This is my dogs home so they would be out roaming the house of course if anyone came over. If a problem arises then I’d deal with it. The dog wouldnt be locked up forever.
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It is the Dog’s home if the parnet objects to the family pet and family member she should leave her child with a sitter
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Wow, that child needs therapy. If she is that terrified when a dog isn’t near her, is ignoring her, is soundly sleeping. Something happened to her, she needs counseling.
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I’m a dog sitter and I have people put their pets to stay with me while family members are over as a child is scared of them. You can’t force a young child to tolerate a dog. If you have any compassion put the old dog away in another room and both parties are comfortable.
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The child may need counseling. This can be a very serious underlying psychological problem that will grow with them. Fear is a very scarey symptom and reaction for children and adults. Not being condescending and condemning, but there is help for irrational fears.
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Sally should have been told the child is terrified of dogs and the dog would need to be put into another area. That would have given Sally the option of suggesting a different place for the play date. I agree - this child is going to live a miserable life of terror if she freaks out whenever she sees a dog! Her parents should start working on that. In the current scenario, I’d probably keep the kids outside and let the dog sleep peacefully inside. I have a 14 year old dog that sounds like this one and would be annoyed by a kid screaming in fear looking at her lying there, doing nothing.
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The Mother need to talk to her Child and explain that he wont hurt anyone . And if the Child is still terrifide than she shouldnt come over with her and the Playdates be at her house or not at all
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Child has issues. Having said that, I have adult friends who are terrified of all dogs. Our gentle giant weighs more than 90 lbs. when those friends visit, she’s very comfortable in her apartment (crate). It’s where she feels safe and comfortable and our guests can too,
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I wouldn’t ask my friend to put her dog away, but if she saw my child was afraid and didn’t offer to put the dog up, I probably wouldn’t visit her again with my daughter. It depends on how much she values the friendship. I had this problem with a relative’s cat that I was afraid of, and I have cats of my own, so it wasn’t a fear of cats in general. This one just kept trying to attack my feet. She didn’t put the cat up so I stopped visiting her.
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The child is 4. Expe ting get to have adult reasoning and accommodation is unreasonable. Give bith the rig and child break a put the rog in another room where is can rest in peace. And the child will not be freaked out. And the kids mom can work on having her better tolerate dogs.
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It’s the dog’s house. If the guest doesn’t like dogs, the guest should host the playdate or suggest meeting elsewhere.
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The child needs education and desensitization. She will undoubtedly see dogs throughout her life and this unreasonable fear is paralyzing. Good parenting teaches children to cope in the world, not live in a bubble.
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I would be afraid the child would hurt the dog so I would put the dog in the bedroom and let him sleep
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Hospitality is one of the bedrocks of civilization. When you have a guest in your home you do everything possible to make that guest comfortable. Putting the dog in another room or outside would have been the very least thing you could do to honor your guests.
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my house my rules and sounds to me like a perfect place for child to adjust to a mild tempered dog who sits n sleeps if they have fears.
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When you have guests, I assume you invited them over. So I would also assume you need to make them comfortable for their short stay. Especially a child who is scared of something. They can’t just leave when they want to.
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Sorry but I don’t lock away any of my animals just because someone doesn’t like them. It’s THEIR home, if the visitor has an issue then I guess we will visit outside or of its a matter of my outside animals, we visit inside or elsewhere. That’s about as bad as being invited somewhere and being requested to not bring my kids because there is issue with them. Now it would be different if say my dog didn’t like that person that was visiting, in that instance, yes, he would be locked away.
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In life the child will experience dogs and there is no way to exclude them all. It’s a problem the mother is avoiding.
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No that’s the pets home. It did nothing wrong.
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Children’s feelings are more important than the dog’s comfort. And what a ridiculous statement “the dog did nothing wrong”!! Is she serious!!?? A good hostess always puts her guests needs first, especially a frightened child.
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I feel like she must not care much about her friend. This is a situation where a small kid is super scared of a dog.
If it’s old and just gonna sleep, what’s the harm in putting them away while you have company that’s fearful.
Personally I would never ask. But if this situation happened, I would simply not visit with my daughter anymore and if asked I would be honest. My kid is afraid of your dog and you don’t want to put them up.
You don’t have to, because you’re right in that it’s the dogs home. But I also don’t have to visit. shrug
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The child is frightened. Either put the dog away or have the play date at the child’s home. No one should be angry about a young child’s fears.
