Should a family pet be locked in another room if a visitor doesn't like them?

Unless this child has special needs or a reason other than they are scared of it then leave the dog alone.

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The child may have had a scary situation with a dog before. But, that child should not visit there for your dog and the child’s best interests. I was terrified of dogs but now I love them :heart:

I always put my dog in another room if my visitor has a fear. Fears don’t often seem real to one who doesn’t have them. But they are real to others.

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A child that is afraid of a dog is a child bound to get hurt by one. The mom should teach her child the proper way to approach a dog after asking for permission and the proper way to treat one.

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I could understand if the dog was being hyper and jumping all over the child to maybe put them up, but if the dog is doing absolutely nothing and the child is being dramatic then she can get over herself or leave

June! Putting the dog in an another room is good for the dog - not to have to listen to the screech of the terrified child! Being terrified of dogs or cats can last and scar a child. The dog doesn’t really care!

I would put the child’s needs first. If she is visiting some where. Because animals can sense fear too. That’s just me as a mom. If the person doesn’t want to put the dog away let the mom know. My moms dog is her baby and we all know it. But if she needs to be in another room my mom will do it. Her dog jumps on everyone and is friendly but it could scare a child.

Children who are frightened of dogs should not be around them. It terrifies the child & the dog. Do what has to be done to prevent the reign of fear.

Put the dog away for his own comfort and safety. Give him a comfy bed, toys, extra treats, praise and love, so it doesn’t seem like punishment.
Bree could frighten or annoy him, with her outbursts and cause a tragic biting incident. Better to err on the side of caution.

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Perhaps another location for play dates. Bree’s parents need to help her build tolerance. She is going to encounter animals everywhere.

We have pets, one of our friends is allergic to cats. If they come for dinner etc we put the cats in another room. And if a kid was terrified of our Rottie id do my beat to keep her out of sight. If it was my kid i wouldnt demand the animal be put away, id ask nicely if the say no to bad. I just wouldnt go there and would explain why. Having a phobia or being petrified of something is serious and its not hard to be nice.

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It’s the dogs house. If the child is that freaked out then maybe only visit that friend at their own house instead of them coming to the house where they know the dog lives. :woman_shrugging:

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my youngest son loved dogs~we have always had one~but a friends little dog bit him and it scared him for a long long time~the little girl is probably scared of all dogs because either something happened to her or she saw it happen to someone else~~be kind and put the dog in another room while she is visiting~it won’t harm the dog~

A fear is real and can’t be erased easily… sad situation,
But real sometimes … dog could sleep in another room for this event…

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You should probably put dog in another room if the child is that afraid of her. May not be a good idea to have her in your home if she is that afraid of the dog. Maybe arrange a play date at a park. There has to be a reason she is that afraid. Thats really sad. Most kids love dogs. If she is that afraid she probably wont want to come there anyeay.

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Sally. June must have known that Bree is terrified of dogs, and should have asked Sally if she has a dog. When Sally said yes, June could have either discussed the issue with Sally beforehand and worked something out, or declined the play date.

I would put my dog in the bedroom. Espically if he’s just going to sleep. I do it now when young and old come over because my dogs are huge and they knock people over. Why take a chance.

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If the dog is vicious or has growled or tried to bite then definitely lock it in the other room, otherwise slow introductions are necessary. It’s sad to see kids that haven’t ever been around animals and are scared to death of them.

Since the child is 4 years old I would absolutely put the dog in another room.

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I think the most important issue is why is the child afraid of the dog. Is it just a dog or all animals? The mother should address this issue to find out the reason. Next is did the mother know that that there was a dog at the home. Since they are friends she should have known. If so she should have addressed this before agreeing to the play date.

Missed opportunity to teach the child about dogs. Neither acted appropriately. Mother for not putting her daughter in the other ladies arms and going to get the dog out of the other room and loving on her. So the child could see the dog is fuzzy and fluffy. However when you invite someone to your home it’s only proper manners to make them feel comfortable. I have 3 dogs I will put them up if they are not behaving. Sometimes dogs just don’t like somebody.

