Let me first say I'm a dog person. However, under the circumstances, I think I'd say "no dogs." A not-in-control small dog combined with a large puppy, no matter how calm, can add up to problems. Could also cause your mother to trip, etc. Not a good way to celebrater her birthday.

I'm a dog person too, but also appreciate wanting to preserve the quality of your party.

I'd set limits and then throw it back in their court to make the decision... something along the lines of:

"Sure you can bring the dogs, but I do have to ask that you leave them in the laundry room/garage/mud room/in their crates etc (your pick Jenn) during the party. Hope that's okay"

By doing that you're the good guy cause you've said yes, but you've set limits that will preserve your home/yard/party. If she chooses not to bring them well at least you gave her an option.

Grace

Another dog person here, and I think that Grace's answer is spot-on.

I'd grit my teeth and say sure bring the dogs.
If as you say the puppy is calm and well behaved, that should be no problem and the malti-poo is small enough that your niece could carry it if it got too rambunctious.
But...is the neice the daughter of the DB and SIL with the big puppy ? Also staying at your mom's? if so the dogs have been together for a few days and are likely to be less rambunctious.
I would ask them to be sure to bring leashes so they can be restrained if necessary.

I am a dog person and would allow the dogs with the limitations that have been mentioned. They must be crated or put away for the party. I keep a couple of folding crates stashed away just for that purpose - just in case a 4 legged guest gets a little out of control.

A

I would probably say no dogs (and I am a dog person) simply because what will inevitably happen is the dogs will be unhappy in their enclosure, bark, be annoying and you will be put on the spot to let them out.

I would simply say something along the lines of "gee, I really wish we could accomodate the dogs, but we really don't have a good set up for them. I am so glad you have back up arrangements in mind."

Fwiw, my sister has a furbaby, no kids. Her dog goes everywhere, and while it is well behaved, it is distracting and takes the spotlight away from the guests of honor.

Tough call.
jo

I do doggie daycare and private boarding. I get a lot of people who bring their dogs to me....no matter how gentle and well behaved...when they have parties at their own home. It's just easier to not have dogs under foot. And if there are little kids they grab food out of their hands and then that gets the kids crying.

The remark about tripping your mom also came into my thoughts.

I know I might be biased but I would ask if they could possibly make other arrangements. If they absolutely cannot then okay, but since they offered....I would let them find an alternate solution.

Have a fun party! Sounds like a great time.

Duane

Am a dog lover too; however, if the dogs are allowed to come and then act up for some reason, the owners will then be distracted from the fun of the party - and so will you. Other arrangements are preferable as well as thoughtful. Have a great party!

I would have them bring the dogs because I think dogs are fun!
If they get out of hand after the initial meet and greet excitement, have a place to tie them up for awhile.
Although I have a friend who has a Pomeranian that is so annoying, never stops barking.

It would help to have some special treats for them that would calm them down. My dogs love beef rib bones, I bake them in the oven at 350 for an hour, then cut off most of the fat. The bones don't splinter and they get a treat that lasts about 30 minutes. Better and cheaper than all the fake dog treats, like greenies.

My answer would depend on your relationship with the owners of the dogs. Are they the kind of people who would be offended if you had to ask them to restrain their dog in the event that it became annoying? In the case of a larger party, dogs could very easily become a problem, but with only 8 people, there is far less chance of the general confusion getting them over-excited and likely to misbehave.

Have you somewhere (as Grace suggested) where the dogs could be comfortably sequestered should a problem occur? A garage, a section of yard that can be fenced off, a room?

Not quite sure I follow. Are both dogs at moms now? If so, ask her how they're behaving together. If not, I don't see where you said
your niece asked to bring hers. For a small close family party I'd be inclined to invite the dogs unless you foresee a real issue. "but if they get out of hand I'll need to ask you to tie them up."

No dogs for me. I love them but not at your party. I dont want to be running around playng with the kids chasing bubbles and step in a pile of doodie. Now, listen, after the dogs grab the kids' burgers and whatever was on their little plates,.. well, what goes in must come out.

So, no. I'd say to Niece, "You know, you had a good idea about making other arrangements for the dog.I hadn't even thought about how crazy it might get that day". There! (even though she didnt say that, pretend she did and she wont correct you)

I'm not a dog person, or really a pet person. Honestly, I don't mind other people's pets as long as the are in control. And in my house, during a party when I'm serving food and trying to make sure everyone is comfortable, I would not want anyone to bring a dog.

Now, I'm not a complete scrooge. My sister has a VERY well behaved German Shepherd which she has brought to my house with my approval a few times. No problem. I know the dog, I know how she behaves, and I know exactly what to expect. But it was just for a visit, you know, sis and I hanging out and she brought Abby along so as not to leave her home alone.

