Redditor Blasts Roommate For Sabotaging Their Rescue Dog’s Training By Consistently Leaving Food Out
Living with roommates is always an adventure, but throw a couple of big dogs into the mix, and you’ve got yourself a full-blown circus. Between shared spaces, mismatched routines, and a constant scramble to keep food out of reach, chaos is practically guaranteed.
Such was the case for our narrator (Original Poster), who lived in a cozy apartment with two roommates. Their small but lively household had two big dogs running the show—Lilo’s high-energy working breed, Ant, and OP’s rescue pup, Horse.
Horse had a rough start, and while he’d made huge strides in the behavior department, he still had one pretty significant quirk: he couldn’t resist food left out in the open. Like, not at all.
From day one, they all agreed to keep food stored properly. Counters weren’t an option either—the rascal could jump onto them to gobble up whatever good tidings were left unattended.
OP had been working hard to train him out of his food-stealing habit, but the allure of an unattended snack was just too powerful for Horse.
While Cam diligently did their part, Lilo seemed to have a selective memory. Despite their agreement, she regularly left food out and stepped away for long stretches of time. Predictably, Horse always took full advantage.
Lilo would then complain to OP about her missing meals, but the fact that any successful food heist sent Horse back to square one in his training wasn’t helping either.
In the latest incident, Lilo left the room with her dinner out, and Horse, being Horse, decided to have a taste. When Lilo complained, OP couldn’t help but point out firmly that it was all her fault.
Was OP the AH for holding her accountable?
The story in detail
OP has a dog and two roommates, one of whom also owns a dog. OP’s rescue dog (Horse) has behavioral issues; however, it has been undergoing training.
The Impact of Unaddressed Behavioral Issues
The roommate's actions appear to sabotage the dog's training, which can be understood through the lens of behavioral psychology. According to Dr. B.F. Skinner's operant conditioning principles, reinforcement plays a crucial role in shaping behavior.
When the roommate leaves food out, they inadvertently reinforce the undesired behavior of the dog, making training efforts less effective. This highlights the importance of consistency in training and the potential impact of external factors on behavioral outcomes.
Horse eats any food left within its reach. OP explained this to the roommates, and they all decided to keep their food in a safe place.
One of OP’s roommates (Lilo) has constantly left her food and drinks unattended, giving Horse the opportunity to eat them.
This conflict underscores the significance of shared responsibility in pet care. Research shows that when individuals share caregiving responsibilities, such as training a pet, they tend to develop a more cohesive team dynamic. In this case, the roommate's lack of consideration for the dog's training reinforces a breakdown in collaboration and can lead to frustration for the owner.
Recognizing this can be critical in working together effectively toward a common goal, whether it be training a dog or managing household responsibilities.
OP explains that when not home, Horse is kept in their room or a main room; however, the roommates can take him out if they want to.
OP further explains they do their best to train Horse and take responsibility for it.
Effective Communication Techniques
To resolve this situation, it's vital that both parties engage in open communication. Dr. Marshall Rosenberg's Nonviolent Communication model suggests expressing feelings and needs without blame. For instance, the dog owner could say, 'I feel frustrated when the food is left out because it undermines our training efforts.' This approach can foster understanding and collaboration rather than defensiveness.
Encouraging the roommate to understand the implications of their actions can lead to more mindful behavior and improved cooperation in caring for the dog.
Check out some upvoted comments below:
“Lilo agreed to help out by not leaving food out and has not lived up to her word.”
Furthermore, establishing an agreement on pet care routines can help avoid future conflicts. Research in family dynamics shows that creating shared agreements can reduce misunderstandings and enhance collaboration. By discussing and outlining each person's responsibilities regarding the dog, both parties can feel more invested and accountable for the pet's well-being.
This proactive strategy not only benefits the dog but also strengthens the roommate relationship by encouraging teamwork and mutual respect.
“YOU are responsible for your dog's behavior. There's another big dog in the house that's not doing this.”
“The dog will never learn when people are leaving food out. All the training in the world won’t help if they’re leaving food on the counter or the coffee table.”
Redditors had mixed reactions, and blame was hurled at every party except Cam, the one responsible roommate.
While some argued that OP’s living situation wasn’t ideal for a rescue dog with such a strong food drive, others sympathized, noting that proper food storage was crucial once any pets were around.
It was an NTA overall, but the advice suggested everyone stick to the plan—or face the consequences.
Do you agree with this verdict? Let us know in the comments.
“If the roommates were willing to agree to having the dog live with them, then they need to be responsible about not leaving out food.”
“Don't allow them to let the dog out if they won't supervise and cause this issue. You shouldn't have a dog with special needs around people who don't take it seriously.”
“You took a step to keep him secure when you can't watch him, and they are the ones choosing not to keep that, so now it's up to them to watch him or deal with the consequences.”
Psychological Analysis
This situation illustrates a fundamental disconnect in shared responsibilities and the impact of individual behaviors on mutual goals. The roommate's actions suggest a lack of awareness about the implications of their choices on the dog’s training. Addressing these issues through open dialogue can pave the way for a more harmonious living arrangement and effective teamwork in pet care.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
The insights from behavioral psychology indicate that individual actions can significantly impact shared responsibilities, especially in cooperative environments. By fostering open communication and establishing clear responsibilities, roommates can enhance their collaboration. Research supports that this approach leads to reduced conflict and increased satisfaction in shared living situations.
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