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100% put the dog away!! It doesn’t matter if you love your dog, if a child is afraid the dog goes away! When we have visitors, the dog goes outside regardless, and only IF they say they are comfortable with the dog, or they’re happy with the dog we let her inside. We love our puppy like our own baby, BUT I will not cause you fear even if I think you’re being silly…you’re a guest in my home and you must feel comfortable and safe ESPECIALLY if children are involved
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If the mother was a friend she would surely have known a dog lives there. Knowing her daughters reaction to dogs, she should have made other arrangements for the playdate. My pets live here.
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I would put my dog up right away rather than up setting a small child wow can’t believe so many people are so thoughtless
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When people come to my house they need to understand that my house is also my pets home. My pets should not be punished because someone has a phobia or are annoyed by my pets. My mother has expected me to lock my dogs up when we have opened our home to my brother and his children so that they could have a pool party for a birthday. The answer was no, no I am not locking my dogs up. If people don’t like it they can leave. It’s my home and my dogs home. I don’t make you rearrange your kitchen cause I don’t like the way you have it arranged or make you blow out your candle because I don’t like the smell. Deal with it or leave. It’s as simple as that. The mother definitely should explain to the child that she is acting ridiculously and that she needs to calm herself as she isn’t in danger.
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I would say no to putting the dog away. It’s his home and he has not doing anything wrong. The mother of the visiting child needs to control the child. Maybe meet at a park instead .
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If I come to your home and don’t like kids, Are you going to lock the kids up in their room? NO! Of course not! If I knew the dog would bite or harm, Yes! But I do respect other people’s homes so I would be respectful of their home and their rules, but my house my rules! Sorry!!!
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I put my dog in the bedroom all the time when I get company, she bit a child once and I would never chance that again or chance my dog being put down because she bit someone, safe for everyone , the dog sleeps anyhow, she doesn’t care
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We had a friend like this whose son was terrified of animals. I used to put him up but had to stop because it would upset the dog so much and stress him to much. We told them that if he couldn’t handle the dog they would have to leave him somewhere, not come over, or we could visit outside if the weather was nice. This is his home and it isn’t fair for him. They were OK with it and he eventually learned that the dog wasn’t interested in him anyway and wasn’t bothering him. Dogs are a part of the family just like a child. They deserve the same respect
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I have come to understand that people care more about their freaking dogs than they do about people can dogs and they do about people even families put put the dog in another room
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Just my opinion, but I think the little girl had a bad experience with a dog in the past. I wouldn’t put the dog in another room, but maybe try to enable the girl to get over her fear with a gentle dog. They’ll always be in her life, I mean, dogs are all over the place.
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Would not put the dog away. Proper introduction and monitoring. At 4 yearz old a chilf should understand the basics. Throwing a screaming fit for nothing other than she didn’t like the dog shows little to no training of the child.
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Not if the pet isn’t doing anything…
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No I had this scenario when I was 12. Dog locked in kitchen was let in the room I was in the dog doesn’t know me so it attacked my face lots of stitches and scars. IT WAS NOT THE FAULT OF THE DOG IT WAS THE IRRESISTIBLE OWNERS. THE DOG EAS DESTROYED!!!
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If you invited them over and knew the little girl is afraid of dogs then yes put the dog in another room
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I was that way as a kid still that way as an adult but not as bad. I was bit as a kid. If the child is scared then she is scared. If the dog can’t be put up while she visits then don’t take her over. It is no fun being terrified even if it is irrational. I’m not thrilled about cats either.
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It’s the dog’s home. Unless the dog is aggressive or actively jumping on the child, there’s not need to put the dog away. Maybe her mom can make babysitting arrangements if she wants to visit or she can offer her dog free home for play dates.
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Sounds like the child needs to be introduced and familiarized with animals. I would suggest playdates that would introduce this young child to animals and how to handle them,while having play dates not at your home until the child can learn how to be in a room with an animal. Sounds like the dog isn’t even bothered by the child so familiarizing her with your animal shouldn’t be that hard after the child has been introduced to other animals. Honestly if the dog doesn’t even mind the child’s outbursts let the child have their fit until the child stops or wears itself out and go at it again like you would if you were getting the child to sleep in it’s own bed. Sometimes persistence and patience are the best teacher.
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Nope…this is my dogs home. And to be honest, I like my dog more than I like most people. Have play dates at June’s house from now on.
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If the dog was aggressive, I could understand putting it in another room. If the dog is not aggressive, I believe the child should make the adjustment. If never exposed to a dog, the child will never learn to get along with one.
