I haven't read all the responses but I'm currently hosting relatives whose dog is barking incessantly and, for some inexplicable reason, bleeding all over the place. They think its a paw thing. I think I'm going to have a GD stroke shampooing the rugs and couch when they leave. He may not be my responsibility, but I AM responsible for maintaining a clean home for my family and for making sure our neighbors aren't being kept up all night by barking. It's a huge stressor.

I'm a dog person, big time, and I've taken my dog to family gatherings (back when I was young and broke and kid-less and just didn't comprehend how stressful it could be on a host). I think you're very gracious for considering your spouse's wishes and your relatives' demands. I also think it's within your right to lay down some ground rules (and no one in their right mind would think you rude or inhospitable to do so).

My advice, if you really do intend to go through with the pet hosting, is to tell your guests what you're willing to deal with and what's a deal breaker. E.g., your dogs are welcome as long as they are house trained and non agressive. Those are very, very basic requests. I wouldn't in a million years expect someone to put up with a dog who wasn't house trained. And yeah, I suppose you could stipulate that non house trained dogs must wear diapers. The dog booties are a no-go. They just don't keep them on.

You're a saint, seriously. I hope your husband knows and appreciates this!!!

Gross

I would take their dogs. I would encourage them to find a hotel. Four is a lot.

I have 2 dogs and would Never do this.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

You don't have kids, do you?

Not PP. But I have kids. And, I'll be home with my entire family, including my dogs, as well. You don't get to define my family.
This has nothing to do with OP's situation (if she doesn't want them then she shouldn't have them). But, people who feel different than you do aren't "psycho" or "crazy." Or are you that intellectually lazy all the time?

Anonymous wrote:

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).

Who are you to say something like that based on one statement?

I absolutely feel the same as PP. I would not like to board my pets over the holidays either. There are many like me. We are normal and simply consider our pets family.

OMG OP, I can't even begin to imagine what your house will smell like with FIVE dog's in it... I would give them the name of local places that board and if they choose to not come to your house because they can't impose their dog on you - that tells you your value to them so let them stay home and don't lose a minute of sleep over it.

FIVE dogs is completely insane. You would have to be either nuts or a doormat to allow that.

The fact that you and your husband would want all those dogs to come to your new home, some not housetrained and christen it with urine soaked floors. That's grody.

I come from a family with dogs, too. We had five together at Christmas ranging in age from 10 weeks - 14 years. It was fine. HOWEVER.. we are a dog family, and everyone is used to it.

I agree with the PP who says put it back on them. Give them the options of where the dogs will be. One or two may decide not to bring their dog.

Have you said anything about not really wanting the dogs there? Your dh is fine with it but it doesn't sound like you really are. I don't take my dog where I know he isn't wanted. Sometimes due to his age that means we don't go either but that's our circumstance right now. He's certainly been kenneled before when taking him wasn't a good option. Nobody said anything, we knew the situation wasn't going to be a good one for him.

Make your opinion known.

Put it back on them. DH needs to ask them, "What is the plan for all the dogs? We don't have a house that's pet ready since we have chosen not to have animals in the house. Are they all going to be okay gated in the mudroom together all day? We could use part of the basement for some of them but that is away from all the people."

See what they say.

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is the exact definition of "psycho dog person". You'd skip the Holidays with FAMILY to spend time with your dog?

I'm not the PP, but if I couldn't take my pets somewhere for Christmas, my family would come to me instead.

OP, I think 5 dogs is a lot and you are already being very welcoming but I don't think you are totally crazy. You seem totally relaxed about the idea, it sounds like you have a large house and can corner off an area or 2 for the dogs, so you can try it out this year and see how it goes. It also sounds like you've already made up your mind and are going to do it

I come from a dog family too. We have 4 small (10-40lb) well-behaved dogs in my parent's house at the holidays - mine, my sister's and my parents have 2. But my parents are dog people with a dog friendly so for them it isn't a big deal to have 2 more.

I'll just add a few things:

1) Definitely corner off. You'll probably end up letting 1-2 well behaved dogs out at a time to hang out with the fam. And they will be a good distraction/conversation starter
2) Don't count on the tarps saving your floor. The dogs will play/pull at the corners and I bet they are ruffled up in a corner of the room after a few hours unless you are clever about how you weigh them down (with dumbbells or something?)
3) Don't count on a doggy daycare taking the dogs off your hands at the last minute. I'm in DC proper so I might have a skewed perception but most places are fully booked over the holidays and will only take dogs that have completed pre-stay socialization visits etc.
4) It sounds like you're familiar with these dogs but unfamiliar with what its like to have dogs in your home. Most dogs are really well-behaved but be mentally prepared for messes, chewed up stuff, etc. Make sure your shoes/purses are in your bdrm and the bdrm door is always closed.
5) The PPs about crating are totally correct but a non-crated dog might not respond well to suddenly being crated. A crated dog's owner who fusses over his/her dog would bring the crate.
6) My parents use a cleaning service regularly (so does my sister and I in our own homes!) but if you don't you might want to consider scheduling a one-time cleaning after they leave. It's so worth it to have someone come vacuum the floors and the sofa etc. Fur control.

And if you find that you are totally stressed out then consider this pilot program a disaster and never say yes again! Every dog owner will have a few dog sitting options. Good luck!

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.

Well, that's what you say!

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.

You don't have kids, do you?

Anonymous wrote:

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.

This is the exact definition of "psycho dog person". You'd skip the Holidays with FAMILY to spend time with your dog?

Yup. Just out of curiosity, first PP who would skip the holidays with family to spend time with your dog, what is the threshold for a psycho dog person if you don't quite make the grade?