Friend wants to bring dog over to my house and I'm not sure how to say no

[lilybit2025]

Got a group of friends over tomorrow for wine night and dinner. My friend has a lovely dog but it's a bit chaotic (springer spaniel) and last time weed all over our carpet. We've just done a renovation and everything is brand new. She's asked if she can bring the dog as no one's can have her but we also have a Mini Doxie who's quite protective and I just don't want the mess or the stress from it all. How do I politely say no, I have a feeling she will likely cancel if I say no too...

I am not a dog owner, so please explain why a dog can't be left at home for an evening while the owner goes out.

None of your business 🤷‍♂️

She finds a sitter, leaves it at home or runs the legs off it on the journey and leaves it to sleep in the car (assuming you are not in Arizona).

I love dogs but this CFery of the first degree.

Could you cram in any more assumptions to your post?

OP's friend has a car and will definitely drive to the dinner party.

The Springer is male (it's not, it's a bitch)

OP's dog is a bitch.

Following your scheme, OP would have to think up a new unnecessary lie every time she invites her friend over in future.

Anyway, I've said no sorry, hopefully doesn't cause any distain between us!

Well done, hope she accepts it gracefully. Please let us know how she reacts!

nails it. And I am a dog lover.

Some dogs have a thing called separation anxiety. Its very hard to treat. One of mine had it in old age and you just have to manage it. There are things you can do when you bring the dog up to minimise the possiblity of its happening but its not foolproof.

No mention of the spaniel peeing "everywhere".

So cheeky to have asked. Say no as you have renovated.

I am not a dog owner. Only some dogs stink.

All this agonising about what to say. No need to dream up excuses about your own animal or anything else. Just say you don't want the dog in the house. She will know why. SHE is the one being VU to even ask. You can see her another time.

Especially when it's wrong anyway. I read the OP's comment as 'distance'.

Why can't dogs stay home alone anymore? My neighbour asked me if I could have her dog while she went to a gig that started at 7 and ended at midnight. Her dog wouldn't want to stay in a room alone so would have had to come to bed when with me 😳

I said no, but surely dogs can be home alone for a few hours??

The pet industry focuses on convincing people that their animals should be treated like humans. They know that this is the way to make people spend more money on pets and thereby increase the profits of the pet industry.

“No.”

Just be honest and say no! I have a lovely springer. I would never take him to anyone’s house. He peed in my neighbours house, the one time I did. Thankfully she is a dog lover, has other dogs and she kind of expected it.

They are to excitable and jumpy. Why would anyone want to take them to other peoples houses?

If its just for a few hours, why can't she leave it at home

Really rude to ask.
Let her cancel.

Sorry, really?
😄
Your house, your decisions.
Say no and be firm about it.

You were right to refuse. I'd be too embarrassed to ask if my dog had previously had an accident in your house. If there's a reason the dog can't be left alone, she'll have to find a solution other than taking him/her everywhere.

Do you have a stair gate or barrier you could put across kitchen so the dog is kept separate on a moppable floor?

Just say ‘no, not this time. Looking forward to seeing you though’. It’s a request, not a demand 🤷‍♀️

edited as didn’t read 1st post properly!

I know where you're coming from as mine becomes protective and doesn't like other dogs! I've told family who've brought their dog to mine, "Sorry, Bertie doesn't get on with other dogs. We can always reschedule for another time, so you can get a dog sitter?"

It amazes me how many people think it’s ok to bring their pets along to other people’s houses (and yes I am a dog owner!)

it has reached the point with a certain group of friends where i just says as I’m inviting them that their dogs aren’t invited so sorry if they need and can’t find a sitter then they can’t come. Another friend’s cat got terrified into staying out of their house for several days by the presence of 3 random dogs and it’s just not fair on resident animals to expect them to just accept other pets turning up willy nilly!

If she can't find anybody to care for the dog for the evening, perhaps she needs to ask herself why. This could be a decider for her to do something about training for her pet.