Toyoungtobeadamnedgran: you have offered a separate ‘dog free’ sitting room, which sounds like a good plan. If, of course, someone is very frightened of dogs or really dislikes dogs, then no matter what you do, it won’t be enough, I’m afraid.
We have a lovely, gentle rescue dog but we were very careful who we let her meet initially because we didn’t really know, given her past experiences, what was going on in her little doggy brain!
We have four grandchildren and several young nieces and nephews and our dog has never posed a problem to anyone. However, we kept her on her short ‘indoor’ lead while people and children were visiting, including our family, until we were all sure of how she reacted. If people don’t like or are frightened of dogs, she goes into a locked room with her bed and some treats, until the visitors have gone. Simples!
One of my friends is so terrified of animals, that I have to promise her that our pets are locked into a bedroom before my friend will come to our house, and even then she is nervous, so I’ve taken to meeting her elsewhere - less nerve wracking for us both! ?✅