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Man Wants Pool Party Host To Lock Up Their Dogs As His Son Is Afraid, Host Gets Annoyed With Him
Every person has a different fear; some folks are scared of snakes, some get terrified by birds, and there are even those who are petrified of dogs. Whatever phobia a person has, they have the right to keep themselves safe. It’s just that they shouldn’t make their problem anyone else’s.
This is something a dad did at a party that his son was invited to. He wanted to protect his kid from the host’s dogs that were roaming about freely. His request to keep them in another room was justified, but he went about it the wrong way.
More info: Reddit
RELATED:
All parents want to protect their kids, but sometimes they might end up going too far
Image credits: Kindel Media / Pexels (not the actual photo)
The poster mentioned that his first-grader son got invited to a pool party, so he went with him as a chaperone
Image credits: Blue Bird / Pexels (not the actual photo)
When they reached the party, the dad noticed that there were two dogs roaming about, and since he knew his son was afraid, he wanted to do something about it
Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The poster approached the party’s host and asked her to lock her dogs up because his son was scared of them, but she got annoyed and refused to do so
Image credits: Conscious_Can687
The man and his son ended up leaving the party because the dogs weren’t being tied up, and he got a message from the host saying his request was inappropriate
The poster shared that his first-grader son had been invited to a pool party by one of the kids from school. He tagged along with his child and noticed that the hosts had left their dogs loose in the yard. At first, the OP tried to shoo the animals away, but they didn’t seem to be going, which he was concerned about since his son was afraid of dogs.
For people who are afraid of certain animals, it’s important for them to assess whether they can handle a situation like this or not. Some pet parents aren’t open to the idea of keeping their animals locked up, even around folks who are scared. This can become a problem because the fearful person won’t be able to fully enjoy themselves then.
The dad in this story understood that his son might feel afraid around the dogs and wouldn’t be able to freely take part in the activities. That’s why he decided to talk to the host and see if she would be willing to lock up her dogs. Unfortunately, he didn’t take her first refusal seriously and kept pestering her, which made her feel more annoyed.
When someone with pets wants to host a party, it’s important that they first inform their guests about the situation. This will be useful if any of the people coming have allergies or are generally afraid of animals. If a host doesn’t do this, it can cause problems and lead to an uncomfortable situation later on.
Image credits: Freepik / Freepik (not the actual photo)
The OP felt frustrated about the host not listening to his pleas, so he decided to take his son and leave. The little boy didn’t seem very affected by the situation, but the host was miffed and sent the dad an angry text about his behavior. It’s clear that she found the whole confrontation inappropriate.
Not all guests are comfortable with having animals around while they are partying. That’s why the hosts need to be open about their setup ahead of time. This will save any awkwardness and uncomfortable situations later. Hosts can also let people know how friendly their pet is, so that people know whether they can interact with them or not.
During the party, pet owners can set up a safe space in their house where their furry friend can sit or be comfortable. This will also prevent them from acting up amidst the chaos of a loud or crowded party. Even playing lots of games or tiring them out before the party can help keep them calm during it.
Regardless of what the host could have done, she decided to ignore her guest’s request and carry on with the party. Instead of making a fuss, the dad took his son and left. Overall, it’s great that he didn’t throw a fit, but he probably could have asked her politely once and then left the matter at that.
How would you have handled a situation like this? Do you think the OP could have done anything differently? Do share your thoughts down below.
Image credits: Chan Ah-hong / Pexels (not the actual photo)
People didn’t side with the poster and felt that he was the jerk for asking the host to lock her dogs up
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What do you think ?
Hellcaste's Wife 5 months ago
Our dog is part of the family. He's well-behaved and loves kids. I'd never lock him away; he'd look at it as a punishment and he's done nothing wrong. I've flat out told people if it comes to them or the dog, I'll choose the dog every time. It's his home, not theirs. too bad?
Dog Mom to Zoe 5 months ago
A little louder so the dogs that are locked up in the garage can hear!! In all seriousness, I completely agree. I had 1 person ask me to put my dogs away and I told her that wasn't going to happen. Knowing that I have dogs, you deal with it or just don't come. I will also choose my dogs over humans.
Load More Replies...
sturmwesen 5 months ago
uff. I think you can ask nicely, but if the first answer is a no that's a no. no hard feelings just incompatibility. they key is attitude. if you come raging like a bull I'll show you the door. if you ask nicely I might give the dog a treat an put him in the bedroom.
Katchen 5 months ago
This is understandable. I have a Malinois mix and she looks terrifying.
Load More Replies...