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My dogs live in my house so get used to them. Unless they show aggression (which mine never do) they stay out. I hate it when kids are scared of animals because their parents have taught them that.
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People and my relationships with them are more important to me than my pets. My dog is a large dog and most kids are timid around him. I have zero issues putting him separately for a few hours to ensure my guests in my home are comfortable. Especially a child. But I’m one of those weird people that don’t consider my pets family members. I’ve been around dogs that I’ve been afraid of or tense around whose owners allowed that dog to continually nip at family and friends. I felt that was inappropriate and inconsiderate. I’m in awe at the lack of consideration we have for our guests.
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Dog been with me lot longer than most friends it the dogs house dog is part of family. So dog more right in house than visitor they not happy then they can always leave
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If the child has that kind of reaction, I would not invite her to my house. The dog lives in that house and the child has an over-the-top reaction.
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My dogs would not be locked up…
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Wow …. People don’t get that some are terrified and traumatised by dogs . I to was bitten as a child and am terrified. I always ask if people have a dog before i go to someone’s house. It won’t kill your dog to be outside.
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Tough call. My daughter’s friend hates dogs so I confine them until they settle down. Then they basically leave her alone. She is a teen though. I would probably let my dog sleep in a bedroom if it was a child.
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This child obviously has serious fears. Therapy is needed. I had this fear towards cats when I was younger but I overcame it. I love them now. I agree it’s the dog’s territory but I am a good hostess, I always try to accommodate my visitors… I would tell my friend to get help for her little girl. They are both important.
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I think its a good idea from an elderly DOGS perception. 4 is young to expect them to be cautious and careful with an elderly dog with hearing …possible pain issues, etc. In my perspective…I would protect my DOG from rambunctious playing kiddos. Your dog more than likely would welcome the quiet, and really, a kid that is already afraid? What if
the dog is tripped over and snaps at her?
Also, unpopular opinion… I loved every animal I ever had, spoiled them, gave them wonderful lives…but…I was the pack leader. Never would I have picked an animal’ s “feelings” over a scared little kid…but that’s me…
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Work with Bree to help her see the pup as harmless. Putting the dog away will only reinforce to Bree that she has something to be afraid of. And it’s not fair to the pup or his family.
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I put my dog in the other room with older children when she was a puppy on one occasion. I will NEVER do it again. It broke MY heart. My dog is older and well behaved, but more importantly this is her home too. I made a bad decision. I might choose to hold my dog but I would not put her in another room. Love me, love my dog.
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Sally is in the right! Don’t come into my home with your child if she /he is terrified of dogs. You can work with each other and dog to get over this fear, but do not punish the dog
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Neither one is right or wrong. This is an issue that both parties should be working together to help this wee girl get over her fears of dogs. Using the baby steps idea, here are a few things they both can try. The first time, allow the child to see the dog in its natural state of sleeping in his bed at home with the child just in the doorway of the room. keeping the child calm by remaining calm yourself, explain about the dog, his name, his age, why he is sleeping, (14y in dog age 128 human years, he is a senior). Remove the child as she gets nervous, but explain that she will need to understand she can not nor should she be allowed to scream at any time. it is hard on everyone. She can cry, but no screaming. After all, she is not hurt, nor is she in any danger. Have the dog move to another room, so that the child can see that the dog is of no threat to her. I would do this step until the child is comfortable watching the dog from the doorway and slowly decrease the distance between the child and the dog until they are both in the same location, ie the room itself. Another thing you could do is have someone else, another child sit beside the dog to show the girl that there is no danger. Once again, I must stress that screaming should never be allowed around animals unless the child is in direct danger. In this situation, the child is not. Both June and Sally should work together to help the child get over her fears of things that are different such as the dog.
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Depends on if the little one was traumatized by a dog previously. Maybe she just needs to be around a good dog and learn that they are the best beings EVER!!
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So let me preface this by saying it’s not me. (lol) However, I have a 5-year-old Grandson who was bitten by a neighbors dog in our front yard. We had a very nice old lab who he loved dearly and was not afraid of her at all. He is afraid of other people’s dogs. We have 2 neighbors who have larger untrained dogs that think it is ok to jump up on or try to hump other people in our neighborhood. He is terrified of these dogs for good reason. I would say in this scenario it would be easy to let the sleeping older dog into a bedroom during the child’s visit. Easier for everyone involved. Saying a child is mentally ill for having a fear of dogs is just wrong. Any child is more important than that of an animal, but owners need to train their dogs to behave around everyone especially children. If this was me, I would have asked if there was a dog and if so suggested another place to meet for the play date.
