Doggie Etiquette Advice

Umm ,big one, don't visit people with your dog unless you are invited to bring the dog along.

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I am a dog owner and have also been visited by friends who brought their dog over, unasked. #1 rule: please don't. Although I do love dogs, it's always a risky situation to bring your dog over to another home, especially if that home already has dog(s). If the dogs are already "friends" -- that could be something different altogether. But if they are not, the dog who lives there may not take kindly to a foreign dog entering their home and may act out accordingly. Males also tend to mark and you definitely don't want that happening in someone else's home, either.

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(I'm a non-dog owner) Since it a PUPPY, I think what one can expect from the puppy can't be much cause they are still learning. As well as if the puppy isn't invited, don't bring it. If it is, then the host should be aware of what to look out for.

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I agree with the ones before me that essentially said to rule #1 is to leave the puppy at home. IF someone specifically includes the puppy in the invitation, then by all means, bring the crate for if needed, and keep it on a leash (attached to his belt) the entire time. But otherwise, leave the pup at home. If he is not comfortable leaving the puppy at home for the length of time he plans to be gone, then he needs to adjust HIS plans: shorten the length of his visit so he can return home sooner, consider having a pet sitter or leaving the pup at a kennel. If he doesn't like THOSE options, then decline the invitation.

Dogs are WONDERFUL. But they are a responsibility as well. I think it is great your son got a puppy. Now he needs to step up and be mature in his expectations. In my opinion, it is a TERRIBLE time to bring home a new puppy---lots goes on during the holidays and I'm sure your son will be very busy socially. But, he made the choice to get the pup now, so he is going to have to deal with what that means... which may mean he misses out on some things this holiday season. OR, he may have to deal with the fallout for not missing (messes in the crate at home when he returns).
Really, unless he is a partier and plans to be out for 5-6 hours at a stretch in the evenings, then his pup should be fine at home in his crate.

If you want are willing to have your son bring the pup into your home during the holidays, know up front that there WILL be accidents on your floor. And your other guests (if any) may or may not be thrilled with the puppy being there.

Our dog does not go to other people's houses. Period. She is here if we host something, but everyone knows that. We don't "put her up" behind closed doors or in a crate either. She is well behaved and friendly, but is a dog and knows where she belongs and where she doesn't (the table, on the furniture, jumping on people, etc).

Beyond that: if he has his dog with him while out and about.... NEVER assume that a person is "ok" with the dog sniffing them or being too interested in them or their things, or that they want to pet and be friendly with your dog. Some will. Some won't. Some will be interested to meet the pup, but then are DONE and want their hands washed and not to touch the dog anymore. So don't EVER assume.

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Unfortunately I feel that peoples pets should stay home. We are not ones to tote our animals around with us and I think it is rude to bring a dog into someone elses home. But that is just my opinion and I know alot will disagree.

I am glad to hear you are prepared to set rules! Good for you.

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I agree that if the pup isn't welcome, you may need to stay at home. Lab pups are very reliant on the feedback of the family and should not be left in a kennel (have you all read or watched the Water Dogs book/DVD - if not - do! even if you aren't going to hunt with your lab it teaches excellent lessons on behavior and rearing an obedient, person-friendly pet).
Also, as many have stated, a crate when visiting can be your (and the puppy's) best tool:)

Good luck!

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Tell him to bring the puppy's crate with him so that he can be confined when everyone is eating or if the noise and excitement get to be too much for him.

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my two bits is ...

DOGS DON'T GO VISITING!

My stepdaughter and her BF at the time used to insist on bring their puppy with them when they would come over. They didn't care that it drove my dog bonkers and I always had to lock her up while their puppy ran free and almost always piddled in the house! They would not even ask, they just showed up.

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I don't even assume a dog will be welcome in tow, especially for the holidays as it is stressful for the dog and of course as a puppy every new environment has dangers for that puppy(you planned for a puppy and hopefully puppy proofed). I love dogs have had as many as 4 at a time. The best place for you guys is to make short visits to close family and friends and to tend to the puppies needs at home. A host/hostess may not tell you to your face that they feel like the pup should have stayed in her own bed and home with her own toys and it is best if you don't put them in that position. As many will still grin and bear it. Even if they are dog owners(unless they expressly say, please bring the puppy to play with our dog, or don't leave the pup behind) leave your baby at home in a crate or safe area.

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Well I am the owner of a very well behaved dog. The first thing people need to realize is not everyone loves your dog, or wants him around. ASK before you bring a dog over. If you intend to stay overnight, you should bring a crate with you, or ask if your host has one, or can borrow one. Not all well behaved dogs act nice at someone elses house. I would just tell your son that you love the dog, but will have some rules so everyone can get along. Then tell him like it is. I'm sure he will understand.

