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Can't stand the 4 dogs of my husband anymore

86 replies

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 19:48

Well, my husband didn't used to like dogs very much, but since 2017, he's developed an obsession with them. It probably comes from his family, since they love dogs; he has four Shih Tzu dogs.He can't stand the smell of dogs, and he bathes them practically every day, even when they're clean. The problem is that he dries them and spends hours with the hairdryer on, practically Every day, sometimes I can't sleep because of the noise,I've told him to turn off the hairdryer at certain times, but he doesn't care. He also wants those dogs sleeping with us in bed. I don't know what to do,It makes me want to break up with him,The balcony area sometimes gets covered in dog feces, leaving it smelling bad.

OP posts:
XenoBitch · 17/02/2026 23:28

MID50s · 17/02/2026 23:24

Do they tell people with gardens to clean their dog shit up? No, because they have more pressing issues to be getting on with other than an over bathed dog!

Yep, it the dogs are fed and watered, and seem ok, then the RSPCA wont do much if anything.

FrozenFebruary · 17/02/2026 23:27

Catpuss66 · 17/02/2026 23:14

They might come tell him to clean the shit up off the balcony & stop bathing them everyday.

Dearest Summer Child. They would not.

MID50s · 17/02/2026 23:24

Catpuss66 · 17/02/2026 23:14

They might come tell him to clean the shit up off the balcony & stop bathing them everyday.

Do they tell people with gardens to clean their dog shit up? No, because they have more pressing issues to be getting on with other than an over bathed dog!

TheRuffleandthePearl · 17/02/2026 23:21

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:38

I've already spoken to some people and family about it; he thinks it's normal, gets angry when I criticize his behavior, and some people say he just really likes dogs.

If he really liked them, he would read up on proper care and realise that washing that often is harmful. And they will be stressed by the heat and noise of the dryer too.

People talk about their dog having a “spa day” Hmm at the groomers for example, (what rot) but for most dogs, they tolerate it but very few actually enjoy it. It’s tiring and not fun for most. Luckily it’s usually only a couple of hours every few weeks or months.

But him doing this daily will damage their skin and their mental health.

Catpuss66 · 17/02/2026 23:14

MID50s · 17/02/2026 22:53

The RSPCA wouldn’t do anything

They might come tell him to clean the shit up off the balcony & stop bathing them everyday.

lastlonelygrape · 17/02/2026 23:06

There are a number of problems here. As everyone's saying, dogs shouldn't be washed nearly that often. Also, if the hairdryer is loud enough to bother you, only imagine what it's like for the poor dogs, with their sensitive hearing. (And why is he bathing and drying them so late or early that it would wake you?)

If he's obsessed with the dogs being clean/not smelling, why doesn't he care about the mess on the balcony, and why are the dogs 'going' there if he's walking them enough?

This whole situation is insane and wrong. Those poor dogs.

DelphiniumBlue · 17/02/2026 23:00

4 dogs in a flat??
I'd be out of there.

MID50s · 17/02/2026 22:53

Tel12 · 17/02/2026 22:48

I've got a white dog with a high maintenance coat and she's bathed once a month. Every day is cruel to the dogs but it does sound as if your husband has other issues. Call the RSPCA for a start.

The RSPCA wouldn’t do anything

Crazycatladywithnocats · 17/02/2026 22:51

whereisitnow · 17/02/2026 22:37

That is genius, and deserves a thread of its own , so we can explore further 😂

Ooh yes, it would be hilarious.

Portakalkedi · 17/02/2026 22:49

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 17/02/2026 22:42

That's a bit dramatic.

Why dramatic? As I said surely in any marriage a decision like this must be joint. Otherwise there's no respect for the other.

Tel12 · 17/02/2026 22:48

I've got a white dog with a high maintenance coat and she's bathed once a month. Every day is cruel to the dogs but it does sound as if your husband has other issues. Call the RSPCA for a start.

VeterinaryCareAssistant · 17/02/2026 22:42

Portakalkedi · 17/02/2026 22:31

If this is real, then I'd be long gone. Surely getting a dog, let alone 4, should be a joint decision. If my DH suddenly brought a dog home that would be the end of us .

That's a bit dramatic.

Endofyear · 17/02/2026 22:41

Divorce. Leave him to sleep with his dogs 🤮

WonkyConk · 17/02/2026 22:41

Those poor dogs. I have two tiny doodle breeds and they are out galavanting around the woods with me, every single day, as well as training and competing in a dog sport to keep their brains occupied. That’s a good life for a dog. Being cooped up in a flat being constantly washed and dried is downright cruel.

BlackCoffeeAndSugar · 17/02/2026 22:38

Wtf

whereisitnow · 17/02/2026 22:37

DeathBanana · 17/02/2026 22:35

We need to set up a husband exchange service. Like a multicoloured swap shop. For husbands. My husband does not like dogs. Would you like to trade?

That is genius, and deserves a thread of its own , so we can explore further 😂

DeathBanana · 17/02/2026 22:35

We need to set up a husband exchange service. Like a multicoloured swap shop. For husbands. My husband does not like dogs. Would you like to trade?

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 22:35

I couldn't stand normal dog smell either, but that's why I don't have dogs.

His behaviour is unreasonable, it's impacting negatively on you, and it's not healthy for the dogs. You only have one choice, you have to lay it on the line to him: wash the dogs once per week, and no dogs in the bed, or you'll start 'seriously considering your options'.

Tableforjoan · 17/02/2026 22:34

The poor dogs skin must be buggered.

Portakalkedi · 17/02/2026 22:31

If this is real, then I'd be long gone. Surely getting a dog, let alone 4, should be a joint decision. If my DH suddenly brought a dog home that would be the end of us .

XenoBitch · 17/02/2026 22:31

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 22:28

I swear the dogs dont smell bad,only have the dog classic smell

If he hates the classic dog smell (and I agree, it is not a bad smell... it is just a smell), then why on earth did he get 4 of them?

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 22:28

XenoBitch · 17/02/2026 22:25

Those poor dogs! Unless they are filthy everyday, they do not need daily baths. It is terrible for their coat and skin, plus it will be making them more oily and smelly if their coat is stripped of its natural oils every day.

I swear the dogs dont smell bad,only have the dog classic smell

OP posts:
SergeantWrinkles · 17/02/2026 22:28

I’ve said you’re unreasonable op because if you had any gumption, you’d start a dog grooming business and major the best of it!

Newbie8918 · 17/02/2026 22:27

MyNextDoorNeighbourVotesReform · 17/02/2026 20:36

Report him to the RSPCA. He isn't looking after those dogs well at all. Poor things 😢

As batshit as he’s being with these dogs, the RSPCA are not going to intervene because the dogs are too clean and share a king size bed! You can hardly get them to take action for real abuse!

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 22:26

Overitallnow · 17/02/2026 21:52

Keep the shih tzus and get rid of him!

Lmao if was a psychopath on my place would do that

OP posts: