Should a family pet be locked in another room because a visitor is scared of them? So, I have two friends, let’s call them June and Sally. June brought her 4 YO niece (Bree) to Sally’s house for a playdate. Bree was terrified of Sally’s dog and would scream and cry every time she saw him. This dog is 14YO and sleeps most of the time. Even when the children came indoors from playing outside and the dog was sleeping, Bree started freaking out as soon as she saw him. June is upset because Sally would not put her dog “away” during this playdate, but Sally insists that the dog did nothing wrong, and Bree should be more tolerant, especially when at someone else’s home. Who is right?
I never locked my animals up, I would go sit beside my animal and have her parents do the same to show the child that the animal doesn’t hurt anyone. I would never lock my animals up it is their home.
Help a mama out and respond anonymously on our forum. Should a family pet be locked in another room if a visitor doesn't like them?
No thay should not unless they get to mean
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Bree is a child and Sally is ridiculous.
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I’m not locking my dogs up for anyone, if you’re afraid of dogs don’t come to my house:woman_shrugging:
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The person visiting family should be locked in a room, let the dog roam free 
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I put mine in his crate…but he is a jumper.
I dont put my dogs up when we have company its my dogs house too
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If Bree doesn’t like my dog then June and Bree can go home
I had a friend bring their child to my house and she was hitting my dogs… so if front of her mother I told her I was gonna whoop her ass! This is my dogs house she is a guest! 
my fur babies
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I do it because mine aren’t always nice when people first come in the house. But in this situation I think the dog was fine as is. My teenage daughters friend is terrified of ALL dogs. Ours included. The kids just stay outside when she comes over.
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The dog isn’t doing anything threatening. And that is a 4 year old. The 4 year old needs to learn that there’s nothing to be scared of. No the owners should not have to put their dog in a different room for a toddler who needs to learn.
In this situation, the dog is fine
Dog stays. The person upset about the dog can have the play dates at her house.
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The kid is 4. If all my dog does is sleep, it can sleep in the other room.
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No the dog should not be locked up
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Bree is 4 years old. Maybe she had a previous TE that lead to her fear. Is Bree there with June every single day or do they just visit occasionally?.. I see nothing wrong with leading the dog to another room especially if he was just sleeping the whole time anyway. Especially if it means the child was comforted. I mean, its not like the dog was barking and scratching to get out. Why ruin a visit with friends when we haven’t been able to live normal lives in over a year. Put the dog away for the short visit and enjoy your friend. IF you still have one!
I respect people’s fears… some people are petrified so yes I put them in another room. Otherwise you’d only have friends that like dogs!
If I went to a friends and they had a tarantula and left it out… I’d pee myself! So yea… respect your friends fears… x
Probably be easier to lock the “friends” in another room!
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I’m not locking my fur kids up , they live here lol
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Nah, don’t come to my house and expect me to put my dog away. That person can leave.
As long as my dogs aren’t bothering nobody I’m not putting them up. The visitor can seclude themselves but my pets live here.
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I would put the dog in another room, I accommodate my guests especially children and she can not help what she is afraid of. The dog or at least my dog would do just fine in another room especially since she is old and sleeps a lot too. She would just go to sleep…
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I wouldn’t lock my dogs up for nothing! And it’s my dogs house anyways ! don’t like my dogs don’t come over ,one of my dogs is pretty old and I wouldn’t put her up for the world
No, don’t lock up the dog. Kid has an issue especially if it hasn’t been aggressive. I can imagine how they’re raising thst kid
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Lock up the kid and call it a day
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I put mine in her crate when people who aren’t used to her come over. She’s 3 and does jump so especially with littles I put her away.
All the people saying leave the dog out??? A child was afraid…. So now we are fck the child’s feelings, because we love dogs more than children???
The only time my cat is shut in a room is if I’m continuously coming in and out of my front door
It’s the dogs house. Dog did nothing wrong.
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Bree and her brat should just stay home.
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Unless the dog is agitated No, dog will think he’s being punished in his own home.Just because of stupid ppls,just tell them not to come there.
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The way I see it is that is the dogs house! And if the company doesn’t like the dog then they shouldn’t come over. They need to respect the dog
I understand that the animal lives there as well, but for an hour or so to make your guest feel comfortable is not an impostion. Animals are amazing but can be upredictable. I am terrified of dogs, I was attacked twice, both times I did nothing to provoke the dogs. If you have a dog that you will not put up then I don’t come to your house, you can come to mine or we go out. As for the 4 year old, that child was being overly dramatic, mom needed to tell her to chill.
