I don't have that problem, but, I'm sorry you and Vada had to put up with that. 
If it were me, the in-laws wouldn't be visiting again.
If it were me, the in-laws wouldn't be visiting again.
Ditto.I don't have that problem, but, I'm sorry you and Vada had to put up with that.
If it were me, the in-laws wouldn't be visiting again.
My kid alpha rolls the dog, I can alpha roll the kid.If you think that's bad, wait until you have kids!
This, MIL would have been put out the door VERY quickly, my Hubby wouldn't hve been able to move quickly enough to stop me. It's MY HOUSE, MY DOG, MY RULES, follow them or LEAVE.If someone hit my dog, I would fly into a rage. I've never hit anyone in my life, but I'm pretty sure I would reflexively smack anyone who dared hit my dog across the nose, especially my fearful dog. I don't mean to blame you here; your in-laws were totally in the wrong and you have every right to be mad at them, but you should have removed their access to Vada after that incident where your MIL kept smacking the floor and scared Vada into having an accident. If not then, definitely when your FIL terrified her by putting his face right in her face. They clearly have no desire to follow your rules regarding your dog, so I'd deal with them the same way I would a little kid: You don't treat my belongings or pets the way I ask you to, you don't get to play with them and I don't give a crap whether you're offended by that or not.
I hope Vada calms down after they leave and that these incidents haven't scarred her too much when it comes to meeting strangers.
I'd like to think my thinking brain would be able to blurt out "Welp, visit's over! Time for you to leave NOW!" before my lizard brain kicked in with white hot rage and painted the walls blue.You wouldn't want to even imagine what I'd do if someone smacked my dog. It would not be pretty.
Exactly. Where do people get off, thinking they can touch someone else's dog?This, MIL would have been put out the door VERY quickly, my Hubby wouldn't hve been able to move quickly enough to stop me. It's MY HOUSE, MY DOG, MY RULES, follow them or LEAVE.
You're a wise woman. Speaking from long years of experience dealing with a difficult father-in-law, saying what some of the other posters said about kicking out the in-laws and laying down the law isn't going to help. It will simply strain the relationship further. They're uneducated in the ways of dogs obviously, and unwilling to change their ways. Old habits are hard to break. The doggy daycare option is best for your dog and ultimately easier on you, too, especially since the in-laws visit so seldom.Well it's the end of the day finally. A very tense and awkward day...
The in laws voiced a lot of opinions and we voiced quite a few back. It was a pretty quiet day to say the least. Vada was spared any furtur torment today as the in laws finally just left her alone. Vada calmed down a bit and now that they are gone she's happy as can be. She's finally ate a good meal and sleeping like the dead as I speak.
We try not to have conflicts with his parents especially since we only see them maybe every 2 years or so. His mother really isn't a woman I want to have conflict with unless I want to suffer forever. Whenever they visit again Vada is gonna have some day trips to a daycare.
Huh, I've had the exact opposite experience with difficult relatives. The laws of learning apply whether you're a dog or a disrespectful house guest, in my experience... behavior that is tolerated or rewarded continues, behavior that gets you kicked out of my house is extinguished if you want to keep coming to my house. I mean, you don't have to be nasty about it or anything, but I find that a simple "you're not welcome here if you do X" or "call me again when you're ready to behave like Y" goes a long way. *shrug*Speaking from long years of experience dealing with a difficult father-in-law, saying what some of the other posters said about kicking out the in-laws and laying down the law isn't going to help. It will simply strain the relationship further.