Family Christmas - dogs, toddlers

[offmydesk]

Can't be too outing, I just want advice on how to broach the subject.

Brother's dog has history of biting, specifically their baby.

Family christmases before now, when we've all been together, the dogs have come too so they're not left alone.

I don't want my young children to be in a house with these dogs.

AIBU? How to ask if the dogs are coming/if the dogs are staying/say I don't want them there?

Call brother, say you want to talk about Christmas, discuss the fact you don't want the dogs there as you won't be able to relax with them around the children... Seems straightforward enough. If he argues/refuses to leave the dogs at home, you'll need to come up with a different plan for Christmas this year.

I'm a massive dog person and don't even have kids, but putting anyone in this situation is too risky.

Are you hosting or a guest?

Host. Just a friendly reminder pets are not allowed inside our house.

Guest. Just wondering if the dogs are coming again this year? Because your either anxious about it and ask that they keep dog close to them or because if it is you won’t come.

I love dogs but I agree that it’s too risky. If you’re the host, make it clear that pets aren’t welcome. If you’re not the host , politely decline the invitation.

Their dog has history of biting their baby and they've done nothing?

Nope, wouldn't want my kids in a house with that dog either. Especially not at Christmas, with lots of excitable kids running around and being unpredictable - the dog would be really tested to not bite again. Unfair on everyone involved!

Talk to your brother, if he is bringing his dog, you have a wonderful Christmas somewhere else.

Hosting? Just checking you've made arrangements for the dogs as we are a no pets house
Visiting? Don't

Sorry did I read this correctly, your brother has a dog that’s bite his baby and he still has the dog!

I am a massive dog lover, but no way would I have a dog near any child , or indeed adult,once it’s bit someone

If he won’t keep the dog away I wouldn’t be going

Are you both due to visit a different house (parents?), or are you talking about going to his?

I think you just ask outright - "Hi bro, were you planning on bringing the dogs to mum and dad's this Christmas?". Or as I would prob put it "Hi bro how you doing? What are you doing with the dogs at Christmas as obvs you can't bring them to mum and dad's with all the kids there?".

I can't believe he has a dog who bit his baby 😱 what's the story?

If your post is genuine I would be reporting them to SS. No dog that bit would be in the company of myself not to mind my children. Honestly the stupidity of some peyis astounding.

WTF! the dog has bitten the baby (more than once!?) and the dog is still breathing?

I’m an insane dog person - take her everywhere. But I would always ask if someone had kids and if they said they didn’t want dog with kids I wouldn’t blink. You can’t trust any dog hundred per cent with kids

as for your brother still have dog around kids after a bite history cripes

How much of a history?! Once would be too much for me

Depends on who is hosting but

Him - sorry DB, I am not comfortable with my kids in the same room as your dog so we are going to stay at ours this year. Please come and visit us when you can without the dog - would love to see you

You - just to confirm we are happy to host you all, but not the dog - we are a pet free house now

Parents - Mum & Dad - what have you agreed with dBro about the dog? Just letting you know we will need to visit separately if it's coming

Sheesh, I don't even take my dog to other people's houses because she can't be trusted not to ferret out sweets/chocolate that people without dogs leave in places she finds very convenient. If your brother is genuinely allowing a dog that has bitten his child to still be around the baby, you surely say - it's the dog or me!?

It's not clear if it's your house. If it is, just say, "I'm afraid we can't host your dog." If it's someone else's, then talk to the homeowner first, but you may need to be prepared to go elsewhere, or at least threaten to.

We have a similar issue - not a known biter, but a rehomed lockdown dog staying in an unfamiliar house, bright lights, interesting food smells and our one year old running riot...

The dog is being shut away separately for the duration, but we're also limiting the duration of our visit.

Babies, toddlers and dogs don't mix. And small children aren't great either.

The dog has bitten the baby and they still have it?!?

That would be a massive no no for me I’m afraid, I couldn’t trust it around any children with that history.

The dog has bitten their baby?!

That's the bigger issue not Christmas! The dog needs rehoming or even PTS.

No I wouldn't have this dog around my children either, and I am a dog owner and lover.

How has the dog not been put down or rehomed???

Why didn't the Police remove the dog after it bit a baby?

Believe it or not, I know a woman who is fully aware that due to her child's rough handling of their puppy, the puppy might bite/scratch the child, and she has a plan of what to say to the hospital if this happens. That's her strategy. Pre-prepare a lie.....

People are WEIRD.

Brother's dog has history of biting, specifically their baby.

And you are wondering how to 'broach the subject'?! lol
Say:

Hey bro, your dog bitten the baby recently?

Or

Hey bro. Are you bringing that baby-biting dog? If so, it's a no from us. Cheers and Merry Christmas.

What the fuck is wrong with people and dogs these days? One of the last times I visited my MIL my 3 year old child sat down on the couch at the other end of her ‘Fur Baby’. The dog snarled and lunged, protecting ‘His’ couch. Luckily I was there, I scruffed it and threw it.. the MIL came came running to check on the dog, never mind it could have ripped her grandchild’s face. My children haven’t been back since.. and won’t ever be.

If the dog was going to be at Christmas, I wouldn't go. I wouldn't have my toddler around a dog with a history of biting children.

If I was hosting, the dog wouldn't be coming. If that mean the brother didn't come either 🤷🏻‍♀️