Having a dog as a guest

[PCcrisps]

We've never had pets. DC would have liked them, but we've always worked long days, wouldn't be fair etc and if I'm honest I'm a bit scared of animals, although getting better.

DS1 (adult) has a girlfriend from a family of animal lovers. They have a youngish dog (9mo) who DS is absolutely smitten with. He often stayed at her house during the "new baby" stage and appears to have been involved a lot, they take the dog out for long walks, teach it tricks etc.

GF and her family are going away. DS has volunteered to have the dog.

I don't want a dog in my house, I like my easy low cleaning maintenance house.

How much extra work is it really? DS will do it, but he's not thorough!

Coming from a currently non dog house, the alterations and things I would have to change and risk to my soft furnishings are huge!

Thing is tho it was a fucking drama , my lab at that age was an absolute weapon grade twat. She got up at precisely 4 in the morning after shredding whatever she could get her paws on. Then it was zoomies wheeeeee up the hallway wheeeee down the hallway then she would be upset with her bedding so upend it all and tip up her water. Come 7 when everyone was getting up she had enough and went to bed til dinner time. Looking back it's funny but only because she was mine 😂

Oh, I feel that pain 🤣

God no.
The exact opposite of this

Oh the dog hate! They can be very lovely you know. You may even enjoy it. Nothing like a soppy Labrador cuddle.

The dog posts make me despair.

Thing is tho it was a fucking drama , my lab at that age was an absolute weapon grade twat.

My god, this is so true. Mine was. An absolute fucking disaster on four legs, even though she was trained very well. It's just the age and the unpredictable destructive behaviours. It's normal development, but OMG can they fuck your shit up. Sweet, loving pup one minute, Tasmanian Devil the next.

Ours is a lab cross and I've just had a flashback to her at nine months. Exciting times! Chewing everything.

I love dogs but think it's absolutely ridiculous for your son to offer to sit at your house without asking your first.
He should look after it at theirs.
Also 9m old labs are bonkers still.

I'm a dog sitter. I recently had a lab ( 1 year old) the hair was the most I've ever seen 🤣 not toilet trained, long off lead exercise and mental stimulation was a must. It's not easy but they are lovely.

Oh yes. Strike a pose....

He was fast asleep like this.

It's not dog hate it's reality, they are the most beautiful things on earth but at this age they come with complications, if you love them you can put up with it,

I am not a dog person. We have looked after MiL's dog a few times in our home. It's a nice dog - very chill and doesn't really like exercice. But even so after a few days I've had enough. It's ok for a short time but it always reinforces to me that I am not a pet person.

Agree. I adore dogs and own a BC (a clear indication of masochism) but just as I wouldn't deposit a teething baby or a sulky teen on an unsuspecting stranger I wouldn't leave a 9m old lab cross with someone I don't know. Or someone who owns furniture, or has carpets, or a garden, or who likes sleeping...

It’s nothing to do with dog hate. I don’t have pets as I like my soft furnishings without pet smells or accidents happening on them, I like spontaneity without having to factor in another living thing before I do things, I don’t want to pick up dog/cat mess you get the jist. I like my friends well behaved dogs but that’s it

anyway OP I wouldn’t allow it either he can go and sit with it at her house

Why did you say it was OK. To have the dog In you house ? The dog will drive you insane it will drip water shed hair and change the smell in your house also it's an adolescent dog and it might have random moments of overexcitement that might frighten you or at least put you on edge, get him to stay at their house if he can. I'm annoyed for you !

I love my dog and I occasionally dogsit too but if someone isn't used to dogs it's unfair to expose them to a week of dog drool and bounding about the house!

When my gorgeous boy was 9 months old, he broke the home boarder we left him with. She texted me every day, regaling me of how awful he was. He really really missed us. He never went back 🙄

It’s a big ask unless your son can look after him in his own home.

This is him, around that age. He’s 14 now 🥰

Hmm, I doubt I'd be comfy leaving my beloved 9 month old dog in a strange house with people that's aren't experienced with dogs full time.

Dog will be happier at home, with local dog sitter or kennels, or your son if he house sits and has spent at least 48 hours looking after a 9 month old dog.

That's a gorgeous retriever BTW :)