Blow up at grandparents house (sort of x-posted from Toddlers) - Page 3

[lotusdebi]

Originally Posted by NaturalMindedMomma

I also wanted to say that asking a pet owner to lock their dog in a room or kennel while you visit is kind of rude. If the animal is that angry or your child is that scared, have them visit at your home or a neutral area.

I know every person is different, but as a dog owner, I'm happy to lock my dog in the bedroom or put her outside while I have company. While I worry about my dog's happiness in those situations, and would prefer that those people who visit often would become comfortable with my dog (and vice versa), I do understand and respect that the needs of people trump the needs of dogs. My dog is neither vicious nor spoiled, just large and overly friendly.

[Bluegoat]

Originally Posted by NaturalMindedMomma

Dogs are pack animals. They feel the family they live with is a pack. So they either are viscious because they feel they are the leader and must protect their pack, or that the leader is the person they tend to protect. barring not having them as domestic pets, this is bound to happen, unless you have ridiculous amounts of money or time to train them. Meaning, yes, their owners may help play into the instinctual impulses and make them worse, but they have instincts. Especially in homes that only own one dog. It seems to be more prevelent.

I would never again own an animal to domesticate as a pet in my home. They ARE miserable. They are animals and they are not people or family members

As for the OP, I can understand your frustration, I will say you may need to apologize for the rude things you said, however walking out was not wrong. Your step mother is irrational if she thinks it will ever be ok for her dog to bite someone (does she realize there are laws against this?) I would have told her off too. But to smooth things over with dad I might apologize.

I also wanted to say that asking a pet owner to lock their dog in a room or kennel while you visit is kind of rude. If the animal is that angry or your child is that scared, have them visit at your home or a neutral area.

I have three large dogs. I often put them in their outdoor run or down in the basement, both comfortable places, when guests come over who are afraid of dogs, or even until a dog friendly guest gets settled in. If we have a lot of guests I always do, it is just too overwhelming for the dogs. And kids that aren't yet reliable with dogs too. It's not a matter of them being rude, it's just part of being a dog owner - dogs need to be under control, and what that means can be different depending on the dogs and the situation.

[limabean]

Originally Posted by spicyrock

It might be a little rude at a friend's house. But your dad's? I don't think so.

:

The OP's father refuses to visit the OP's home and also refuses to make his own home safe for his grandson to visit. That's what's rude (and very sad) in this situation, IMO.

[KristaDJ]

I'm so sorry. I know how that feels and it stings, badly. It sounds like you've already done more than your part to fix things, leave it up to him now.

[BunnySlippers]

What if you just locked the dog up without asking? or corrected its behaviour. I know your SM would be ticked, but really...its a dog, get over it.

Or maybe you could do short visits without puttin gyour son down? Not ideal, but you seem to feel its very important your son visits his grandad.
Im sorry your family does not see that putting a dog's 'feelings' over a real live person's is whacked.