How would you deal with this?

[LaraK]

Yesterday I went over to the house of a woman I'm working on a project with. I took my daughter as the girls are in school together. This woman has animals, so I could not take my son who is terribly allergic and has an asthma reaction if he's near animals.

Anyway, I get there and sit down at her table. Her dog is outside the slider. I don't like dogs. I'm a little afraid of them, my brother was attacked while I was pushing him in a stroller and I have emotional scars. So she lets the dog in.

This is a BIG dog...looked like a Pit/Dalmation mix or something. The dog was very "friendly" and proceded to jump on me and lick me for the next hour. I was in H-E-double hockey sticks. My stomach was clenched the whole time. I tried to push the dog off me, but it just kept coming back. I was afraid of being too agressive because I was worried it would bite me.

The owner was there the whole time watching this nonsense and did nothing.

I will never, ever go back to that house. Thankfully my daughter was in the basement and the dog didn't go near her.

I didn't know what else to do, I considered leaving earlier, but took it as long as I could and then said I had to go. I then went home and showered to get the dog spit off of me.

YUCK!!!!!

 

[damo]

Did you tell her how you felt?

 

[The Mystery Machine]

Well, too late now, but I would ask the host to get her dog off of me. I would explain that you are afraid of dogs and to please remove him.

 

[Magic Mom]

Next time (if there is a next time) just tell her "Look, Your dog is very sweet, but I am terrified of dogs because I was attacked by one when I was little. I'm even afraid of very friendly dogs like yours. Do you mind if he stays outside or in the other room while I'm here?"

 

[barkley]

i would have told her "i don't mean to offend, but i'm not realy comfortable around dogs and because of ds's allergies/asthma i realy can't be around them because i might bring their hair into our home/car-so could you please have the dog stay outside'. if i had to work on another project with her i'de suggest it be at my home or a neutral place.

 

[Mickey Fliers]

Sorry, Lara, that stinks! We have a big oaf of a dog that wouldn't hurt a fly, but I would never let him do that to a guest (or stranger for that matter). I guess if I were you, I would have asked the owner to get the dog away from me.

 

[MushyMushy]

I would have just been honest. I used to feel the same way about cats (I was scratched to ribbons by a big tomcat when I was a child). Mostly cats just stay away, but there was the occasional friend's cat who was extremely friendly and wanted to be in my face. I just explained to them that I was afraid and could they please keep the cat off me.

Nobody was ever offended. I didn't insult the cat or act like it was dirty or anything, but I was just honest that I was afraid of them.

 

[mjkacmom]

Just tell her that your ds is very allergic, and you don't want to come home with dog hair on you. I love big dogs, so it wouldn't have bothered me.

 

[roliepolieoliefan]

Seriously, how would the dog owner know if you didn't say something to her?

A simple I'm afraid of dogs and I don't mean to be rude but could you please put the pup in another room. I have two big hairy oafs too and if someone said that to me I would be happy to oblidge.

 

[lovetoscrap]

I have been known to talk to the Dog! When it jumps up on me I will push it down and say something like, "How is it that you dogs seem to always know that I don't like dogs (am afriad of them) and come straight for me?" or " Okay, you have said Hi, now do you have somewhere to go and lie down?" Usually after only a few variations of that combined with me repeated recoiling and pushing the dog away the owner gets the hint.

But I am just not a fan of dogs jumping and licking on me. If I was afraid I would not hesitate to say so to the owner and ask for a change in situation. If they refused then I would be happy to pick up my stuff, get my child and leave.

 

[DrCavin]

I would have told the owner that she needs to control her dog or I will have to leave. If she questions why I would have said that I dont enjoy dog slober.

 

[Feralpeg]

Unfortunately, many dog owners just assume that everyone is going to love their animal in the same way they do. They shouldn't assume that. I have a large dog and am always very careful that he doesn't bother my guests.

As others have said, you should have mentioned your fear to the owner. She probably didn't have a clue that you were uncomfortable and would have put the dog out. Sorry you had to go through an uncomfortable experience.

 

[NMAmy]

Seriously, how would the dog owner know if you didn't say something to her?

It's not that hard to figure it out if your guest doesn't seem to be enjoying the attention. I've owned dogs my entire life and mine are just simply not allowed to behave like that. It's really impolite to let my dog jump on guests or lick them for a myriad of reasons. Now if it had been me in LaraK's place, I'd have petted the dog for a minute and then told him to go lie down but I'm not nervous around dogs. As a host. it's my job to make sure my guests are comfortable so I can understand her confusion that the woman just allowed her dog to behave that way.

