Do your guests ever ask if they can bring their dogs to come visit?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

I feel a family feud brewing after my sister emailed me today and asked if she could bring her Husky with her when the whole clan comes to Phoenix for Xmas. Where I live now, the landlord allows no pets, so that's a no-brainer if we're still living here then. But we'll probably be moving into our own place in a few weeks. And the first thing I plan to do is have some of the carpets replaced. My sister has been unemployed for almost a year, so I can't understand why she thought it made sense to adopt a dog and take on more financial responsibility. But now that she has it, she's playing the card that she can't afford to board him while she travels. More important to me, however, is that she can't afford to repair any damage her dog causes in our new place. The other card she'll play is that I told my folks (before they decided to fly) that they could bring their Bassett if they drove here and we had our own place by then. Mind you, we know their Bassett well, he's well behaved, half the size of a Husky and my folks could easily afford to repair any damage he causes. She emailed me two photos of her Husky today and said she might not be able to afford to come if I don't allow the dog. I tried to sugarcoat my "two kinds of problems in the world" answer.

Gogar · 09-27-2009, 12:02 PM

Tell her you'll pay to board the dog and see what she does.

BeyGon · 09-27-2009, 12:07 PM

I tell them our wood floors aren't good with dogs, that should be a good enough hint. If they can leave them outside it's ok. I don't have a dog, I do love dogs, I have had many, but not at this house. I just don't want the responsibility.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gogar

Tell her you'll pay to board the dog and see what she does.

I wouldn't mind paying for this, but really have a problem enabling her irresponsible behavior. How much does it cost to board a dog for a week anyway? My folks kind of based their decision to fly on her decision to drive, as we need her car. My wife and I have her Mini, my 993 and bike as our only vehicles. Kinda hard to ferry the crew around that way. My sister has a four door sedan.

Jeff Higgins · 09-27-2009, 12:14 PM

Tell her you don't have room for her and the dog, so it's fine if she just sends the dog.

RedBaron · 09-27-2009, 12:16 PM

Wait... Let me get this straight... She wants to bring a husky, which has a coat to keep them warm until about -30 °F to AZ?

She is wacked in the head...Poor dog.

john70t · 12:23 PM

Is there a fenced back yard and a hose? Mabye she could stay with someone else? Delay the recarpeting?

The dog thing might create some unecessary tension for the whole family. It sounds like the two of you have some past issues boiling under the surface.

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

That makes me wonder if the dog would start to shed once in our warm climate or how quickly that would happen?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

Quote:

Originally Posted by john70t

Is there a fenced back yard and a hose? Mabye she could stay with someone else?

The dog thing might create some unecessary tension for the whole family. It sounds like the two of you have some past issues boiling under the surface.

Yeah, it's a fenced backyard, but it's fenced because it has a pool which I don't want the dog in. I doubt he's gonna have much fun around the Saguaro Cactus and palm trees.

The only issues we have is that I don't want my house messed up or a large, unfamiliar dog to deal with in MY house. She's happy to live surrounded by cat and dog hair in a place that smells like a litter box. Not me. I want no dander or animal hair, no barking in the middle of the night and basically just to be around people who I know usually behave well.

Jeff Higgins · 09-27-2009, 12:25 PM

These dogs shed constantly. It has nothing to do with time of year, temperature, or anything like that. They are constantly in a full-coat-replacement mode. It gets better and worse seasonally, but it never stops.

Does your sister shed?

Tim Hancock · 09-27-2009, 12:25 PM

I had a Husky for many years. As a pup he got to live inside when I lived in a rented house with a bunch of college buddies. Once I moved out and he got big, he never saw the inside of a house again. They shed fur like crazy at many times throughout the year. I bet you're sister's house has a bunch of hair in the carpets.

bell · bell's Garage

Doesn't it cost money to fly a dog with you on a plane? I'm assuming she's flying..... or is she riding out with the parents?
What's the cost difference between boarding/flying?

Rick Lee · Rick Lee's Garage

She was going to drive from Bellingham, WA. Now she says she's gonna fly, but only because it's about the same cost as driving and four fewer days in the car, round trip. We're gonna have to rent a minivan while they're all here, but I'd rather do that than deal with her dog.

Rodsrsr · Rodsrsr's Garage

Its much too hot to leave a dog of that breed outside all day as he could quite possibly overheat and die. That is the truth and that is your answer to her.

aigel · aigel's Garage

Only way I would accept it is if the dog was crate trained. This means it is staying it its crate unless it is directly supervised. The crate can be put anywhere, even on the porch. A dog that is trained in this routine will appreciate the portable and familiar den. This keeps the dog from messing with anything or anyone.

Personally, I would pay for the boarding in your sisters home location. This way there is no chance the dog shows up. She may stay back too, but she can't use the boarding cost excuse. Yes, you are supporting irresponsible behavior, but remember, it is the holidays. Start it off on the right foot. If your parents are coming, they probably would be bummed out if you get in a fight over this before the holidays even start. This said, stand your ground on not accepting the dog at your house.

Cost for boarding can be anywhere from $10 to $30 / day. If you do this, get reservations now. Boarding places are busiest during the holidays.

George

K9Torro · 09-27-2009, 12:57 PM

I did this once, first and last time ever. They brought two large breed dogs with them, and I am a dog lover but I love MY dog not theirs.

Todd

pete3799 · pete3799's Garage

My sister brought her 2 dogs here last Thanksgiving.
Last time that's going to happen.
I like dogs (have a german shepard) but her 2 Boston terriers were a royal PIA.
I'd spring for the kennel.

imcarthur · imcarthur's Garage

My wife's brother believed that his purebread allergy-safe dog was umbrella'd under the same invitation as his family. A Thanksgiving with us cured that assumption. He was a pain & we were quite vocal about it.

Oh & the dog was a pain too . . .

Ian

Neilk · 09-27-2009, 03:53 PM

AA charges $150 each way to fly with a pet. I assume other airlines charge about the same. Boarding should be less than $300 for a week. If she can fly with the pet, she can afford to board it. Case closed.

LakeCleElum · 09-27-2009, 04:47 PM

You have to be very firm on your position. Potential guests will whine, moan, make all sorts of excuses and show up with a dog when told dog is not welcome. Like Dean sez, dogs and nice hardwood floors don't mix.

I had a guest pull this stunt, showed up and said she'd leave the dog in the car. After awhile, I'll just bring the dog on the porch and hold him. Next thing I know, the dog is in the house and I can see the scratches in the hardwood flooring.......Never again.......Be firm....