If the child is that afraid of the dog her mother can have a play date at her house or at the park if you come to my house my dogs are first sorry Charlie !!
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I would… thats a stressful situation for the child and the dog. Accidents can happen in those situations, for the safety of everyone I would.
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A fear is a fear… no amount of reassurance that the dog is friendly, just wants to say hi, is sleeping and fine, is going to
Apppease that innate fear. Maybe play dates can be made for another location… I know the screams from the child must make the dog anxious as well.
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No animals are family and live in that house as well, if that was me I would of told her to either stop crying or got her to leave, my child isn’t a fan of dogs but I never ask to put them in a different room, I let my son adjust to the fact there is a dog there and if he didn’t like it I would take him home x
Put your dog away or the guest stay home
Nope. If the dog isnt dangerous to guests then it shouldnt have to be locked up. Dont like it dont visit period.
A pets whole world are you and that house. Why make their world smaller and make them feel like they’re not wanted. It sounds like the dog is well behaved and your friend needs to teach her kid how to act around animals. It’s the dogs house too. I wouldn’t displace my fur baby in their own HOME because a guest can’t conduct themselves.
No more play dates at my house!
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my youngest is 3 and terrified of dogs, it dosent matter if its a big dog or small dog, she will literally freak out.
she was also jumped on by a huge dog when she was around 2 and it hurt her. so maybe this child was attacked by a dog at one point and thats why said child is terrified of dogs?
My dog lives there and will not be put in room or locked up for anyone who has a problem with a innocent animal, kid or not. Kid can go TF somewhere else then.
Yeah sorry, my home is where my dog lives as well. I’m not putting her up anywhere.
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I crate mine when my in-laws come over but they are 100+ pounds ( Newfoundland lab x)& they think they are small dogs 
they jump in always afraid they will knock them over. But the kids friends love my dogs. If someone requested I crate them I would advise them to not visit honestly my in-laws don’t request we crate them it’s my decision. In the Ops case her dog was not a threat & the 4 year old visitor needs to be exposed to a calm dog to conquer her fears. Or they need to meet elsewhere.
Put the dog away, ultimately its a child and a person/ child of your family should be more important to you, than hurting your dogs feeling in moving their bedtime to another room . .Any guest willing to come spend time out of their day in my home will be welcomed, literally welcomed. In the end, even if I know the dog is kind, tired , and toothless . . . the child does not. That should be more than enough reason to understand her- as you would want someone to understand your kids, even in their nonsense.
The kid of 4 years old!! It’s a KID! The girl is over there to play with the other kid… I’d be upset to if a kids fear was not taken into consideration. Guess the kid don’t matter as long as the dogs happy. Maybe sally should forget about play dates with other kids and have her Daughter play with the dog instead.
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Thats the dogs house. Point made
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There must be other places to have play dates…the child is scared and screaming so not easy for the dog to listen esp when older dog as it will get agitated and then something can happen…why even consider it!
Its the dogs home, the child is a guest. If its that big of a deal the adult should of removed their self and child from the home.
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After my kid had been bit in the face at a year old he has been terrified of dogs and its understandable, the kid might have a reason to be scared and plus you never know what might happen so just to be safe i would have no problem putting the dog away now if its longer than a couple hours i could understand not wanting to lock the dog up and i get dogs aren’t pets their family, but at the same time maybe have a child gate or something to separate them in the house and make the kid feel a little more safe cause the kid might of went through something that traumatized them
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This isn’t a right or wrong question. It’s subjective to the personal subjects. Say that little girl had a bad encounter previously with another dog, that would certainly make her afraid of all dogs. For that reason I would kennel my dogs or move them to another room.
The flip side would be how does the dog react. This one was sleeping but I don’t necessarily trust my 8yo yorkie with kids. I introduce him and the child but always watch because he doesn’t like kids playing with him to much. My husky on the other hand I leave with any child. He loves everyone and knows instinctively how rough he can play.
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If you know that your child is afraid of dogs go else where for the play date.
