Company Coming to visit....and Bringing Their Dogs

Tell them... diplomatically.
Or tell them someone is allergic.... ?

That is real rude, to bring their dogs too.
Ugh.

It is definately rude of them to bring their dogs without asking first. However, since they are coming on Friday, it may be too short of a notice for them to make other arrangements. I would definately tell them for future visits though.

You've gotten some great ideas for honesty. 1/2 of my family politics however, require lying. So here's the lie I would use if it was my Aunt.

"We can't have dogs inside the house because we have too many close & school friends with allergies. You're welcome to use the garage or dog run out back... but I wanted to give you a heads up, in case you'd prefer to have them kenneled rather than be outside. Even for just a weekend it would cost us several thousand dollars (true) to have the house cleaned enough to have our friends over for playdates. Most people only get miserable, but some people are as allergic to dogs as they are to peanuts, so we have to be really careful."

Very few dogs are hypoallergenic, and NONE are non-allergenic (as many people are allergic, not to the dander, but to the saliva). So if they happen to have miniature poodles... there is your out.

I save lies for special occasions... this would be one of them. Esp because if your family is anything like MY family, they would bring the dogs and either brush off your request in one way or another... or "sneak" the dogs in for a little while.

It is your home, call them as soon as possible so they can make arrangements for their dogs. Just say that you have moved, and prefer your place to be "dog free". Not all people are little dog lovers. Just let them know you are excited to see them, but the dogs, you are not a fan of. I would appreciate honesty over resentment. I am a cat lover, but I have friends who hate cats. It's ok. I usually go to their house to visit because of it, or put 'em in a different part of the house while they are here. It's no big deal. Just be polite and honest, and call tonight, so they can find a dog sitter or kennel to board them.

"We are so looking forward to having you visit. And it will not work for me (us) to invite dogs into our home."

Don't waffle, don't give excuses or reasons – that just invites argument and persuasion from the other side. If they do argue or wheedle, simply repeat "Dogs in my home do not work for me." You might offer to look up kennels nearby so they can visit their pups.

It's honest, clear, and not insulting. They may not be happy with it, and if other arrangements are too difficult or expensive, they may decide not to come. But it's your home, and you have every right not to have the dogs if you don't want them.

we just tell my mom no dogs, and if the dogs are more important than us, well, we'll have more fun without her.

Ugh, really rude!
It's kind of like my "no shoes in the house" policy that all family members (except us) ignore or try to laugh at.
"oh I just bought my shoes yesterday - they are brand new" bla bla bla.
My point being: Your house - your rules.
Just say it like it is "You caught me off guard last time so I figured I'd just say it before you guys packed all of it again - we can't have dogs in ours house. It's something we have agreed on so I hope you understand" end of story.
Good luck though.

J.,

As an animal lover, I would never bring my dog for a visit no matter how short or long without first getting the green light from my hosts, it would be rude. However, in your case, you welcomed their pets last year and even gushed over them (“oh they are so cute”), thus, your relatives have presumed the dogs are welcome this year.

You have chosen only a few days prior to the visit to voice your discomfort with your visitors bringing their pets, leaving little time to make other arrangements. There isn’t much you can do to avoid hard feelings given some people consider their pets “their children” and don’t want to leave them behind unless they have a pet sitter in the home.

The only way to break this chain of presumption is to be perfectly honest. I suggest something like the following:

“We should have mentioned this last year, but didn’t want to hurt your feelings because we know how much you love your pets. We love you and look forward to your visit, but we don’t want the dogs to come. We realize this doesn’t give you a lot of time to make arrangements at home, so here is a list of the local kennels in our area. We apologize for the short notice and will understand completely if you need to change plans this year”.

Love…..

Zamzows
• 435 S Eagle Rd, Eagle, Idaho
• Phone: ###-###-####

Northwest Pets
• 3060 E State St, Eagle, Idaho
• Phone: ###-###-####

Be the first to review!
Eaglecreek Pet Sitting
• 325 Eagle Glen Ln, Eagle, Idaho
• Phone: ###-###-####

The next time you are "screaming something on the inside", don't blut out the exact opposite of what you are really thinking! Keep us posted.
Blessings.....

You cannot delay, Friday is just around the corner and with it being a holiday weekend it is going to be tricky for them to find a place to board their dogs. I would just tell them that since you have moved into your new home it just isn't going to be possible to have the dogs visit. No excuses, no waffling just say it kindly and firmly. I am an animal lover...we have cats and dogs and one of our dogs has traveled with us in the past but I would NEVER EVER show up at someones house with the dog without making sure it was alright with the people that we are visiting!!! If they persist in pushing the idea...I would tell them about the "surprises" that they left for you last time they visited...lol.
Good luck...you might want to have a couple of kennels on stand by there at your town in case they still show up with the 4 footed friends

I think you've gotta just "come clean" at this point or it might happen every year!
I suggets you use the old "two good things, O. bad thing" technique. Like "I can't wait to see you and we LOVE having you here for a visit BUT we can't allow dogs in our new home." Go on to add "you are welcome to kennel them in our garage or our dog run. If you'd like me to look into off site kennels near us, I would be happy to do that for you."

I think the dread of having to state the truth is always worse that the actual doing it part.
Good luck!

WOW -I cannot imagine bringing dogs without asking to someone else's house! Just tell them IMMEDIATELY since we're staring down a holiday weekend, and kennels and sitters are booked, that you are really looking forward to seeing them, but you can't have dogs in the home. As another poster said -don't offer any explanations. They may ask, but just say that it doesn't fit in with your lifestyle or plans for the weekend. If they do this uninvited, be prepared for them NOT to visit and possibly to have an issue. They don't have a leg to stand on, but it's my experience that when people are this far into their pets or whatever that they automatically expect everyone to accept them, then they get bent out of shape when that's not the case.

