Hosting a dog

[Anonymous]

I like dogs in other peoples' homes but have never lived with one. My SIL and her family are coming to visit. They were going to fly and board the dog, but now they're driving and asked if they can bring her. I'll admit, I'm not particularly psyched to have a dog on our house (mainly thinking about shedding and one more boisterous body in a relatively small space and possible constraints to our outing schedule), but I'm open to considering it. I'm sure my kids would be thrilled, though then they might start begging for a dog themselves, which would be tough to manage with or travel schedules.

What do I need to keep in mind about having a medium to large size dog in our two story all wood-floored home?

[Anonymous]

PS I haven't met this particular dog, so don't know the personality, but from stories I'm gathering that she has a lot of energy.

[Anonymous]

PPS it will be over Christmas, so picture extra stuff and a tree around.

[Anonymous]

Just say no.

[Anonymous]

I'd ask your SIL about what's weighing most on your mind:

Hi Larla, thinking through logistics of hosting Fido and had a few questions:
-- will we need to be home every X hours to let Fido out?
-- Our house is pretty cramped with all the holiday decorations and tree, will Fido be comfortable?
-- Where would Fido be comfortable sleeping, we have X, Y or Z options

I suspect that your SIL is nervous too and your questions will highlight areas she can step up to make everythign smoother.

[Anonymous]

Is there a gated dog park nearby where the dog can go to run and let off energy so it doesn't trash your home?

[Anonymous]

If you don't have a dog or cat, then say yes. I'm assuming the dog is house trained.

[Anonymous]

Will they have their own room at your house and is the dog crate trained? That will make things a lot easier.

[Anonymous]

The problem is that even if SIL assures you the dog is well-trained, she can't guarantee how the dog will react in your home, with new people and stuff on the floor at Christmas. So take anything she tells you with a grain of salt.

It will be easier if she brings the crate and the dog sleeps in it, if the dog is not a barker, if there are lots of walks around your neighborhood the dog can go on, and if your family is relatively calm so as not to excite the dog even more, and picks things up off the floor so that the dog doesn't eat it.

[Anonymous]

I would worry about your kids opening and closing the front door and the dog running out and getting lost. That's honestly my biggest fear when we bring our dogs anywhere.

[Anonymous]

No way.

[Anonymous]

Maybe you should allow it and ask your kids to care for it - wake up early for walks, pick up poop. They might realize the hard work isn't worth it.

[Anonymous]

I would worry about your kids opening and closing the front door and the dog running out and getting lost. That's honestly my biggest fear when we bring our dogs anywhere.

This. Are they bringing a crate. That may be helpful during some times.

BTW Op, I'm a dog owner and I do occasionally ask if I can bring our dog - but I would never expect a "yes". I would like to know how the host really feels and not have the host say yes out of any feeling of obligation or being nice. AND I would need to know yes or no in a timely manner. Kennel reservations can be hard to get over the holidays and pet owners are often particular.

[Anonymous]

I would worry about your kids opening and closing the front door and the dog running out and getting lost. That's honestly my biggest fear when we bring our dogs anywhere.

This. Are they bringing a crate. That may be helpful during some times.

BTW Op, I'm a dog owner and I do occasionally ask if I can bring our dog - but I would never expect a "yes". I would like to know how the host really feels and not have the host say yes out of any feeling of obligation or being nice. AND I would need to know yes or no in a timely manner. Kennel reservations can be hard to get over the holidays and pet owners are often particular.

[Anonymous]

I'm a dog lover but would say no. That dog will scratch the heck out of your floors when it runs and tries to stop. My sil brought her "well trained" dog and it peed and pooped on my carpets. SO pissed.