Tuesday, September 23, 2008

The Dog and The Guest

I have a question I’d like to pose to all my blogging buddies.

Let’s say that you were hosting a party at your home and you had about 35 people in attendance. Also in attendance was your lovable Labrador Retriever named Roxie.

All of your guests are fine with the dog but one guest seems a bit skittish around Roxie. Obviously not a dog lover.

Would you ignore your guests’ uneasiness and let Roxie continue to roam freely around the party or put Roxie in the house as your guests are outside by the pool?

What would you do?


30 People saying stuff:

charmcitygirl said...

I would certainly have Roxy inside if anyone was afraid of her. I am a big believer in accomodating guests in my home.

Moe Wanchuk said...

100% the dog stays! I'm pro democracy. A 35-1 vote says it all. And who in the he'll doesn't like a Lab?

Anonymous said...

I say do both. For some of the party let Roxi roam around and then put her inside later on.

Scrapping My 2 Precious Gems said...

I agree with B. I would do both. I would probably keep her out as the guests arrive and such, and then bring her inside so that the guest can "let her guard down" for a bit and relax.

Anonymous said...

I agree w/B, too.

laughing808 said...

I would put the dog in the house.

Anonymous said...

I would put Roxie in the house. It's only for a few hours and you can check on her periodically during the party.

Jeni said...

As hard as it may be for those of us who are animal lovers -dogs, especially -to believe it, there are some folks who are really terrified of dogs. And if someone like that were at my home, party or not, I'd remove the dog to another area to give the guest some ease of tension. (Also, dogs tend to sense people who are extra "Antsy" around them and it could lead to more anxiety than necessary if the dog is kept present.

shorty said...

Did the person skittish of the dog let the party leader know they don't admire dogs? If so, then the scared one should ask to put the dog inside, then if the host doesn't comply, get out of there.

You are at the owners house, yes it's rude to let the dog around, but some ppl love their dogs just that much that they don't care about anyone else.

There are too many variables for me to snap to a judgement either way. If you know there is going to be a dog in attendence, don't go.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I would do what I could to put the guest at ease. It's just one night. Roxy may thank you later since the hustle and bustle may be annoying to her anyway.
That said, we had family members come and drop not-so-subtle hints that our family dog bothered them. I kept him outside for most of their stay. The next time they decided to come, we made reservations at a local hotel, with the explanation that S was our dog, he lived there and we weren't keeping him outside.

imbeingheldhostage said...

I would do what I could to put the guest at ease. It's just one night. Roxy may thank you later since the hustle and bustle may be annoying to her anyway.
That said, we had family members come and drop not-so-subtle hints that our family dog bothered them. I kept him outside for most of their stay. The next time they decided to come, we made reservations at a local hotel, with the explanation that S was our dog, he lived there and we weren't keeping him outside.

Chari said...

I would put Roxie out of sight for a bit.

Ann said...

I would put the dog inside. No question about it.

ME said...

I would probably put Roxy away.

Lys said...

I have to say, the dog might have to relax inside, at least until that guest leaves.

MP said...

since these people are my guest and it is my responsibility to make sure that everybody is comfortable i would put the dog in the house.

Melissa said...

I guess I would put the dog inside, especially if I knew it was bothering someone.

When I have my family over, I will put our cat in the bedroom so he doesn't bother my one sister who is allergic to cats.

Anonymous said...

Yep. I think I'd put Roxie inside too. Some folks have had experiences we may not know about that cause them to be uneasy around whatever animal. I would want my guests to be comfortable.

Karen said...

I would remove the dog, but I am not a pet person so I don't have that emotional attachment to dogs that a lot of other people do. The point is that if someone is guest in your home, it is your duty to make that person comfortable.

Tai said...

I would have to agree with charmcitygirl. I totally believe in accomodating guests in my home. I want everyone to be comfortable.

laughing said...

It depends on the pet and on the guests. Some of the places that I go, the pets are a major part of the party, and everyone is warned before they go that the home is a sort of free range zoo, and that they have cleaned but if you have allergies and such that maybe this isn't the best place for you to be. And at one place they have one dog that is caged during the party, and another dog that has free roam of the place, and if you want to see the other animals they are being kept in a certain room that you can visit if you behave yourself.

I don't have a dog or a cat right now, but I can't imagine why I would have anyone over at my house if they didn't like animals. If the person is that different from me we probably wouldn't be friends in the first place.

Anonymous said...

i would put the dog away. i'm not fond of animals and many of my friends have big dogs so when i go over they put them in another room or something. i would do the same for someone else.

Trixie said...

I would speak to the person in question and see how they felt, if they were really afraid of dogs, I would put her in the house.

Sandi McBride said...

I'd tell my guest to get over it...the Dog is at home. The guest is a , well he/she's a guest...don't irritate the dog, the dog won't bite...we're sorry the guest is a wuss, but them's the breaks
hugs
Sandi

CC Solomon said...

sorry but I think the dog should be locked up. it's just for a little while.

TravelDiva said...

Put the dog away. I am NOT a dog lover and everyone thinks people should love and tolerate their dogs. BS! I don't like fluffy, don't want to see fluffy, i don't want fluffy walking around my legs or walking by the appetizers.

Anonymous said...

I'm with just about everyone...

I'd put the dog away even for 1 self centered person.

Glaziersgirl said...

I have a yellow lab who is mellow and extremely well behaved, but I would put him up if anyone I invited to my home was uncomfortable. I try to remember that not everyone is a dog lover. I am not usually comfortable around other peoples large dogs, so I prefer they are put up when I visit. It is just polite.

Queen-Size funny bone said...

I would ask the guest if they would be more comfortable with the dog inside. that way there the decision is theirs. most would cope with it rather than intrude on the host.

Anonymous said...

virtualnumber.ru
прямой виртуальный номер
номера грузии
купить виртуальный номер
виртуальный телефонный номер

http://australia-virtual-number.com/