“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Gathering for Thanksgiving dinner with one’s extended family may be very fun and relaxing, but not if a snappy dog is in the same room with a toddler.

Having her dog who previously attacked the girl at the Thanksgiving table was something that this Redditor’s sister-in-law insisted on, so the mother refused to come.

More info: Reddit

A woman was planning to celebrate Thanksgiving with her in-laws but changed her mind due to her sister-in-law’s dog

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credits: RDNE Stock project (not the actual photo)

The woman’s sister-in-law owns a dog who doesn’t like kids and has been growling at her daughter since she was a baby

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credit: u/Jass_the_Yass

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credits: Tatiana Syrikova (not the actual photo)

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credit: u/Jass_the_Yass

As the girl grew up a bit, the dog continued to be aggressive towards her

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credits: cottonbro studio (not the actual photo)

The last time, the chihuahua lunged at the girl’s face, growling and snapping, and the mom was just in time to save her from being bitten

A mother of a toddler brought it to the Reddit AITA community online asking whether she was right to refuse to come to her in-laws’ house for Thanksgiving due to their dog.

The woman explained that her sister-in-law owns a chihuahua who doesn’t like children. Since the birth of the OP’s daughter, the dog has been growling at her. Yet it became even more challenging later on.

After the last time when the dog lunged at her daughter’s face, growling and snapping, the girl’s mother told the dog’s owner she had had enough and wouldn’t have them in the same room.

Since the sister-in-law needed to have her dog with her on Thanksgiving, the woman requested that she keep the dog in another room.

The woman’s in-laws were hesitant about keeping the dog separately from the toddler and refused to confirm, so the mother made sure to keep her daughter safe and made an update that she chose to have Thanksgiving as a trio with her daughter and husband at home.

The woman asked her SIL to keep the dog in another room on Thanksgiving, but she only agreed to be holding him

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Image credits: wkn (not the actual photo)

So the woman didn’t bring her daughter to her grandparents and celebrated with her husband and daughter at home

Someone less familiar with the breed could wonder whether such a small creature as a Chihuahua can do any harm, yet these dogs are known to sometimes have a snappy character and there probably is no question that with toddlers, it is better to be on the safe side.

While Chihuahuas and children can coexist, this often requires appropriate training and precautionary measures for both the dog and the kids. This is due to the dog being fragile, kids not always paying attention to the dog’s body language, and Chihuahuas not always appreciating unfamiliar kids’ company.

Finally, it is advised to keep Chihuahuas’ and friends’ or relatives’ children’s interaction supervised at all times to avoid accidents and possible shock to a young kid. For these reasons, celebrating Thanksgiving in the safety of their own home was probably the best decision the parents could have made in this kind of situation and Redditors sided with them.

Redditors sided with the woman and shared their experiences

“[Am I The Jerk] For Refusing To Bring My Daughter To Her Grandparents’ House On Thanksgiving?”

Aura is a writer at Bored Panda. She finished her BA in Philosophy at Vilnius University. She lived in Prague for a few years, where she worked in Trade Compliance at DHL Express. Finally, she came back to Vilnius to continue her studies in Philosophy.

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I am a visual editor here. In my free time I enjoy the vibrant worlds of art galleries, exhibitions, and soulful concerts. Yet, amidst life's hustle and bustle, I find solace in nature's embrace, cherishing tranquil moments with beloved friends. Deep within, I hold a dream close - to embark on a global journey in an RV, accompanied by my faithful canine companion. Together, we'll wander through diverse cultures, weaving precious memories under the starry night sky, fulfilling the wanderlust that stirs my soul.

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What do you think ?

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Brainmas 11 months ago

I love the idea that they would wait until the dog acted aggressively before they would lock it up. Newsflash dummies, it already acted aggressively last time! Putting your kid's dog over your actual grandchild is a new low.

50points

Janet Floyd 11 months ago

Exactly. Once that child's face is ruined, or worse, you can't take it back. Crazy grandparents. My daughter's face was bitten by another family members dog when she was 4. It was an accident the dog was playing and bit at a glove she was holding at her face. My uncle and his wife were horrified, and always kept that poor dog on a chain after that when they would visit. My daughter is 42 and still has that scar on her cheek, but no hard feelings and still loves dogs.

15points

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Jessica Urquhart 11 months ago

Aw, poor things, both of them. Accidents can happen, and it was innocent. Sounds like the dog wasn't aggressive, so didn't deserve to be chained up, but I understand the owner's concern. I grew up with dogs. My first that I really remember was a male pit bull. I was 3 when we got him as a puppy. It was probably good that the 2 of us grew up together, because by the time he was grown, I definitely knew how to treat a dog. Later, we rescued a female Rottweiler. Those 2 dogs were wonderful. I now have an aging Australian shepherd. She's an absolute sweetheart, but very sensitive. She loves children and would never hurt a fly, but kids have to also learn how to treat dogs. When my kids accidentally hurt her, maybe pinched her when trying to pet her or play, she snaps to tell them, but never tries to bite. Still, if a kid doesn't know better, and hurts her bad enough, you never know how she might react, especially now that she's old.

