Woman Asks If She's An A**hole For Telling Her Partner He Needs To Train His Dog Or Rehome Her
Moving in together can expose every little habit, and sometimes the biggest problem is the one with four legs and a tail. One Reddit user says that is exactly what happened after she and her boyfriend shared a home, only to realize his dog was far more than she could handle. The woman says she offered to help with classes and walks, but her partner was not interested, even as the dog started causing bigger problems around the house and putting strain on the relationship.
Then came the ultimatum, train the dog or rehome her, and Reddit had plenty to say about that.
The Redditor explained that she and her partner recently moved in together, and although his dog can be "very sweet when she's calm," she is generally very hyper and out of control.
That is where the real frustration starts.
The Reddit community had plenty to say and offered some advice to the OP.
But sadly, nothing seemed to work.
Original Post
Moving in with a partner is always a big learning curve. We discover things about each other that we didn't know, learn each other's habits, and adjust to being around each other 24/7.
So, when there are other aspects, such as kids or pets involved, things can get even more complicated. One Reddit user recently shared a story on the AITA (Am I The A**hole?) subreddit about how she's having issues with her boyfriend's dog.
The Redditor explained that she and her partner recently moved in together, and although his dog can be "very sweet when she's calm," she is generally very hyper and out of control. The OP said the dog doesn't know basic commands and is unresponsive to her efforts to train her.
The Reddit user says she's tried offering to take the dog to classes and for regular walks, but her partner wasn't interested. He works a lot and doesn't really have the time to take care of a dog properly.
The OP said the dog had urinated on their bed, torn up and chewed everything in sight, and even gave her ringworm. Worryingly, the Redditor said the dog had also started to be aggressive, which has become stressful for the OP.
The Reddit user explained that she has tried to bring up the issues with her boyfriend on several occasions, but he isn't interested in resolving anything. Recently, he mentioned that he wants to breed the dog and keep one of the pups.
The OP said there's no way they can handle two dogs when the one they have already is out of control. So, she gave her boyfriend an ultimatum: train the dog or get rid of her.
As always, the Reddit community had plenty to say about this. Keep scrolling to find out how they reacted.
Here's how people reacted.
"Maybe the dog is the wrong target for your dislike? I don't like your boyfriend."
"The dog needs to be trained."
"I would end the relationship."
That did not go over well with commenters.
This echoes the unemployed man who told his working girlfriend to train her clingy dog.
"He doesn't deserve a dog."
"Your partner seems to be oblivious to responsibility."
"Hyper breeds are usually smart and need mental stimulation."
People were not exactly subtle about where they stood.
"An untrained dog is no fun."
What's your take on this situation? Do you think the OP is overreacting about the dog, or is she justified in feeling as frustrated as she does?
Either way, let's not forget that there's someone else who is affected by this - the dog! Life isn't fun for a dog that has no guidance and no "pack leader" to turn to.
Dog ownership is a serious responsibility and shouldn't be taken lightly, especially when that dog is a large, hyperactive breed that needs stimulation.
We would love to hear your thoughts on this. You can share them with us in the comment section below.
That part of the story is hard to ignore.
Utilizing positive reinforcement techniques can also enhance the dog’s learning process while creating a more enjoyable environment for everyone involved.
Ultimately, consistency and teamwork are key to successful dog training.
The situation presented in this article highlights the crucial role that effective pet training plays in maintaining a peaceful coexistence between partners. Open communication about expectations and responsibilities regarding the dog is vital for both partners to feel heard and valued.
Moreover, the narrative underscores the idea that successful pet ownership is a team effort. When couples actively collaborate on training and managing a pet, they are not only enhancing the dog's behavior but also strengthening their bond. This scenario serves as a reminder that the complexities of merging lives often extend beyond just human interactions; they encompass the lives of our animal companions as well.
Now the question is whether the dog or the relationship is the bigger problem.
Want the same “train it yourself or rehome it” spiral? See how a self-proclaimed animal lover rehomed dogs after they proved too hard to train.
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