If it was me I would put my dog in another room while they visit and let your puppy back in after they leave. I wouldn’t take a chance on the child interacting with the dog and getting bit. It is better to hurt your dog’s feelings than having a lawsuit against you for a child getting bit. When an adult knows or should have known the child might be endangered it is their responsibility to protect the child even if the dog is in his own house. Everybody is doing lawsuits now a days and they don’t care if you are family or friend and not to mention a child gets hurt!

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The age of the person having the issues with the dog needs to be considered. And actions taken to show the person the dog is safe.

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It is that animals house too. Now if the dog is aggressive or if the child is bothering the animal, then finding a safe place for it would be a kindness to the dog and guest. The adults, especially the mother, should have at least attempted calming the girls fears

Find new friends or go play somewhere else, sorry the dog doesn’t get locked up!

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Its the dogs home and if the dog isn’t being a problem it should be allowed to stay out

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They are visitors that’s your dogs home. Tell them if they’re not comfortable they can feel free to leave.

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I love my dogs, but they will be put into another room if they frighten a child. An adult, different story, unless they were horribly traumatized at one point. My granddaughters other gma it’s terrified of my Pomeranians, yet she has a pitbull, She can suck it up.

Honestly I had a child that was about that age too and he was scared of dogs until we actually got a dog and we got started with a puppy and exposed him very young. Now he absolutely loves dogs. He would actually hear dog from a distance when he was outside and come running. His heart racing! Exposure is key especially with friendly dogs. I’m sure the child’s fear is real. For whatever reason.

my son scared of animals and cries freaks out especially if they come near him so if its a old dog who sleeps most time but if he was to scared n they didnt offer to put the dog i would leave

The dog is in its home, therefore, it’s the visitors that should make the adjustments while there or they should not come over. PERIOD.

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It’s the pets house not the visitors I don’t put my dogs away

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If it’s just a playdate or otherwise short periods of time over a longer visit, I think it is the owners responsibility to sequester the dog. The child is not going to acclimate, so why fight it?

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The homeowner (pet owner) had invited guests over and it would be a minor thing to put the pet in a room with his (her) pet bed to take a bit of a nap-just common consideration for others! As the guest, if my child ‘freaked out’, we would apologize and leave (out of common consideration for others, as well!)

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This is the dogs home, and unless he is grossly misbehaving, he shouldn’t be required to be locked up. The mother of the child should have asked ahead if there were animals in the house if her daughter is that terrified. My guess is that the mom doesn’t trust dogs and taught the child that. The play date should have either happened elsewhere, or not at all.

Sally. Maybe a good time to teach and show the child that the dog will not hurt her

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This is a young child and a guest. She is terrified! The dog could easily be comfortable snoozing unharmed in a quiet room during a limited visit. The young child’s terror is not yours to judge or diagnose. Key question: What are you trying to accomplish, a pleasant playdate that does not harm the.dog or child, or deny the children the visit? .

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It’s the dog’s forever home. June and child are just visiting… that is what Child sitters are for. Enough said

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I personally, would put my dog away. That is just good manners. If the child came over frequently, say multiple times a week, then I would try to either introduce them or curtail the visits. What happened to being a good host?

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Put the dog in another room whats the problem they won’t be stayed forever. This child is terrified of dogs omg have a heart stop being so selfish

Yes, I agree that it’s the dogs home but fear is fear. You can’t look at a kid and say “get over it or get out”
There’s no reason why a dog can’t be put in another section of the house where both child and dog feel comfortable.

My dog doesn’t like kids except for my own. She’s aggressive and I’m affraid she will bite.
Should I tell her to get over her dislike of kids because it’s her house?! No! I have friends with kids, my son has friends, I have family with kids. When they are over, for my dogs own comfort and the safety of everyone, she goes into the sectioned off area in the livingroom with a big window to look out, a comfy bed, water and food.

yes you don’t know why that kid is scared. Put them away and kid gets use to your house then introduce dog. This seems to work at my house then kid falls in love with dog

I am very sympathetic to other people’s fears and have locked my dogs up when they visit. I have met people who were afraid to visit with anyone with a dog because invariably they let the dog loose…”he won’t hurt anyone.” I love my pets, but people’s fears take precedence.

