To ask friend not to bring dog

[iloveayankeecandle]

My friend has a dog. Likes to jump up a lot to start with but then calms down. My daughter hates dogs and my other daughter crawls now so is all over the place. We do not have a dog.
So at Christmas my friend comes over and previously has brought the dog with her. Well my eldest daughter now has a fear of dogs. My husband has said he doesn't want the dog round due to my daughters fear and other daughter being dog height with my crawler. I'm not keen either but don't want to hurt my friends feelings. AIBU?

OP said it is not Christmas Day.

@MrsSkylerWhite no it's not Christmas Day.

Maybe you should just show her the whole thread of the conversation, then she'll get the feeling from you. You asked for advice and comments. Not everyone is going to be on your side. Surely as you can't afford presents it's nice to be able to see a friend? Why don't you suggest meeting her in a park for a coffee? I don't know what you expect really.

iloveayankeecandle

@MrsSkylerWhite no it's not Christmas Day.“

Problem solved then. Walk/coffee and mince pie outside.

@Ellejay67 I haven't said I don't want to see my friend. I said I don't want to upset her by asking her not to bring my dog to my house. You've completely side tracked here.

@Ellejay67 *her

@alienbaby

Just get your kids used to dogs.

This is why so many kids these days grow up to have various forms of anxiety

I agree, the last thing you really want is to have children afraid of dogs. The Pets as Therapy organisation can help with this.

@Roxy69 - the last thing you want is to have your children afraid of dogs - really? I can think of things much worse for my children. And dogs are really not that important to many people.

the last thing you really want is to have children afraid of dogs.

That’s not the last thing I want for my children.

I’d put time into making a list, but I have a pressing appointment in March.

When you going to tell your friend?

This is why dog owners need to make sure their dogs are under control. Big bouncy dogs who jump on people when they meet them need to be trained out of it. Otherwise, don't be surprised when people don't want our dog in their house.

And Christmas Day is not the day to make any child face their fears.

@pompomsgalore I'm just trying to rearrange a few things so I can accommodate her if we need to go for a walk instead. Then I'll call her.

@dontwannasaymyjob I know. I've read all the replies and realise that I obviously will say no to the dog but I just feel bad as the dog just means so much to her and I didn't want to be mean especially at Christmas time. I've tried to think of if we can leave the dog in a separate room but that's not fair on the dog.
I will just be honest with my friend and if she's upset by it then I'll suggest we do something else.

@iloveayankeecandle

I understand and it's lovely you are thinking of your friend but it isn't mean to say no dogs any more in your house and you don't have to come up with a solution or feel bad about it. There is a solution already, friend understands she can't take her dog everywhere with her and at those times she leaves her dog at home.

I would say her visit alone this time and then go for a walk another time. This can be your new normal.

I’m with your husband.
Just tell her why but give her enough time to make alternative arrangements.

Just to fill you all in. Before I had chance to speak to friend about dog, shes cancelled coming due to the new variant!

I think "your house, your rules". Absolutely fine to ban dogs from your house. But it works both ways so accept back that your friend may not want your kids at their house sometimes.