New oak floors and four-legged houseguests
April 12, 2023 2:29 PM Subscribe
I'm having a dinner party at my house and a friend asked to bring her 90lb dog. I loooooove her dog and would love to have them both over, but I'm also concerned about our new wide plank oak floors. Am I worrying about nothing?
I know from past experience that doggy nails can do a number on hardwood floors over time, but I don't know how that translates to a dog spending just a few hours at our house. The dog in question is very well cared for (I'm sure her nails are kept trimmed, though I haven't looked very closely at them) and exceptionally calm and well-behaved. Am I being ultra paranoid about the potential for damage to our floors?
The only other concern I have is that I'm not sure if my other guests have allergies or an aversion to dogs that I'm not aware of.
I know from past experience that doggy nails can do a number on hardwood floors over time, but I don't know how that translates to a dog spending just a few hours at our house. The dog in question is very well cared for (I'm sure her nails are kept trimmed, though I haven't looked very closely at them) and exceptionally calm and well-behaved. Am I being ultra paranoid about the potential for damage to our floors?
The only other concern I have is that I'm not sure if my other guests have allergies or an aversion to dogs that I'm not aware of.
Your friend probably has experience with her dog + hardwood floor. Can you ask her if she has ever noticed a problem?
posted by librarina at 2:45 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by librarina at 2:45 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
The Miss Manners in me says that the comfort of the other guests comes first--the prospect of allergies means that the dog should stay at home.
posted by kingdead at 2:58 PM on April 12, 2023 [22 favorites]
posted by kingdead at 2:58 PM on April 12, 2023 [22 favorites]
The floors will get scratched up at some point so this might be a way for you to stop worrying about them.
And yeah, I'd like a head's-up if I was coming to a dinner party at a pet-free house and one of the other guests was going to bring their pet with them.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:01 PM on April 12, 2023 [14 favorites]
And yeah, I'd like a head's-up if I was coming to a dinner party at a pet-free house and one of the other guests was going to bring their pet with them.
posted by any portmanteau in a storm at 3:01 PM on April 12, 2023 [14 favorites]
I was attacked by a large dog as a kid, so I'd want to know beforehand if I were your guest. I might (probably would) decide to wait to see you when there's not a dog in your home - I'd be in an embarrassing position if I showed up and another guest's dog was already there.
I'm glad you are thinking of this ahead of time. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!
posted by citygirl at 3:05 PM on April 12, 2023 [10 favorites]
I'm glad you are thinking of this ahead of time. Thanks for your thoughtfulness!
posted by citygirl at 3:05 PM on April 12, 2023 [10 favorites]
I think a dinner party is not the ideal time to try this out. Maybe when you have your friend over one-on-one?
posted by bluedaisy at 3:14 PM on April 12, 2023 [22 favorites]
posted by bluedaisy at 3:14 PM on April 12, 2023 [22 favorites]
Dog booties to protect floor is a thing. They seem to be marketed to help protect the dog from slipping.
posted by amtho at 3:15 PM on April 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
posted by amtho at 3:15 PM on April 12, 2023 [2 favorites]
Somethings gonna scratch those floors eventually. There will be A First.
I personally would rather it to be a reminder of a nice gathering of friends and not like my dumb ass beefing it and dropping a tape measure or something, and then proceed with life and not be so concerned about the condition of the floors. YMMV.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:19 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I personally would rather it to be a reminder of a nice gathering of friends and not like my dumb ass beefing it and dropping a tape measure or something, and then proceed with life and not be so concerned about the condition of the floors. YMMV.
posted by furnace.heart at 3:19 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Yes, the dog can scratch your floors in one visit, and yes, it's possible that someone on your invite list has an allergy or aversion to dogs. The reason this is a hard call to make is that you don't know what will happen, because both of these negative outcomes are possible, but not inevitable.