With the child screaming and crying it could upset the dog and cause the dog to go in defense mode then the dog is going to labeled as a mean dog who attacks. When in truth the dog is scared from all the screaming and crying. I would not punish the dog for their visit time :woman_shrugging:. Just pick a park or their house for visits, play dates whatever. They know coming in you have a dog and it’s your home. In all honesty it is upsetting the dog the screaming and crying and being punished by being locked up in another room. Not fair to the dog and the parent is being selfish by putting the child thru this knowing the fear the child has. Visits should be a different location.

I had a child that had been nipped by an old small dog once so from then on she was afraid of dog’s. But one day I forced her to have to go past a certain dog I had walked her past so many times before and from that day on she will all good with dog’s

My house is my dog/four leg child home. If anyone, family or not comes into my home there is no way I’m gonna lock my fur baby away. I’m sorry, but if anyone comes into my home and feels they can’t be around my dog, the door is wide open!

No dog should not be locked away in another room. It’s his house if visitors don’t like him they should stay home. Perhaps you should calmly introduce the child to the dog and maybe she will learn to like dogs

That baby is FOUR YEARS OLD!!! An adult couldn’t be empathetic to her tiny little fears for ONE play date?? Wow! I wouldn’t let my child come for anymore play dates.

Its the dogs house. If you knew they had a dog and you don’t like them you shouldn’t have went there. They wouldn’t lock up their kids if you didn’t like them. Same thing

My older dog has pain issues and I keep him away from kids for his sake. I think it’s a personal choice

So someone is expecting a crying 4 yr old to be “more tolerant” of the dog? I’ll never understand that thought process. The dog will just sleep as usual on it’s bedding in another room but the suggestion of planning future visits away from home is the most logical. The little one will most likely grow out of her fears, just allow her time.

Simple answer, 4 year old kid was scared, put the sleepy dog who probably doesn’t care in the other room for a bit and don’t have the child over again if it bothers you that much. Not everyone is familiar with pets and parents will need to work on that if they expect their child to be invited again

I think there is a valuable lesson to be taught here. Discipline the spoiled child to learn it’s not always about her. I would not lock my dog away in her house for anyone unless I could see she was becoming agitated by guests.

I would just put my dog in another room while they were here. An give him a bone :slight_smile: if it’s just for a few hours no harm is done.

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My home is my dog’s home too and everyone knows this. He is a super friendly and typical Labrador Retriever always looking for someone to love on him or play fetch so if people don’t want to deal with him in his home, they aren’t forced to come over.

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If a child is afraid of dogs, I wouldn’t hesitate to put my dog in another room to calm that child’s fear. I had a friend that would constantly tell my that her Doberman was “sooo friendly”. It made me a nervous wreck the way that dog would stare at me and make a low growling noise if I moved. She wouldn’t put that dog in another room. I never went there again. What’s the point in visiting and being uncomfortable the entire time?

I put my dog in bedroom when my great grand daughter comes,My dog is not kid friendly, so why take a chance

I’m assuming the child has some kind of traumatic experience with a dog. If it’s not harmful to the animal, and you said he sleeps most of the time so it shouldn’t be, I would say yes. If it’s an adult who is just being mean I would say go out to meet instead of punishing the dog for something it didn’t do.

Sounds like Bree had a bad experience with another dog. I don’t think I would “put my dog away” but I would hold him and let him get used to having a child in the home. My dog is very friendly but does jump - may be scary to a young child. My neighbors have small children. They really like seeing him but there is a fence between them. Even so, Bree may benefit from the owner holding the dog so that Bree can see that the dog will not hurt her. If not, suggest another meeting place for a playdate. At 14 years old you would think the dog is mellow - sleeping most of the time, but you never know. Better to be cautious.

I am older and I am scared of dogs, I do not go to anyone’s home if I know there is a dog there. They can say o he won’t hurt you but that does not help me as I don’t trust the dog.

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They are at Sally’s house, so her rules.

