If it's a long time friend and they only stay one night, I would just grin and bear it.

Hey Don,
When they come go out to eat. I personally do not want another persons dog in my house. If I wanted a dog I would get a dog.

We have 3 dogs, who we love like children, but we would never bring them unannounced to anyone's house, even though they are very good. It's just rude. That said, I'm not sure I know how to handle such a situation. Obviously, the dogs have been tolerated before, and I'm assuming nothing has been said about leaving them at home before. I'm also assuming that the other dogs are left at home with a petsitter or something, since you said that they bring one of their dogs. Maybe if you said that the one dog they bring would be happier at home with the other dogs the frinds would get the message? Telling them in advance, and adding that you are planning to take them out for dinner (great suggestion britbritmay) could deter them from bringing the unwelcome critter. It's really difficult to broach the subject to the friend now that the situation has been tolerated before. It should have been addressed the first time.

they only bring one? what's the matter- they're so unruly that they can't leave them together for the night?

my attitude is thus...a child under my roof is under my roof- and my rules. I do NOT care if momma lets you at home- this is not your home, and if you want to play by momma's rules, stay at momma's house.

ditto for dogs- and yes, I have confined visiting dogs to the sun porch (this upset the owners far more than it upsets the dogs, let me tell you) for the duration- or to the guest room (let them shed on the pillow that mommy sleeps on)

but I'm a hard woman with few (though very close) friends.

Get a cat; that should put an end to it. Or tell them you've developed allergies and to please leave the pooch at home.

Just BORROW a friend's cat for the night----and tell them you have a cat....so their dog WILL HAVE TO STAY IN THE CAR!!!!!!

;)

Or offer to put them up in a cheap-o hotel....maybe they'll leave poochy at home.

Wow....does nobody use the "little white lies" trick anymore?

Simply have your wife say that you've visited your family doctor for your long time sinus problems and he's pinpointed it to an allergy to dog dander.

No doggies in the house!

Problem solved, no one's feelings hurt.

aiki

Amen to Jenn. Just tell them the truth. They are friends... no?

That particular friend is severely lacking in common courtesy and manners!!! If it is a "good-enough-a-friend", have a "hart-to-heart" discussion about the dogs.
If they truly are good friends...they will understand. If this doesn't work, LIE unabashedly about allergies!

All I can say is WHAT GALL! Did they ask if they could bring a dog in the beginning???? Is their company that valuable to you?

In a lame attempt to keep peace, I'd lie too saying someone in the house had developed allergies.

My FIL has a dog and the first time he showed up with it at my house, I said it had to stay outside. It also was untrained and we had wood floors that i did not want scratched up and off white new upholstry that i did not want soiled. he never asked again and just puts her outside when he comes, and that works fine.

Perhaps you should get a cat and then you would have a great excuse why the dog can't come. We did, but not for that reason. I am just a person who adores a cat.

It is kind of like the couples who always bring their young children to adult dinner parties, and are clueless. That actually wouldn't bother me but it bothers some people. My one SIL used to do that all the time to her friends.

As I see it you have 2 choices.... one endure the dog....or 2 tell them they can't bring the dog and stay at your house....and they will likely never visit again.
You have a choice to make....either absence of dogs....or absence of friends....it's up to you.
Linda C

While I have 3 dogs I could never imagine even if I wanted to take them somewhere that I wouldn't ask first. I remember when we had gotten 1 as a puppy we had to be around allot for training purposes. We were invited to a friend's home & we declined the invitation b/c we wouldn't invite ourselves over with a dog, especially one that wasn't trained yet & could not leave her alone for long periods. They told us to bring the 2 dogs we had over. I used to be roommates with the woman so she knew I'd be right on top of my dogs & would clean up after them. It all worked out fine & no accident, but I can't imagine anyone just assuming they could bring their dogs AND if they are so rude to do so then I wouldn't care about hurting their feelings & telling them you'd really prefer they not bring their dogs. They can come sans dog or not come, period.

Michie

I don't want dogs at my house either, and I am having a party this week-end and have decided not to invite those that I think would bring dogs. If they were good friends, it would be one thing, but we are inviting people from work that we know only casually. I had thought about adding "no dogs" on the invitation, but it seemed more tactful just not to invite those that cannot go anywhere without their dogs.

The losers are the ones who cannot leave their dogs at home - not me because the friends I care about are considerate. I will also not require anyone to remove shoes to come into my house - the party will be mostly outdoors anyway, and my floors are easy to clean.

Lars

Buy a nice big python and take it along when you visit those dog friends.

I had an adults only party and three couples did not come because of the children (one was my niece and her family). One couple was slightly miffed because it is their first baby but they understood. The other two appologised and gave their regrets. Then I had a friend that takes her dog everywhere. I asked her not to bring her dog and now she is really mad at me. Oh well. It was my party and up to me who came and no dogs or children.

I agree with those who said to be honest with your friends. Be gentle, be apologetic, but just say that unfortunately it's just not going to work out to have the dog this time, so please make other arrangements, but you sure are looking forward to the visit!

Don't lie about allergies or cats or anything else. Don't tell them that the dog will be happier at home. (That's a pet peeve of mine -- people who manipulate others by suggesting that it's for the other person's benefit.) Take ownership of your choice.

These are your friends. Show them the respect they deserve rather than indicate that they are too small to hear a reasonable request.

If you feel that they won't come at all if they can't bring Doggie, then you need to decide which you prefer: friends plus Doggie or none. If you prefer the former, say nothing and just grin and bear it.