<p>I have numerous friends with dogs (because most of my friends also compete in dog sports). Some of the time some of the dogs are welcome and I try to be very specific about which dogs when.</p>
<p>Anyone who doesn’t get that dogs aren’t always welcome… well, that’s their problem.</p>
<p>Years ago, when I had a dog that was extremely nasty to other dogs, a friend brought her 4-pound purse dog into the house, and didn’t tell me. It wasn’t until my dog tore a hole in the side of her purse that I found out. I haven’t seen her since, although we were able to stop my (60-pound) dog in time.</p>
<p>Editing to add that my dogs always stay in the car until I’m quite sure they’re welcome inside; even then, I might bring only one in at a time so that I can supervise properly.</p>
<p>Are you saying she was mad at you that your dog tried to get at hers when she didn’t even have the courtesy to ask you or even tell you that she was bringing it?! If so, the fact that you are no longer friends is probably no great loss.</p>
<p>It seems every time someone brings their dog to our house, the dog feels a need to “mark”.</p>
<p>D just asked if her friend could come over and help hand out candy on Halloween because we get so many trick-or-treaters. I told her it would be fine. Then she added, “She wants to bring her new puppy, too.” That got an immediate "No!’ from me. It’s bad enough that my own dog has to bark at every kid who comes to the door.</p>
<p>I don’t welcome dogs into my house and I don’t bring my dog to others’ homes. My dog is very small and friendly and is consequently invited to others’ homes a lot. I used to oblige, but lately she’s been having accidents when excited (she’s old now). The two times it happened, our hosts were extremely gracious but I was mortified. So, never again.</p>
<p>My answer is that my cat is not accustomed to dogs, and is likely to freak out. Since it is her home, I would prefer not to traumatize her in that way. Although I grew up with a dog, I have to say that I consider it very odd that people want to bring their dogs with them when they are invited for a meal.</p>
<p>Friends’ dogs have bitten my kid and their dogs have ripped apart our screen porch and had a distressing fight /tussle in our living room. I love dogs, but no thanks.</p>
<p>OP, it’s your house and you have every right to decide that dogs aren’t included when their owners come to visit. If you suspect that the owners might just assume their dogs are invited, you owe it to yourself to be upfront and clearly state that the dogs are not invited.
You must be concerned, since you mention the issue of scratching at the door twice. Are you worried that the dog will damage your door, or bark and annoy your neighbors? </p>
<p>I like dogs but never had one because kids were enough of a responsibility. My d and her husband will bring their two dogs when they visit us for the holidays. It’s a trade-off - we’d rather have my d here for several days than just a day or two, which is as long as she’d be willing to keep the dogs in a kennel. They’re kind of hyper but sweet and fun. The requirement is that they be well-supervised, and they will be. I wouldn’t necessarily put out the welcome mat for every houseguest with two dogs, but I’ll do it for a daughter. :)</p>
<p>I would let my son bring an elephant home! I was thinking about other house guests, not children! In fact, I let other house guests bring pets too, just sometimes find it stressful. Only my son could show up with an elephant.</p>
<p>OK, thank you all. I had a frank conversation with my spouse, and it was pretty easy. I don’t mind other folks pets visiting (outside), when we both have comfort that the owners will be responsible pet owners and ensure their pets don’t cause harm. Since the particular owners are not these kind of responsible people, and because they have an issue with my pet rules, they can leave their pet home.</p>
<p>If it means they don’t visit, it’s their loss and not mine.</p>
<p>Out of town guests dogs are always welcome. i have three so what’s a few more. I don’t know anyone who would bring their dog with them if they were just coming over for dinner, etc.</p>
<p>Many years ago, we had a very un-favorite relative invite herself to visit us and she brought her small dog with her–without telling us that she even owned a dog! At first we were outraged when she showed up, but it turned out that her dog was wonderful and MUCH more pleasant to be with than the relative. It made the relative’s unwelcome visit somewhat palatable. Since then we have both grown backbones, but we still laugh about the dog being so much more pleasant and companionable than her owner was.</p>
<p>Four legged house guests are always welcome to my house as long as they are well behaved and I’m not allergic to them. </p>
<p>Some breeds are active outdoors but mellow couch ( or dog bed) potatoes in the house. I haven’t had any that were diggers - some breeds are more known for this than others.</p>
<p>For my part, I never assumed my dog could stay anywhere he wasn’t invited. Friends or family can have any number of reasons not to include a dog in their invitation and don’t need to justify the decision.</p>
<p>I just remembered that we did have my best friend and her little dog live with us for a school year. There were a few stresses, but mostly it was fine. Of course, we had invited her to live with us knowing she had a dog. Having my dear friend with us for a year…priceless!</p>