Advice needed on family and dogs

[ShannonR]

I have a no dog rule here! I have 5 of my own that are territorial over my property. I have a strict rule that no friends or family bring their dogs here. Idiot people next door have dog play dates and those dogs are not trained so fight with my dogs. Try to chase my birds on occasion too!

Over the last few years (specifically, since having children) I have come more and more to not like dogs. Today's pet culture is just too absurd for me. The humanizing of animals trend is becoming too much for me to stomach.

Both my parents have ill mannered dogs and I hate visiting with them. And both parents justify this behavior by calling the dogs their babies. Uhh, what about your grandchildren? If my human babies acted like that you would throw a fit!

Animals should not be more important than humans. Period.

 

[chickens really]

Over the last few years (specifically, since having children) I have come more and more to not like dogs. Today's pet culture is just too absurd for me. The humanizing of animals trend is becoming too much for me to stomach.

Both my parents have ill mannered dogs and I hate visiting with them. And both parents justify this behavior by calling the dogs their babies. Uhh, what about your grandchildren? If my human babies acted like that you would throw a fit!

Animals should not be more important than humans. Period.

Definitely! My dogs listen and are not spoiled children. 3 of my dogs have jobs. I don't tolerate insubordination from them and they respond and respect me.

 

[townchicks]

I'm not sure how to handle it other than saying we can not stay all day and just come back for dinner later. They dont live far away but it would be inconvenient.

Do this. Family holidays are for visiting family. this is not the time to try to train your dog, especially when the other parties are so clueless. You have done a lot of work with Duchess and please don't risk her mental well being, by putting her in this situation. you are her protector. A little inconvenience now, may save a great deal of inconvenience in the years to come, as you will not set her back in her training. keep looking for that bulletproof dog to work her with. Your relatives dog sounds very defensive, and he's probably so uncomfortable around your dog, that it is unfair to him, as well as her. It would be kind to both of them, to make the effort. It would have been nice if they had gotten along, but that sounds like a pipe dream.

 

[ShannonR]

Definitely! My dogs listen and are not spoiled children. 3 of my dogs have jobs. I don't tolerate insubordination from them and they respond and respect me.

That's the way things should be.

 

[chickens really]

That's the way things should be.

Oh definitely...
Dogs need jobs and respect a stonger leader or they are hard to handle and can decide to do things their way and never good.

 

[Mimi13]

Do this. Family holidays are for visiting family. this is not the time to try to train your dog, especially when the other parties are so clueless. You have done a lot of work with Duchess and please don't risk her mental well being, by putting her in this situation. you are her protector. A little inconvenience now, may save a great deal of inconvenience in the years to come, as you will not set her back in her training. keep looking for that bulletproof dog to work her with. Your relatives dog sounds very defensive, and he's probably so uncomfortable around your dog, that it is unfair to him, as well as her. It would be kind to both of them, to make the effort. It would have been nice if they had gotten along, but that sounds like a pipe dream.

This is good information.

 

[chickens really]

@Mimi13
You will get to a point your new dog will just be there and part of the pack!

 

[Mimi13]

@Mimi13
You will get to a point your new dog will just be there and part of the pack!

This is very true. I have four dogs and my son has three and he lives next door to me (the farm next door). My dogs never leave my place, via the gate. Their dogs come and go and all is well. All seven run as a pack. Only five are inside dogs and it does get somewhat crowded inside when they are over. Two of my dogs are strictly outside, as are the cats.

However, Christmas is such a special time. It’s the only time we get to see some family and I wouldn’t want the burden of having to watch my dog and their dog to make sure nothing happened. Not to mention some people don’t like animals and their holiday visit would be miserable. Just my thoughts.

 

[21hens-incharge]

First I confess I did not read every page.

Second....I have big dogs. My extended family is afraid of big dogs so stay away.
SCORE!!

It makes picking up all that poop SOOOO worth it!

I too would keep my dog out of that drama all together.
Anyone that thinks 2 dogs that are strangers can randomly magically be friends in a chaotic gathering is not where I want my dog.

One thing that struck me......
The in laws dog bites people?








Yeah.....no. I would decline to attend all together. I don't care if it is 15# or 115# I prefer to not be bitten.

 

[CindyinSD]

You know, it’s once a year. Leave your dog home and you go home halfway through the day to put her out and give her some exercise. They can complain about you while you’re gone, which is pleasurable for a certain type of personality (though probably not much fun for your DH) and you don’t have to listen to it. Hopefully they’ll have it out of their system by the time you get back. Don’t argue with them... it would appear that there’s no hope of persuading them of anything. Just convincingly and sincerely say, “Yeah, you may be right, but if little “Snookie” got hurt I just couldn’t live with myself. Better safe than sorry.”

Don’t worry about it not being fair to your dog. Your dog doesn’t know he’s being “wronged,” and will forgive you as soon as he sees your faces in the evening. He doesn’t care about holidays. He just cares that you love him.