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Post by amyjo on Feb 25, 2004 10:25:38 GMT -5
My husbands family is coming to visit. His parents have a 4 year old chocolate lab who is sweet but plays verrry rough with other dogs. His brother has 2 rotties who also play very rough and are not very well trained AT ALL. (The last time we were at their house they tried to steal the snacks off the coffee table. Their mom went and got a box of dog treats and sat in front of the snacks throwing dog treats accross the room to keep them occupied and out of the people food - so you get the idea of how well they are trained).
Anyway - all these dogs play very rough and they all have 30 + pounds on Kylie. She is scared of them and will submit and hide - but will also do that "herder bark and nip" from under a chair or behind my legs - I think trying to get them to STOP. Elvis never lowers himself to play with them but spends alot of time inserting himself between Kylie and the rest of them. I spend alot of time doing the same thing. It gets tiring and frustraing because not one of them can do a solid " down" under distraction or know "leave it" (my dogs being the exception). Often when we are visiting I leave my dogs in the bedroom to give them some peace but the other dogs are never confined and will go scratch to door to get to them.
Nobody has ever been hurt - there has never even been a fight or even a scuffle - but it has always made me nervous and now given what happened last week - I am even more nervous. I have asked my hubby to ask them all NOT to bring their dogs. He says I am being unreasonable but says he will do it. He's not happy about it though and now I feel like an a-hole.
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Post by Nicole on Feb 25, 2004 10:30:41 GMT -5
I think it is unreasonable and cruel to put Kylie in a situation where she is stressed, tormented and must defend her space simply because these dogs are untrained. Under the circumstances, I would not allow the dogs in my house, period. You did the right thing.
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Post by Richard on Feb 25, 2004 11:47:53 GMT -5
In this case, I too think you did the right thing amyjo....
I would be embarrased if I took Rocky someplace and he behaved like that...and as you know, it would be 100% my fault. I feel very honoured and proud when someone who knows us and how much time we put into Rocky, says bring him along to a family function. And while we are there, you betcha, he's expected to follow the rules.
As you pointed out, your relatives have seemingly put little time into training thier dogs (especially 2 rotties?) and I agree with Nicki, Kylie shouldn't be put under that kind of stress, especially on her turf.
Now the bigger thing of this, your husband's families respect for you and your home....but it is another matter altogether and I don't think you should be feeling like a a-hole or any other way other than someone who won't put up with dogs going nutzo in her house and traumatizing her dogs.
If you husband is grumbling now, well, just tell him to chill a bit...afterall, you're the one with the stitches in your arm from sitting in a room with mixed dogs and behaviours - so you kinda got a up close and personal experience to base this descision on (and its not being paranoid either, just a smart person making a smart descision).
-Richard
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Post by Willow on Feb 25, 2004 12:47:49 GMT -5
I agree with you, Nicki and Richard!
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Post by Brooke on Feb 25, 2004 14:17:18 GMT -5
Given the circumstances and your dogs temperament amyjo you really did the right thing. Don't second guess it. It was for the best. Anything could have happened and you are a great protector of your furkids. You've shown that a couple of times just this week. You have good instincts. If there was any question in my mind I would have done the same thing. You did good girlfren ;D
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Post by sibemom on Feb 25, 2004 15:03:00 GMT -5
You are all getting my vote ;D. I think it is a little to much to ask of a family member to put up with your dogs when they are not in complete controll. You did the right thing Amy. My mom comes up as often as she can and even though her dog GIZMO is very well trained he does not get along with Blade. He is a cocker/terrier mix and a very pretty dog. He also was not raised around small children so he and Matt do not interact right now. He is great with everyone else. When she comes she brings his crate and it is put in Josh's room. He has full run of two rooms up there and since Blade is not allowed upstairs and we have BABY GATE HAVEN in place there is no problem. Don't feel guilty your hubby I am sure will learn to understand your feelings and if his family dosent OH WELL. People need to respect others feelings especially when they are in THEIR home.
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Post by Laura on Feb 25, 2004 17:09:24 GMT -5
Nope, gotta side with the rest of the crew here, you're doing what you feel is best for you and your dogs, period, end of discussion. If anyone gets pissy about it, use the stitches as an example as to why there will be no excess animals in the house .
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Post by amyjo on Mar 22, 2004 9:02:46 GMT -5
Well...they are gone...THANK GAWD! They criticized raw feeding and said it was mean Then proceded to feed my dogs prime rib from forks AT THE TABLE during a dinner party on saturday night. So mad, so frustrated...are you guys the only people on earth who know how to behave around dogs?
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Post by Willow on Mar 22, 2004 9:48:31 GMT -5
are you guys the only people on earth who know how to behave around dogs? Well, of course, Amyjo!!!! ;D Seriously, I'm sorry to hear how awful it was, but I know what you are saying, and it's hard to kick relatives out of your house, isn't it? Especially the *in-laws*, if you want to keep peace in the family, and not be referred to as the *itchy daughter in law!
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Post by Nicole on Mar 22, 2004 17:59:14 GMT -5
are you guys the only people on earth who know how to behave around dogs? YES!! Have you just figured that out... ;D ;D Sorry it didn't go so well, but at least it is over. I am still trying to figure out how feeding raw is mean. It is the complete opposite.
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Post by Aussienot on Mar 22, 2004 21:10:58 GMT -5
I'm beginning to think Raw feeding is up there with religion, abortion, gay marriage and politics as topics not to be discussed in public. And never criticise someone else's parenting skills, cooking or dog handling . . . . it can only end in tears.
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Post by Willow on Mar 23, 2004 11:27:10 GMT -5
I think you are right, Aussienot!
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Post by amyjo on Mar 23, 2004 12:13:04 GMT -5
I am still trying to figure out how feeding raw is mean. It is the complete opposite. Well - apparently it was all tied up with some PEOPLE's bad expererience on the Atkins diet and the fact that they could choke on bones......Also there was some concern that the health department would come and give me a ticket? I argued for about 2 minutes and then I just threw up my hands and walked away... On a brighter note one of my aunts and one of my friends at the dinner party were asking me lots of questions and are gonna read the Lonsdale book!
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Post by Willow on Mar 23, 2004 18:20:13 GMT -5
On a brighter note one of my aunts and one of my friends at the dinner party were asking me lots of questions and are gonna read the Lonsdale book! So all was not lost after all!!! That's great!!! After reading Lonsdale's book, I couldn't, in good conscience, NOT raw feed. How about you? ;D
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Post by Richard on Mar 23, 2004 23:25:13 GMT -5
Well...they are gone...THANK GAWD! They criticized raw feeding and said it was mean Then proceded to feed my dogs prime rib from forks AT THE TABLE during a dinner party on saturday night. So mad, so frustrated...are you guys the only people on earth who know how to behave around dogs? I have found when people don't want to try to understand something, its easier for them to just ridicule the idea and in this case, feed your dogs something they shouldn't of had and in a method that should of never been done...but you know its family and while you can pick your friends...... Next time (if there will be one), you need to stick a disclaimer form to fill out on the front door about how people are supposed to act around your dogs and in your house when visiting......tell them, "here, read this, sign it and obey it, or else!!" If they think you got a screw loose, wait 'til you tell them about the rules for the bathroom...hahahahahahahahaaaa I think if they really respected your views and actions with your dogs (other than the two who asked about that book) you know things wouldn't of been so frustrating...but you got through it...well done!
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