Inlaws visiting, what to do with their pets?

[Anonymous]

We're going to be doing Thanksgiving or Xmas at our house so spouse's family will be coming and they want to bring their pets. It's a total of five dogs among MIL and FIL, BIL and SIL. The dogs are 2 small ones (poodles maybe) and 3 medium sized dogs. We don't have any dogs. One of the dogs doesn't play well with others so that one has to be kept down in the basement by itself. That one dog is always isolated regardless of where the holidays are held so I assume if that dog comes that will be the case at our house.

I'm looking to expand my list of options that I can discuss with my spouse to handle this. Here's my list so far which is in no particular ranking order. Also, this is just a range of options that are available, it's not to suggest that any option is more or less reasonable than the others.

1. All or some of the dogs are boarded elsewhere (possibly up by us, possibly near where they live a few hours away)
2. Friends of SIL/BIL/FIL and MIL watch the dogs at their houses
3. Dogs come to our house and can roam freely (except the one dog that can't be around the others)
4. Dogs can roam mostly freely but are restricted from certain areas of the house (anywhere that has carpet for example)
5. Dogs are confined to a certain space (perhaps the mudroom?)
6. Perhaps the dogs feet can be wrapped in something and they can wear doggy diapers. I'm not sure if this is even possible or if this product exists.

I'm really looking more for ideas to present to spouse here to come up with something that works for both of us so whatever you have to offer would be appreciated. Obviously once spouse and I agree family members still have to agree as well but I assume we'll come up with three workable options and hopefully one of those will work for the family. Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We're going to be doing Thanksgiving or Xmas at our house so spouse's family will be coming and they want to bring their pets. It's a total of five dogs among MIL and FIL, BIL and SIL. The dogs are 2 small ones (poodles maybe) and 3 medium sized dogs. We don't have any dogs. One of the dogs doesn't play well with others so that one has to be kept down in the basement by itself. That one dog is always isolated regardless of where the holidays are held so I assume if that dog comes that will be the case at our house.

I'm looking to expand my list of options that I can discuss with my spouse to handle this. Here's my list so far which is in no particular ranking order. Also, this is just a range of options that are available, it's not to suggest that any option is more or less reasonable than the others.

1. All or some of the dogs are boarded elsewhere (possibly up by us, possibly near where they live a few hours away)
2. Friends of SIL/BIL/FIL and MIL watch the dogs at their houses
3. Dogs come to our house and can roam freely (except the one dog that can't be around the others)
4. Dogs can roam mostly freely but are restricted from certain areas of the house (anywhere that has carpet for example)
5. Dogs are confined to a certain space (perhaps the mudroom?)
6. Perhaps the dogs feet can be wrapped in something and they can wear doggy diapers. I'm not sure if this is even possible or if this product exists.

I'm really looking more for ideas to present to spouse here to come up with something that works for both of us so whatever you have to offer would be appreciated. Obviously once spouse and I agree family members still have to agree as well but I assume we'll come up with three workable options and hopefully one of those will work for the family. Thanks!

this is absurd. they need to leave the dogs at home. not your problem.

[Anonymous]

Personally, I find it insane that anyone would even ask to bring a pet to someone else's house. I have a dog, and I'd never ask to bring her. No relative has ever asked me to bring her either. I find boarding for her here. Yes, it's expensive, but it's part of owning a pet.

[Anonymous]

How long are they coming and will they all stay every night at your house? Do you have bedrooms for everyone?

I know people will say it's crazy they all bring their dogs - but in some families this is how it goes. And if this is how it goes in your husband's family, I will say that #6 is off the table. That is ridiculous.

That said, you can probably confine the dogs to the main level only, and sleeping only in one smaller space - like the mudroom or kitchen.

If your house is smaller, I think your husband might get to work on some of the siblings and be pretty clear there's not a lot of space for the medium sized dogs. But I doubt it will work.

[Anonymous]

This is insane. The dogs can not come to your house. Period. I love dogs more than people and would say absofuckinglutely not to this without even blinking. They need to either board their dogs or get pet-sitters. Whatever they do is not your problem. Just like they make arrangements for their mail to be held and plants to be watered, they need to make arrangements for their pets.

[Anonymous]

OP here. Spouse does not object to them bringing the dogs so we have to figure out something that works. I'm willing to compromise, just looking for some ideas.

[Anonymous]

We always bring our dog and our families always bring their dogs. We enjoy it though and like seeing the dogs play. DH and I were just commenting on this the other day how all our friends and family are dog people.

I'm not a psycho dog person, but I don't think I would enjoy Christmas without my dog. I just wouldn't go.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We always bring our dog and our families always bring their dogs. We enjoy it though and like seeing the dogs play. DH and I were just commenting on this the other day how all our friends and family are dog people.

I'm not a psycho dog person, but I don't think I would enjoy Christmas without my dog. I just wouldn't go.

i'm pretty sure this makes you a psycho (dog person).

[Anonymous]

You haven't explained the issue. Are you worried about fur? Scratching your floors? What's your hesitation?

Put the one dog in a crate or in another room from the other dogs.

[Anonymous]

Some of your options aren't workable - doggy diapers, seriously? I assume these dogs are house trained? And no you can't contain 4-5 dogs together in a mudroom.

Practically you won't be able to keep the dogs away from where the people are so if you plan to have people in carpeted areas then you need to allow the dogs too.

There are dog friendly hotels. I know some Hampton inns allow dogs. Is that an option for your family?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:You haven't explained the issue. Are you worried about fur? Scratching your floors? What's your hesitation?

Put the one dog in a crate or in another room from the other dogs.

+1. We will have 3 dogs at our house this weekend. It's a non issue. The dogs are small, don't mess anything up and just follow us around. We don't notice them.

[Anonymous]

Tell them to board their fucking mutts.

[Anonymous]

Bizarre. Tell them they can't bring their pets. Normal people board their dogs or get dog-sitters to stay at their house.

[Anonymous]

Not realistic for them to expect you to welcome 5 dogs. Your relatives need to figure this one out and not make their dogs your problem.

[Anonymous]

Absolutely, positively, say no.

Let it be *their* problem to find a petsitter or boarding where they live.

Their dogs, their problem. Not your problem. No way.