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AIBU?

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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 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.

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 22:23

BrendaSmall · 17/02/2026 22:18

how often does he walk the dogs and for how long every time he takes them out??

Everyday

OP posts:
BrendaSmall · 17/02/2026 22:18

how often does he walk the dogs and for how long every time he takes them out??

Crazycatladywithnocats · 17/02/2026 22:14

I wouldn’t like your water bill, or your energy bill. Doesn’t use the hair straighteners too does he? 😆

WallaceinAnderland · 17/02/2026 22:11

Leave him and his dogs.

ZookeeperSE · 17/02/2026 22:10

Well, that’s enough Mumsnet for me, for one day.

thecomedyofterrors · 17/02/2026 22:07

I don’t know anything about dogs. But reading that this is cruel to bathe them so often awful- that sort of selfish cruelty I can’t abide. As well
as the time spent, dog smells etc. Divorce!

Gallowayan · 17/02/2026 22:06

A dog whistle to rallythe mumsnet dog hater brigade?🍪

FreeWheezin · 17/02/2026 22:05

Ok I've recovered now. If he has OCD it isn't fair for him to be managing it using these dogs. He needs to get proper help, and if he cant stand the smell of dog, he cant have dogs. If he has OCD how is he coping with the dog poo on the balcony?

FreeWheezin · 17/02/2026 21:57

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:35

I'm really thinking about it, it seems like his only goals in life these days are to wash these dogs all the time

I'm so sorry OP but this actually made me laugh out loud!

Overitallnow · 17/02/2026 21:52

Keep the shih tzus and get rid of him!

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 21:50

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 20:41

Is this a real post? Sounds like a wind-up to me.

I wish it was a joke, I really wish it was

OP posts:
BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 21:45

Scout2016 · 17/02/2026 21:22

His behaviour doesn't make sense. He dislikes the smell so.much he bases them every day, but he wants them in his bed and he let's them shit on the balcony instead of taking them out. Which a) must smell worse than the dogs do and b) isn't what he would do if he loved them and wanted to look after them properly.

Fair reason to leave him OP but it does sound like some sort of crisis that could maybe be resolved?

I heard his mother say that he has OCD, but it seems like he never saw a psychologist or wanted treatment

OP posts:
Scout2016 · 17/02/2026 21:22

His behaviour doesn't make sense. He dislikes the smell so.much he bases them every day, but he wants them in his bed and he let's them shit on the balcony instead of taking them out. Which a) must smell worse than the dogs do and b) isn't what he would do if he loved them and wanted to look after them properly.

Fair reason to leave him OP but it does sound like some sort of crisis that could maybe be resolved?

MID50s · 17/02/2026 21:15

MyNextDoorNeighbourVotesReform · 17/02/2026 20:36

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

I think that’s a bit extreme! the RSPCA will have a lot of worse cases on their hands than someone that washes their dog everyday!

Dunnocantthinkofone · 17/02/2026 20:48

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.

I work as a trainer. It is 100% NOT normal. And it’s cruel

TemporarilyCantDoMyself · 17/02/2026 20:47

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:14

don't know😭 it started suddenly. He seemed normal, or maybe he was normal, I swear. All I know is that his family is strange with dogs like that too.

He ain't normal now though.
WTAF? Nutty as a fruitcake.
I say that as a retired psychotherapist. Nutso. C'mon @BeLilacDog, this can't go on. 😂

Muffsies · 17/02/2026 20:41

Is this a real post? Sounds like a wind-up to me.

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:38

Dunnocantthinkofone · 17/02/2026 20:26

Utterlly cruel and medically inadvisable to bathe dogs that regularly
Sorry OP, but you husband sounds mentally unwell

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.

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Harrietsaunt · 17/02/2026 20:37

Dreadfully cruel to keep washing the dogs. Their skin must be in a right state.

He sounds a bit deranged really, so yes, LTB

MyNextDoorNeighbourVotesReform · 17/02/2026 20:36

NotThisAgain1987 · 17/02/2026 19:52

He's harming the dogs. They aren't to meant to bathe that often at all.

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

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:35

ChilledProsecco · 17/02/2026 20:16

Dogs in bed - yuk!! Absolutely gross, as is dog shit on the balcony. Grounds for divorce, I reckon!

I'm really thinking about it, it seems like his only goals in life these days are to wash these dogs all the time

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mumofoneAloneandwell · 17/02/2026 20:33

BeLilacDog · 17/02/2026 20:14

don't know😭 it started suddenly. He seemed normal, or maybe he was normal, I swear. All I know is that his family is strange with dogs like that too.

You poor thing 😂😂😂🥰

Step5678 · 17/02/2026 20:30

You don't know what to do? Surely insisting that 1) they don't sleep in the bed and 2) they don't poo on the balcony would be your first steps.

Dunnocantthinkofone · 17/02/2026 20:26

Utterlly cruel and medically inadvisable to bathe dogs that regularly
Sorry OP, but you husband sounds mentally unwell