I have a large, very friendly, very hairy Old English Sheep Dog^*. I would have no hesitation putting him in a different room if I had visitors who didn't like dogs. We normally ask if he can at least say hello, on the lead if necessary. That's normally enough to stop him barking for attention once he is shut out. Even I find it too much when he is lying right under my feet when I am trying to eat my dinner and he is often put out into the hall until the end of the meal, visitors or not. A good host should try and accommodate his/her guests. After all, it's likely to be only for a couple of hours.

As far as "the dog wouldn't understand" goes, the dog has to understand its place which is below all humans in the household including (especially) the smallest child.


^*Bobtail for those in the US (though he still has his full tail) - Dulux dog for most people in the UK

DC