Speaking of Pets...

No, I do not put my dog outside (she's a digger and could be in the next county if left unattended for a long time) nor do I lock her in a bedroom to listen to her whine, cry and paw at the door. At the same time, I do NOT allow my dog to jump all over people, etc. Anyone who comes into my home for a social visit knows me well enough to know that I have a dog. I also know my visitors enough to know those who are not or may not be dog lovers, and I am extra diligent with keeping my dog from encroaching upon their space when visiting.

My friends do not all have to be dog-people or pet-people. I can certainly be friends with those who do not like animals the same way that I do. However, for people who are adamently opposed to dogs or pets, what I cannot be is their hostess.

I'm allergic to dogs and I don't go visit people who have indoor pets. Sitting on a sofa that a dog has just vacated is just as bad as petting one.
I don't even visit my sister! She always apologizes that I can't come to her house, and feels really bad, but why should she apologize for her love of pets? I don't mind meeting her elsewhere.

I don't think pet owners should give their pets the boot unless the pet is climbing all over the guest. I don't enjoy being licked on the lips by animals! Aaccckkk!

No, we don't put them outside. I guess if someone would complain, we might lock them in a different room but my animals are my family.

I ask the people before hand, if they are OK with dogs. If they are uncomfortable around dogs or have allergies, they are in the back of the house or outside. If they have a;allergies. they are kind of screwed anyway. I can vacuum and clean my heart out, but dander spores are still in the air.

I think good manners, is being a gracious guest and host. If you know they have dogs, then stay home. Don't be a rude guest. Or, you know...ask BEFORE you get there, instead of finding them rude for not meeting YOUR expectations.

No, I don't think it is good manners. Most people who come to my house already know we have a dog. If they have a problem with that, they can decline the invitation.
If they weren't invited to begin with, well then who is being rude now?

As for having to shove the dog away with your foot all night... that just sounds like someone who doesn't have a very well trained dog. Our dog doesn't lie underfoot when we have guests, or even when we don't have guests. And she certainly doesn't lie under the table.

As for you and your allergies, you should inform yourself. If someone has a dog in the house, just removing the dog during your visit isn't going to keep you from being exposed to any allergens. They will be spread throughout the house and the air, too. Maybe if your allergies are an issue for you, you should make suitable arrangements to accommodate them. If someone has a dog, decline their invitation to their home, and offer to meet elsewhere.

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My, my... you are assuming quite a lot aren't you? That everyone who has pets assumes everyone else should love pets too? No... I didn't see anyone here post that at all. Also didn't see a single person say that if someone wasn't a pet person that they wouldn't be friends with someone, either. Apparently, it is your way or the highway, and everyone ELSE is rude?

It depends, if my dogs know the person and I know the person is fine with my dogs. I leave them be.

My dogs aren't uber friendly, so if they don't know you we have to go through an introduction. Until the dogs feel comfortable, we limit exposure.

But I know plenty of people with uber friendly dogs and they never put them up. Why would they, the majority of people are fine with it.

I put the company in a separate room with a gate and throw them a treat every now and then!!!!!

No one has ever had a problem with my dog. He always sits by my husband and does not bother anyone. With kids it's different. I do not trust any dog, mine included, with kids. God forbid a child poked an eye etc.
I am lucky in that when kids are here, he just goes upstairs voluntarily to sleep. He is no fool lol.

I know exactly what you mean. My favorite are the people with large, unruly dogs, and they think it's cute when their dog leaps onto my small child, knocking the child to the ground. "Oh, he just loves children!" Umm, get your dog off of my screaming child. Ugh.

Or the people who have really slobbery dogs, and they think it's adorable that Sparky is drooling all over my dry-clean only pants. Get your drooling dog off of me.

When we had dogs (Boxers - big, unruly, drooling dogs), we put them outside when people came over. It's the polite thing to do, even if the visitors love dogs. Even loving dogs, that doesn't mean you necessarily want someone else's dog jumping all over you the whole time you're there!

Yep, you can't be friends with me if you don't love my pets. But I doubt I'd want to be your friend anyways, if you banish your dog just because of guests & expect others to do the same for you.

People who have pets do *not* necessarily assume a "Love me, love my pet" attitude. We raise pups for a service-dog organization and, in fifteen years (and ten pups), have never run into anyone who makes that assumption. Rather, they bend over backwards the other way - and these are often people with more than one dog.

Actually, when I invite someone to my house, I *do* ask the person if he/she has a problem with animals. I don't put my dog outside when company comes. She is crate-trained, and can go take a nap in there if it's necessary. More of a problem is the dog and cat dander, which means that some of my friends can't really stay inside my house at all. We enjoy times with those people at their homes, or at a public place. In summer, we can entertain them outside, which often works.

When someone comes over who is afraid of dogs (rather than allergic), I'll tether our dog.

