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Dog etiquette question (long read). What would you have done?

Dec 31, 2009 by Heather's mom | Posted in Dogs

Last Saturday we had a little party here at home. One of the guests arrived already half "in the bag" (which was fine because she walked over). She can be a funny drunk, in her own abrasive way and she does have a good heart. But she did some things that involved my dog that left me steaming mad and I'd like to hear other dog owners' opinions about it. I'll call this person 'Sue' although that's not her real name.

Sue came in with some Christmas gifts, a bottle of wine for us and some rawhide bones for the dog. We don't normally give our dog rawhide, and before I'd even had a chance to know, Sue gave not one but two of these bones to our dog. Later on, the dog vomitted rawhide chips and had diarrhea the next day.

But wait, there's more. Let me first describe some background. I have a Doberman, 8 1/2 months old. She's high-energy, but well-trained. She understands commands in two languages plus hand-signs. She's socialized with other dogs (dog park every weekend) and people (average 3 walks per day, sits when she greets people, including/especially kids and older people). We've taken her to family reunions and parties, visits PetSmart and the beach. She's been to puppy-training school, learns new skills fast, comes when she's called. She waits for permission before eating, going through the door to get outside and doesn't even barge out of her kennel. She gets supervised like a toddler who can still get into trouble but is by-and-large becoming more trustworthy every day. I work from home, and set up a sleeping pad for her where ever I am that day.

Let me now describe Sue's dogs. A chocolate lab approx 4 years and a PBxGreat Dane approx 3 years. They don't go for walks because they're too unruly on a leash, so they get exercise with each other playing in their fenced-in yard. If anyone walks by, they're loud barkers (I've heard their neighbours don't appreciate this). Sue can't have parties because their dogs are too wired, jumpy and bitey. My husband, who loves big dogs, has been over to their house to help with their computer and even he feels uncomfortable with the level of nipping. I've been in their house only once, and saw the dogs demanding cookies by pawing at the cupboard, Sue caves in and gives them cookies "to be quiet." Needless to say this does not happen, they keep begging/demanding.

So let's get back to my party. My pup was out meeting people but mostly contained in the family-room which is dog-proofed. I had to go attend to some things in the kitchen so I put her back in her kennel. Within minutes, Sue had let my dog out of her kennel and my dog was heading toward the dining room, where there was a buffet table with food at Dobie-nose height right within reach. I caught her in time and put her back in her kennel and asked Sue what she thought she was doing. She said she felt sorry for my dog and said I run a boot-camp and called me a Nazi (her words not mine). She said it in a drunk-joking tone but I didn't find this funny. Several other people witnessed it as well. In the interest of not wrecking my party I didn't confront her back.

She may have been joking or forgotten about this, but I have not.

So my question is, dog owners, what would you have done? Am I justified in being mad? Should I just ignore this and get over it (Sue probably has)? Sue keeps inviting me to bring my dog over to her place for a play-date with her dogs but frankly I don't want to and have been making excuses not to. If you think I'm out of line, let me know, I'm open to all opinions.

Thanks.
Edit: LovemyMeyer, she puked up rawhide chips. And she had not been eating anything else, she was in my sight all night other than that. But thanks for your reply.
LovemyMeyer, you've definitely been outvoted. My dog was beside me up until I put her back in her kennel, when I had to put out some more food for my guests. I'm not sure what kind of free-for-all parties you throw, but mine are quite civilized (other than this one guest, unfortunately). I hope your new year brings you calm and bliss, you'll be in my prayers.

Everyone else thanks for your responses. I won't kick this neighbour to the curb, I'll have a talk with her when she's sober. If she still can't abide by the rules we've set for our dog, she won't be invited over any more. If she apologizes for what she called me, she'll be forgiven.

A well bred Dobermann with the typical drives/dominant traits for the breed would not want or need to go on a doggy play date. Dobermanns should be handler focused, tolerate the presence of other dogs & be aloof with strangers.

With regard to letting your Dobermann out of her crate, if that had been my dog I would have been extremely annoyed that someone disregarded by express wishes & at that point would have taken her to one side & asked her to go home & sober up.

I wouldn't continue to make excuses, but politely & firmly state that you don't agree with the concept of doggy play dates & are obedience training your dog so she's very clear in her head what behavior is expected of her & obeys commands first time every time, regardless of environmental distractions.

At 8.5 months old your Dobermann is still in the rapid growth stage of its skeletal development & will almost have reached its adult height by twelve months old. Over exercising a young Dobermann can cause serious long term damage to the joints, so I would advise no longer than 45 minutes exercise a day. By one year old, my Dobermanns were taken on one hour walks, but no impact exercise such a jogging, running or agility.

Louie plays with flip chip

louie entartains himself with a rawhide chew.