballing who gets to send the email.

Rock paper scissor fireball? When did fireball get added? Which object does it destroy? What destroys it? what is the symbol for fireball? I must know. It is pertinent to this conversation.

This! And here I thought I was hip and up with the latest stuff. Fireball.

And what's the hand signal?  DH always beats me at RPS (it's unreal), I want to spring fireball on him and see what he does.

has to be like the exploding fist bump

Nita2603

I have a big dog. I like taking her places. But I would never drag her along without asking first, and mostly I would not ask at all if it is ok and doable to leave her at home. It does happen that people tell me to just bring her so we can stay longer. But honestly...not everyone likes dogs and that is ok. Bringing a dog to a dog less household with a small child? Rude!!!

andyyougoonie

How old is the dog? Is your LO afraid of dogs? I don't see anything wrong with having a dog around a 6 month old, as long as the dog is mature, good with kids and well behaved.  But, I have two dogs and a kid and we've never had a problem.

If you have a fenced in yard or baby gated area, could you put the dog there away from the baby?  

If you just really don't want the dog coming, I would ask that they leave the dog at home since you're not sure how your baby would react. Make it very clear that you are not comfortable with this dog around your child.

FormerlyKrista555

Since youre not keen on the idea of confrontation with them, why not put the dog in your yard, basement, or garage?

RondackHiker

I am still waiting to know about the fireball.

MommyKayla11

BzzyBumbleBee:

More important Q: Is this rude of us? would you be offended if we asked you to leave your dog home?

Not rude at all!