Please or to access all these features

AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

AIBU to insist we rehome one puppy after my husband bought two?

208 replies

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 01:17

Me and my husband have 2 kids, boy 6 girl 3. He works as a lorry driver, 60 hour weeks out of the house from 2:30am, I’m a community carer and work in the evenings 4:30pm - 10pm and weekend mornings.
80% housework is done by me, he helps when I’m not there or when I ask which is fine as I like things done the way I do them anyway.
a couple of weeks ago, we decided to get another dog together as a family, he had some money spare (which I thought wasn’t spare as he was using the money to put towards a new career so studying ect) despite discussing other topics more seriously like getting our little girls room redecorated as she is still in with us, decorating the downstairs hallway, getting a dishwasher as both of us HATE washing up and I mention it at least 3 times a week haha, or a DPF filter clean on his car that has been over due for over a damn year and now his car is rattley, or even a holiday he decided on spending the full amount of money on a puppy. Not just one but TWO. Without talking to me first. He fell in love with both of them and joked about taking them both for £700 below the asking price and the breeder let him as she was struggling to rehome the girl.
These aren’t any little dogs either - we don’t do small dogs no no no. 2x German shepherd puppies. Which cost money. Potentially for the next 12-14 years if we’re lucky. I said no no we can’t afford two he said “yes we can it’s fine I’ll sort it”. Shut me down. Coming from the man who didn’t want to use the money when it was our little girls birthday a week previous for a day out on her actual birthday because she had already had a party at our house Sunday and that cost a lot food wise and was more than he had when he was a kid. It was family and I brought all the food myself, plus her gifts and made her cake ect. A week later he has money to buy two fucking dogs. Wtf.
I had a bad feeling from the beginning, tried to let this process as it was something he wanted and I have a habit of “stopping him doing what he wants to do” (which is usually buying a stupid car like an old Range Rover or another guitar and putting yet another bill on himself) but it’s just too much for me. Two kids that need my attention, a husband that survives his job on 3/4 hours sleep most nights (as I’m out working) plus our older dog we already have, plus all the house shit and work too. I don’t stop, I sit down to cuddle or play with my little girl in the day and that’s it the rest of the time I’m sorting out the house, ensuring everyone has everything they need ect. I’m not looking for sympathy here I’m happy to do it, but what I’m saying is I’m already stretched thin enough. Deciding on ONE puppy was fine with me and I was ready to take that challenge on but not TWO. Double the cost, double the food, double the accidents and double the fucking work for me when he’s at work! We have been at loggerheads all week, I’ve told him we need to rehome one of them as I cannot cope with the two of them, I have PTSD and ADHD so my brain gets so overwhelmed so so easily and this is just too much for me. I’ve been having panic attacks, barely eating, throwing up ect as I’m so anxious about the cost, the time it’s taking out of my time with my daughter which isn’t benefiting her, the house is upside down with all the big jobs I normally do hasn’t been done which sends my brain into chaos. He has agreed after seeing how bad and exhausting things were this weekend when he was at home, so he asked his mum and dad. They live in a rented flat so have to go through x amount of hoops trying to get an answer as to if they can have a dog or not. Bear in mind they haven’t had a puppy before so don’t know how to train ect (like me so google is a godsend) plus his dad is very quick to change his mind if it affects him and he has to do anything other than his job/golf, but they’ve said they want her. I was taking to my best friend and she said her mum would have her too, as she loves German shepherds and bred them for a long time before she couldn’t do it any more as she was too unwell. I know this as she done this the whole time I was at school with my best friend and she can take her now. With his mum and dad we have to wait for god knows how long for some asshole to say yes or no.
So we’re currently in limbo, with me not being able to relax at all, or get anything done without the pair of these puppies under my feet, or my kids needing me. My worries are -
not enough time with my children as busy cleaning
physically exhausted due to cleaning and tidying
costs of the dogs and food
ensuring they get training and sleep as if not they fight
they fight a lot so have to separate them which is hard as we have an open plan house
the damage they both might do to our sofa / floors
keeping an eye on my kids and the dogs at all times to ensure they don’t eat anything my kids are playing with
the constant shit and piss EVERYWHERE
all the housework being done
going out for longer than 2 hours and leaving them in the crate
the noise as they cry and bark when my husband gets up for work and then at about 6am when I get up
when I stress, my optic neuritis can flare meaning my vision is affected meaning I can’t work as I drive in my job
I also have panic attacks, and all the other stuff that goes with it as said above
training both dogs at the same time is near on impossible with the other one and kids ect
the list can go on and on.