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In my opinion, absolutely not. That is the dogs home, it’s entire life is based in that house and I don’t really think it’s fair to lock it in a different room on behalf of a visitor, especially if the dog is calm. The visit could even help the scared child overcome her fear of dogs by getting her used to the interaction.
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It’s your dogs home not there’s
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I would put my dogs up or arrange for them to go to doggy daycare during that time. But I always tell my guests ahead of time that I have dogs.
I have 2 family members who are terrified of dogs because of past trauma and Im not going to Barr them from my house because of that.
No, family pets shouldn’t be locked in another room. If the visitor doesn’t like the dog, then he/she shouldn’t go to the house. Simple. For me, personally, if they don’t like my dog, then don’t bother coming to my house. And, last of all, the dog is at its house too soooo 
I mean if you respect those people then yes, if you can’t care less about them then make them feel uncomfortable so they don’t comeback? All depends how considerate you are💁🏻♀️
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It’s the dog’s home, have playdate at a park. My dogs would be MAJORLY stressed if they had to stay in another room away from their kid.
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No you should not half to lock him or her up she or he did nothing wrong to the child…If the child is scared of dogs for some reason then that child’s mother should of said how about we meet up at the city park or come over to my house being you have a dog and my child is afraid of dogs.
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In the case of a child or someone that has maybe had a bad experience with dogs I think it’s a little different but if someone just doesn’t like dogs I’d say go home.
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I don’t get many visitors, but my rescue bites because he was beat with rocks and sticks by children and men so i kennel him in the same room, its been many years but he has never forgotten the abuse but hes getting better with age. 
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To keep my dogs safe as well as the child I put mine up. Regardless if they are visiting my home. I would be the responsible one if something happened to a child or adult. My fur babies mean more to me than some people. Just sayin.
Yes. I lock up my dogs when anyone comes over.
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No. I would understand if the dog was active and tried to jump on the baby. But it did no such thing. Next time they can plan the play date at another location. It’s unfair to the dog. It’s his home.
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Sally is right! It is the dogs home! Company should leave if they have a problem or have a play date somewhere else i would not put my dogs away
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She’ll have to get used to dogs sooner than later, better to do it when a gentle one who won’t do anything. She expect people to not bring their dogs outside too just cause her kid is scared?
Well since it’s the dogs home and not the visitors too bad that’s his house not there’s and my dog not gonna be uncomfortable in their home
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Uhg no just don’t bring them around anymore !
My 4 yr old is like this. I would just leave because it is not my home.
Nah. The pet lives there. If the guest is that perturbed they can leave or I guess they should’ve reconsidered visiting in the first place since it’s unlikely the pet was a secret surprise - they knew what they’d be walking into and could’ve suggested a hang out/visit elsewhere if they were so bothered.
I want put my dog up if u don’t like it don’t come to my home
As someone who has been bitten many times throughout childhood I am afraid of big dogs and have had friends put them outside when I visit and when they need back in I’d go to a seperate room away from the dog. They offered to seperate us so I get it and I also get that if my friend didn’t want to do that then I would of just suggested somewhere we can hang an both be comfortable. Dogs as sweet as they can be cant always be trusted you truly never know when a dog might snap.
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Be considerate. This child was truely afraid of dogs. If you wish to host a playdate then put the dog and his bed in another room and away from the children. Next playdate take the children to the park and leave the dog home.
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No, the dog shouldn’t be put away. The little girl needs to be taught and shown that the dog isn’t doing anything and is safe. She’s going to have to interact with dogs at different points her entire life, they’re everywhere.
Sally is right. Teach your kid not to be so terrified. It’s the dogs home
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I have been on both sides of the fence for this. I have my own dogs but with any dogs you never know. I’ve seen the most sweetest and calm dog turn viscous in a matter of seconds. To me I agree with most make playdate some where else. Also, the mother to child or you should have been informed about the child have fear of a dog. Yes, that is the dogs home and it’s place to also be comfortable. I say use your best judgment but also take the child’s fear into consideration
I wouldn’t invite them to my home no more. I have 2 senior dogs right now they just want to nap. The kid has issues not the dog.
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If someone comes over to ur house abd is scared of ur pets. Nothing wrong with putting them in another room for a couple of hours. They are animals. They will survive. These are ur guests they are not moving in just visiting. It shouldn’t be that hard of dilema
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Lol nope!! It’s my dogs house
Lol no seriously if my guest act like they’re extremely terrified I usual try my best to get my guest comfortable enough to see that she’s a sweet puppy. But if they don’t shake their fear I’ll put her up but definitely let them know I’m not doing it next visit lol. You’ll be ok.