LaraK, as others have said, I'd simply tell the woman that you're nervous around dogs. If she doesn't get the hint after that, have her come to your house instead.

 

[Planogirl]

I'm not afraid of dogs and I would have been annoyed to be bothered by this dog in this manner! I would have said something and if that didn't work, I would have left quickly. You certainly didn't come over there to play with her dog!

 

[LaraK]

I did say several times that "I'm not a dog person" and that "I'm afraid I don't do dogs" trying to be subtle....it went over her head.

This lady is a real piece of work anyway. She's also the room mother in my daughter's room and if she gets a grudge against you she talks badly about you all around the neighborhood. I didn't want to come right out and say "Get your damned dog off me".

Every time I pushed the dog away I said, nice doggie, go away.

When the dog was going into the basement I said flat out that my daughter is afraid of dogs (I've tried not to pass on my fear, but I haven't been very successful). She did stop the dog from going downstairs.

I'm a big girl and thought I could handle it, I'm too old to be afraid of dogs, but I am. Sigh, I guess I should have just been more blunt, but I was also trying to be a good guest.

As a host, I would never have allowed an animal to do that to someone.

 

[disykat]

I did say several times that "I'm not a dog person" and that "I'm afraid I don't do dogs" trying to be subtle....it went over her head.

.

I was going to say the same thing as others, that you needed to say something. However, you very clearly did. This gal was sending you a message as well - not in the least bit subtly. Her house, her dog is more important than your feelings - period.

I wouldn't go to her home any more, nor would I let your daughter. Even though she did keep the dog from going downstairs when you were there, I wouldn't trust her to put your daughter's feelings above the dog's. She made her feelings on that issue pretty clear. I know there are a lot of people who have dog friendly homes who simply won't accomodate people who don't do dogs - she is one of them.

 

[KristaTX]

I wouldn't go back, either. The woman sounds very thoughtless. It's one thing if the dog comes over and just sits and looks at you (which is scary enough for people like us who are dog phobic). But if the dog is making physical contact with you and licking?? How can someone be so oblivious as to think other people want to be licked by their dog?? Gross .

I know cat haters will probably disagree, but it's too bad dogs can't be like most cats. My cats only seem to come to people who they can tell are cat-friendly, and even then I make them leave the person alone unless the person is obviously enjoying the interaction. And they hide in a corner or under the bed if they even sense that someone isn't a cat person.

 

[LadyyRedd]

I did say several times that "I'm not a dog person" and that "I'm afraid I don't do dogs" trying to be subtle....it went over her head.

The first time that sublety didn't work, you really should've just been direct and told her to keep the dogs off of you. I'm the same way as you and I do not care much at all for dogs, especially big ones, but I don't expect my host to be a mind reader, I always tell them so that I don't spend the whole time in hell.

Kimya

 

[Mickey&Donald]

This woman sounds incredibly rude. I like dogs, but I am not a fan of them jumping up on me and getting in my face.. and I've never had to deal with such behavior at someone's house! Most people I know will tell their dog to get down, go lie down, etc. and if the dog isn't listening and responding appropriately, they'll put them outside/in another room/crate them.

Pet owners shouldn't wait for their guest to SAY "Oh, can you please tell your 100 lb. dog to stop shredding my pants as he tries to sit on my lap? Thanks!" That just shows a complete lack of consideration and lack of social skills on the part of the pet owner to allow such behavior.

I don't blame you for not wanting to go over there anymore. I certainly wouldn't put up with that, either.

 

[NMAmy]

I know cat haters will probably disagree, but it's too bad dogs can't be like most cats. My cats only seem to come to people who they can tell are cat-friendly, and even then I make them leave the person alone unless the person is obviously enjoying the interaction. And they hide in a corner or under the bed if they even sense that someone isn't a cat person.

I am not a cat hater at all but I am terribly allergic to them. And every cat I've ever met will make a beeline straight for me. Sometimes the owner will exclaim in surprise, "Oh, that's so strange. Fluffy usually hides from everyone but she really took a shine to you!" When DH and I were dating, he had a cat that became my shadow. She was a great cat, though, and I just loaded up on Benadryl before I went over.

Okay, back to your regularly scheduled obnoxious dog thread.