his worries are -
separating them as they may not cope
his mum and dads feelings if they can have the dog but I take her to my best friends mum
my feelings and stress on the situation
having a puppy German shepherd is his dream and it’s being ruined by having to rehome one of them

probably other stuff but that’s the main bulk.

we have spoke and argued more than ever this past week about this situation as it’s brought to light a lot of issues in our marriage we have agreed to work on together which is great.
but I can’t relax or switch off when I’m so stressed out with this situation with no end in sight until his parents rent people say an answer 🙃 so I’m being off with him, not realising, we’re barely having sex or kissing (I know it’s like 34 degrees in England right now so no one is lol) usually we’re very affectionate towards each other but it’s like my body just can’t let this go.
I want to try as soon as the dog is re homed, but in the mean time I just can’t get over the fact that this is all because he thought with his “awwwwww puppy” rather than practically.

am I going mad? Is this normal?
how do I get past this and back to normal with him?
he says he understands all my reasonings ect and we are on the same page now but it’s like it’s already done damage!

OP posts:
DugnuttEyeBoogies · 24/06/2026 21:11

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 06:29

with regards to getting one puppy, we’ve done this before but we were both working full time and didn’t have the time for him and he had behaviour issues. My husband has grown up with GS so knows their behaviours and that they take a lot of work, which I have said I’m happy to do as I’m home till 4pm anyway, I can handle one puppy but not two. I read up on littermate syndrome and told him about this has he has done 0 research into puppy training in general and his response was “don’t believe everything on google I’m sure it’s not that bad and people have done the is before” which I feel is gaslighting me…. I love this man, and I want to stay together I just don’t know how to move past this once one of the pups are rehomed. My husband is depressed, but refuses to get any form of help as in talking to someone. Other than his mum and dad as they don’t really help.

Well tell him that there are some smart ladies here also saying the same bloody thing about littermate syndrome.

and yes the issue of keeping them apart when the girl goes into heat. Awful.

DearDenimEagle · 24/06/2026 21:08

I had a friend whose children were adults. She got 3 GSDs . She couldn’t train them. They just ran about doing their own thing. Had her cornered in the kitchen one day…scared the life out of her. Her husband came in and took them outside He had them put down when she died aged only 57. .
Our neighbours’ son had one. They were a police family, too. The husband was my Sergeant father’s Inspector. Their son was a policeman in another force. The dog was called Burgher, but was usually addressed slightly differently. Resource guarding was one issue I remember. No one could go within 10 feet while it was eating. Anyway, my parents, brother and I were invited round for coffee and a chat when the son, wife and dog were visiting. So my parents walked in one at a time, then my brother into the lounge , and I was the coo’s tail. I was the last straw, too. The dog lunged at me as I opened the door to go in . I took a step back, pulling the door shut. The dog changed direction and went for my mother instead. Ripped through her lambs wool sleeve of her two piece suit. Slight scratch on her but sleeve was a mess. Yet I used to take him walks round the streets, though had to promise not to let anyone try to stroke him. I was about 11..we moved soon after. I loved that dog..anything that attacked my mother was cool by me 🤣 He was guarding his family from invaders .

DearDenimEagle · 24/06/2026 20:51

SurelyNotShirley · 24/06/2026 19:53

They are not dangerous unless brought up by a dangerous owner - Same as any dog.GSD's are fantastic family dogs and will guard your family. Same as all mine have.

That’s My point.