I can't say that keeping one's dog outside is good manners. I think training one's dog to be obedient and mannerly is good manners, though.

Has anyone ever felt like putting her husband outside when company comes? Oh, wait... that's a different question. :^)

Why not just speak up and say "I break out in hives from just touching most dogs, so could you please take the dog out or to another room for my visit?"
My daughter is mildly allergic to dogs (watery eyes, runny nose, hives from kisses). Since her allergy is mild, I watch her for the basic symptoms and remind her not to let the dog give her kisses when we're at friends' houses. If I see her starting to be bothered or if the dog just won't stay out of her face, I simply explain and ask them to remove the dog.
People don't know what you need from them unless you tell them.

My dog lives here - you don't. If you have a problem with my dog, stay home.
My dog is also trained and has been taught manners. He doesn't jump on people, doesn't steal food, etc. He comes to the door to see who has arrived, wags his tail, and waits to see if they are going to pet him or not. Then he goes on his merry way, which usually means that he goes and lies down on the nearest piece of upholstered furniture.
If you are allergic, you won't come to my house - there is dander everywhere,including anyplace you might sit. I have dear friends with cat allergies who cannot walk in my front door without their eyes, nose, and throat swelling shut.

I have no idea where I would put my dog if you came over! He's short and right now there are 8 inches of snow in our yard and it's freezing. So he can't go there. And if I shut him in a room he'd bark the entire time and scratch up my door.

I don't let my dog jump on people. I think that's good manners. If someone told me they were allergic, I'd offer them some benadryl. Just putting the dog away wouldn't keep someone from having an allergic reaction.... and I keep a clean house. If you were to tell me you would break out in hives because of him, I would tell him to stay in his bed near the kitchen -- and away from you.

I see you're in California? I'm in Wisconsin. No one is going to put their dog outside during the winter here just because you're allergic. It would be your responsibility to either not visit dog-homes, or to medicate yourself. If you're going to visit people you don't know well and they don't mention having a dog, ask.

We have a cat. He's an indoor cat so there is no "putting outside" option. He also isn't the kind of cat that can be happily locked away somewhere. We stock two kinds of allergy medication, in case people need it. When I know someone is coming to visit that is allergic, I also make a point to dust & vacuum. That is the best I can offer.

CoKooRoo:

No, I do not put my dog outside when guests come over. If they are allergic or are afraid of dogs, we will put our dog behind a gate.

Our dog is part of our family. I would no sooner put my kids outside because of a guest than I would my dog.

People who have allergies to dogs, typically do not have a problem with our dog as he's a short haired dog and VERY low shed rate.

My dog is well-trained. He is not to approach ANYONE until I say OKAY.

If that works for you and your home, then go for it. Our dog is part of our family.

Good question, though!

No I do not put my dogs outside when people come over. My dogs live there, other people do not. People who want to come over know we have dogs. Its their choice if they want to come over. If I have kids over, I will however put up a gate in the hallway so my dogs are contained in part of the house, and I only do that because my dogs get very excited and they get hyper around kids.
I don't bring my dogs with me when I go to other people's homes, now that to me is rude. Unless of course my dogs are invited :).

We have this dilemma when we go over my husband's cousin house for Thanksgiving. My son is somewhat afraid of dogs (even the ones that apparently are friendly) .... and for awhile, the cousins keep the dog down in a room.. but eventually they let it out.. their thought is that dogs are every where, get used to it... and that their dog is friendly... and that my son needs to get over his fear... my take on that.. the cousin is AFRAID of swimming.... should the cousin grin and bare it and get their A@@ in a pool before they are ready to learn how to swim... so it's easy to tell someone else, who you need to get over being afraid of dogs, or don't come over or get a new allergy medicine.... In my opinion, nothing wrong with putting a dog in another room....

Hmm, I consider my allergies my problem, not the host's. I'm deathly allergic to cats, they trigger severe asthma attacks. I ask if someone has a cat before I go over and make sure I take medication before hand and have rescue medication with me. Sometimes I barely notice the cat, sometimes it's overwhelming. If it's overwhelming I decline future invites. My dogs are not very well behaved, I acknowledge that, but they're small and calm down fast so it's not too much of a pain in the butt. However when we have guests over we put the dogs in the bedroom. If the guests are ok with it (ie ask us to let them out) once the dogs have calmed down we let them out.

I do both. With people we know well, dogs are out and about - lab and malamute, both well trained, don't jump etc. They are also both crate trained well and don't whine etc while crated. Example - when my family (15 people) visited for Christmas, we crated the dogs while everyone was arriving, that way we were greeting our guests, NOT the dogs in the way. Once everything had settled down, we let the dogs out to say hello to everyone, then they went outside to play for awhile, then back inside and in their crates while we were eating dinner. They got good bones while in their crates and everyone was happy! We bought nice big crates with tables that go over them - so they are functional and look nice too for this exact reason. We entertain alot and want to be able to handle guests and dogs!
And they are NOT allowed on the furniture!!!!