You can ask everyone if they mind a dog being there and that can pretty much take care of the ambiguity of that part, although in reality not everyone is going to want to speak up if they're uncomfortable with dogs.
So you really have to decide what to do by imagining how you'd feel if, when everyone left, you found dog scratches on your new floor. Would it suck for you? It would for me, if I'd just spend thousands of dollars and lots of time planning a major home investment. A lot of people wouldn't really want to take the chance even though of course it's not inevitable.
Personally I would not decide that since eventually my brand new hardwood floor will probably be scratched I might as well have it happen now. You just invested in this floor, it's brand new and you're allowed to enjoy it being glossy and in good condition while it's so new. You're allowed to be excited about it and take care of it.
I often have had a dog and there are always friends who don't invite the dog inside because they have wood floors, by the way. My own hardwood from windowsills to banisters is completely scratched up and damaged by my sweet dog, just like my nice mid-century couch has been shredded by my cat.
Does the dog in question have terrible separation anxiety? If not there's no reason it can't sleep at home for 3 hours while your friend comes to eat on your gleaming new floors.
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 4:08 PM on April 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
You can ask everyone if they mind a dog being there and that can pretty much take care of the ambiguity of that part, although in reality not everyone is going to want to speak up if they're uncomfortable with dogs.
So you really have to decide what to do by imagining how you'd feel if, when everyone left, you found dog scratches on your new floor. Would it suck for you? It would for me, if I'd just spend thousands of dollars and lots of time planning a major home investment. A lot of people wouldn't really want to take the chance even though of course it's not inevitable.
Personally I would not decide that since eventually my brand new hardwood floor will probably be scratched I might as well have it happen now. You just invested in this floor, it's brand new and you're allowed to enjoy it being glossy and in good condition while it's so new. You're allowed to be excited about it and take care of it.
I often have had a dog and there are always friends who don't invite the dog inside because they have wood floors, by the way. My own hardwood from windowsills to banisters is completely scratched up and damaged by my sweet dog, just like my nice mid-century couch has been shredded by my cat.
Does the dog in question have terrible separation anxiety? If not there's no reason it can't sleep at home for 3 hours while your friend comes to eat on your gleaming new floors.
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 4:08 PM on April 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I would not worry about the dog scratching in a low key situation like this. But I think you would be more than justified in saying "I'm not sure if anyone coming has an allergy, maybe just bring the dog over another time when it's just us."
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:09 PM on April 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
posted by BlackLeotardFront at 4:09 PM on April 12, 2023 [5 favorites]
1. Check if the other guests will be OK with the (very large) dog.
2. If yes: ask your friend if she will tire the dog out before she brings him over-- take him for a run in the park or similar. Big dogs are often very chill, since it takes a lot of energy for them to move. If he's tired out, he may simply curl up and go to sleep in a corner (your friend may have to bring his bed).
3. Dogproof the house, especially the kitchen. I'm assuming that the 90 pound dog may be tall enough to take food off counter tops and out of the kitchen trash. Make sure your trash cans have lids. Even if the dog is shut out of the kitchen, you'll have to be vigilant about not leaving food unattended where he can get it (coffee table, dining table, etc.) This goes double for things like chocolate, which can poison dogs.
4. Resign yourself to the possibility of some damage/destruction, not just the floors. If we're talking about a Great Dane, their wagging tails will knock objects off surfaces at coffee table height. Danes also famously drool everywhere. Greyhounds and wolfhounds are neater, but still large and doggy. If you're going to allow the dog on the sofa, you may want to put a washable blanket or bedsheet over part of it and encourage the dog to sit on that.
Dog owners love dogs more than they love clean floors and furniture. (Just as cat owners are OK with clawed upholstery and rabbit owners are OK with chew marks on everything and horse people are OK with everything smelling like horse.) It's up to you to decide your boundaries for dogs in your space. Then help the owner by making those boundaries clear in advance.
