Do you guys lock your dog up when people come over for dinner?

[sparky]

Nope. Mocha is the official greeter at our house. We are still working on the level of excitement he shows when company arrives. He has been VERY good about not jumping on people. When dinner starts we give him a rawhide to occupy him. He does not beg for food but he is a convicted napkin thief. We warn people to watch the napkins in their laps. Again, we're working on this.
The last cookout we had there were 2 ladies who were not dog lovers. They ignored Mocha and for the most part he ignored them. 1 lady was a dog lover and Mocha picked up on that fast!

[EmmyGirl]

I would with a big party too.

[ZoeysMommy]

We let Kimber mingle with people but when it was time to sit down to eat, we would crate her when she was younger. She'd try to beg at the table- never with us, but strangers were fair game. No no. Now she's more mature and will challax in the corner with a kong, so it's all good.

When we have big parties, I do crate her. I don't want to keep track of her and I'm scared to death she might sneak outside and go near the road, or- less scary and probably more likely- grab an entire cake off the table. As the party winds down, we let her out to greet people. There's a hardcore handful of Kimber fans who will hang out specifically for the "releasing of the hound."

Same here, if its a larger party I do crate the dogs most of the time for there own safety. If its just a family dinner, no I do not crate them

[ZEKESMAN]

It depends on who is coming over. But it is my house and the dogs house. If they don't like it they don't have to be there.

[Labradorks]

It depends. If I am having a friend or two or three over for a casual get together, I don't bother. If we are outside or in and out in the summer, it's fine. However, for Thanksgiving, which I host, I do put them up for several reasons. One is that I have 5-8 people over and my house is 750 sf. So, take away the hallway, two bedrooms, bathroom and the utility room, that is a small space for a half dozen adults and two 100 lb Labs. The dogs' tails knock over drinks and they are in the way in the kitchen.

So, for larger dinner parties like this, I will get up around 5AM and head out for about two hours or so for off-leash running and swimming, regardless of weather. Then, I put them in my bedroom with a special treat where the hang out for a few hours. Once everything is cleaned up and people are relaxing, I might let them out. This works out fine and everyone is happy. Especially me since I don't need to stress out about cooking plus guests plus the dogs being in the way or bugging people.

[EmmyGirl]

They're adorable! !


QUOTE=smartrock;98002]Mine are not "locked up" for family. They might be confined with non-family, depends upon the age and dog liking-ness of the guests. I generally have them confined when guests (non-family) arrive. Once everyone settles in and the dogs are calmed down from the initial excitement, if the guests are good with it, they can come out. Yes, it's my dogs' house, but it's also primarily my house so if I've invited guests who aren't comfortable round the dogs, the dogs can chill in a bedroom or somewhere. They're certainly not neglected in their daily existences so a few hours by themselves won't hurt them.[/QUOTE]

[Meeps83]

It depends on the situation. Our house is open, but not huge. Last year for Christmas when Maverick was 8 months we had a lot of young kids, elderly, and expectant mothers. He got to greet everyone, but had to go in his kennel afterwards because I needed to make sure everyone was safe. Regular visitors he stays out with. A lot of people comment on the drool or his friendliness and I've actually told a few people that this was his house and if they didn't like it they could leave.

[Macy]

I find that Macy will greet people with her normal labby zest and then go on her blanket with a marrow bone or her Wobbler. For awhile I tried to keep her away(why?) and that created anxiety for Macy and myself. Love me. Love my dog.

[ckfalz]

Nope. Mine are not locked up. If people don't like it, people can leave. The dogs are not allowed to leave, they live here. If they misbehave, I deal with it.

[Piper'sMom]

Piper is out when people are over and after the initial excitement she settles in fine. I do warn people not to leave food unattended, drinks she doesn't bother. I am a little worried about Christmas Eve because my in-laws will try to bring their miniature poodle. She is about 7 and doesn't like to play with other dogs. Which doesn't work with Piper who LOVES to play but really prefers bigger dogs (labs,boxers,mastiffs,rottweilers). The smaller dogs seem to be yappier and she doesn't like that.

Last year was kind of rough, I took her for a long walk in the middle of the evening just to get her away from their dog. My husband has said they aren't allowed to bring her this year because it's Piper's house and it's not fair to bring an annoying little dog to her house. He says we wouldn't take Piper to their house so they shouldn't bring theirs to ours. I am not touching this with a ten foot pole but it still gives me a stomach ache 'cause I know it isn't gonna go over well.

Tina