.How is she going to train them with everything else she has to do? It’s not just house training. It’s everything else an GSD needs , which is more than say, a Cavalier King Charles. And I didn’t say GSDs were dangerous. I said some breeds are in certain circumstances.
I love GSDs . I’ve always wished I had a Belgian Malinois, too, but by the time I could choose for myself, I knew I didn’t have the stamina any more to do it or a GSD justice. They are smarter than I am, anyway.
Having dogs is supposed to be a symbiotic relationship. Giving the dog what it needs, to get back the loyalty and companionship etc

SurelyNotShirley · 24/06/2026 19:53

DearDenimEagle · 24/06/2026 19:25

And working dogs..the clue is in the name, but these are not herding collies. Which are killers too, that herd flocks before going in for the kill. Shepherds use the herding but stop short of the killing.
These are guard dogs. Bred to attack predators of sheep. There’s a reason they are used to bring down people by the police and other authorities. They channel the dogs natural instinct, as shepherds change a collie’s instinct etc. you have littermates. There will be jealousy and competition. You have a one year old. It won’t be long before those pups tower over her , big teeth at face height . It’s insane.
Bringing one pup into a home with under 5s is not recommended. Some breeds it’s positively dangerous.

we had one, a bitch, soft as butter..dad brought her home from the police station to save her as a stray. We still had to rehome her. She went off to become a police dog . But it’s a gamble ..we were kids at school , not about to toddle.

They are not dangerous unless brought up by a dangerous owner - Same as any dog.GSD's are fantastic family dogs and will guard your family. Same as all mine have.

SurelyNotShirley · 24/06/2026 19:52

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 01:17

Me and my husband have 2 kids, boy 6 girl 3. He works as a lorry driver, 60 hour weeks out of the house from 2:30am, I’m a community carer and work in the evenings 4:30pm - 10pm and weekend mornings.
80% housework is done by me, he helps when I’m not there or when I ask which is fine as I like things done the way I do them anyway.
a couple of weeks ago, we decided to get another dog together as a family, he had some money spare (which I thought wasn’t spare as he was using the money to put towards a new career so studying ect) despite discussing other topics more seriously like getting our little girls room redecorated as she is still in with us, decorating the downstairs hallway, getting a dishwasher as both of us HATE washing up and I mention it at least 3 times a week haha, or a DPF filter clean on his car that has been over due for over a damn year and now his car is rattley, or even a holiday he decided on spending the full amount of money on a puppy. Not just one but TWO. Without talking to me first. He fell in love with both of them and joked about taking them both for £700 below the asking price and the breeder let him as she was struggling to rehome the girl.
These aren’t any little dogs either - we don’t do small dogs no no no. 2x German shepherd puppies. Which cost money. Potentially for the next 12-14 years if we’re lucky. I said no no we can’t afford two he said “yes we can it’s fine I’ll sort it”. Shut me down. Coming from the man who didn’t want to use the money when it was our little girls birthday a week previous for a day out on her actual birthday because she had already had a party at our house Sunday and that cost a lot food wise and was more than he had when he was a kid. It was family and I brought all the food myself, plus her gifts and made her cake ect. A week later he has money to buy two fucking dogs. Wtf.
I had a bad feeling from the beginning, tried to let this process as it was something he wanted and I have a habit of “stopping him doing what he wants to do” (which is usually buying a stupid car like an old Range Rover or another guitar and putting yet another bill on himself) but it’s just too much for me. Two kids that need my attention, a husband that survives his job on 3/4 hours sleep most nights (as I’m out working) plus our older dog we already have, plus all the house shit and work too. I don’t stop, I sit down to cuddle or play with my little girl in the day and that’s it the rest of the time I’m sorting out the house, ensuring everyone has everything they need ect. I’m not looking for sympathy here I’m happy to do it, but what I’m saying is I’m already stretched thin enough. Deciding on ONE puppy was fine with me and I was ready to take that challenge on but not TWO. Double the cost, double the food, double the accidents and double the fucking work for me when he’s at work! We have been at loggerheads all week, I’ve told him we need to rehome one of them as I cannot cope with the two of them, I have PTSD and ADHD so my brain gets so overwhelmed so so easily and this is just too much for me. I’ve been having panic attacks, barely eating, throwing up ect as I’m so anxious about the cost, the time it’s taking out of my time with my daughter which isn’t benefiting her, the house is upside down with all the big jobs I normally do hasn’t been done which sends my brain into chaos. He has agreed after seeing how bad and exhausting things were this weekend when he was at home, so he asked his mum and dad. They live in a rented flat so have to go through x amount of hoops trying to get an answer as to if they can have a dog or not. Bear in mind they haven’t had a puppy before so don’t know how to train ect (like me so google is a godsend) plus his dad is very quick to change his mind if it affects him and he has to do anything other than his job/golf, but they’ve said they want her. I was taking to my best friend and she said her mum would have her too, as she loves German shepherds and bred them for a long time before she couldn’t do it any more as she was too unwell. I know this as she done this the whole time I was at school with my best friend and she can take her now. With his mum and dad we have to wait for god knows how long for some asshole to say yes or no.
So we’re currently in limbo, with me not being able to relax at all, or get anything done without the pair of these puppies under my feet, or my kids needing me. My worries are -
not enough time with my children as busy cleaning
physically exhausted due to cleaning and tidying
costs of the dogs and food
ensuring they get training and sleep as if not they fight
they fight a lot so have to separate them which is hard as we have an open plan house
the damage they both might do to our sofa / floors
keeping an eye on my kids and the dogs at all times to ensure they don’t eat anything my kids are playing with
the constant shit and piss EVERYWHERE
all the housework being done
going out for longer than 2 hours and leaving them in the crate
the noise as they cry and bark when my husband gets up for work and then at about 6am when I get up
when I stress, my optic neuritis can flare meaning my vision is affected meaning I can’t work as I drive in my job
I also have panic attacks, and all the other stuff that goes with it as said above
training both dogs at the same time is near on impossible with the other one and kids ect
the list can go on and on.