I agree with bluedaisy above, that maybe a one-on-one hangout would be better for introducing the dog into your home than a dinner party full of exciting new people and intriguing smells.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:13 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
2. If yes: ask your friend if she will tire the dog out before she brings him over-- take him for a run in the park or similar. Big dogs are often very chill, since it takes a lot of energy for them to move. If he's tired out, he may simply curl up and go to sleep in a corner (your friend may have to bring his bed).
3. Dogproof the house, especially the kitchen. I'm assuming that the 90 pound dog may be tall enough to take food off counter tops and out of the kitchen trash. Make sure your trash cans have lids. Even if the dog is shut out of the kitchen, you'll have to be vigilant about not leaving food unattended where he can get it (coffee table, dining table, etc.) This goes double for things like chocolate, which can poison dogs.
4. Resign yourself to the possibility of some damage/destruction, not just the floors. If we're talking about a Great Dane, their wagging tails will knock objects off surfaces at coffee table height. Danes also famously drool everywhere. Greyhounds and wolfhounds are neater, but still large and doggy. If you're going to allow the dog on the sofa, you may want to put a washable blanket or bedsheet over part of it and encourage the dog to sit on that.
Dog owners love dogs more than they love clean floors and furniture. (Just as cat owners are OK with clawed upholstery and rabbit owners are OK with chew marks on everything and horse people are OK with everything smelling like horse.) It's up to you to decide your boundaries for dogs in your space. Then help the owner by making those boundaries clear in advance.
I agree with bluedaisy above, that maybe a one-on-one hangout would be better for introducing the dog into your home than a dinner party full of exciting new people and intriguing smells.
posted by Pallas Athena at 4:13 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Oak is a very hard wood. You get a floor like this so you don't have to worry. My daughter has two very big dogs, hardwood floors, and no problems. Oak is not delicate. Even a big dog has to get frantic and up to speed for the physics of contact, to result in damage. Presumably this is a well behaved dog.
posted by Oyéah at 4:46 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
posted by Oyéah at 4:46 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Dog owners love dogs more than they love clean floors and furniture.
I mean, yes I love living creatures more than material things, but my floors and furniture are very clean and I have a dog. The implication that owning a dog always means your floors and furniture are dirty is incorrect.
I would just ask your friend to leave her dog at home if you're going to be upset if the floors get scratched. Easier for everyone.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:51 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I mean, yes I love living creatures more than material things, but my floors and furniture are very clean and I have a dog. The implication that owning a dog always means your floors and furniture are dirty is incorrect.
I would just ask your friend to leave her dog at home if you're going to be upset if the floors get scratched. Easier for everyone.
posted by oneirodynia at 4:51 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I would vote no because I love the look of new plank floors and ya over time the pristine beauty will diminish and I get that but I won’t do anything to hasten the entropy. The look of new floors spark that much joy for me. I’m sure your friend will understand.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 5:29 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by St. Peepsburg at 5:29 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Why does she need to bring the dog? Even with old, carpet covered floors I would think it is unacceptable to bring a large dog to a dinner party. I assume from the fact you do not know if any of the guests have dog allergies that all the guests are not close friends who have spent time around this dog. If she can't make other arrangements for her dog, make other arrangements for her to visit.
posted by uncaken at 6:10 PM on April 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
posted by uncaken at 6:10 PM on April 12, 2023 [6 favorites]
I would prioritize the dog over the floor. And friends with dog phobia or allergies over the dog. Mostly. I had a frequent houseguest with dog phobia and when I got a new tiny rescue dog, I didn't banish the dog when the guest came over. The dog stayed in a corner, terrified of the world, and my houseguest stayed carefully perched on the tallest stool in the house, as far from the dog as possible. And visited less often. If anyone had had dog allergies, I would have asked them what they needed and done my best to make that happen.
