To say no to dog on holiday

[Tired88p85]

We live abroad. We are going to the UK to see our families next spring when our baby will be 8 months old. My in laws have downsized so we can't all stay with them comfortably (DH is one of 4 and everyone is coupled up). So DH and I are booking a large villa for everyone for a long weekend. Everyone is contributing a bit but we are paying the majority of the cost. BIL wants to bring his new dog and I've said no. Dog is a blue (?) pitbull and will be around 1. They don't actually have the dog yet, they're in the process of bringing it home (I don't know the details).

1. I am terrified of dogs. I was attacked by one when I was 7. I have worked on.my.phobia to the extent I can now be around dogs for a few hours, I can go for a walk in the park etc (things I couldn't do 10 years ago). But being in the same house as a young pitbull for 5 days will send me over the edge.
2. baby will likely be crawling. I don't want to spend my holiday making sure baby is kept away from the puppy.

BIL has kicked off. Everyone is sort of on.my side in a "she's unreasonable but we want to see the baby so suck it up" kind.of way. It's making me feel horrible. I've been asked nicely to reconsider but if I say no everyone else is still coming. BIL is not clear on whether this is a deal breaker for him.

That's terrible, your poor child, I'm so sorry.

Yeah, nanny dog.......🙄

I adore my dog! A lovely kind faithful cockapoo. He’s amazing…to me. But, I don’t trust him with strangers because he’s so nervous. And as for children-never. He’s never met a baby but same would go. I have to advocate for him, but I can only do that under a very watchful eye where I am totally responsible for him and his behaviour

The dog can’t go. End of!!!

Close relatives who put dogs before family never cease to amaze me.

Raise your hygiene standards a bit!

Yep, agree. Fortunately there are only two or three of those types on this thread thank goodness!

Agree! Miniature female poodle owner over here. Who is classically aloof, likes her own space and doesn't care much for being coddled.

@Morecoffeeforme My home is not just my home, it's her home too.

I would not surprise someone with her, of course. But I won't lock her away, exclude and isolate her in her own home when she has done nothing wrong. If scared person didn't want to come to my house then we meet at a café or pub.

I'm allergic to cats, but I don't expect the cat to be locked away at friends' houses!

@YourTurnForTheTree oh so shhh with your pathetic comment. My standards are likely higher than yours 🙄

It's just horrible having to be the bad cop, if that makes sense. It would be easier if everyone had openly agreed with me rather than "yes, BIL, we get it, but we want to spend as much time with the baby as possible so we will give her what she wants".

@Tired88p85 Oh this attitude would really, really piss me off with its implication that you are somehow being a drama llama but they are all going along with it for the sake of seeing the baby. Whereas any fool with two brain cells would surely question the wisdom of mixing a new and unknown dog (of any breed) with a young baby.

Where exactly does your DH stand in this? Has he truly and unreservedly got your back or is he too in the "Yes I know but we will have to humour her" camp?

Frankly if this is the attitude I would be tempted to call the trip off and let them know that if they want to see your baby they visit you, sans dog.

Stick to your guns for sure on this OP

What a silly little childish comment! You have no idea about my standards of hygiene. Whereas I know from your ‘it’s not acid’ comment, that you are fine with dog piss on your floor at home.

You like that eye roll emoji don’t you?! I often see you pop on to threads just to say, ‘not another anti-dog thread🙄’ and then you disappear!

@YourTurnForTheTree ok stalker. Stop @ me and stop stalking me. Thank you!

Happy to!

There seem to be quite a few of them though.

Those of you who won't lock your dogs away while someone comes round for a cup of tea, what do you do if a tradesperson visits?

Rent a house that doesn't allow pets

That is a very good question... 99% of the time trades people make a fuss of him as they walk in anyway, but I keep him with me (under my arm if I am talking to them / shut in the study whilst they are busy working). I quite agree someone visiting the house to apply their trade shouldn't have to interact with a dog unless they want to.

Trades people tend to absolutely loooove dogs. Many of them actually come equipped with treats.