his worries are -
separating them as they may not cope
his mum and dads feelings if they can have the dog but I take her to my best friends mum
my feelings and stress on the situation
having a puppy German shepherd is his dream and it’s being ruined by having to rehome one of them

probably other stuff but that’s the main bulk.

we have spoke and argued more than ever this past week about this situation as it’s brought to light a lot of issues in our marriage we have agreed to work on together which is great.
but I can’t relax or switch off when I’m so stressed out with this situation with no end in sight until his parents rent people say an answer 🙃 so I’m being off with him, not realising, we’re barely having sex or kissing (I know it’s like 34 degrees in England right now so no one is lol) usually we’re very affectionate towards each other but it’s like my body just can’t let this go.
I want to try as soon as the dog is re homed, but in the mean time I just can’t get over the fact that this is all because he thought with his “awwwwww puppy” rather than practically.

am I going mad? Is this normal?
how do I get past this and back to normal with him?
he says he understands all my reasonings ect and we are on the same page now but it’s like it’s already done damage!

I've reared, adopted, fostered, raised, and bottle fed very many GSD's, GSD x Husky, GSD x Russian Bear dog etc...keeping them together can actually create a pack mentality, which isn't always good.

I currently have a GSD x Husky - She's 5. GSD's are powerful, can have anxiety attachment, need a lot of stimulating, walking, feeding, vet bills, grooming etc...they are fantastic, loving dogs but they are hard work and can destroy a home if not adequately trained. (Although, I'd kill for another GSD puppy. I also have ADHD.) I think it's only fair to rehome one. They won't miss one another.

TimeForTeaAndG · 24/06/2026 19:29

I have not read everything but apart from it sounds like an absolute shit show, he is a lorry driver and he gets 2.5 hours sleep a night?!?!

Re-home the dogs, re-home the husband.

RoseField1 · 24/06/2026 19:26

Return both puppies for fuck sake. You SHOULD NOT have a puppy in this household.

DearDenimEagle · 24/06/2026 19:25

And working dogs..the clue is in the name, but these are not herding collies. Which are killers too, that herd flocks before going in for the kill. Shepherds use the herding but stop short of the killing.
These are guard dogs. Bred to attack predators of sheep. There’s a reason they are used to bring down people by the police and other authorities. They channel the dogs natural instinct, as shepherds change a collie’s instinct etc. you have littermates. There will be jealousy and competition. You have a one year old. It won’t be long before those pups tower over her , big teeth at face height . It’s insane.
Bringing one pup into a home with under 5s is not recommended. Some breeds it’s positively dangerous.

we had one, a bitch, soft as butter..dad brought her home from the police station to save her as a stray. We still had to rehome her. She went off to become a police dog . But it’s a gamble ..we were kids at school , not about to toddle.