Anyway, I try to prioritize connection over belongings.
posted by aniola at 6:17 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
Anyway, I try to prioritize connection over belongings.
posted by aniola at 6:17 PM on April 12, 2023 [3 favorites]
There are many times in life when a dog might be in the room. For all of the fretting over allergies and being afraid of dogs, I’d hope everyone is also considering some people need service animals to be out in public and those dogs could also make others be allergic or nervous, but they and their people should not be excluded from dinner parties.
This all to say: let your guests know ahead of time and let them have the agency to decide their dog proximity comfort zone. Ask that the owner gets some soft paws put on the dog or dog socks.
And while you’re protecting your floor from the dog, make sure your human guests are removing their shoes. A bad heel will ruin your flooring as fast as dog toe nails will.
posted by haplesschild at 6:32 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
This all to say: let your guests know ahead of time and let them have the agency to decide their dog proximity comfort zone. Ask that the owner gets some soft paws put on the dog or dog socks.
And while you’re protecting your floor from the dog, make sure your human guests are removing their shoes. A bad heel will ruin your flooring as fast as dog toe nails will.
posted by haplesschild at 6:32 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
My narrow plank, poly-sealed oak floor still bears the marks my friend's TOY POODLE put in it when the floor was just a month or so old. The poodle gets anxious around new people/places and acts more skittish and jumpy than at home. It doesn't take a lot to make a few marks and they are deeper than anything I've managed to put on in the last 10 years of pet-free living. While they're not the end of the world it will certainly take away from your new floor glory, and there is nothing wrong with enjoying them as they are.
posted by Narrow Harbor at 7:44 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by Narrow Harbor at 7:44 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
I had a frequent houseguest with dog phobia and when I got a new tiny rescue dog, I didn't banish the dog when the guest came over.
It's a very different situation when someone is coming to your house when you have a dog -- that is, it's also the dog's home -- vs. this one, where someone else's dog would be going into the OP's home. If the host isn't necessarily 100% on board with it for any reason whatsoever, they don't have to prioritize someone else's dog at their dinner party and it doesn't make them someone who cares about "things" more than "creatures." It is their home and their party. I don't automatically shut my dog away when people come over but I don't just assume I can bring the dog everywhere I go to socialize.
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 7:55 PM on April 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
It's a very different situation when someone is coming to your house when you have a dog -- that is, it's also the dog's home -- vs. this one, where someone else's dog would be going into the OP's home. If the host isn't necessarily 100% on board with it for any reason whatsoever, they don't have to prioritize someone else's dog at their dinner party and it doesn't make them someone who cares about "things" more than "creatures." It is their home and their party. I don't automatically shut my dog away when people come over but I don't just assume I can bring the dog everywhere I go to socialize.
posted by Tim Bucktooth at 7:55 PM on April 12, 2023 [4 favorites]
Your question is "New oak floors or four-legged houseguests"
Hosts don't have to host dogs they don't want to host. Pandemic aside, a 90-lb dog wouldn't be welcome in my home because as much as I would actually love to have the dog over, my tiny rescue dog would want to protect me from the big loveable dog and nobody would get as much socializing done. But that's my context, not yours.
I think it's important to consider your heart's desire: "I loooooove her dog and would love to have them both over". You deserve joy in your life. You can make that happen.
posted by aniola at 10:08 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Hosts don't have to host dogs they don't want to host. Pandemic aside, a 90-lb dog wouldn't be welcome in my home because as much as I would actually love to have the dog over, my tiny rescue dog would want to protect me from the big loveable dog and nobody would get as much socializing done. But that's my context, not yours.
I think it's important to consider your heart's desire: "I loooooove her dog and would love to have them both over". You deserve joy in your life. You can make that happen.
posted by aniola at 10:08 PM on April 12, 2023 [1 favorite]
Seems like your friend has asked you a somewhat difficult question and you're trying to please everyone here.
Being a gracious host means not putting your guests in uncomfortable positions, so asking them pre-party if they're okay with Rover coming to dinner means their invite is now conditional. What if they don't really care but they also have dogs who would enjoy a dinner party? What if they sort of care because they don't really want to go to a dinner party where Rover is sniffing for scraps under the table? What if they don't like dogs? See what I'm saying? Now the invite is weird.