Yu Pan 5 months ago (edited)
My cat doesn't react well with strangers. Anyone staying at my place longer than one hour will be told before hand. Any one suggesting me locking my cat away is free to leave. The only reason why I even bought a house is for my cat.
K Barnes 5 months ago
One of the main reasons we purchased a home with a yard (after being crammed into a 500 square foot apartment to save for years) was to be able to get a dog. So worth the long wait.
Load More Replies...
Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
Exactly , n anyone as asks is shown the door , it’s highly insulting to me. or I could lock them in another room , n keep the dogs where they belong right lol
Load More Replies... GalPalAl 5 months ago
The op sounds entitled. If you went to a party where the favors were toy guns and it makes you feel uncomfortable, you act gracious, say thank you and excuse yourself. You thought it was okay to make demands as a guest in someone's house? I don't like people because of people like this.
turk 5 months ago
So, his kid is just going to run away from dogs his whole life? You're a bad parent and an obnoxious guest.
K Barnes 5 months ago (edited)
I understand that fears of dogs exist, and had one myself in my teens after being knocked down and jumped on and scratched by a large dog at 14. To avoid them completely is not the appropriate way to deal with it, careful exposure therapy is.
Load More Replies...
Jessica Daus-Warner 5 months ago
YTA. It's the dogs home. You and your kid are guests. If your child is uncomfortable, then they are the ones to leave.
KrazyChiMama 5 months ago
My dogs are more well behaved than most peoples kids! That being said OP was out of line asking to have the dogs put up in their own home. Father SHOULD be helping his son recover from his fear regarding “the incident at the park” by getting him into therapy instead of trying to make his sons fear everyone’s problem.
A completely normal chair. 5 months ago
The only job my dogs have is to keep people/relatives off of my property. They are paid handsomely for their service.
Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
Mine to lol n as the one is intimidating to look at lol rottie x cane corso , she does her job brilliantly 😂even if she is soppy as hell ,her bark alone is enough ,
Load More Replies...
Andrew Arons 5 months ago
I tend to pay more attention to the dog than the people when I'm at a party.
Ghostpotato 5 months ago (edited)
He could have asked if they have dogs, explaining his son has a fear of them and declined the invitation. Then the host would have either told him it's fine, the dogs can stay in the house, or said oh thats to bad I'll see you at practice then!
Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 5 months ago
I'd tell guests in advance what kind of pets I have around in case of allergies or phobias but I wouldn't lock them up, it would be their decision to come over or not
Squirrelly Panda 5 months ago
My pets are my family. I believe OP was OK asking on behalf of his son, who was invited, as long as he accepts the no. The host was completely in their rights to allow their dogs freedom of the party, but should understand OP just wanted his kid to be comfortable. Host should've been polite (and firm) in their refusal.
Barong 4 months ago (edited)
Not saying it’s appropriate for a guest to tell the host what they should do. That said. A party can be full of loud noises and be unusual and stressful for a dog. Kids play rough and a dog may be protective of a child. Some kids (and adults) behave poorly with and around a dog and may do something to push the dog past their limit. (There was a recent BP post about kids that tried to “ride” the dog of a stranger.) When hosting a party there has to be trust of their dogs and of the guests. Just because a guest acted poorly doesn’t release the dog owner of liability and insurance may or may not cover such an incident. A dog bite/attack is scary at best and at the worst can be deadly with nothing good in between. A severe bite can be disfiguring since many dogs bite the face. Owners should be really certain of their dogs and guests and be alert, and have the ability to intervene at all times before things go awry. Sometimes separating dogs is best so hosts can not worry and focus on their guests. Our dog is great with our frequent kids birthday and dinner parties though. That being said our previous dog I thought was great with our son bit him badly. (Could have been worse.)
Mimi M 5 months ago
'Sniffed and pawed at us' - wonder what that consisted of - not the sniffing, but the pawing. Not sure of any solution other than what OP did, but I can see how being 'pawed at' might be scary/intrusive for a 6 year-old.
Zoe Duddle 5 months ago
To be fair, it didn’t sound like the kid cared very much apart from ‘it seemed like he was ok with the decision [to leave] as he perked up in the car’. The kid didn’t scream or cry or even ask to leave, all he wanted was the parent to be nearby to give him some courage and instead the parent made a fuss and decided to leave. This could have been a huge step in helping the kid with their fear but instead they entrenched it.
Load More Replies...