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I was mauled by a dog as a child. I have had dogs forever. I still think it is polite to put the dog in another room for the child and the dog. Putting your pet in a bedroom is not a punishment. It ensures he is safe from kids who might not know how to treat animals. I am sure the dog was disturbed by the screaming kid. Then your guest is comfortable too. If this is a continuous problem, it is reasonable to ask the friend to keep visits short or you could go their house until the child learns to deal with dogs.

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It’s the pets home. No one should lock their pet in a room for company. I have a 6 year old pitbull. She has never been put away because of company. It is our home if you don’t like it don’t come visit. Easy as that.

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I think for the sanity and safety of both the child and the dog, if it’s only for about an hour maybe take the dog out for a nice walk/day out or rest in the room (since it’s sleeping anyway). The child screaming in fear can stress the dog out :frowning: but the child cannot help being afraid either.

Some people we bought a van from locked their dog in bedroom while we where there their son came home from school didn’t know they had him in there for a reason he open the door and before anyone could do anything the dog ran out and jumped up on me and tore my lip open

Yes. If the family pet can be sheltered comfortably whilst guests are there…absolutely.

In my opinion, the 14 yo dog will not mind being away from an active toddler. :v:

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I’d put dog away FIRST time , if the child is inconsolable , even though dog proves to be harmless, and realize this play date has to be held elsewhere . That way it’s enjoyable for all.

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If the dog had been reacting to the fear and was barking or growling then yes out the dog up. If the dog was just chilling then no that’s the dogs home. Phobias are real and the little girl has a right to feel her own feelings. As a parent if the host did not want to out their animals up I would suggest get together a either at the park or my house and explain child is terrified of dogs but I understand that is doggos home so we can meet outside his territory…

I would not lock up my dogs. Can go to her house for play date.

My house my child my dog. If the friend is afraid of the dog or allergic playdate can be made to meet some place else. My sister has a fear of dogs not sure why. She just stays away from my dog when visiting. I’m allergic to cats when visiting my brother or friends with cats at their house I don’t expect them to put them in another room after all it’s their home too.

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I would put my pup in his crate, it’s his safe space, save him the bother of dealing with a child that is not educated about animals. Let’s the visit go on without delay.

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I would take my dogs out of the situation. Why traumatize them when they can be chilling somewhere else.

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Maybe not for the child’s safety but for their dogs safety.
Sure it’s his house but he might have been comfortable in another place to sleep.

Your dog seems well behaved however there are pet parents who don’t train their pups not to take grab jump scratch and eat food from straight off your plate or hand - I will take this dog outside or kennel it… I understand it’s the dogs home but seriously no one likes to be attacked licked peed on etc constantly

Depends on the pet. My MIL had a dog that would bite the kids. When we adopted my daughter she was terrified of dogs. I didn’t want her to get bit because I wanted her to not be afraid of them. He had to go in the bedroom when she wasn’t around just to keep him being nice.

I have to vote for the dog. The child needs to know about animals and how to treat them.

If it was just the mother was nervous I would say leave the dog out, but the little girl doesn’t deserve to be terrified

I think Bree needs to see a therapist to help her get over her fear of dogs. Until then she should stay out of houses that have dogs

She knew the dog was there stay at home the old so dog is in his own home he lives there why punish him tell her to go home she has the problem not poor dog

We had a similar situation. Long story short, we put the dog in our bedroom with his toys, food, bed, blankets, water and everyone was happy. If i go visit somewhere and my child is afraid of a pet I’d ask politely if we could put the pet in a different room and if that isn’t possible i would leave. Can’t expect another person to chop and change their lives for me but would also not keep my child in a situation that’s frightening to them. :purple_heart: Don’t see this is a reason to fight.

I lt seems like everyone is overlooking that this is a four year old child who is frightened. It does not say she doesn’t like dogs. She is scared. You all act like you have absolutely no fears. Many of you are scared of something!!! But since your fear is not for a dog you do not seem to understand a child’s fear for one!!! Crazy

I value my dog over most humans… So rest assured my house, my dog, my way.