A gracious host really should not put their guests in this position.
I vote to tell your friend you'd love to have Rover over (ha) another time; maybe even go for a walk with them instead.
It's really, really okay to not want to look at floor scratches and be really annoyed with yourself for allowing Rover to do that.
I love well-behaved dogs, I own well-behaved dogs, and I don't take my dogs to social events because I've found they don't contribute much to the event. Their conversational skills are limited and they sort of smell bad.
If your friend is a person who brings their dog everywhere, it's fine to set a limit for them. It's your house. If the dog has severe separation anxiety, then this is a super time for your friend to work with a canine behaviorist so she can get out and enjoy life.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:46 AM on April 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
Being a gracious host means not putting your guests in uncomfortable positions, so asking them pre-party if they're okay with Rover coming to dinner means their invite is now conditional. What if they don't really care but they also have dogs who would enjoy a dinner party? What if they sort of care because they don't really want to go to a dinner party where Rover is sniffing for scraps under the table? What if they don't like dogs? See what I'm saying? Now the invite is weird.
A gracious host really should not put their guests in this position.
I vote to tell your friend you'd love to have Rover over (ha) another time; maybe even go for a walk with them instead.
It's really, really okay to not want to look at floor scratches and be really annoyed with yourself for allowing Rover to do that.
I love well-behaved dogs, I own well-behaved dogs, and I don't take my dogs to social events because I've found they don't contribute much to the event. Their conversational skills are limited and they sort of smell bad.
If your friend is a person who brings their dog everywhere, it's fine to set a limit for them. It's your house. If the dog has severe separation anxiety, then this is a super time for your friend to work with a canine behaviorist so she can get out and enjoy life.
posted by yes I said yes I will Yes at 3:46 AM on April 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
You can ask everyone if they mind a dog being there and that can pretty much take care of the ambiguity of that part, although in reality not everyone is going to want to speak up if they're uncomfortable with dogs.
I just want to echo this comment. There is a lot of social pressure (spoken and unspoken) to like/tolerate dogs. So, when asked or told ahead of time about a dog's presence, I am typically not candid that I don't want to be around one and just find another reason to decline the invitation. I still appreciate the forewarning so I can make that decision.
posted by fies at 4:08 AM on April 13, 2023 [8 favorites]
I just want to echo this comment. There is a lot of social pressure (spoken and unspoken) to like/tolerate dogs. So, when asked or told ahead of time about a dog's presence, I am typically not candid that I don't want to be around one and just find another reason to decline the invitation. I still appreciate the forewarning so I can make that decision.
posted by fies at 4:08 AM on April 13, 2023 [8 favorites]
A 90lb dog at an indoor party will totally absorb everyone's attention. Everyone will be looking at the dog, thinking about the dog, petting the dog, avoiding the dog, you'll be wondering if the dog will fuck something up, annoy someone else, knock a drink on the floor, the dog's owner will be worrying that their dog will fuck something up, misbehave, knock a drink on the floor. Even if it's the best behaved, chillest dog in the world. You cannot avoid the fact that bringing a dog to a party where there would otherwise not be a dog is going to make the party about the dog. When I had dogs and hosted parties, the dogs went elsewhere, because I didn't want the party to be about the dog, which it otherwise would be.
I say no to dogs at parties, regardless of flooring condition.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:12 AM on April 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
I say no to dogs at parties, regardless of flooring condition.
posted by seanmpuckett at 5:12 AM on April 13, 2023 [4 favorites]
I have two dogs, love dogs and I would have zero compulsions about telling guest that you’d prefer they didn’t bring their dog over during your dinner party. It’s a strange request for a start because they’re asking to impose an animal on someone else’s home during a social function without knowing if any of the other guests have issues and asking the home owner to consent on behalf of umpteen other people about an animal that they don’t know.
