To be annoyed at grandparents and dog

[Itssosunnyout]

We let grandparents know we didn't want their dog near our baby well before she was born as she is nippy, jumps up, barks at us, scratches and runs all over furniture. They didn't take to it well but agreed but following the birth of our DC they've rarely seen her as they treat their dog like a child that can't be left or put in a seperate room for even 15 mins. But then drop comments such as "you won't know who I am" when holding DC when we constantly arrange visits.

They live 30 mins away and won't entertain the idea of coming separately. We will go to theirs to make things easier but they refuse to put dog in another room when we visit even for 30 mins. They've said dog is their baby and she has separation anxiety. We delicately suggested seeing a vet or behaviourist as she's not been so good but they refuse that as an option.

In the end we agreed for them to hold the dog as its a small which they suggested but within 10 mins they've let the dog go. I didn't really even feel comfortable with that but felt that we have to compromise in order for GP to build a relationship with DC.

My ultimate fear is that their dog will bite or scratch my baby. She has never been around children but has been treated as a baby rather than a pet so I worry that the dog see baby as below it.

I think I'm more upset that they've actually said their dog is their baby and if we don't have the dog in the room they won't see our DC. We have compromised but them went against their word. They then went off on tangents about DC when they know nothing about her.

Husband agrees and was upset that they've limited their contact along with them going back on the compromise.

'love dogs but people need to realise that at the end of they day it's an animal, and can attack at any time'

Think that is such a good point. Liked to that I think that adult owners are free to make a judgement about whether or not they trust their dogs. but they can't really expect that others will feel the same way. I often think that when I meet lovely dog walkers and their pets when out walking. I only pat the dog if I actually feel comfortable - but more often I just say what a nice dog without contact. My advice would be to acknowledge how much they love the dog but explain again that you cannot put your baby at risk. You could also add that you do not want the dog to get itself in trouble either if you wanted to. Practical arrangements that work are what you need from them - so one walking the dog while the other visits as suggested by someone in the discussion might work. I hope that grandparents come to understand.

Omg... Sod the dog... The grandchild should trump any animal, the OP shouldn't have to distract it nor continually hold her child just because they have created a spoilt dog.

They need to sort their dog out AND put their grandchild first, what utter nonsense from some people on here.