Guests visiting a home with new dog?

[cycleman77]

My girlfriend and I have plans to go adopt a dog next Friday. My parents called some time after the plans were made, they will be in the area and asked if they could crash at my place that same weekend; I said yes.

My girlfriend does not live with me. We do already have a dog; 5 months. She is very upset that I told my parents yes and that we shouldn't have house guests that weekend so the dog can get used to his new home.

I've read some guides online about bringing a new dog into the home and most sources do tend to suggest minimizing excitement. They go on to say the dog should be mostly calm to get them acclimated to the new area.

Maybe I've just looking for an excuse to tell her she is over reacting, but does anyone have any personal experience with this? Is my girlfriend right? Should I not let my parents stay over for the weekend?

-Thanks

 

[EagleKeeper]

As long as the visitors do not make a fuss over the dog; there should be no more of an issue that when the dog is first introduced to the new home

 

[Markbnj]

How old is the new dog? Anyway, I'm pretty sure I would not turn my parents away because of a newly-adopted dog, unless there were some known issues (as happens sometimes with rescues). You can take steps to minimize the contact and excitement level, I guess depending somewhat on how large your place is.

 

[cycleman77]

The new dog is 8 months. The foster home indicated the dog was in foster care due to neglect. No physical abuse.

 

[mnewsham]

It's already a new environment adding 2 more ppl will just be a tiny amount of additional stress, I see no reason for the freak out besides that you didn't ask her first.

 

[cycleman77]

mnewsham, good point. I didn't ask her; didn't even think about it.

 

[mnewsham]

I'm thinking that's probably your main source of conflict here, the dog is possibly just her justification. Or she could just be thinking the dog really is that sensitive (it isn't).

 

[cycleman77]

Time to start working on my apology and come up with a strategy to accommodate both parties. Fun fun...

 

[Markbnj]

It's already a new environment adding 2 more ppl will just be a tiny amount of additional stress, I see no reason for the freak out besides that you didn't ask her first.

Ha, you're probably right, but OP did say she doesn't live with him, so if she is getting all pissy about not being asked whether his parents can visit his house while his new dog is there... might want to reevaluate the relationship.

 

[PieIsAwesome]

She is getting upset that you decided to allow your parents to stay at YOUR house (that she does not even live in) without asking her? Okay.

The dog will be fine.

 

[cycleman77]

To mnewsham's point, the underlying cause may be that we had plans and I'm changing them without talking to her about it. Not necessarily the "my house, my parents, my dog" bit.

 

[cycleman77]

Not that I'm trying to make excuses. I just don't want to assume anything; we all know what can happen if someone does that.

 

[mnewsham]

Bingo

 

[PieIsAwesome]

So you made plans with her, you disregarded them or didn't follow them very well, and she might have taken it personally. This is normal female behavior. You will have to apologize or something.

 

[MrDudeMan]

I'm glad my relationship has moved past this type of problem. This wouldn't even be discussed anymore.

 

[Puppies04]

So your GF doesn't live with you which means it is your house. Tell her to take a reality check.

Either that or get a new GF, trust me if she is making a big issue about shit like this before you even live together things are going to go south pretty quick once she gets her feet in the door.

 

[Nintendesert]

Time to get a new GF.

 

[unokitty]

To mnewsham's point, the underlying cause may be that we had plans and I'm changing them without talking to her about it. Not necessarily the "my house, my parents, my dog" bit.

While I have only worked professionally with dogs for 15 months and 28 days, my experience was that dogs are considerably more flexible than girlfriends.

Given your situation, I wouldn't be worried about the dog...

Best of luck,
Uno
Sentry Dog Handler
US Army, '69 -'71

 

[cycleman77]

Think I'm going to need that luck. We've been together two and a half years. Didn't see this coming...

Anyways, thanks all. Appreciate the input.