In any case, it sounds to me like YOU'RE not really happy about the idea, which I assumed since you ask if you're a scrooge. My answer to that is, no matter what I (non dog person) or someone else who is a dog person would do, it's your house and your party and absolutely your right to say no. Especially since she's agreed to make other arrangements if needed.

I'm curious though, can they not leave this dog alone for a few hours? What arrangements would need to be made? If they can't leave it alone, why not? And if there is a problem with the dog's behavior that precludes them from leaving it alone, that's all the more reason I wouldn't want to have to deal with it in my home during a party.

I am a dog person so I would allow it. They are on vacation and it sounds like a small family party. If they don't bring the dogs they will only be able to spend a few short hours at your party. 45 minutes each way and a small bladder on the little dog would mean they would have to leave the party early. The chance of them finding dog sitters when they are at someones elses home might be a stretch. Just warn your niece that she is responsible for the little guy if it gets rowdy.

The more the merrier I say :->

They would probably be very grateful not having to worry about their fur babies.

I allow dogs....love 'em. At the same time I have taken my dog and didn't want to take her in to the house, not because I was afraid of what she would do, but because I knew my dog would be just as happy waiting in the car. She thinks of the car as her second home. After a couple of hours, I go to the car and check on her and often take her for a quick walk. Of course this all depends on the weather. On hot, sunny days she stays home. I love having Roxie with me, she's my pal.

Nancy

I just want to put my past comments in perspective. I am a dog person, cat person too...actually. I have 10 dogs at my house now! 10 is no big deal for me. We had 16 over the 4th of July weekend. That gets a bit crazy....but 10....no biggie. That being said....I still think everything might be better if they didn't bring the dogs with them. But after thinking about it....if you have a place to separate them from the rest of the people/food then it would be fine. Heck, I have barbeques with small groups at my house from time to time and hard telling how many fur-critters are around! I guess just do what you want to without hurting anyone's feelings and make the best of it. You can ask for opinions...and everyone will have one....but you ultimately have to make the decision on what you feel is best and what makes you the most comfortable with the whole situation. I still want to be invited to the party! Sounds like a great time. I'm so happy you have your mom at 80. I would give anything including several limbs to have my mom back with me...she passed at 68. Give your mom a big hug and enjoy every single moment you have with her.

Duane

Thank you for sharing your honest opinions and thoughts.

I sent a reply saying that for this particular occasion, it would be best if the dogs didn't come as I'm trying to create a special party for Mom, and just this time if they would not bring them that would be best, and thanked my SIL for offering to make other arrangements. My niece lives in this area and leaves her own dog at home every day while she goes to work, so I'm sure she could do that tomorrow as well.

The puppy (my brother/SIL's dog) is at my mom's, not the little one. However, they were together in her house several months ago and my mom commented to me that it got a little crazy, as the little dog can be very wild and very territorial, snarling, etc.

Thanks again --- I hope I'm not in the doghouse... no pun intended. :-)

Well....there is no reason for your niece to bring her dog then....but one dog might not be too bad, if they have trouble making arrangements.
I know little dogs can really be instigators.
But you will be happier if there are no dogs.
I had a small party a few months ago and had 4 dogs....at one point they were all sitting in the kitchen with expectant upturned faces while the meat was being carved! LOL!

Well jenn - what did you decide to do? The fact that you would ask tells me you did not want/have the room for the 4 legged family members.

Whatever - I hope the 80 year old Mom enjoys your efforts!

Teresa

teresa, I posted my answer just above. I'd type it again but I'm very tired from being on my feet all day..... :-)

I hope it is a great party. It sounds like it is much more than your mom expects. Don't forget to have a great time!

Funny - when I posted your answer was not there.

I'm also a dog person, and the WonderWeiner was much better behaved than my kids were most of the time, but I still wouldn't take him to a birthday party.

Strange place, strange children, food smells, there's a lot going on there for a dog to adjust to. Even with a calm and well behaved dog, the owner has to be "on guard" to make sure their dog doesn't leave the yard, doesn't steal kids snacks, isn't bothering people

I would also say make other arrangements for the dogs. I'd love to have them at my place, but there are times when it's just going to be inconvenient for everyone.

Annie

I'm a dog person but I think you made the right decision. I recently attended a cookout where the guests were encouraged to bring their dogs. There were 6 dogs at the party and it was chaos. All the dogs are well behaved individually but when brought together it was another story. I knew my dogs would not do well with all the commotion and other dogs so I left them home. Funny everyone was asking how come I didn't bring at least one of them. I probaly could have but then my attention would have been on the dogs not the other guests.

I love dogs but not at parties. As much as I love dogs, and babies, nothing bugs me more that when all the attention ends up on the animals either because they are "oh so cute" or so good" or "oh so bad".

Unless it's a dog show, leave them at home!

I think you did the right thing, for you.

Hey they could have always ended up on the grill, you know, 'hot dogs'

- EJ