Don't want my brother's dog at Christmas

[Keepoffmyartichokes]

Every year we host Christmas for both families, it's always a lovely day but a bit chaotic. This year my brother who has to travel about 40 minutes but due to sharing custody of his children only stays about 3 hours wants to bring his cockapoo. We don't want the dog in our house, we don't have pets, we have nice flooring we don't want scratching, nice furniture that we don't want to dog jumping on. It's a spoiled dog and not very well trained. My DS who is 13 said he doesn't want it there as it's jumpy and he's not keen. My MIL has had a knee replacement this year and is a bit unsteady still and I think it will cause stress for her as a trip hazard. But how do I tell my brother kindly without coming across as a dog hater.

I could understand if visiting you meant leaving the dog overnight. But if it's 40 minutes drive, and he can stay sober to drive back (or take a taxi) you are not being unreasonable. And I'm a dog owner and lover.

The only compromise would be to take the dog but leave in a secure garden. Mine would be happier chilling at home than that option in the cold tbh! She's happy enough being left at home for a few hours. She's always been happy to see us back but no signs of destruction or complaints from the neighbours of relentless barking.

Honestly I think you should reconsider. The attachment of a dog to its owner is like that of a young child. I wouldn't want to leave my cats alone at Christmas either. Its only one day, and it's unlikely it will scratch up your floor in that time

You can’t be serious?

“Like that of a young child” pull the other one

I would decline if I were your brother. Pets can’t be left alone when houses are at risk of being broken in alert times like Xmas. If the dog hauls every one would know he is home alone. That may bother his neighbours as well. My ex neighbour used to leave his husky puppy and we had to bear the hauling for hrs. It was very distressing for my kids.

That's what I've observed in animals. Matches the equivalent IQ as well

Don't hate them as long as they're not in my house. Like smoking, dogs are banned!

@Keepoffmyartichokes I have dogs, I wouldn't bring them to your house and find the idea of forcing their company on anyone absurd.

I'd be wary of having a stra ge dog at Christmas, especially if I don't know what its like around food. There are lots of foods that aren't suitable for dogs. Chocolate and dried fruit/grapes being 2 off the top of my head. I dread to think what an emergency vet appointment would cost on Christmas or Boxing day.

Just tell him the dog is too young and boisterous for a busy Christmas house and that he needs to leave the dog at home. If he does not agree then that's his pigeon! He's your brother, he should understand.

@RealPerson

I don’t think your cats will give a shit if it’s Christmas or not.

That isn't OP's problem though. Surely her brother got a dog knowing that it meant he may miss out on things?

You are a very responsible owner.

Tell him what you wrote on here,if he gets offended that's his problem not yours also if hes asked to bring his dog then it's him asking so he has to accept the fact he may not get the answer he wants

If a home is dog-free, having a dog in there feels like a violation. Dogs are unpredictable, the can scratch, stain, smell, break things.

If you don't smoke, would you allow someone to smoke in your home?

And, there is nothing like "only one day", everyone knows that if she allows it once, it will be very hard to refuse the next time.

I’d like to think so. I get not everyone likes dogs ( don’t know why) but I get it. Us dog owners should never force them on anyone. There are some really pathetic dog owners out there that’s for sure.

Exactly this.

You can’t give people an inch because they always take a mile. Poor MILs doors will never be the same after last Christmas

Can’t compare dogs to cigarettes if we can’t compare dogs to kids.

Yes you can - imo dogs are the new smoking! Some eateries I have seen even have dog/no dog sections.

The reasons dogs cannot be compared to kids is because kids are PEOPLE who have the right and need to access human spaces in order to participate in society. We need children so we have more people to continue society. A dog, like a cigarette, is an optional extra that has no need to exist let alone be in public spaces or in other people’s homes - a private recreation.

Don’t be daft.

I’m being deadly serious thanks

@Onleemoi

Look, dogs will never be as important as kids. Get over it!

Look!! I’m not saying they are, and never have done. They’re not cigarettes though are they? It’s you lot with the ‘you can’t compare’ arguments

@Onleemoi

glad we agree 😀

Yes me too. Comparing dogs to cigarettes is dumb.

@Keepoffmyartichokeshave you had a chance to speak to him yet?