grandparents bring dog while babysitting?

[rose77]

AIBU to request that my parents leave their dog at home when they come to babysit?
We have our own dog who loves their dog and they get pretty wild playing. This means they romp around the house scratching the floor and usually end up knocking things over. We can manage this if we're home with them, but it makes my husband super anxious if he isn't there.
Also, their dog has an incessant bark if he's ever left alone which means someone has to stay downstairs with him when baby is going to bed. If their dog does find his way upstairs he will chew on the kids' toys and has been known to pee or poo on the carpet.
My husband generally is pretty anxious so my parents have come to be very dismissive of his concerns. On this one, though, I agree and wish I wasn't in the position of begging them to leave the dog at home.
I guess we need to hire a different babysitter, which is fine, but AIBU?

It’s not unreasonable to ask them not to bring it. But at the same time they wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that means they can’t babysit.

I don't like it when MIL brings the dog when she babysits. They kids get excited, dog hair everywhere and I am allergic. But she is doing me a favour so I keep stum.

Can your dog be left instead? Take the kids to their house?

I would tell them that the dog has to be left at home, and that you understand perfectly if this means they are unable to sit anymore.

Be ready to hire a sitter, but I would also give them the option before you do as a friend in a similar situation did not tell her parents why she didn’t want them sitting anymore and it all kicked off when they found out that someone was being paid to look after their grandchildren instead of them.

So their dog will bark incessantly if left home alone?

Sounds a bit unreasonable... have you tried training your dog to behave nicely when there is a visiting dog, as it seems six of one and half a dozen of the other and presumably, this child care is free...

So yes I think if you can't/won't teach your dog to settle quietly, and they presumably need to bring their dog as it can't be left alone... your only real option is to pay for childcare from someone else.

I don't think it's fair that their dog is allowed to run around causing chaos tbh. I would talk to them first and explain that you'd rather they have the dog under control so he can't damage your belongings or pee/poo upstairs and see what they say?

yes, their dog barks when left home alone. They recently bought a device that makes a noise only dogs can hear when he barks. seems to be unnerving him. they only did that because they got two complaint letters from their neighbors. otherwise, they forgive him all offenses because he's their baby now and is very cute.

Sounds like you need to find a new babysitter then OP. Doubt they will want to leave him if he's a barker.

As above, but if neither is a possible solution why not compromise?

For example a baby gate will stop the dog going upstairs so there won’t be any more accidents and chewed things. Also can you let the dogs play in the garden and let off steam, or take everyone to the local park first thing so they dogs are tired and chilled later on?

Yep doubtful they will leave him if he’s barking, especially if they have had complaints.

Would crating your/their dog be an option?