0points

SilverSkyCloud 11 months ago

even worse op said that sil told her they would start to get training for the dog, it shouldve been getting training since day 1

1point

Wendy Schkade 11 months ago

Well said

0points

Skulls.N.Succulents 11 months ago

I have had put bills that protect newborns/yoddler/kids with their life and let them pull on their tails and poke their eyes with not even a flinch and I have a chihuahua that is the epitome of evil when it comes to any human under the age of 12!!! If a dog doesn't like kids that child WILL be bitten and holding a dog is never a good enough option!!! Good on the parents and the rest of the family can kick rocks of a dog being in one room for a day means more the safety of baby!!!

47points

Spocks's Mom 11 months ago

Holding a dog can make a situation worse if the dog is resource guarding the person holding it. The parents are doing the right thing. I love dogs more than almost anything, but I try to keep a good realistic head when it comes to these things.

26points

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Pandroid Rebellion 11 months ago

My pittie was the same way! She taught a baby to walk and would block the stairs for safety. She didn't care if a child pulled her ears or poked her nippies (obviously that behavior was immediately corrected) and even climbed up into a wheelchair stroller on Halloween once for an older special needs kid to get a cuddle. It made the family so happy! My Shepard I don't let around kids. She would die for me but she can be snappy around quick movements. Just a bad idea. People should use their flefding heads.

13points

John G 11 months ago

Was just having this conversation with a coworker today. He and his gf each have older, smaller dogs. He told her when they pass he wants to get a bigger dog. He said she was scared to (I guess because of their small dogs behaviors) and he told her that big dogs are more chill. We got two 60lb rescue dogs about a year after we moved in. One of 9ur neighbors was a 2yo little girl. They loved her. She would boss them around. One of those dogs has since passed and we now have a 75lb dog. Neighbor across the street now has a 2yo. She isn't at the bossing them stage yet, but conveniently at dog kisses height.

6points

Sera 11 months ago

I have two medium mutts and one very small one; the big kids adore people of all ages, the little one dislikes children... but of course because he's small and cute, people typically direct their children towards him instead of my bigger dogs who would love to be petted by anyone. He tolerates it as long as I am available to rescue him, and I always take the opportunity to teach kids that they should always make sure to ask first before they pet any dog, that some dogs only like to be petted in specific ways, and that sometimes they just don't want to be touched. He's a good communicator and most kids are really respectful when they find out he's an old man, thankfully.

5points

Jessica Urquhart 11 months ago

That was my experience with pit bulls and rottweilers as well. Great dogs, wonderful with children if they're socialised with children appropriately. My pit bull was exactly like that, so protective. The only time he let people he didn't know come and go into the yard or house without my parents to escort them were children. Adults who didn't know him already, had to be accompanied by my parents the first time or two.

2points

R.C. 11 months ago

I've worked with dogs a lot of years and I've found a lot of owners (not all) of small dogs don't care or even think it's funny when their animals are super aggressive. My dog was 120 lbs and he once had a miniature poodle hanging off the scruff of his neck when we tried to pass them on the sidewalk and the owner was laughing! It makes me so angry because if my dog had defended himself it would have been my dog put down because of his size. It was a good thing he was so laid back (and well trained).

31points

Wendy Schkade 11 months ago

Ugh I'm glad your dog is ok. I would have called animal control on poodles owner.

11points

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Parker Shaw 11 months ago

Came looking for this. Doesn't matter what size the dog is, it needs to be trained. It's in everyone's best interest.

4points

Kayla Hewey 11 months ago

That is the main reason I hate small dogs. aggressive dogs are not funny no matter the size and I hate people's tiny dogs getting in my face when I sit down owners always laugh it off I don't want them in my face if a great dane can understand that why do I have to deal with it with your shitzu?

4points

tee-lena 1 month ago

I love dogs but there are a lot of mini poodles in our area that are not nice dogs. No training. Hell, there's a lot of small dogs not trained. My mom and I were out for a walk tonight and we heard small yapping. Lady goes do you want to meet him? Being a dog lover I said hell yeah! It came out the gate. Ignored me and my wheelchair and went directly to my mom's walker and pissed on it! 😳 She didn't even apologize! She just said, oh, he does that. "We put a diaper on him in the house but we were outside." WTELF?

0points

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