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Leave it home most of the time (don't bring it to retail/commercial establishments or to people's houses without permission)

Don't let it run around without a leash (even if it's a really nice, good dog, some kids/adults are afraid of dogs)

Pick up after it immediately if it poops anywhere but owner's yard

Don't throw bag of poop in anybody's trash but owner's

Don't leave dog in hot car

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I think the biggest would be for people who think their dogs are their children. May people don't feel this way. For many dogs are dogs and so the same rules to kids in tow don't apply to dogs in tow. I'd always confirm w/the host before bringing my puppy to a gathering. Many people would not want the dog to come along.

Train the dog as soon as possible. Not only potty training but w/a lab they get to be big. They are GREAT dogs and so smart. Teach the dog to do simple commands such as sit, stay, lay down. My parents have a stupid untrained yellow lab and I get SO tired of her being underfoot and in the way etc. Love her, but wish she was better trained. The last lab was very well trained (b/c they had it when we kids all lived there) and she was great b/c she was a wonderful dog and minded as well

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I pretty much have an open door policy to visiting animals. If they pee, they can go outside or be kenneled. I prefer dogs that are kenneled trained, if they aren't good chances they are not going to be trained in other area's. if you dog is upsetting mine or miss behaving, leash it to your body, but really I usually will do that myself.

And I always give "how to be your dogs best friend" by the monks of New Skeet for reading when someone gets a new dog. That way they are prepared when I step to train them both.

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If you've already agreed to have him over w/the puppy then the decision has been made for yourself. If you're not sure about the pup being in the home, maybe setting up a kennel or someplace outside if it's feasible to house the puppy while your son visits if you don't want the pup underfoot or in the home. If you plan on going to visit others while he visits you w/him & pup included, the best thing you can do (from a non-dog owner that has a cat & honestly just doesn't like dogs) is to ask first..."Hi...we'd like to visit for the holidays, we'd like to bring our new puppy along w/us, would that be okay??" By first asking, you're not automatically assuming that your friends/relatives that you're visiting likes dogs/puppies nor are you automatically assuming it'd be okay. Some may have allergies to animal dander too or maybe just doesn't like dogs (like me) or some that just don't wanna have a pup or dog underfoot that they may not be used to. It's entirely up to the hosts to say yes or no to you bringing the pup & giving them the curtesy to 'say' yes or no shows them that you respect them & their home. If they say "no, we'd rather you leave the pup at home" then I'd suggest being prepared in advance to house the puppy in a kennel, either at home (a portable kennel in the yard for example) or at an actual kennel that will keep the pup while you're away for the couple hours you may be away from the house. Hope this helps or answers your question, good luck!

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We have an 11 month old Labradoodle and we did not take him anywhere to visit until he was potty trained. Then it was just to in-laws house because they invited him. We also take him with us to my dad's house when we visit him because he's a big dog lover and his dog died last year and he loves having a do visit. He also watches our dog when we're on vacation.

So I would say make sure the people visiting are okay with the dog tagging along. Also make sure it's potty trained when you visit and be ready to clean up any messes. Bring a bowl for water and/or food. Bring treats for rewards.

Always leash your dog and teach them to walk with you and obey commands like sit & stay.

Don't let the dog jump on people or play bite. It may be cute as little puppies but not when they get to be 50+ lbs.

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If it is a puppy puppy-under three months-then he should stay home and work on training it. Hard enough for the puppy to learn the rules at his own house, let alone at someone else's. Especially if it is still potty training. It would be mean to the puppy to board him at this young age.
Since it is your adult son, I assume you really want him to come for the holidays and are willing to have the puppy come, too. Are you willing to set aside a large portion of the house (utility room, breakfast room) where the puppy can be contained? Son needs to bring his portable fence, newspapers, food bowls, crate, whatever. Ornaments, packages, candies on low tables-these are all fair game for a puppy. You may lose something valuable, puppy may ingest something he shouldn't.
SOOO.... Great that you expect son to do the work but YOU need to plan for where puppy will stay and eat. Can you gate off the kitchen? I guess you need to be a good hostess for all your guests and make sure that everyone has a comfy bed and a place to relax.
Have fun. There is NOTHING better than a new puppy but like new babies, they require a lot of consideration.

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PLEASE let your son know that even the part of the yard that is close to the street is still somebody's yard. I have no pets for very specific reasons, yet people think that it's okay to litter certain parts of my yard with the output of their pets. I can't feel comfortable walking freely on one side of my house (corner lot)! It really makes me want to do away with some of my two-legged neighbors. Seriously.

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It sounds as if you/your son are intending on bringing the puppy along for the holidays? First off, not good for a new puppy for the invironment to be changing so much. And I wouldn't put people on the spot by asking if the puppy is welcome. Close family will feel obligated to say yes, but if the puppy happens to chew that new Ipad charging cable someone got for xmas........ Good Luck!

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