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Here’s the thing. The dog lives there. The child doesn’t. That isn’t saying the child doesn’t have a real fear. But there is no way I’m going to condone locking up a dog for sleeping in its own safe place.
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I was taught to be a good host in my home. If the child is terrified put the dog in the other room. The dog will be fine and all will be peaceful. Pick your battles… this shouldn’t be one.
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If "June " didnt like the dog being around her niece maybe she should organize a playdate elsewhere the dog has every right to sleep where ever the heck it wants in it’s own home.
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Mom and Dad of this child need to work to relieve this fear. Hold the child and reassure her she is OK in the same room with the dog. There are dogs everywhere, help this child.
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I would most definitely put the dog up . fear is fear and im a guest in your home at least be kind enough to ask if they’d be more compatible if you put the dog in enother room . This is a child no matter their age .
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I agree, the dog should be put up. I have a great nephew that had a fear of all dogs for quite some time. Now he is like 11 and he is better. People do not know the problems that some people have, maybe autism, maybe adhd, or maybe just the fear. Put your dogs up people.
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When June’s kid goes into peoples house screaming and freaking out June should take her kid home and end the play date. Nobody should have to listen to that especially a poor old dog trying to take a nap.
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If you don’t want to restrict your pet, change to your plans to accommodate your friend’s needs. Meet out, at her place somewhere else. Loads of options really. Putting your dog away for an hour also isn’t a huge deal either.
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I would not put my animal in another room nor would I invite that brat or her mother back to my home.
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I’m not putting my dog up for nobody. This is her home, we can hangout outside. 
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The old dog probably wouldn’t care if he was given a comfortable spot in another room. As long as he’s taken to the area in which he’s safe from the screaming child in a way that doesn’t make him feel he’s being punished. But the kids parents need to socialize her with dogs ASAP, they are always going to be a big part of the world she’ll have to learn to live in.
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Maybe that child had a traumatic event in the past with a dog . It’s probably better for the dog to be in another room. He won’t be stressing over a screaming child and vice versa.
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The child is 4, she doesn’t need counseling. Someone should calm the child and introduce her to the dog. Once she realizes the dog isn’t a threat she’ll be fine. Some things take time.
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A child should never be put In that position. To be making choices between a child and a animal, sad. A animal is a animal, and when we were young, the house was for kids and all pets were looked after but outside in their sheds was for animals. That is why they have a fur coat.
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Did anybody try and get her to interact with the dog at all? My mum has a dog that my middle son was terrified of even from.a puppy (she was a bit nippy as a pup, nothing major) but when she was calm we would get him to stroke her and see how soft and gentle she can be. They’re the best of friends now. Sometimes.children just need.reminding that certain things aren’t as scary as they seem. Make it fun and cute. Like " awww wow come look how soft this doggy is" as an example. May be big and scary but my god dogs can be fluffy! And what kid don’t like a bit of fluff lol 
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If she really likes June and they don’t visit often, put the dog away as the dog probably won’t care. But the little girl Bree needs to be taught and learn to be okay with dogs.
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I had a friend with 5 pits- i was visiting one day and they walked out of the room for a sec- as soon as they left all 5 pits circled me and started growling. I very calmly was able to say my friends name and got them to come back in the room. Those damn pits would have killed me. I dont trust them to this day and if i have a friend that had a dog that seems agressive towards other people i will get up and leave. Some dogs cant be trusted.
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For the most part I don’t lock my pets up when we have visitors over, it’s their home but I will make accommodations for small children who might be afraid or might unintentionally hurt my animals. I also believe if this is a true fear of the child’s it’s on her parents to work on that fear and to tell her friend about it. I personally would not want anyone freaking out around my animals for any reason if they are just trying to mind their own business.
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If the dog is not a threat to anyone, then the visitors need to figure out a way to deal with it. I had a friend who put her dog in the bedroom when we came over but that was because he was a rescue dog and was tortured by small children before they got him. My son was still small at the time, so she put Trey (the dog) away to protect my son
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Yes… put your animals away for ANYONE that feels uncomfortable around your pets. Grandparents, service techs, any invited visitor.
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I would want my company to feel welcome. No questions asked. The dog won’t mind a brief separation if she is that docile.
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nope, the guests should be made aware that a dog or cat, any pet really, lives in the home, if they have an allergy or fear they can choose to not go.
