[LABSX2]

Originally Posted by hulahips

hi everyone First let me say, I grew up with dogs and love animals. However, now that we're retired we choose not to have the responsibility any longer and be free to do what we want etc..

I find myself in a sticky situation and not sure how to handle this. We've met many friends here and recently have encountered this situation where I Hate to lose a friendship over it.

We were invited to friends house for first time. They asked us to remove our shoes. I don't generally have a problem with that as I have wood floors and would love if my husband would even do that. ha the problem is they have a dog that was jumping on me, licking my bare toes, my bare legs (had shorts on) but even more uncomfortable was he kept barking and growling at me and scared me to death. I was really nervous!! I really couldn't wait to leave. My husband said on way home, why did we have to remove our shoes when the dog runs out in yard, all over grass, and drags the dirt in. We don't ask people to remove their shoes and we have wood floors with no pets. Like I said it's not the shoe situation its why does the owner think it is appropriate for the dog to jump on us, lick us, etc.. when we have no shoes on?? I know growing up my parents always put the dog in another room when we had company out of respect, especially if they were friends that were not dog owners. How do I continue a relationship without hurting anyone's feelings ? I really do like them.

You never really said what YOU did when the dog did all this licking and jumping and barking. When a dog is doing something that you don't like, if you totally ignore him/her, they will usually go away. They want your attention and if you don't give it to them, they will look to someone else who will. Like the Dog Whisperer says "No Touch, No Talk, No Eye Contact". Give it a try.