OP - five dogs is way too many for one house and the issue of one dog not getting along with the others. I think 1-2 dogs is reasonable but 5 is unreasonable for you/DH to be expected to deal w/ over the major holidays. Nicely ask/tell them to make other arrangements for their pets or if you have the $ offer to pay for boarding.

This thread is so weird and so revolting. Your new house is going to reek like dogs. Maybe by asking if they can make sure the dogs visit the groomer before they come you can cut down on hair, long nails and dog stink.

I guess +1 for doggy daycare. I'd be stocking up on Xanax for myself but I wouldn't let people bring dogs to my house anyway.

For the MIL's crazy dogs maybe doggy Xanax. My parents had a very nervous dog and it helped them (and the dog). If they're anxious dogs anyway they're probably going to be even more so in a strange new environment. Bites from nervous dogs would definitely put a damper on the holiday season.

Anonymous wrote:Crate the one dog that can't be around the others and then put the rest in the basement.

This would work too.

Doggy diapers are a non-option though. That's ridiculous. Those are for dogs in heat. If these dogs aren't well trained then put some pee pads (same idea as diapers but you don't put them on the dog) in one area of the basement and the owners of the untrained dogs have to deal with them. And walk their dogs. I don't understand untrained dogs at all, and I've had dogs all of my life. Are they either really young or really old? Otherwise, there's no reason for that.

Anonymous wrote:Guarantee the OP's in-laws will not want their dogs staying in the garage with a space heater for the duration. They think of the dogs as their little children and will want them to be in the house with the humans.

OP, if you are going to do this have DH ask his parents what their expectations are. Do they want the dogs to go to daycare? (doubt it) Do they understand that the dogs need to be gated off from most of the house so you can minimize possible damage?

Does the visiting child have issues with dogs?

Nah, visiting child is fine with the dogs. I suspect you're right that the garage won't fly but I think some restrictions would be ok like keeping some of the dogs in the mudroom. Two of the dogs are sorta like children, they're really co-dependent on MIL and they freak out if they're not able to follow her around.

I've done holidays with the in-laws at their house with the same amount of dogs and people and it hasn't been an issue. In-laws will be moving into a new house shortly before the holidays so there's a remote possibility we could do the holidays at their house which would be the best option. Understandably there's some concern about whether they'll be able to be sufficiently unpacked to have everyone over.

Crate the one dog that can't be around the others and then put the rest in the basement.

Anonymous wrote: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?

My thoughts, too. Except I think you can expect to keep the dogs off the carpet. How that happens is up to the owners.

Honestly though with your hesitations, they need to not bring the dogs. Ours goes with us 98% of the time, but the majority of our family has dogs and bring theirs as well. They all get along for the most part. When they didn't we boarded our dog. At this point in his life he can't be boarded because he can't have his shots, so we don't go where he can't go. That's a choice we make right now.. he won't be with us much longer and we're more than willing to make the sacrifice.

Anonymous wrote:Still trying to figure out what's the problem that needs fixing. Are you concerned the dogs will be underfoot? The solution is baby gates, crates, walks, bully sticks, toys, etc.

Are you concerned about fur? Ask your husband if he intends to vacuum thoroughly after they leave.

Is it about scratching hardwood floors? have your relatives cut the nails real short before they come.

Accidents in the house? Hand some paper towels and Resolve to the owner and remind them to take the dog out more frequently.

Dog fights? If all dogs are walked and exercised, they typically find a corner and go to sleep. Dogs sleep like 18 hours a day. But crates and baby gates help too.

What exactly are you worried about?

Mainly scratches on the hardwood. I can ask about trimming their nails, that's a good idea. I can get over accidents on the hardwood floor but it just seems gross on the carpet. I know you can clean the carpet but I'd just feel like it was always dirty after that. I realize my view might be a tad irrational in that regard.

Anonymous wrote:Alright OP, PP here, you want some ideas: Definitely crates. Crates are NOT cruel. Dogs are den animals. They won't pee/poop in their crate (generally).

Also, baby gates and put down a tarp. The garage is a good idea, get a space heater. Thanksgiving is usually fairly mild around here, so they go outside a LOT. Get doggie sweaters if needed.

Frequent walks. Morning, noon and evening.

The dog prone to accidents, check out "belly bands".

Do you have a doggie daycare near you? Maybe even just one day of this would be nice so you can have a break and relax.

Thank you, these are some awesome ideas.

To the other PP. The house is like 3500 sq. feet...5500 if you include the basement so there's a decent amount of space.

Anonymous wrote:Still trying to figure out what's the problem that needs fixing. Are you concerned the dogs will be underfoot? The solution is baby gates, crates, walks, bully sticks, toys, etc.

Are you concerned about fur? Ask your husband if he intends to vacuum thoroughly after they leave.

Is it about scratching hardwood floors? have your relatives cut the nails real short before they come.

Accidents in the house? Hand some paper towels and Resolve to the owner and remind them to take the dog out more frequently.

Dog fights? If all dogs are walked and exercised, they typically find a corner and go to sleep. Dogs sleep like 18 hours a day. But crates and baby gates help too.

What exactly are you worried about?

?? I've never ever encountered this.

Guarantee the OP's in-laws will not want their dogs staying in the garage with a space heater for the duration. They think of the dogs as their little children and will want them to be in the house with the humans.

OP, if you are going to do this have DH ask his parents what their expectations are. Do they want the dogs to go to daycare? (doubt it) Do they understand that the dogs need to be gated off from most of the house so you can minimize possible damage?

Does the visiting child have issues with dogs?

Please tell us the sq footage of your house. I just can't imagine this being pleasant unless you are in a very large house.

Still trying to figure out what's the problem that needs fixing. Are you concerned the dogs will be underfoot? The solution is baby gates, crates, walks, bully sticks, toys, etc.

Are you concerned about fur? Ask your husband if he intends to vacuum thoroughly after they leave.

Is it about scratching hardwood floors? have your relatives cut the nails real short before they come.

Accidents in the house? Hand some paper towels and Resolve to the owner and remind them to take the dog out more frequently.

Dog fights? If all dogs are walked and exercised, they typically find a corner and go to sleep. Dogs sleep like 18 hours a day. But crates and baby gates help too.

What exactly are you worried about?

Alright OP, PP here, you want some ideas: Definitely crates. Crates are NOT cruel. Dogs are den animals. They won't pee/poop in their crate (generally).

Also, baby gates and put down a tarp. The garage is a good idea, get a space heater. Thanksgiving is usually fairly mild around here, so they go outside a LOT. Get doggie sweaters if needed.

Frequent walks. Morning, noon and evening.

The dog prone to accidents, check out "belly bands".

Do you have a doggie daycare near you? Maybe even just one day of this would be nice so you can have a break and relax.

I have a dog. I will be boarding him to go visit my family in a month. It's too many dogs. No way.

Anonymous wrote:

Another thought I had was taping together some collapsed cardboard boxes and making a floor of sorts in one of the rooms they are being kept in.

The pee will soak through the cardboard boxes. So if you are going to do the cardboard boxes thing, then make sure you put plastic down first. If you don't have enough cardboard boxes, you can get a large, cheap-ish carpet from Home Depot to protect the floors.

Oh, and keep all the toilet covers down. You don't want the dogs getting wet and then getting water all over your floors. Put a bathmat under their water bowl too.

you are a fool if you volunteer for all this, op. enjoy your holiday...