Everyone just assumed they can bring their dogs with them for Christmas day ??

[caninechristmasconundrum]

In the last year 3 members of our family have got dogs (2 puppies 1 older rescue) . We always host for Christmas and I (maybe stupidly) assumed that dogs go to kennels or stay at home for the day ? I’ve never had pets before so will admit I don’t know much ! I don’t see why a few hours at home / in a crate is bad for dogs though? We don’t live that far away.

Seems they all expected to bring their dogs with them ???

After BIL and SIL made this clear and told us that ILs will be the same about their rescue dog I’ve sent a message to everyone saying ‘Really sorry but I think there may have been some confusion on my part and I assumed the dogs would all be left at home on Christmas day. We are not able to have them here due to personal preference, lack of space and the dc are still so little. You’re all still very welcome but I understand if it’s going to be a problem leaving the dogs at home so let me know what you’d like to do xx’

DH got messages back asking is it because of my ‘germ ocd’ (in part it is that’s why I put personal preference) and telling him he has a say in it too as it’s not just my house. He replied that he assumed the same and although we have the biggest house it’s not exactly huge and having 3 dogs there too will just be too much so he’s in total agreement with me (they aren’t small breeds and the puppies are at that into everything zooming about stage)

Is this the norm now that dogs go everywhere and are never left home for a few hours ? AIBU to want a dog free Christmas ?!

That's fine, as you all love dogs. But OP doesn't love dogs, and doesn't like them in her house. The dogs in question also don't appear to be that well behaved either. Plus she has small children who aren't used to dogs, and until very recently none of the family had dogs even, whereas clearly your family have grown up with them.

Stick to your guns, OP.

I have a dog and never take him anywhere (except on long walks every day in the woods and over the fields.) This is because:

A. He's a twat
B. He's a dog
C. He has no interest in shopping
D. Likewise eating out
E. I don't believe in inflicting him on others
F. He likes to sleep in his bed at home, rather than be dragged into stressful environments
G. When I was growing up no-one took their dog anywhere, except to the beach in winter. The dogs didn't seem to mind.

surely when you join a thread you read the updates @PigglyWigglyOhYeah ! it’s been resolved.Op’s Dh sorted it.
Awful, you call your dog a twat!
FYI, if people choose to take their dog to
‘dog friendly’ places, they’re free to do so, it’s really irrelevant, that you disagree.
Feel sorry for your dog!

Well done OP and your DH. Hope you have a lovely Christmas together. That's really rude behaviour from his family and he must be upset to see them disrespecting him and his family and refusing to listen when you'd suggested perfectly reasonable compromises.
I'd be wary of these people in future. It's one thing if they just needed to make alternative arrangements or even cancel to accommodate their dogs but the way they've treated you in trying to get DH to overrule you and the rude comments about 'germ ocd' show their true colours.

It's one thing if they just needed to make alternative arrangements or even cancel to accommodate their dogs but the way they've treated you in trying to get DH to overrule you and the rude comments about 'germ ocd' show their true colours.

Totally agree. Imagine trying to cause division between a married couple just so your dogs could come with you, when you actually have the option of just not attending if it’s not convenient to leave them at home.

Definitely keep an eye on them from now on.

Awful, you call your dog a twat!

But he is.

Glad it's all been resolved.

If the dog is her child, that makes her a bitch. It explains a lot...

Awful, you call your dog a twat!

Mine was a twat. Mostly because he was a spaniel. Loved him to bits though.

But you still love him I am sure!

My dog is an absolute wanker. Sue me.

Our dogs are lovely. The cat is definitely a twat - his nickname is CatBastard, and he earned it.

Are you, sure that someone loves their dog when they call, refer to them as a twat and doesn’t understand why other people choose to take their dogs to dog friendly places, because they think of their dog as an infliction!!
Again and the crux of it is, if people choose to take their dog, to dog friendly places, nothing to do with anyone else and these comments are coming from supposedly, dog owners! Doubtful
@dynamiccactus

Well behaved dogs are always welcome here - to us they’re a bonus, now we don’t have one any more. Friends who used to come for Christmas used to bring all 3 of theirs - two big black Flatcoat retrievers and a little Westie. So with ours, that made 4. 🙂🐶

I loved my twat of a spaniel to bits.

Not the point if this thread at all, but:
"Dog owner" doesn't necessarily equal "dog lover"
"Non-dog-owner" doesn't necessarily mean "dog hater"
And, most importantly, pet owners who describe themselves as "animal lovers" are usually not really - they are pet lovers, which is not the same thing.

@SoupDragon I mean that’s good to hear you loved your spaniel (from what l know they’ve got loads of energy, really lovely dogs, they need a lot of time and patience)
I guess my point is though, throughout the thread dog owners have supported op, completely get it, not everyone likes dogs and it’s not ok to expect to take your dog to someone else’s home, what l don’t get, is dog owners being negative about their own dog, taking the mic out of other dog owners, who choose to take their dogs, to places which are dog friendly, or dare l say it, think of their dog as part of their family, which has seemed to anger many people.
Some of the comments, they don’t even like their dog! Is this really necessary as a dog owner, when you can see the way the thread as gone, piling on more negativity.

Not generally a dog fan but I'll make an honorable exception for a lovely flattie 😍

Agree not the point of the thread, but that’s the way the way the thread as gone.
Unless the dog is a working dog, the dog is then is classed as a pet, it’s not demeaning to the dog, they’re domesticated animals they require humans to care for them.
Another generalisation, ‘most people’ who think of themselves as animal lovers are not, this is your opinion.Of course there are people on this thread who’s a dog owner, really shouldn’t be, that’s not everyone.

Good for your h. I hope he made it clear that it was a joint decision, not yours.

His family really don't sound very nice.

Have a lovely Christmas!

Thanks for the clarification, quite patronising though, that you feel you need to explain this, why would anyone assume, people who are non-dog owners, that then automatically makes them a dog hater and all people who are dog owners love all dogs.
The real point is if you are a ‘animal lover’ genuinely care about all animals, why are dogs any different.It’s like saying l love animals, l just can’t stand dogs, or cats, either you care about animals or you don’t.Picking and choosing, doesn’t make any real sense.

All of this.

And although I am not a dog person, I can realise that although people may find their pets annoying at times, and call them rude names, they still love them!

It not just about calling your dog ‘rude names’
Completely missing the point @dynamiccactus
which has been made further up the thread.

They were both such lovely, affectionate, gentle-natured dogs. Actually it was the ‘cute’ little white Westie who could be a little bugger with anyone he didn’t know - owners couldn’t let random children come and pat him. Whereas the Flatties were wonderful with all of them, however little.
All RIP now, 😰.

@Username2532

i don’t think the care will care, hun.

I love dogs and have a dog but often don’t like other people’s dogs in my house. I hold my dog to quite high standards in the house and she is extremely well behaved. I know if I take her to someone else’s house (invited!) she will not jump up at anyone, she will stay right next to be quietly and don’t get on the furniture.

Other people’s dogs seem to think the house is some kind of fun park as they are running round with the zoomies, jumping on and off the sofa that my dog (large long haired breed) isn’t allowed on, getting dirty paws all over everything, knocking things flying. If you allow pets on the furniture at home that’s fine. You do what you like. But please don’t let them do it at someone else’s home. It’s rude.