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I have.3 very big dogs that love kids. I will usually let them greet my visitors either through a gate, face to face if all are ok with that or one at a time. Then.i will gate them in a bedroom or outside if the weather is good. It’s easier for all. I don’t have to stay on edge afraid that my dogs.will knock someone down or that a child is too rough with the dogs. It works for me.
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Well my son was recently bit by his cousins dog (nice deep hole in his leg now) so if that had made him scared of dogs then I would hope my friends would be compassionate enough to put their dogs away…
Absolutely not. If June is a visitor of someone’s home, she needs to respect all people an animals in the home. Bree needs to get over it.
I would put the dog up. My mom had an older dog and as she got older her patience got thinner. If new people were over or little kids, she always put her up. I think sassy liked it over being in a room with strange people/noisy kids. I have a bearded dragon that my mom is terrified of. He’s super tame and docile, but if she comes over, I put him in his cage and don’t take him out of the f respect to her. An animal is an animal. I said what I said.
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I had a dog that was not visitor friendly. Out of respect for my guests , I did put her in another area of my home. This is not a punishment because she was the aggressor. I loved her but I was not going to make my guests uncomfortable.
My experience is depending on this type and size of dog, put a gate up between the dog and child. This way the child still sees the dog and hopefully will eventually figure out he’s not a threat
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Some people said have some compassion and put the nice dog away Because parents cant teach child not to be afraid. Hell no pets are meant to be loved and treated like family too. That dog did nothing wrong and he should not be made to feel like he did something wrong by being locked somewhere. Parents should teach child that dogs like that arent meant to be scared off and figure out why she has such fear.
The visit doesn’t last forever I would jut the dog in another room and let him out
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This would be a good time for a teaching experience. Since this sounds like a very calm and docile dog, I would use it to show her that all dogs are not bad.
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When people come over to my home we put our dogs away because they are rowdy rambunctious and sometimes they are rowdy rambunctious and some people just don’t like them it’s a common courtesy I understand they are part of courtesy I understand they are part of my family but they are not my kids you cannot compare it’s you cannot compare locking a dog in a room for a little while to locking a child in but while too locking a child in a room so don’t even try. It is really truly better for everyone the dog is calmer because she doesn’t have all the people calmer because she doesn’t have all the people going crazy and the people are calmer and I don’t have to worry about my dog is calmer and I don’t have to worry about my dog escaping while somebody’s going in or out the door as well.
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If the dog actually scared or caused fear in a child, you could have politely let your beloved pet rest quietly in another room, temporarily. There is no need to lock your pet anywhere. When a child is having a panic attack, it shouldn’t be ignored by mature adults. jmo
I agree the dog was there first and that child needs to respect someone else’s home and pets. If you don’t like my dogs then don’t come and visit.
Lady who owns dog should put the dog in a safe place while the terrified child is there. Not doing anything means your friendship means nothing… don’t go back.
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n
News flash: Dogs killed 50,000 people last year. wow.
People over animals always.
(I have loved more dogs in my life than people, however!)
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If the child was terrified and the elderly dog was just sleeping anyway, why not be compassionate and simply move the dog to another room? Yes, the child needs to overcome her fear, but it wasn’t going to happen instantaneously.
I would NEVER lock my dog in another room. If the visitors know I have a dog and their brats are afraid of them, then let’s visit online.
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I have a dog and a 4 year old. With that said, if the dog is in a separate room for a little while I see no problem with that. Especially if the dog is mellow. If a yard is available even better (weather permitting. Meaning if it’s too hot:no. Snow: no. Raining: no ). If the kids are outside playing the dog can have the whole house. I get the June being concerned. I also understand not wanting to put the dog in an uncomfortable situation. If the play date goes longer than 2 hours, give parties breaks. Pets are also family members. Compromises are ok. I will say also, now knowing the child has this fear, either slowly introduce dogs to the child. If that doesn’t work then future play dates should be somewhere else.
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Unless the child was attacked & that is her reason for the fear, the mother needs to help her get a grip. My dog would not be put out, he is a service dog & needs to be near me to alert me of seizures. Separating us would cause us both unneeded anxiety.
The dog and owner is right. It’s your house. The dog should not be pushed and locked in another room. Sounds like the 14 year old dog couldn’t care less.
It’s the dogs house. Correct the child’s behavior.
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That is the fur child’s home. I don’t lock my dogs up… If people don’t like having dogs close to them when visiting me… they can stay away. My house my fur children.
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No! I wouldn’t put my dog up. They knew you had a dog before they came I’m sure
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