To Paranoid also....

[KMARINO]

I know [MENTION=881]Gertie's Mom[/MENTION], posted yesterday about wondering if she was to paranoid, and my response was I don't think you can ever be to paranoid. As you can see under bulldog pictures, I just posted I have a new neighbor with a cute little dog. I arranged a play date today and brought her here, for Vegas to be a total idiot with her trying to hump her the whole time.

I took her home early and my new neighbor said next weekend he would like to bring Vegas over to his house maybe he would not try to hump her when not in his domain.

I said we could try, now I am sitting here thinking.....NO....he does not know the breed and how he can get over exhausted, he could steal him, he could hit him if he tried to hump his Haily, My husband thinks I am being ridiculous, we are literally steps apart from each other. I think NO...I am going with my gut. Do You think I am over-reacting or thinking to much in to it?? I have only known this guy for two weeks and he seems very nice. BUT, I guess it is a control issue, I want to be in charge and have it only at my house.

 

[sheila]

i think you should be there mom.

 

[LariP]

Any reason these play date attempts can't have both parents in attendance? Then you wouldn't have to worry if you stayed with him.

 

[Momma2Bullet]

ugh, if MY gut says no....then it's no. maybe the best way to fix this situation is to express your attachment to Vegas and without totally sounding like you do not trust him...maybe you can stress Vegas' health concerns?!

 

[Libra926]

Yeah..walk him over for the date and ask if he would mind if you stayed a bit. Get him talking about the dog and let him know how high maintenance the breed is. Let him know everything you have to do and all your concerns. Either he will never let Vegas back over to play or he will listen and learn. Maybe you will become comfortable enough with them that you may even be able to have them dogsit for you when you host another party.

 

[Mike Blaylock]

I'd say be there or forget it! Your absolutely entitled to be paranoid. Bulldogs can be unpredictable and need their Alpha pack leaders (Mom & Dad)
to make them tow the line. Otherwise.......it could and probably (with no supervision) would get ugly. That's their nature and trait. They are overly protective of their space, they do bond to Alpha pack leaders because they need that guidance in their life's. With Ma & Pa Alpha their happy and fine. Other people.......weeeeeeeeeell they will walk all over them, and they will assume the alpha role on their own. Which is uuuuuuhhhhhhgggggllllly!!!

 

[sheshistory]

You don't know if Vegas will behave himself, so naturally you want to be there. I don't think that's being paranoid, I think it's good judgment and makes complete sense. I would never let Linus or Truman go to anyone's house unless I was there because I know how they can be - and I don't trust THEM!

Now, keeping in mind I think I am the lone dissenter on the board with the paranoia stuff, I do not think you need to worry about your neighbor stealing Vegas. Although he is very adorable and I can see why he'd want to - I don't think you need to worry about it.

I agree with Libra's suggestion to see if you can hang out at the play date, see how it goes for a bit, and, only if you feel comfortable, let Vegas stay a bit on his own. A very good suggestion by [MENTION=572]Libra926[/MENTION] too that you might even have a little network of dogsitting formed in case you want to entertain at your place unfettered by Vegas' "love"

 

[Gertie's Mom]

I agree, you should be there, for all the reasons listed above.

 

[KMARINO]

Great advice, I hardly know this guy, and he is a kid, like 25, my kids ages and single, so I did not really want to hang out at his house, BUT, we have one thing in common we both love our dogs, and I have never met a stranger, I can talk to anybody. BUT you all are right, I will take him and ask him if I can stay and observe for a while. I am hoping in time this will all work out, today just did not go so well. It would be so nice to have some time alone, my son does come and get Vegas about once a week to play with his dog, but I am at work so I don't get to enjoy the silence, or Vegas not being up my butt!!

 

[cali~jenn]

I am overprotective also so to me you sound totally sane. lol. There is no way in heck my boys would go to most anyone's house to play. Even people I trust would still make me anxious just because anything could happen, what if he got loose and ran into the street? I am wayyyy protective and these are the thoughts that go thru my head. I was shocked actually when I read that you had the guys pup at your house cuz to me that was crazy of him to allow. lol. Can you imagine me with my daughters?!?! They wont be spending the nights at anyone's house aside from certain family.

 

[Bella'sMom]

go with your gut! Why don't you suggest having a play date outside? is there a park close by?

 

[mammyglicks]

if he wants him over there, i would insist on accompanying him. I wouldn't trust Bear with someone who does not know the breed. I had no idea the things that could happen prior to all the research I did and certainly didn't know they get overheated and exhausted quickly. Go with your gut. Just like with a kid, get to know the parents then you may feel safer letting Vegas over without you. I do this will all my son's friends, until i am comfortable with them he doesn't go without me. You can never truly know.

 

[Bella Cows Mama]

I completely understand and think that alot of good ideas have been given above . I haven't had this situation arise with Bella yet but my daughter(4 1/2 yrs old) has been talking about overnights lately and I'm like "sure, they can come here!:D" But then there is the akward convo that will inevitabley come up when the parents start wondering why their kids are to be trusted at your house but not yours at theirs? :bust:

 

[LisaRN]

Nope.. I think you are being like many of us!! Case in point - I let Chester out in the morning and the darn stinker sometimes will NOT come in the house. Rather than leave him out there while I dry my hair - I go in late to work (and can I add.. this sitting in front of the garage, staring out at the street - whether it be 7am or 10pm..is getting old )

 

[kazzy220]

I wouldn't let my dogs go over there alone .... so you are definitely NOT paranoid. I would insist on being there .... but come up with a really good excuse why I did so as not to embarass either myself or the neighbour!!