I have two dogs, I tell everyone that may want to come over. I keep them in the crate when I open the door, any time I open the door really. My dogs will be very excited until they can sniff and get to know you I bring them out one at a time. IF there is an issue and weather permitting dogs go outside - if it's winter then the guests and I will have to reschedule including find another meeting location.

No, I don't put my dog outside to be obnoxious and bark, and drive the neighbors nuts. If I have people over who don't like my dog or are afraid, I put the dog in her kennel or in my bedroom.

If you expressed that you were allergic, I would immediately put the dog away. But others might not realize the extent of your allergies, so I would ask before coming if they have a dog and what kind and then express you allergy concern and if they will be able to put the dog away while your there. I don't think that is rude at all, but to expect people to be mind readers when you express that you "may" be allergic, and they don't see boogers running down your face, that might be a little too passive of you.

We have cats and while we can put them away or vacuum before guests come over, there's no way to get rid of all the dander in our home. Our friends know they have to take their medication and in a few cases, we visit them instead or go to a neutral, cat-free location. I do not expect people to put their dogs away unless the dog has an issue (my aunt's dog is really big and exuberant and my DD gets overwhelmed. Our visits there are usually short so the dog doesn't feel neglected).

If I were you, I'd start asking before you walk in the door. I'm allergic to ferrets and if I'm even sitting where a ferret WAS, I might break out in hives. I need to know if I need to bring Benadryl or not, and the onus is on me, IMO, to have that discussion in advance.

I think this is something you need to ask/discuss with your hosts BEFORE you arrive at their house, if it's that important to you. You'll be able to get a feel for how it's going to go (whether they'd be amenable to putting the animal away before you arrive or not).

But no, none of our long-established friends are allergic to animals and they all love our dog. My mom isn't a dog lover, but I couldn't care less. I don't put our dog away when she visits.

We did have a rescue chihuahua that was a nipper for about 10 months or so. She went into her crate every single time we had people over because we couldn't trust her. After she bit two people (the last was a neighborhood child that unexpectedly entered our house), that was it. Back to the rescue.

No one expects you to be a dog person because clearly you are not, but
who are you to dictate what other people do in their homes?

You don't like dogs or are allergic to them, don't go to peoples' houses
that have dogs. Simple as that.

I'm allergic to dust mites, do I tell ppl you better keep a clean home so I can come over? Clearly not. That is ludicrous.

We crate out dog when we have visitors. She is still a pup and needs a great deal of supervision. I feel when I have visitors over it would be rude to spend so much attention on the dog, rather than my guests.
I think if you have have an old dog that just stays in his corner it would be different.
Putting the dog outside will not do anything for allergies really, even I. clean house there is pet hair and dander EVERYWHERE, unless you wash down the walls and ceilings....

No, I don't shut the dogs outdoors, especially in the dead of winter. But I do confine them in their room with a baby gate. They're present, but can't bug anybody.

As for cats, my experience has been different from yours-- they're usually all over me, despite my efforts to avoid them (I like cats, but my husband is very allergic). And most cats find my dad irresistible, even though he hates them!

I'm sorry but I disagree. My dogs are not "outside" dogs and are like family. Would you expect me to put my kids outside for "manners" sake too? I think not. My dogs will bark and whine and scratch at the door and make us all crazy.
Now don't get me wrong. I'm not rude or insensitive. I don't know that I've ever had anyone over that was allergic to dogs, but I have had people over who didn't like dogs or children who were afraid. In those cases, we definitely made an effort to keep the dog separated - either in a pen, crate or other room. But I'm not automatically going to put my dogs out when company comes. Only if I knew there is going to be an issue.
And, oh, I totally disagree about cats. My husband is allergic. And every house we've ever been to that had a cat, the cat insisted on walking all over my husband and rubbing up against him. It's like they know, so they come over to torture him. I'm not kidding! And, none of these cat people ever put their cat away for him. They just offer him a benadryl! LOL

it depends on who is coming over. my dog is 54 pounds of solid muscle and for instance when my grandma comes over Roxy has to go outside or in the other room, my grandma has a walker and roxy bless her heart would more than likely knock her over while trying to love on her.

But as a habit no but i do tell the person i have a dog.

Most people are freaked out by the bearded dragon we have in our living room. LOL
many blessings

Where I live that is not possible for quite a few months out of the year....too cold! But I do put them in another room alot.
They are sweet dogs, but get pretty annoying wanting attention. So if they aren't off somewhere leaving guests alone, yes. I put them somewhere. But I don't expect others too, unless their dog is annoying LOL With the exception of them saying they are allergic