Growing up our family dog was vicious and didn’t like people so to avoid any issues lol we put his crazy butt up for sure!
You can look at both sides of this. If the child is afraid of dogs for whatever reason I may consider it. But if you plan don’t like my dog, I’m not putting my dog up because you don’t like him. I might occasionally put him up if a person is afraid of dogs in general. But not every time! Either way, whatever I choose to do this is my dog’s home you are just a visitor.
Sally is correct…she did not need to out the dog away.
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The only time I lock my dogs up is if it bothers my dogs!
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I don’t cater to anyone at my house especially if they new before they come over how or what I have, nope not happening.
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To all the people who say it’s just a pet and to put them away. In my house my (pets) are just as much family as people are. How would u like it if someone came to ur house and was sacred of someone in ur house or u for that matter. Would u put that person or u in a different room? I don’t think so. My fur babies would be supper upset and freak out if I locked any of them up. So this is my saying before u even come to my house. U don’t like my fur fur babies then don’t come to my house. I’m good without anymore who don’t like my babies fur or others in my house. So no she was not wrong don’t lock up ur babies
As the kid who was terrified of dogs and now has one as a pet yes to placing them in another room if you invite that person over not just for them but for your pet. I remember being so terrified of my friends dog and him barking and wanting to jump on me that I ran on top of a couch screaming and ended up kicking him in the face. (I had very bad experiences with dogs when I was little)
My big puppy is so much more patient than that dog was and I put him in the kitchen because children and toddlers are aggressive and pick at animals because they don’t know better, and even when they do sometimes they just pick at the animal and you don’t know if that’s the day ur dog is irritated and snaps. It’s not forever and until that 4y.o is use to it u should be considerate enough to the child or have the play date elsewhere.
Yes. You can be sued if your pet attacks someone. I have a dog but I’m scared of other ppls dog. I put mines in her kennel when company comes who are scared of her. And honestly the only ppl who i put her in for is someone like the cable man or a carpenter etc. So whether it’s your animals home or not, and just because it hasn’t bit you or your kids doesn’t mean it won’t bite someone else. It’s no different when you make your kids go in the room when you have company. It’s just for a different reason.
Bree would not be invited back. The dog lives there. She is a guest.
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There is literally only 1 person I lock my dogs up for. Do to raising my niece and nephew I have CPS visits every so often and our caseworker is TERRIFIED of dogs and as she needs to see certain rooms in my house, I put one of my kids and the dogs in my room. However she is only there for a max of 30 minutes so its not bad. Anyone else comes over, they are SOL on me putting my dogs up. My home is my animals home as well
I mean as long as they want the playdate at said house then yes but if it can be done at the other then do so. Don’t farce an elderly animal to change for the reason that the child does not like it. It would be understandable if the dog was running around and could possibly hurt said child.
Sally should tell June she can’t bring Bree over if she’s afraid of the dog. Sorry I’m a dog lover and if you are not comfortable with my dog then don’t come over my house. Just saying.
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The dog lives there, the company does not.
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Not only is it the dog’s home, but said dog sounds to be unproblematic as long as the child doesn’t approach it… And I say that because a lot of old dogs don’t do well with kids. The child is old enough to be taught to stay away from it, and it sounds like the child is the problematic one here. She very well may have a trauma concerning dogs, and at that point I think it’s the parents’ responsibility to handle the child.
The person with the dog. It dont matter if the dog wont do anything or was sleeping. Its rude. If you have someone over thats scared of dogs then put the dog away while the person is there. And thats a child, the dog may be harmless but in the child’s eyes the dog is big and scary
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That is the dog’s home if the child is afraid then the parents should not bring the child over.
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Nope it the dog house and at its age would be a good time to teach the child dogs are good sorry I am a dog person
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Everyone saying that the 4 year old child is the problem has problems. Thats a child, it dotn matter if the dog was sleeping or anything, the child was terrified. It wont hurt the dog to be in the bedroom for a few hours
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Maybe it could be a learning opportunity for the child not to be scared of dogs no more break them in with an older dog that ain’t going to do anything
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