People who could have allergies, phobias, hardwood floors, or just straight up not like dogs. And then there’s the floors! You’re allowed to want to keep your floors nice! Two hours of someone else’s pet in your home that it doesn’t sound like you even know particularly well is not worth it for a lifetime of pits and the odd scratch in your floors that will probably grate a little every time you see it.
And it’s not like I don’t get it, it can be awkward, I had a friend who had a huge dog (a bull mastiff cross) that was like her child. She asked to bring it around to my place where I had a toddler and a baby. I didn’t think the dog was dangerous but I was scared that it was just too boisterous and would send my kids flying just from being excited.
I asked her if she wouldn’t mind keeping the dog home when she visited because the kids and the house weren’t really ready for a dog of that size and energy level and she said she didn’t go anywhere without him so she either bought him or she’d stay home. I agreed that she probably shouldn’t come then!
Hopefully things go a little better for you regardless of your decision but I wouldn’t feel bad if you decide to request that the dog stays home.
posted by Jubey at 6:12 AM on April 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
People who could have allergies, phobias, hardwood floors, or just straight up not like dogs. And then there’s the floors! You’re allowed to want to keep your floors nice! Two hours of someone else’s pet in your home that it doesn’t sound like you even know particularly well is not worth it for a lifetime of pits and the odd scratch in your floors that will probably grate a little every time you see it.
And it’s not like I don’t get it, it can be awkward, I had a friend who had a huge dog (a bull mastiff cross) that was like her child. She asked to bring it around to my place where I had a toddler and a baby. I didn’t think the dog was dangerous but I was scared that it was just too boisterous and would send my kids flying just from being excited.
I asked her if she wouldn’t mind keeping the dog home when she visited because the kids and the house weren’t really ready for a dog of that size and energy level and she said she didn’t go anywhere without him so she either bought him or she’d stay home. I agreed that she probably shouldn’t come then!
Hopefully things go a little better for you regardless of your decision but I wouldn’t feel bad if you decide to request that the dog stays home.
posted by Jubey at 6:12 AM on April 13, 2023 [5 favorites]
Wow, culture shock. I can't even count the dinner parties and game nights I've brought dogs to. Everyone does this where I'm from. Dogs come to restaurants and use public transport. They're even allowed in some movie theaters, and it's just not a big deal! Well-behaved dogs are happy to rest in a corner for hours and hours. Some guests will pet them, benefitting both human and dog - but everyone will know to wash their hands after doing so, and adults will absolutely be able to still focus on their food and company, even with a lovely dog in the room. Well-groomed dogs also do not smell, except maybe if they're wet. And you don't need to dog-proof the house. The dog's safety is your friend's responsibility, and she's the expert on what her dog might get into.
The concern about allergies seems a bit over-the-top to me. If you'd bought a hamster last week, would you be asking your guests if they're allergic before they enter your house? Have you asked if they're allergic to nuts, strawberries, eggs, and whatever else is in your pantry? You're overthinking this. If someone was deadly allergic, you'd know because they'd have to tell everyone to stay alive. Mild allergies can usually be controlled with distance to the dog and/or medication. Guests who are uncomfortable with the dog don't need to interact. If anyone is scared, the dog can be leashed or even go a different room - but again, if it were a debilitating dog phobia, you'd know. It's kind of you to be so thoughtful, but really, if you provide a soft surface in a corner for the dog to chill, people will forget he's there. And your own happiness matters, too. You get to have a doggy visitor! How fun :)
Your floors are unlikely to get scratched unless the dog starts spinning in circles or jumping around. He won't do those things because he's large and well-behaved. For your floors' safety and everyone's comfort, make sure the dog is leashed until everyone is seated to avoid any possibility of excitement causing speed. FWIW, I used only natural wax on my pine floors (muuuuch softer), and lived in that house for three years with two Dalmatians. They played in the house and one didn't have well-groomed nails when I got him. I still only found 4 or 5 surface-level scratches in the end. And a couple deeper ones from moving a swivel chair.