I have dogs and would never think of bringing them to someone's home for a week. People who are rude like that probably will be offended if you tell them not to bring them, but that is what you should do. I agree with what Peg M. said -- "we're looking forward to your visit but we've moved and it doesn't work for us to have dogs in our home." Don't say anything else. Leave it at that and see what they say. But don't change your position. Make it polite, and firm. No one can take advantage of you without your permission. Don't give them permission. They are the ones who are in the wrong here, not you.

ugh! I had an aunt who showed up with a bunch of cats -- no warning. And I had my own very territorial cat who had to be shut up for the MONTH that she stayed! They ripped my curtains and carpet to shreds in the guest room and she did not offer to help cover the damages.

You have to stand up for your home! Just write an e-mail and say, "Aunt Madge, I'm really looking forward to seeing you. I just wanted to give you a heads-up, though, that we are not able to accommodate your sweet puppies at this time. I hope that there is enough time to find alternative accomodations for them. If you like, I can help search for a kennel in the area so that you will not be far away from them. We love you and appreciate the love you have for your dogs. We will miss them this year." Then casually move on to talk about other plans for the visit so that it doesn't seem like you are making a big deal about it.

If she asks why, then she is tactless to the extreme and you can feel free to say that you are not a dog person and your family does not feel comfortable havng dogs in the house. Don't be surprised if they find a hotel nearby that allows pets.

It's YOUR house and YOUR rules. We don't have or allow dogs in our house and we would love you to visit but we would like you to hire a dog sitter or make arrangement for your dogs. We are animal people but we don NOT want them in our house. Thanks.

We have friends of ours that come and visit every now and again and they have a big dog and bring her. We have 2 cats and a baby now to the mix and live in a small duplex and I just think it's so rude when they bring her. The wife moves all our cat bowls so that the dog doesn't eat the food but in the mean time the cats can't get to their food etc..so my thing is no dogs and I happen to actually be allergic to them which is a nice excuse..lol! Just let them know what you think because it is your house :)

It is strange they would bring them in the first place, most of us dog owners know to get a dog sitter if we are going to stay with others. Just tell them straight out, sorry, but this is a pet free home so your dogs will have to stay home, or outside.

I have a lovely dog and I cannot imagine bringing her to visit someone without asking if this is okay!!

Tell them sorry, since you've moved to a new house you prefer that they not bring their dogs. They can make arrangements for someone to watch them or board them at a kennel. They should not presume that they are welcome in your home.

Well there's two ways to approach this one just be blunt " I'm sorry but this is a pet free home" here is a list of local kennels where your dogs can stay.
Or a little white lie " I really did enjoy your dogs on the last visit, however I have found out since then that I'm allergic" what a sham.

That is so rude to bring your pets to other people's homes. We have an inside dog but I don't want more in the house. You should call them asap and ask them where they plan on boarding their dogs.

I see nothing wrong with just telling them you don't want to have the dogs in your house. You could find some nice places near you that the dogs could stay, or offer your garage or yard. Personally, I'd go with the doggy hotel. I agree with the mom who said make sure your husband is going to back you up. GL!

I would just tell them flat out. You would love to see them. That you and your husband (important that you back each other up on this) have agreed to a "no pets" household. That if they want to bring the dogs they can be in the garage. Tell her you have agreed that you don't want to deal with pet hair of any kind. she will say it is short hair they don't shed etc but stick to your guns and make sure hubby is on board. nothing is worse than thinking your on the same page only to have your hubby throw you under the bus ... "oh the dogs didn't bother me....."

How RUDE! Geez. some people... We have an inside dog... but I would never DREAM of showing up with her to someone else's home like that... Even my brother, who has his own inside dog, I wouldn't show up at his house with our dog...

Just call and tell them/her/him that you know that they like to bring their dogs with them with they travel... so you have looked up the local kennels/boarding facilities for them so they can make arrangements before they arrive. (arent you so sweet for thinking of them !! wink wink). If they don't take the HINT at that point... tell them that since you've moved you aren't having pets in the house. (no need to explain further. It's just a fact. And besides... your reasons - their dogs were annoying and dirty- will offend them... so don't go there. ) If they want to alter their plans about coming... then they are free to do so... but it is on THEM. And you are giving them plenty of notice.

We're faced with a similar situation. My husband & I are moving into new little retirement house and we don't have or want any pets. We have plenty wildlife outside to enjoy. We have a huge unfinished basement that we plan on finishing into a playroom/recreation room for our grandchildren, again we want this area to be kept pet free because pets do have accidents. On both sides of our family there is 2 couples that only have dogs. We would love for the couples to visit but we truly don't want any of the doggies to come with them, if they plan on staying in our house. The husband and I have decided that we will need to tell both of the couples just that upfront. Luckily both have RVs, so hopfully they will come when they can bring the RV to stay in with their doggies. Or they will have to make other arrangements for the doggies if they plan on staying in our house...

Sure! Tell them you've developed an allergy to dog hair then give them directions to the nearest pet friendly hotel and tell them you'll meet them for dinner! No, that probably won't work. They might feel their pets are like their children and any suggestion that doesn't treat them like children is probably going to offend them. For some reason people also seem to get upset if you point out their dogs messes and you insist they clean up after them. Can you confine the dogs to a garage? Good luck!