No right or wrong answer!

[brigadier]

The dogs (Rolo- ancient labrador, Scruffy nervous but sweet rescue terrier) are in the garden and Im in the house when I hear yoo hoo, and my husbands friend and his wife let themselves into the garden for an impromptu visit. My little scruffy dog gets all excited and starts jumping up at the man, whereupon he points at him and starts really shouting at him. the little dog is terrified (he was badly treated at some point) and runs under the table cowering. The wife tells him to stop, Im so incensed and trying to reach the dog so I can calm him that Im speechless except to say- really feebly- "he has been badly treated dont shout at him" I spend the rest of the visit fuming at how crap my response was and can barely look at the bloke. My oh (bless him) comes out having missed this- scruffy dog jumps on his knee and he kisses him and spends the next five minutes doing silly doggy talk whereupon the wife says to her husband "See thats how you treat dogs!"

What would anyone else have done- Ive asked my husband to have a word with his friend and tell him not to do that again and he says he will- but I actually now want to say something myself but I can see it leading to an arguement and is it worth it??
Do I ban him- I dont like him but his wife is ok and I think she will have given him some earache over the incident.

(I love my little dog and wont ever see him upset)

[dannyboy]

I would let it pass this time for the sake of your OH but I would definitely not accept it again. He sounds like a pr*ck

[gnuton]

Ah Brig, don't fash yourself. Rehebottom a response if anything else should ever happen but let it go.

But, if you really feel yourself needing to say something to him maybe smile sweetly and point out that in the future he should call before he comes over so you can make sure your little doggy is safe. ;D

[haffyfan]

I think you were very restrained as I would have tried to knock his block off.....which in the long run wouldn't have helped the friendship with his wife much..... if she's got anything about her she will be giving him hell for you. Agree with Dannyboy he sounds like a complete bottom, if he treats an animal like that well he is capable of treating a human like it too.

[babymare]

I think you were very restrained to Brig. I would not say anything this time as OH said he will but next time they visit make a point of saying the little scruffy dog (who sounds gorgeous ) is very nervous due to his past and if he does raise his voice to him just aim a kick right where it damn well hurts!! I can not believe the rudeness of some ppl !!!!

[Becca]

I agree, i bet the wife is giving him grief. She would have noticed your reaction to what he did loud and clear and is probably totally embarassed.

if you can i would let it go, his wife made a point in front of you and your OH to say how scruffy should be treated. If you cant i like gnuton's idea of the sickly sweet "could you call first so i can make sure the dog is safe"

poor little scruffy big cuddles and kissy wissies (in that voice reserved for animals and babies)

[brigadier]

cheers guys- ive calmed down now but ignorance like that really really gets me. Most things I can cope with as people can be a bit daft at times but bullying is a big no no for me- gets me in lots of trouble as I wont let anyone bully anyone or anything- fancy getting nasty with a little terrier!

[Blonde Donkey]

kicked him out
nobody would treat our dog like that without getting an earbashing off me
it was completley out of order

[racaille]

What a vile man! I don't suppose I'd have reacted any differently though, probably too intent on pacifying the dog to think of anything clever or cutting to say. Yes, he definitely has to call before 'popping in' next time - good one Gnuton - but I think it's best to let it go this time. Probably, an bottom like that won't change his ways anyway!
I do feel for you. I too have rescue dogs and I HATE it when I am in the middle of a retraining programme and someone does something stupid to disrupt it. Especially as some of the dogs I have taken on have been very unpredictable.
Just as bad are the 'kind' ones who fuss a dog at the table, for instance. When I send the dog away they say dumb things like: 'Ah, he looks hungry' - or 'I don't mind him begging for titbits/stealing food from my plate ....'
Well, pal, I DO! My dogs get fed from their own dishes twice a day and have NOTHING in between. Keep your horrid habits to yourself!!!!

[popsicle]

I agree with everyone else really. Now if he had HIT the dog, then you obviously would have let him have it with both barrels. You did right to let it go as you did, the wife obviously knew your feelings on it, by her response and i'm sure she let him have it when he got home. If it happens again, then have a response ready.

[maximum]

he is probably scared of the dog! what a w*anker!( man not cute pupster hound!)

dont waste time worrying about hun am sure his life has been misery anyway with his wife nagging away at him!

[ceej]

ahh so like my response - not as strong as I wanted and woudl have beat myself up about it after - if you had shouted though, little scrufster woudl probably have worried even more -

I agree the wife would have had words and you are well within your rights to give him a left hook if he ever speaks to your hound in such a fashion again. Little upstart.!

[duckles]

Poor little Scruffy. Man sounds like a brute but I probably would have done the same as you- (and thought of a million things I should have said afterwards) at least you are forearmed now and will be prepared in future. BUt what a cheek, coming into your garden and giving out to your dog! Scruffy sounds a pet. We have rescue dogs too- mine is a total brat (despite my er excellent(!) efforts at training) but my sister's is like scruffy (only a German Shepard) she gets totally upset if given out to and becomes a quivering wreak, its really pitiful.

[florence]

Yes, poor Scruffy, he was probably so pleased to see them. This guy really has a nerve. He lets himself in and then shouts at your dog. If he had any manners he would have knocked at the door or the back gate to let you know he was coming in! I would ask them to let you know next time they're coming and if he does do it again be ready with a retort.