Paulina 5 months ago (edited)
My late FIL was afraid of dogs and we have one. She's super gentle and timid, which we relayed to the FIL. When he stayed with us it was always clear that we're not going to lock the dog away for his comfort. We took her to the bedroom with us for the night, so she wouldn't surprise him in his sleep but that's it - the rest of the time it was his decision whether he was OK with staying in the same home as a dog. If he asked us to lock the dog away he would've been told to not come or just visit for as long as was comfortable for him to be around the dog. No exceptions.
K Barnes 5 months ago
My SIL is afraid of dogs, too. We have a little lapdog who is as gentle as a bunny and she barely tolerates him and doesn't like coming to our place. She often freaks out in public if scarier looking dogs are nearby. I have encouraged her to talk to a therapist about it but she refuses and says it's not a big deal. It really impacts her so I wish she would help herself.
Load More Replies... mp7dvnrw85 5 months ago
A group of 6 or 7 year olds having a pool party? That’s a lot of chaos, squealing and shouting. Even if the dogs are perfectly behaved, you can’t trust that all the children will know how to behave around dogs. I shut my dogs away to protect them.
Laure Miller 4 months ago
I went to one party where the hostess informed everyone as they arrived, "Don't try to pet the dog, it will bite". I thought that was a bit ridiculous - if she KNOWS the dog will bite, then she should either close it off in a room by itself or not host parties at her house. But I didn't say anything, just left early.
Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
A sign in my hall says , if my dogs make you uncomfortable, I’d be happy to lock YOU in another room ! YTA OP a simple happy birthday but sorry we can’t stay my sons scared of dogs , n leave sorted , but no u had to get entitled !
Wendy Hamilton 5 months ago
I am not a dog lover and if, my child was uncomfortable, I would have immediately left. The dad is NTA.
Inglourioustmnt 5 months ago
Im not punishing my dog because someone has an irrational fear of her.
Load More Replies...
Hellcaste's Wife 5 months ago
Our dog is part of the family. He's well-behaved and loves kids. I'd never lock him away; he'd look at it as a punishment and he's done nothing wrong. I've flat out told people if it comes to them or the dog, I'll choose the dog every time. It's his home, not theirs. too bad?
Dog Mom to Zoe 5 months ago
A little louder so the dogs that are locked up in the garage can hear!! In all seriousness, I completely agree. I had 1 person ask me to put my dogs away and I told her that wasn't going to happen. Knowing that I have dogs, you deal with it or just don't come. I will also choose my dogs over humans.
Load More Replies... sturmwesen 5 months ago
uff. I think you can ask nicely, but if the first answer is a no that's a no. no hard feelings just incompatibility. they key is attitude. if you come raging like a bull I'll show you the door. if you ask nicely I might give the dog a treat an put him in the bedroom.
Katchen 5 months ago
This is understandable. I have a Malinois mix and she looks terrifying.
Load More Replies... Yu Pan 5 months ago (edited)
My cat doesn't react well with strangers. Anyone staying at my place longer than one hour will be told before hand. Any one suggesting me locking my cat away is free to leave. The only reason why I even bought a house is for my cat.
K Barnes 5 months ago
One of the main reasons we purchased a home with a yard (after being crammed into a 500 square foot apartment to save for years) was to be able to get a dog. So worth the long wait.
Load More Replies... Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
Exactly , n anyone as asks is shown the door , it’s highly insulting to me. or I could lock them in another room , n keep the dogs where they belong right lol
Load More Replies... GalPalAl 5 months ago
The op sounds entitled. If you went to a party where the favors were toy guns and it makes you feel uncomfortable, you act gracious, say thank you and excuse yourself. You thought it was okay to make demands as a guest in someone's house? I don't like people because of people like this.
turk 5 months ago
So, his kid is just going to run away from dogs his whole life? You're a bad parent and an obnoxious guest.
K Barnes 5 months ago (edited)
I understand that fears of dogs exist, and had one myself in my teens after being knocked down and jumped on and scratched by a large dog at 14. To avoid them completely is not the appropriate way to deal with it, careful exposure therapy is.
Load More Replies... Jessica Daus-Warner 5 months ago
YTA. It's the dogs home. You and your kid are guests. If your child is uncomfortable, then they are the ones to leave.
KrazyChiMama 5 months ago
My dogs are more well behaved than most peoples kids! That being said OP was out of line asking to have the dogs put up in their own home. Father SHOULD be helping his son recover from his fear regarding “the incident at the park” by getting him into therapy instead of trying to make his sons fear everyone’s problem.
A completely normal chair. 5 months ago
The only job my dogs have is to keep people/relatives off of my property. They are paid handsomely for their service.
Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
Mine to lol n as the one is intimidating to look at lol rottie x cane corso , she does her job brilliantly 😂even if she is soppy as hell ,her bark alone is enough ,
Load More Replies... Andrew Arons 5 months ago
I tend to pay more attention to the dog than the people when I'm at a party.
Ghostpotato 5 months ago (edited)
He could have asked if they have dogs, explaining his son has a fear of them and declined the invitation. Then the host would have either told him it's fine, the dogs can stay in the house, or said oh thats to bad I'll see you at practice then!
Sarah Kathrin Matsoukis 5 months ago
I'd tell guests in advance what kind of pets I have around in case of allergies or phobias but I wouldn't lock them up, it would be their decision to come over or not
Squirrelly Panda 5 months ago
My pets are my family. I believe OP was OK asking on behalf of his son, who was invited, as long as he accepts the no. The host was completely in their rights to allow their dogs freedom of the party, but should understand OP just wanted his kid to be comfortable. Host should've been polite (and firm) in their refusal.
Barong 4 months ago (edited)
Not saying it’s appropriate for a guest to tell the host what they should do. That said. A party can be full of loud noises and be unusual and stressful for a dog. Kids play rough and a dog may be protective of a child. Some kids (and adults) behave poorly with and around a dog and may do something to push the dog past their limit. (There was a recent BP post about kids that tried to “ride” the dog of a stranger.) When hosting a party there has to be trust of their dogs and of the guests. Just because a guest acted poorly doesn’t release the dog owner of liability and insurance may or may not cover such an incident. A dog bite/attack is scary at best and at the worst can be deadly with nothing good in between. A severe bite can be disfiguring since many dogs bite the face. Owners should be really certain of their dogs and guests and be alert, and have the ability to intervene at all times before things go awry. Sometimes separating dogs is best so hosts can not worry and focus on their guests. Our dog is great with our frequent kids birthday and dinner parties though. That being said our previous dog I thought was great with our son bit him badly. (Could have been worse.)
Mimi M 5 months ago
'Sniffed and pawed at us' - wonder what that consisted of - not the sniffing, but the pawing. Not sure of any solution other than what OP did, but I can see how being 'pawed at' might be scary/intrusive for a 6 year-old.
Zoe Duddle 5 months ago
To be fair, it didn’t sound like the kid cared very much apart from ‘it seemed like he was ok with the decision [to leave] as he perked up in the car’. The kid didn’t scream or cry or even ask to leave, all he wanted was the parent to be nearby to give him some courage and instead the parent made a fuss and decided to leave. This could have been a huge step in helping the kid with their fear but instead they entrenched it.
Load More Replies... Paulina 5 months ago (edited)
My late FIL was afraid of dogs and we have one. She's super gentle and timid, which we relayed to the FIL. When he stayed with us it was always clear that we're not going to lock the dog away for his comfort. We took her to the bedroom with us for the night, so she wouldn't surprise him in his sleep but that's it - the rest of the time it was his decision whether he was OK with staying in the same home as a dog. If he asked us to lock the dog away he would've been told to not come or just visit for as long as was comfortable for him to be around the dog. No exceptions.
K Barnes 5 months ago
My SIL is afraid of dogs, too. We have a little lapdog who is as gentle as a bunny and she barely tolerates him and doesn't like coming to our place. She often freaks out in public if scarier looking dogs are nearby. I have encouraged her to talk to a therapist about it but she refuses and says it's not a big deal. It really impacts her so I wish she would help herself.
Load More Replies... mp7dvnrw85 5 months ago
A group of 6 or 7 year olds having a pool party? That’s a lot of chaos, squealing and shouting. Even if the dogs are perfectly behaved, you can’t trust that all the children will know how to behave around dogs. I shut my dogs away to protect them.
Laure Miller 4 months ago
I went to one party where the hostess informed everyone as they arrived, "Don't try to pet the dog, it will bite". I thought that was a bit ridiculous - if she KNOWS the dog will bite, then she should either close it off in a room by itself or not host parties at her house. But I didn't say anything, just left early.
Crystalwitch60 4 months ago
A sign in my hall says , if my dogs make you uncomfortable, I’d be happy to lock YOU in another room ! YTA OP a simple happy birthday but sorry we can’t stay my sons scared of dogs , n leave sorted , but no u had to get entitled !
Wendy Hamilton 5 months ago
I am not a dog lover and if, my child was uncomfortable, I would have immediately left. The dad is NTA.
Inglourioustmnt 5 months ago
Im not punishing my dog because someone has an irrational fear of her.
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