posted by toucan at 9:04 AM on April 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
The concern about allergies seems a bit over-the-top to me. If you'd bought a hamster last week, would you be asking your guests if they're allergic before they enter your house? Have you asked if they're allergic to nuts, strawberries, eggs, and whatever else is in your pantry? You're overthinking this. If someone was deadly allergic, you'd know because they'd have to tell everyone to stay alive. Mild allergies can usually be controlled with distance to the dog and/or medication. Guests who are uncomfortable with the dog don't need to interact. If anyone is scared, the dog can be leashed or even go a different room - but again, if it were a debilitating dog phobia, you'd know. It's kind of you to be so thoughtful, but really, if you provide a soft surface in a corner for the dog to chill, people will forget he's there. And your own happiness matters, too. You get to have a doggy visitor! How fun :)
Your floors are unlikely to get scratched unless the dog starts spinning in circles or jumping around. He won't do those things because he's large and well-behaved. For your floors' safety and everyone's comfort, make sure the dog is leashed until everyone is seated to avoid any possibility of excitement causing speed. FWIW, I used only natural wax on my pine floors (muuuuch softer), and lived in that house for three years with two Dalmatians. They played in the house and one didn't have well-groomed nails when I got him. I still only found 4 or 5 surface-level scratches in the end. And a couple deeper ones from moving a swivel chair.
posted by toucan at 9:04 AM on April 13, 2023 [2 favorites]
Toucan, any chance you're from Scotland? I was there in November and I have NEVER been to a place where dogs are more revered. They were allowed basically everywhere and I was constantly losing my mind with delight when I'd randomly encounter one in a pub or store.
Does the friend want to bring the dog because they're attached to it and think it would be a fun addition to the party, or is there some kind of issue with not being able to leave it alone? Either way, I would beware of setting a precedent that you allow friends' dogs to come to dinner parties (unless that's a precedent you truly want to set!). If Friend A brings their dog, what's to stop Friend B to ask to bring THEIR dog next time, who might be less well behaved?
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 10:00 AM on April 13, 2023
Does the friend want to bring the dog because they're attached to it and think it would be a fun addition to the party, or is there some kind of issue with not being able to leave it alone? Either way, I would beware of setting a precedent that you allow friends' dogs to come to dinner parties (unless that's a precedent you truly want to set!). If Friend A brings their dog, what's to stop Friend B to ask to bring THEIR dog next time, who might be less well behaved?
posted by leftover_scrabble_rack at 10:00 AM on April 13, 2023
One of your guests definitely has a dog allergy and one of your guests is definitely uncomfortable with dogs but would never admit that in order to avoid calling attention to themselves or causing their own discomfort to make anyone else uncomfortable and will just sit there, silently wishing the dog was not there, and definitely very uninterested in petting the dog, getting slobbered on, or having their crotch nosed.
There you go! I have looked into my crystal ball and this is the truth of your dinner party. Also, the dog nail scratch will be right at the most prominent place in your entryway and it will take years for it to "blend in." Now that you know, you can just say, "Oh dear, that's not going to work this time because allergies!"
posted by amanda at 11:04 AM on April 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
There you go! I have looked into my crystal ball and this is the truth of your dinner party. Also, the dog nail scratch will be right at the most prominent place in your entryway and it will take years for it to "blend in." Now that you know, you can just say, "Oh dear, that's not going to work this time because allergies!"
posted by amanda at 11:04 AM on April 13, 2023 [1 favorite]
(Not quite Scotland, but close enough.)
posted by toucan at 12:27 PM on April 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
posted by toucan at 12:27 PM on April 14, 2023 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
Absent those, yeah, I'd be worried.
posted by The_Vegetables at 2:41 PM on April 12, 2023