about dogson furniture

[PossiblyOverthinking]

Tried to NC, as I think some involved might be MNers, but no idea if it'll work, so will change some details.

Some friends are visiting soon, and there have been a few drip-fed changes since the arrangements were first made... now, rather than two couples, it'll be them, plus two dogs (we have an elderly cat, but she'll be fine), plus one teenage son, who happens to be vegan. But we have the room, we're dog friendly, and DP loves cooking vegetarianoand vegan food from scratch (but he can't make a chicken last for a week). So all is fine, with one concern.

I like dogs, and apparently these are well-behaved (though they would say that), but I don't really want them on the furniture; WIBU unreasonable to ask this of our guests? I want them to feel at home, so maybe I would, but then I don't think it's an unreasonable request as such, and I'm hoping that they'll bring the dogs' beds. If they want to take the dogs into their rooms at night, that's fine, and of course they could go on the bed for all I know, but I'm not going to dwell on that, I really just don't want dogs on the chairs or settee. DP feels the same. AIBU? Feel free to be robust, I can handle it.

[laffymeal]

Not U at all. I have a large greyhound which lives on the couch in our house and sleeps on our bed (the shame ) but when he stays with friends when we're on holiday they don't allow him on any furniture at all and quite rightly so, their house, their rules.

The dog gets his pea brain round the concept pretty quickly!

You sound like great hosts, very accommodating and this is not a harsh request at all.

[Itsthevibe]

Goodness! Of course that's a reasonable request.

You shouldn't even have to make it. I'd think most people wouldn't assume their dogs would be allowed on your furniture. Personally, I wouldn't assume mine would even be allowed inside.

[GoringBit]

Thanks laffy, I was thinking about digging out a couple of old (but not horrible) blankets so that they dogs can go on the furniture if I suspect friends are put out at the request, but will play it by ear.

[GoringBit]

Balls.

[WhereYouLeftIt]

Of course YANBU!

"and I'm hoping that they'll bring the dogs' beds."
No, no, no. Phone them up, have the conversation long before they arrive. 'Just to check, beds for your dogs, I assume you're bring theirs with you so that they settle in easier?'

[MrsGentlyBenevolent]

No decent dog owner would presume their pet was welcome on other people's furniture. I say this as someone who's dog and fiancée left her with a slither of the bed last night, so well versed in over indulgence of the smelly creatures .

I agree with the poster who suggested a call asking if they are bringing own dog's bed though. Just to be doubly sure.

[GoringBit]

Yeah, thanks Mutt... at least no piles or anal bleaching involved.

Thanks all, and for the suggestion to call first, it's great idea, I'll do it today.

Anyway, this thread is going to be Goring's last stand, I've been thinking about a permanent NC for a while.

[laffymeal]

Lol, just noticed your namechange fail. That's the sort of thing I'll probably do if I ever invoke one.

[CiderwithBuda]

I think it's a completely reasonable request. I have two labs and neither are allowed on the furniture. Although black lab thinks if she keeps back legs on the ground it doesnt count!

[GoringBit]

I know, laffy, I know... why did I assume the NC would carry on through the thread?

Cider, we house and dog-sat for a friends' two black labs (boys), they aren't allowed on the furniture, but one decided that if he sat on me on the settee, that didn't count - and he's not a small lad.

[hibbleddible]

Not unreasonable at all, your house, your rules.

As a dog owner, I am just aware that a dog who is used to being on furniture will continue to go on furniture in someone else's house unless told otherwise, so be prepared for needing to remind the dog to go down (though hopefully the owners will do this).

[Adarajames]

Dogs are perfectly capable of learning which houses allow them on furniture and which not!
Mine aren't allowed on furniture, but can be on people who are on the furniture, if invited up for a cuddle; as a pointer x she's not small either!

[Wolfiefan]

My mum's terrier visited the other day. She bought a blanket to go on the sofa and a bag of toys and a bed and a waterbowl and two leads and she was only here a few hours!