Family gathering, niece doesn't like dogs.

[talksensetome]

We are having a family gathering tomorrow to mark 20 years since our mum died, therefore my brothers and sisters will all be there, along with partners and children.

My sister (sister2) is hosting, she is ok with dogs although doesn't own one anymore. I have a dog which I would like to take, he is a good dog and doesn't jump up or run around barking.

Our other sister (sister 1) has said she would rather I don't take the dog as my niece is scared of them.

I would usually get our younger sister (sister 3) to dog sit but given the occasion she will obviously be there too.

Would I be unreasonable to push it a little and ask could I take the dog and leave him in the kitchen? the children will probably be playing upstairs most of the evening and the smokers of the group tend to congregate in the kitchen so its easier to get to the back door.

I don't really want to leave Dog on his own all evening because he will cry, he doesn't get left alone for long periods usually.

So WIBU to make this suggestion and potentially put DSis 1 in a position she would rather not be or am I being one of THOSE dog owners?

This thread is getting a bit ridiculous now. The other thread nd other people's dogs have no relevance and I do think Navy is getting a bit piled on.

Maybe we should call it a night and if anyone wants to discuss dogs walking to heel or not, they can possibly create a three of their own?

You said you ''found'' them. Not remembered them

I agree OP. When people revert to insults and name calling the thread has gone beyond saving. Glad you could get your problem sorted :)

I don't mind dogs. I grew up with them, don't have one now because having dc seems to have used up all my tolerance for annoying needy small creatures

I'm not scared, I'm not remotely hysterical, but I do get a bit pissed off when dogs come up and sniff me while their idiot owners trill 'he's friendly'. 'I'M NOT!' I once called back cheerfully. Did. Not. Compute.

You're (generic 'you're') a dog lover - great. Fill your boots. But recognise that plenty of us don't want to interact and keep your beloved beastie under control, that's all. In return, I'll make sure my dc don't bug you.

tea Yep. You got it.

I used to love dogs but TBH I've been put off dogs by entitled dog owners.

I do get a bit pissed off when dogs come up and sniff me while their idiot owners trill 'he's friendly'. 'I'M NOT!' I once called back cheerfully. Did. Not. Compute.

I like that one! Mind you, I had a woman tell me (indignantly) "he just gets excited" while her dog was attempting to stick its head up my nether regions. I said "Yes, so does my husband. Would you like it if he came and sniffed your crotch?". (Disclaimer - he doesn't do things like that, but it was an amusing mental image at the time!)

Leave your manky dog at home. Stop being an arse.

Talksense

Take the dog, dog remains in kitchen/garden.

Your sisters child need not go in there if shes worried about dogs, your sister is BU in not telling you that despite having owned dogs her child is now scared of dogs.

You are not insisting niece sits with dog, niece plays with dog, that the two interact in any way.

The owner of the property is happy to have the dog there so no, I don't think you should leave the well behaved dog at home because ONE mollycoddled child is worried about dogs, when she need not have anything to do with the dog.

Does your dog have a crate though, if so could you take that so that dog can be popped in the crate if necessary?

Take your dog and leave it in the kitchen. Your niece can avoid the kitchen if she must. Quite frankly, your sister needs to help your niece get over her fear. Is she going to go through life avoiding going to friend's houses because they have a dog? People walk dogs on the street. What is she going to do? Is she going to go through life avoiding parks and outdoor areas. It really needs to be addressed now while she is young. It's insane anyone thinks it's okay for you to avoid taking your dog and encouraging her irrational fear as normal behaviour.

For goodness sake Flower the OPs dog is not exactly a small dog .... I would be wary of the OPs dog and I love dogs!

The dog looks bloody huge especially in that last picture though I appreciate that's probably the camera angle!

I'd be wary of it too, even though I love dogs, purely due to the size so I can't blame an 8 year old for being scared of it.

Anyway, the OP is not taking it to her sister's house so there's not an issue.

RTFT, HugoBear - at least read the OP's updates - she has agreed it would not be reasonable to take the dog feckin' hours ago!

I'd take the dog. The niece will have to get over not liking dogs sometime.

In fairness, coming onto AIBU, asking if you are being unreasonable, and accepting that you are being unreasonable is, in and of itself, pretty damn unreasonable, Francis.

So am I being unreasonably reasonable and therefore putting AIBU at risk of spontaneous combustion?

You will probably cause a rip in the space-time continuum, talksense.

.

I think you sounds lovely OP and your dog is gorgeous.(I m nervous around dogs so I admit I d be a little nervous if you brought him to an event, as a child I d probably have been worried about him coming out from the room he was supposed to be in.. irrelevant fact now though as you re not bringing him)
I think you ve been lovel and considerate and I hope you have a nice family evening and the dog is ok at home. I think some gave you an unnecessary hard time when you sound practical and down to earth and completely took the advice on board ...

Sorry, OBVIOUSLY the wrong thread there. Damn the app!