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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To be cross about visitors not liking my dog

444 replies

calamityJayne1 · 14/06/2019 19:03

I have a Labrador who is the daftest dog you’d ever meet.

Due to my work children and parents visit my house. They know I have a dog who is harmless yet people still make comments like why is he barking and I don’t like dogs and physically wincing if he comes near them.

This is only on arrival and I put the dog in a different room for the duration of their visit, but I am getting really tired of anti dog people making comments and someone even asked me to ensure the dog was locked in a different room on arrival!

Given the fact that new people are informed I have a dog and he’s playful and barks I don’t understand people’s reactions. I understand not everyone likes dogs but why can’t people stop act like snowflakes and move on?

AIBU to feel totally fed up and only invite dog friendly people to my house?

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 14/06/2019 19:52

If these are people who have to come to your house - tradespeople, HCPs etc. YABU and should shut the dog away.

If these are people who choose to come to your house, YANBU - the dog is part of your family set up, if people don't like the dog, they shouldn't visit..

Willow2017 · 14/06/2019 19:53

Maybe be a responsible dog owner and train your dog not to bark at
and annoy people who come to the house for business? Why should they be happy to be harassed when they are there on business no doubt paying for the privilege.

Not everyone wants a 'playfull' untrained dog pestering them when they visit your house. Good client relationships should come first over an untrained dog.

underneaththeash · 14/06/2019 19:55

I don't have a phobia, but it's really not pleasant having either an animal's saliva or dirty paws on you. You need to keep your dog away.

MaybeitsMaybelline · 14/06/2019 19:55

So you have a job from home, guessing something tuition? So you work from home, if you worked from an office and had visitors to the office who were met by a big bouncy Labrador that would be ok?

Shut the dog in a different room when clients or visitors are due. I like dogs but not in houses where they like me more, manly because I smell of my cats to them, and they won’t leave me alone. I don’t want to be constantly sniffed and nuzzled.

BoomBoomsCousin · 14/06/2019 19:55

AIBU to feel totally fed up and only invite dog friendly people to my house?

YANBU to do this providing it's not in conflict with your work obligations, it's your home.

YAprobablyBU to think that just because someone is dog friendly they aren't going to find your dog annoying. When visiting somewhere on business in some way I would not expect to be barked at by a poorly trained dog when I've been invited inside. If I were visiting a friends house and knew the dog was friendly I wouldn't care, I tend to love dogs especially daft and excitable ones, but if I had a purpose for being there I would be much less keen, it seems somewhat unprofessional.

GorkyMcPorky · 14/06/2019 19:56

Can't stand dogs, entirely as a result of 'my precious pooch' attitudes like yours. Presumably these people are your clients. I wouldn't continue to visit you personally.

Twillow · 14/06/2019 19:56

YABU sorry, dogs can be very frightening to people who don't know them or have experience of them especially barky jumpy ones.
Just because you know the dog is harmless doesn't mean they shouldn't be expected to have that reaction.
In the case of having children to your home as part of your work, I think it's absolutely valid that you keep the dog away from clients.

Kanga83 · 14/06/2019 19:56

YABVVU. I don't like dogs but am not anti dog. I would not want a dog barking at me.

Bluebluered · 14/06/2019 19:56

I hate dogs and i hate dog owners who think the sun shines out of their dog’s arse. Your dog is a little shit not “daft” and he’s scaring people. Do you not read the news where dogs have killed babies and toddlers? It’s not a cute little cuddly toy. Ffs. Grow up.

Original poster
calamityJayne1 · 14/06/2019 19:56

Lol I’d forgotten how ludicrous AIBU is!

Not sure why some people would suggest my dog is untrained if he barks when the door bell rings?!

He stops barking within seconds of my guests arriving.

I don’t expect people to love my dog as much as me, but when I inform people before they visit my house I think that maybe is a good time to say if they have a dog phobia maybe?!

The problem is not that some people don’t like dogs - Christ I hate cats but that’s not the point, the point is the endless comments and disapproval after they have been informed.

