Fao parents & dog owners
Discussion
We leave ours with our neighbour when we have kids parties, etc. It's usually onlyt for a few hours, so no major dramas there.
If you're close to me (Berkshire), I'd be happy to look after him - he'd feel right at home, with a cavalier, a cat and 2 rabbits (who all get on great by the way).
In fact - it's usually the rabbits who chase the cat & cat
K
Edited to add that I see you are not too far at all - a nce run down the 404. The offers there if needed.
>> Edited by Kinky on Tuesday 12th July 12:07
If you're close to me (Berkshire), I'd be happy to look after him - he'd feel right at home, with a cavalier, a cat and 2 rabbits (who all get on great by the way).
In fact - it's usually the rabbits who chase the cat & cat
K
Edited to add that I see you are not too far at all - a nce run down the 404. The offers there if needed.
>> Edited by Kinky on Tuesday 12th July 12:07
) Gazboy said:
Dog owners, been here before?
Often.
Some people will have unreasonable reactions (but then we do have 3 wolfhounds and 250kg of extremely sociable canines can be overwhelming
) Usually visitors are informed in advance about the dogs. Any suspect problems and the dogs go in the garage/garden and people are encouraged to go and visit the dogs.
If everything is OK (normally the case) then the dogs come back in.
Gazboy said:
I'm a bit apprehensive (sp?)
Spelt correctly!
Small children should never, ever be left alone with any dog, no matter how reliable the dog has been before. Running, playing, screaming kids can trigger an instinctive predatory reaction in some dogs. The children need to be well-behaved (!) and respectful around animals.
Presumably the majority of your guests already know you have a Staffie and, if common sense prevails, the parents of young children should realise that the onus is on them to keep a watchful eye on their kids. Having said that, it'll be a bit of a strain for them to keep tabs on their children for several hours and you wouldn't want to mar their enjoyment of the party. A successful party needs, among other things, relaxed guests!
So, on reflection, I'd say it would be less of a headache for you, your Staffie and the guests if the dog is put elsewhere.
Small children with food might prove too tempting for any dog and a staffie in particular, as the dog is only 5 months old it probably hasn't learnt to distinguish between "fingers" and "cake" which could result in some serious grief for you.
My advice is kids party in the garden or kitchen if it rains, dog at mother/father-in-laws for the duration.
My advice is kids party in the garden or kitchen if it rains, dog at mother/father-in-laws for the duration.
Slightly different perspective from me I think... you're dog is still a pup and as such is still learning it's place in the world. With mine I made sure from day 1 that she knew that she was at the bottom of the tree and anyone standing on 2 legs was dominant. Any opportunity where you can assert your dominance, and reaffirm the fact that dogs don't eat kids, or jump up at people, or generally be a nuisance, I think should be taken. I would suggest that the dog is going to get excited with strangers milling round and kids going berserk, and will no doubt try and test a few boundaries (and obviously I'm talking nicking cake and pushing kids over, rather than picking up the smallest and legging it). It's your responsibility to reign the dog in so it learns what is unacceptable. And I don't believe that locking it away is going to help.
Here endeth the sermon. Sorry
Here endeth the sermon. Sorry
I'm a dog owner myself, and if I were having a party at my house (young children or not), I'd send the dog to my mums where he can play with another dog all day and be in doggy heaven.
My brother often has parties and has two VERY LARGE malamutes. I can't stand the dogs anyway, but he insists on everybody "saying hello" to the dogs on arrival, so not only do you end up covered in hair, but also smelling of dog too. It ain't nice.
My brother often has parties and has two VERY LARGE malamutes. I can't stand the dogs anyway, but he insists on everybody "saying hello" to the dogs on arrival, so not only do you end up covered in hair, but also smelling of dog too. It ain't nice.
mrs trackside said:
My brother often has parties and has two VERY LARGE malamutes. I can't stand the dogs anyway, but he insists on everybody "saying hello" to the dogs on arrival, so not only do you end up covered in hair, but also smelling of dog too. It ain't nice.
Be grateful they're not Newfoundlands! They slobber like hell and if one of them decides to lean on you, over you go!
mrs trackside said:
and has two VERY LARGE malamutes.
Well I never! I only looked up 'Alaskan Malamute' a few days ago after seeing an advert for puppies in the local paper. It's not a dog breed you come across very often, if at all.
I think I'll stick with my original choice of a Labrador! They'd probably lick you to death but I'd still err on the side of caution at a party. My friend's black, male Lab jumped up and sent me flying backwards...
cosmoschick said:
and has two VERY LARGE malamutes.
Well I never! I only looked up 'Alaskan Malamute' a few days ago after seeing an advert for puppies in the local paper. It's not a dog breed you come across very often, if at all.
I think I'll stick with my original choice of a Labrador! They'd probably lick you to death but I'd still err on the side of caution at a party. My friend's black, male Lab jumped up and sent me flying backwards...
The bigger one is as tall as me when it stands on its back legs. OK, I'm short at five foot nuffink, but that's a bloody big dog, especially when it wants to get on your lap!!
mrs trackside said:
The bigger one is as tall as me when it stands on its back legs. OK, I'm short at five foot nuffink, but that's a bloody big dog, especially when it wants to get on your lap!!
OMG...
Well, they are affectionate dogs! I'm considerably taller but weigh 57 kg and a Malamute can reach 56 kg. Thankfully, a Labrador's weight range is 25-34 kg.cosmoschick said:
The bigger one is as tall as me when it stands on its back legs. OK, I'm short at five foot nuffink, but that's a bloody big dog, especially when it wants to get on your lap!!
OMG...
I've got a lab cross. A normal sized dog and he's lurv-erly. A bit mental, but he's gentle
We have a Springer Spaniel and encounter this problem quite often.
Depending on the number and behaviour level of the children attending we have used one of those corkscrew spikes - you screw it into the ground and attach the dog to it via their lead.
That way the dog can be 'part of the party' and for those who do not like dogs they just stay out of reach.
There is always the little darling standing just at the edge of the dog's reach tormenting him to consider though....I made quite horrible promises of bodily harm to the last one to try it (with his Parents endorsement!) and he was good as gold after that
Depending on the number and behaviour level of the children attending we have used one of those corkscrew spikes - you screw it into the ground and attach the dog to it via their lead.
That way the dog can be 'part of the party' and for those who do not like dogs they just stay out of reach.
There is always the little darling standing just at the edge of the dog's reach tormenting him to consider though....I made quite horrible promises of bodily harm to the last one to try it (with his Parents endorsement!) and he was good as gold after that
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