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Absolutely not the dog has more right to be there than the visitor, if you goto someone’s house and don’t like their other half do they then get locked in a separate room until you leave?? Xxx

No she needs to be educated and introduced taught not to pull fur and body parts and not to restrain any animal so many kids and animals wouldn’t get hurt if parents taught kids the rules around animals instead of filming the cute video

I would of put the dog in my bedroom. The child’s only going to be alittle while. Dog proubly be happy in a quieter room. Then being in area where kids are playing.

The child is afraid for a reason. Maybe something happened before with another dog that made her so scared. But the dog is 14 I would not lock him up. Maybe have the playdate somewhere else. It’s not the dogs fault shes afraid. Maybe the mom needs to look into why she is so afraid of dogs before she takes her to your house again

I had the opposite problem. I was going to attend a ladies church activity at someone’s house. I was told I couldn’t bring my nursing newborn because her cat was afraid of children and would throw up if she even looked at her in her cars eat. I didn’t understand why the cat couldn’t be placed in the bedroom for a short time while I was there. If the cat was that nervous, it seems she wouldn’t like a whole lot of ladies hanging out either. Anyway, I had to just stay home.

My dog is very friendly, to friendly. We’ve done lots of pro training but she rarely sees new people so she tends to jump up on people. Not aggressively or hard and she’s not a big dog but not everyone likes it. We out of respect for other people we put her outside if it’s nice or put her in her kennel until she’s calmed down. My niece is terrified of dogs, it isn’t tramatic for my dog to go out or in her kennel but it is traumatizing to my niece. Yes they are working on it and even got a small dog but to have a 30lb over excited dog jump on her is scary.

My granddaughter would come in the house and start screaming. Now I have to admit the dog would jump on her, he wanted to play. We would hold both of them and talk to her until the dog calmed down. She is 4 (granddaughter). Now she comes in and everything is fine. They are not the best of friends but the screaming has stopped and they tolerate each other.

The child was very frightened of the dog, which I understand. The owner should have put the dog in another room.

Yes it’s called consideration for guests… The child could be autistic or on the spectrum in other ways, others have allergies to pet hair… I wouldn’t take offence over it, I’m guessing the visitor is a one off so it’s not going to hurt the pet is it.

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Get a grip. If a child is afraid of a dog they need to learn how to be around a dog. If not they will grow and be an adult screening because of the dog. Use it as a teaching time and show the child how to act with the dog. The family needs to get a dog and have it in the home

Why subject the child or the dog to the stress of the situation? Who wants to hear a child cry? The dog is old and sleeps a lot. Let it go in another room. I would call that a win-win for everyone.

I am an adult and do not like certain dogs,as a child I was always terrified of dogs,if I went to visit someone with a dog and they would not put it in another room while I was there,then I would not visit them again.It doesn’t hurt a dog to be put away for a little while,it’s better than losing a friend

I have 2 dogs and I love them dearly but I would never let a child be distressed and afraid while visiting my home. I would put my dog in another room while the child was visiting.

I once visited a family friend with 4 dogs, one of which was the biggest one, a GSD mix and a fat one at that, and she was young and always used to bark loudly and jump on me. I wouldn’t go inside unless she was separated and contained in a different room, this was when I was 10 and I was 13 when I finally felt comfortable enough to just be around her. Not that her behavior changed or anything.

This case is completely different. A dog’s home is their home before a visitor’s, and there is no reason to confine them if they are well-behaved and aren’t terrorizing guests. Children can be traumatized from bad experiences, but it is the parents’ job to find therapy for those situations and help apply techniques when the child gets anxious/triggered.

The mother needs to talk and convince the child that it’s safe. The dog should not be punished.

Sally is right. June should have asked before bringing a terrified child whether Sally would be willing to put the dog in another room.

I got a dog and cat their my family,you come to my house your the visitor my pets are home in their house,you don’t like animals or scared of them! sorry you can’t drop by more often! But they won’t be out in another room!

I have a 20 year old cat and had a child come who was frightened of all animals. We went to another room and left the cat in peace. After another visit the child actually came to enjoy the cat’s company. That is when the cat went to another room for peace.