Judging by some of the comments I think I’ll just invite people to my home who don’t have a problem with a family dog 😁

OP posts:
somanyresusablebags · 14/06/2019 19:58

I have a colleague who brings jumpy dogs to work and they jump on people. I HATE that I am the baddie who doesn't like the dogs jumping on me. In my work clothes. I am told "most people give them nice attention." I think my colleague is incredibly selfish.

I've asked nicely, and now I just step away and try and ignore the dogs.
I've thought about letting my two year into her office.

Disfordarkchocolate · 14/06/2019 19:58

This is why we hardly go to my PIL's, their dog barking and jumping up is stressful and noisy not playful.

Shequakes · 14/06/2019 19:58

If somonebcomes to your house and doesn't like the dog, refuse their business.

That's the simple answer.

EllenRachel · 14/06/2019 19:59

But you didn't like it when someone did ask you to make sure it was away before they came either? I put my dogs away before visitors arrive and ask them if they mind if I let them out before I do. One of mine also barks and can be excitable to start with.

LoudestRoar · 14/06/2019 20:00

This feels like one of those threads when an Op throws a goady filled grenade, and then runs off before it explodes....

sophiasnail · 14/06/2019 20:00

If anyone didn't like my dog, they would have to just stay away! (Everyone seems to like him though, so that's ok!) There is no one on the planet I prefer to him, except possibly my wife (who am I kidding?).

People visiting who are frightened is of course a different matter - he is a teeny toy poodle so most people aren't worried about him anyway, and I would always keep him with me (under my arm or on my knee) away from them but he wouldn't be going anywhere else.

I really don't care if people think I'm overly attached to him!!!!!!

Original poster
calamityJayne1 · 14/06/2019 20:00

Shequakes couldn’t agree more. I’ve just dropped a couple of families who moan constantly-

OP posts:
swisscheeseplant · 14/06/2019 20:00

I work from home and also have parents and children as clients . I always lock the dogs away before opening the door to a client - I think it would be unprofessional to do otherwise.

When friends or family visit, the dogs go behind a stair gate in the kitchen until the excitement of visitors arriving has died down (the dogs don’t bark at people, but get under everyone’s feet demanding attention and are trip hazards)

LinoleumBlownapart · 14/06/2019 20:02

Dogs are like farts, we usually only stand our own.

No dog is harmless

I love dogs. Daft Labradors are lovely outside, but inside, not so much.

Dandelion1993 · 14/06/2019 20:02

Even when u know a dog will be there and try to jst stand still and be calm around them, I just go into panic mode!

I panic when they jump at me and bark at me continually.

I just don't like them and don't see the appeal.

nokidshere · 14/06/2019 20:02

Yanbu if they know before they arrive that you have a dog. I don't go to anyone's house without first checking if they have pets, if they do I ask if they can not be in the same room as me. If they can't or don't want to move them then I simply don't go. The fear is mine and I don't expect other people to change their habits for me but if they are willing and able to put them in another room I am very grateful.

If your visitors are customers however, and you rely on an income from them, I'd say yabu not to keep the. Separate before your visitors knock on the door.

LaMarschallin · 14/06/2019 20:02

Judging by some of the comments I think I’ll just invite people to my home who don’t have a problem with a family dog

There. That's settled then.
Isn't AIBU useful?

Glass of wine, anybody? Coffee?

user1497997754 · 14/06/2019 20:03

I feel your pain with this I have 2 golden retrievers who are family to me and hubby......we prefer their company to family and friends. We don't put them in separate rooms or hide them away ....our family and friends don't visit as they are not happy with this arrangement but it's their choice and I respect it. It's great because we don't have to entertain them and arrange to meet at other places. I choose my dogs over anyone every time this is their home x

Ladymargarethall · 14/06/2019 20:04

One of my friends is wary of dogs. Our dog is old and docile, but if he approaches her wanting to be stroked she flinches.
I always offer to put the dog out. Some people just aren't happy round dogs.

MattMagnolia · 14/06/2019 20:05

I had no idea there were so many people who dislike or are scared of dogs. There are dogs everywhere, you can’t avoid them. They live with us as part of our families.
I wouldn’t shut away my child in case visitors don’t like kids. If visitors don’t want to come in and meet my family, including the dogs, they’d have to talk on the doorstep.