In laws nasty when we took our new dog round. We didn't expect them to ask the dog inside.

Yes but there’s ways of getting your message across without being rude .

Notanan You’re at it again I see. Obsessively posting again and again on an OP. Learn to read and comprehend. 100 yds down the road, explaining that husband was going to take the nee dog back home after showing him off the the in laws. They did nothing wrong and did not expect the dog to be invited in. Give it a rest - it’s Christmas.

I think it could all have been handled better. I agree it would have been a good idea to telephone and mention that you would have your dog with you, but if you had not planned to go in you would not have thought of that. BIL could definitely been more gracious and politely explained that he was not happy to have your pooch in his house. It seems a shame to fall out. Perhaps a note explaining your intentions and expressing your hurt feelings may help to mend the rift. All the very best.

Another thing to consider - as their dog was he same breed and they’d lost it, seeing the new puppy might upset sil so perhaps he was protecting her ?

Sorry Arcadia03 but the fault here lies with you received an invitation to drop round for Christmas Eve - why did you then change the rules of the game by turning up with your new dog - me, I'm a dog and cat lover, but I wouldn't invite anyone into my home if they brought a dog and didn't ask beforehand if that was acceptable. Why on earth didn't you phone your sister to ask if it was OK? You took the dog just because you thought she would like to see it, and were prepared for hubby to take it bag home - this suggests that you actually entertained the idea you might be taking the dog in. Basic courtesy went out of the window here.

Really wish people would understand that not everyone likes or cares about dogs.
They are are smelly animals not people.
Bah humbug
And that’s not how I am I love Christmasand children but not dogs!!

I think a lot of people are missing the point that the dog was going to be walked back home immediately and not come into the house with them. The brother apparently wouldn't listen to that. Perhaps he was already drunk.

I really wish people would learn to read the original post instead of posting comments written maliciously, that are irrelevant and intentionally designed to stir up trouble! But... we don’t always get what we want do we ?.

Were there small children in the house, and or others who might fear a little bit the reaction of an overeager new dog?

Just being devils advocate.

It seems this was more a communication issue. I am very nervous of dogs and if someone turned up at my door with one plus an armful of presents I would definitely overreact because as others have said, you appeared to be visiting with the dog. He was panicking because he didn’t want the dog in the house so wasn’t hearing your explanation. It’s not worth falling out over.

"I think a lot of people are missing the point that the dog was going to be walked back home immediately and not come into the house with them."
That being the case, why on earth did she stand there arguing her case, rather than just turning around to wave goodbye to the dog at husband's side with a quick "See you in a sec, then"?
She might infer that brother-in-law was rude, but his take might well be quite the reverse. I wonder how she'd feel if he turned up at her door hoping to bring his bicycle into her house for her to see it. He'd take it home after ten minutes or so, of course.

I just wouldn't be rude to someone because of a dog.

Mind you, I'm not sure I'd want to leave a new puppy alone in the house while I went visiting. I think either I'd not get one till after xmas or I'd not visit where I couldn't take it. And that's why I'd never have a dog - far too much hassle.

Communication is everything. Dont let it get you down.

My husband was prepared to take our dog back home, rather than take her in the house (a two minute walk) but wanted to show the dog to his sister.

So I wouldn’t be best pleased about a dog turning up either (I have cats and although I like dogs I don’t particularly like them slobbering on me) but if it was explained they didn’t want to bring it in, just show sister at the door, what’s wrong with that?!?!
BIL - you can’t bring that dog in here!
OP’s OH - no, i know, we just wanted to show it to sister.
BIL - you can’t bring it in here.
OP’s OH - no we aren’t bringing it in, just ask sis to come out to see it then I’ll take it home.

..couldn't get the old grouch (brother in law) to understand that we were happy to drop the dog back home and return

BIL - you’re not bringing it in, rage rage rant rant

Where’s the problem? Poor you OP I would feel the same as you about them. You should have took your presents back too.

probably was having a bad time before you knocked, stressed out and you happen to be in the wrong place wrong time, pop a note indoor or on a bottle of wine saying you only wanted them to meet the new arrival and you were going to take the dog back home, wish them all the best and bite your tongue, (you'll be the bigger person) if they don't speak after that they obviously have a bigger problem)

Why bring the gifts then? If it was so obvious that they were just passing and not wanting to come in at all, why bring the gifts on that "run"

Unless there's a big back story and the OP does "dump and run" gifts rather than wanting to spend any time there, and the dog is a red herring/excuse to call round less

I think a lot of people are missing the point that the dog was going to be walked back home immediately and not come into the house with them.

& I think there's a lot of skimming over the fact that they didnt just arrive with the dog, they arrived with the gifts too. Which changes the "impression" from the BIL point of view.

Nothenan obviously not full of Christmas cheer. Enjoy being snippy and don't think about what the post was really about.

Gosh, can’t believe the venom! Remind me never to make an original post on here.
There only appear to be two or three posters who have actually read the first post. The rest are just ranting and seething about what their own feelings would be!!
The visiting couple had a new dog. The guy thought his sister would want to see it, having had a similar dog in the past. There was nothing to suggest she would not enjoy seeing it. He was prepared to show the dog, then take it home, a few minutes away and return for a visit. All perfectly normal.
The BIL was very rude and would not even let them explain their plan.
He was totally in the wrong, they were behaving in a perfectly acceptable manner.
There was absolutely no need for rudeness. He could have said that the dog wouldn’t be welcome in the house in a pleasant and polite manner. The dog would have been returned home in a few minutes, resulting in no problem for anyone.
If I had a new dog and was intending to visit a close family member who was a known dog lover, I’M sure I wouldn’t think twice about taking it to meet them, even if only on the doorstep. Good grief it was only down the road.
So, maybe he was ill, drunk, depressed, annoyed about something else. Who knows?
Whatever the reason, he was at fault; not the visitors who went assuming the sister would enjoy seeing the new dog and with no intention to offend.

DH and my DS fell out - seriously frosty and DS has new girlfriend (first meeting for us) with him. I think both men need to learn to grow up and, at least, be polite for our new family member. Sadly they never do! Here’s to 2020 everyone!!

Right! because the spirit of Christmas = tell the OP to stay in a piss with the BIL, rather than see the flip side.

They may not have been enthralled to let your puppy in the house but could have put it more nicely.
BIL may have flown off the handle due to the stress of Christmas preparations. Your sister may have got into a flap about getting things ready (perhaps she'd snapped at him and this put his back up) and this may have been the last straw.
He's not psychic and probably expected to see just the two of you. Hopefully he will see the error of his ways and say sorry for his rudeness.

I have had years of people/family making me feel bad or uncomfortable. This last year I have a new philosophy: if a person or people make me feel uncomfortable I don’t spend time around them. I spent too much of my life trying to be correct, polite etc and hurting from others’ responses. Life is just too short!
Merry Christmas Everyone!
Be happy.

OK, I am BLIND and so, therefore, I must use assistive technology in order to use the computer. Since 1982 I have had 5 guide dogs, I love dogs BUT THEY CAN CAUSE PROBLEMS. Not all people like their `Muddy Paws`, their constant tail wagging knocking things here there and everywhere, so YOU had a row with the `IN-LAWS` well whoopy do, it happens what I don't understand is WHY you feel the need to share this with the world.
Is Your life so uneventful that you need to depress everyone else?