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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

...to be annoyed at people bringing their dogs to a barbecue

58 replies

grrrrrowler · 02/08/2014 22:17

Have NC'd for this ...

Disclaimer: I like dogs. Really I do. But today I was blimmin annoyed.

I was a guest at a barbecue. Four different people brought dogs, which were utter pests [not their fault: lots of lovely meaty smells, crisps to snaffle etc] We had dogs bumping into barbecues, licking tongs, scarfing down a whole bowl of tortilla chips, drooling on people's legs, sniffing at the buns and cheese slices set out, licking plates that people might or might not be coming back to, and so on.

I felt like Cruella de Ville, warding these dogs away from the food all the time. Their owners did b*** all to stop them. I would occasionally ask someone if they could keep the dog away from the food, or sometimes draw attention to whatever hideous slobbery thing it was about to do, but it had no effect beyond the dog being removed for 2 seconds and then let go again to resume its slobbering. Lots of kids around really keen on the doggies and the doggies really keen on the food they were holding.

Hostess not at all bothered. For all I know the dogs' owners may have asked if they could bring them.

But even if they did - why can people not see that bringing their dog to a BBQ is an unhygienic thing to do (unless it is stunningly well behaved and can stay away from the food prep area).

Nobody else seemed at all bothered. What is wrong with meeeeeeee?

OP posts:
LuisSuarezTeeth · 02/08/2014 23:56

Apart from that, it's a bit odd, I agree Confused

deakymom · 03/08/2014 00:01

my mom also has a dog who drools whole bubbling chunks around food i somehow dont feel hungry when she is around lowers the tone

riverboat1 · 03/08/2014 00:05

I was often invited to bring my dog to bbqs. I think having dogs around makes an event like that more fun. A bit of looking longingly at the food and eating whatever falls on the floor is fine IMO, but if they're actually slobbering on people's plates and stealing food from serving/preparation areas then that's not good and the owner should be taking more control of the situation.

Bunbaker · 03/08/2014 09:46

"I think having dogs around makes an event like that more fun."

Really Hmm

I suspect only a dog lover would say that.

Peekingduck · 03/08/2014 09:59

Seriously, I love dogs, but I'd have made an excuse and left. My understanding of a BBQ is that it's primarily an event where people are invited along to share and enjoy company and food. You weren't enjoying either were you Op?

Peekingduck · 03/08/2014 10:00

"Why on earth do you need to name change for this?"
Why on earth does it matter?

Gileswithachainsaw · 03/08/2014 10:06

Yabu to be pussed off at the mere presence of dogs.

Yanbu to expect them
To be controlled and not be stealing food left right and centre.

Perhais the dogs could have been fed their own BBQ first :o

Have a big pile of sausages for them all

ElizabethArdenGreenTea · 03/08/2014 10:12

nyanbu, that is ridiculous. If i was looking forward to a bbq, arrived and saw a DOG I'd be abit Confused and Shock
that doesn't apply to the hosts' own dog though. But people taking their dog with them to a social occasion for humans! no. yasNbu

riverboat1 · 03/08/2014 10:46

Hmm I suspect only a dog lover would say that.

It's not that outrageous a statement! I totally accept that dogs arent for everyone but obviously lots of people like dogs. I do think mumsnet skews quite anti-dog compared to society as a whole - in my experience anyway.

littlewhitebag · 03/08/2014 10:54

I too have a lab who is very well behaved round food. She would be great at a BBQ but I probably wouldn't take her to one.

ElizabethArdenGreenTea · 03/08/2014 11:00

she's sensible to name change seeing as how a group of people will have known (from real life) that she was at a bbq last ight. i'm always amazed how careless people are talking about real life events on here.

i like dogs, but not all dogs tbh. I'd be wary about how close the dogs had been to the food. It's just a bit inappropriate really, Food+ DOGS! and the idea that a couple of dogs would make a bbq more fun is definitely not correct. how would somebody else's dog make a bbq more fun!?

Gileswithachainsaw · 03/08/2014 11:05

how would somebody else's dog make a bbq more fun!?

Well for starters it's nice to have a sensible conversation with someone who's not full of shit, and you can go and take them for a walk when people start getting drunk and loud and obnoxious or embarrassing.

:o

riverboat1 · 03/08/2014 11:06

I'm just saying that for me personally I enjoy it when people bring dogs to outdoor parties/events (presuming enough space, and dogs not out of control). I no longer have a dog, and am always pleased to see other peoples'. They add to the atmosphere, they love to play, the kids get a kick out of them.

I accept this isn't the case for everyone, just adding my own opinion to the mix.

TrinityRhino · 03/08/2014 11:09

I wouldn't take my dog to a bbq

If a dog was at a bbq I would expect it to be trained enough to sit quietly next to owner no matter what food was about.

hence why I wouldn't take mine Grin

Gileswithachainsaw · 03/08/2014 11:11

As a kid the highlight of any family gathering for me was the dogs/pets Blush

Ime the dogs don't ignore the kids like the adults do and make the whole thing bearable. :)

Sicaq · 03/08/2014 11:14

I love dogs but I agree, OP - because I think it is cruel on the dog. It would be like taking me to a Belgian chocolate factory and telling me to sit down and not touch ANY of it.

FreudiansSlipper · 03/08/2014 11:16

why is it so many dog owners think everyone else wants to spend time with their dogs Hmm

keep them at home or in the park I like them there but not when I am in a pub trying to have a drink and some lunch

not everyone wants to be surrounded by dogs all the time

BellaVita · 03/08/2014 11:27

My dog is polite around food too.

However, I wouldn't just turn up with my dog to a BBQ or anywhere really. If the hostess said to bring her then yes I would, but I wouldn't ask to bring her.

ElephantsNeverForgive · 03/08/2014 11:35

YANBU, however well behaved your dog and however welcoming your host you should only bring dogs to a BBQ or any party if you are going to be out all day and you know there is somewhere to put them while food is being cooked and eaten.

Same goes for the hosts own pets. Sorry I don't care how beautifully behaved they are I do not want dogs or cats slobbering round me while I eat.

Also I don't want the extra stress of keeping an eye one DD1 (and DH) who are both uncomfortable with dogs.

JadeJ123 · 03/08/2014 11:46

Yanbu, I've got 2 dogs but they never go to my friends house and if we have bbq's they get out behind the baby gate in the living room

SilenceOfTheSAHMs · 03/08/2014 13:39

My DM has this great big, ill-trained shaggy dog that she brings everywhere with her, its like her baby, she won't leave her at home, so she goes everywhere.
It really annoys me as it jumps up, and quite frankly terrifies DS aged3, and DM just thinks he's being silly.
I avoid functions she will be at because the dog is always in tow.

Floralnomad · 03/08/2014 13:48

The thing is you were a guest and so were the people with the dogs , you said yourself that the hostess wasn't bothered hence I think YABU . If you didn't like the behaviour of other guests then you leave - simple .

revealall · 03/08/2014 14:00

I think dogs at an outdoor party are fun too as long as it wasn't a formal adults only type event.
I can't see the problem with telling the dogs off firmly yourself. No is universal to dogs.

Alisvolatpropiis · 03/08/2014 14:14

If the hostess wasn't bothered then I'm not entirely sure why you're offended on behalf of others.

They're dogs not sabre tooth tigers.

Justnapping · 03/08/2014 14:17

Yanbu!!!! I agree dogs like this are very annoying.

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