WingingItSince1973 · 24/06/2026 19:24

This is absolutely crazy!!! You and your husband are both struggling with serious mental health issues, chaotic home life and small children. How totally irresponsible and selfish of him to get these two high need dogs with no ability to train them or finances to keep them well fed, healthy etc. Those poor dogs will be so stressed out with just the unhealthy atmosphere alone at home, let alone bored stupid as you both have no idea how much energy these dogs have and need to work for stimulation. Top it off with two young children who both rightly have needs that need prioritising. How the hell is this going to work! No kids should have to live in this chaos let alone 3 dogs! Please make a stand and take action quickly before anyone/dogs suffer even more. I can't imagine the atmosphere in your house. I feel stressed just reading it.

NoSourDough2 · 24/06/2026 19:18

I am the owner of two 18 month old litter mate brothers. It’s not recommended. They fight at least once every two weeks over toys. They must be fed separately. They must be walked separately. They must be trained separately. They are expensive; double food, vets and insurance. They shed double the hair. The mess is a joke.

I would not loose one now as I love them both but if I could have my time back again - I would choose one dog. It’s been the hardest 18 months and that’s with a supportive DH who isn’t an arsehole.

DearDenimEagle · 24/06/2026 19:10

He is not a decent Dad if he’d rather blow a fortune on 2 large breed working dogs that can cost many thousands in vet bills , need good feeding, lots of activity for their mental health, potentially dangerous to the child if not sufficiently worked, rather than spend money on his daughter.
He’s a rotten father and a worse husband. His priorities stink and he needs to grow up.

Eachstepatatime · 24/06/2026 18:44

Having read this thread it's difficult given the circumstances to ignore it. I fear in the near future it's not only the dogs that will be removed. It will be the children too when social services become involved after hearing there are 2 fierce poorly trained dangerous dogs living feral in the house.

1984Winston · 24/06/2026 17:20

I had two German Shepherd cross puppies from the same litter when I was a kid (so was my parents decision) I loved them but it was horrendous because of litter mate syndrome and they both had to be put down due to biting people. You definitely need to rehome at least one of them

Casperroonie · 24/06/2026 17:20

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 01:17

Me and my husband have 2 kids, boy 6 girl 3. He works as a lorry driver, 60 hour weeks out of the house from 2:30am, I’m a community carer and work in the evenings 4:30pm - 10pm and weekend mornings.
80% housework is done by me, he helps when I’m not there or when I ask which is fine as I like things done the way I do them anyway.
a couple of weeks ago, we decided to get another dog together as a family, he had some money spare (which I thought wasn’t spare as he was using the money to put towards a new career so studying ect) despite discussing other topics more seriously like getting our little girls room redecorated as she is still in with us, decorating the downstairs hallway, getting a dishwasher as both of us HATE washing up and I mention it at least 3 times a week haha, or a DPF filter clean on his car that has been over due for over a damn year and now his car is rattley, or even a holiday he decided on spending the full amount of money on a puppy. Not just one but TWO. Without talking to me first. He fell in love with both of them and joked about taking them both for £700 below the asking price and the breeder let him as she was struggling to rehome the girl.
These aren’t any little dogs either - we don’t do small dogs no no no. 2x German shepherd puppies. Which cost money. Potentially for the next 12-14 years if we’re lucky. I said no no we can’t afford two he said “yes we can it’s fine I’ll sort it”. Shut me down. Coming from the man who didn’t want to use the money when it was our little girls birthday a week previous for a day out on her actual birthday because she had already had a party at our house Sunday and that cost a lot food wise and was more than he had when he was a kid. It was family and I brought all the food myself, plus her gifts and made her cake ect. A week later he has money to buy two fucking dogs. Wtf.
I had a bad feeling from the beginning, tried to let this process as it was something he wanted and I have a habit of “stopping him doing what he wants to do” (which is usually buying a stupid car like an old Range Rover or another guitar and putting yet another bill on himself) but it’s just too much for me. Two kids that need my attention, a husband that survives his job on 3/4 hours sleep most nights (as I’m out working) plus our older dog we already have, plus all the house shit and work too. I don’t stop, I sit down to cuddle or play with my little girl in the day and that’s it the rest of the time I’m sorting out the house, ensuring everyone has everything they need ect. I’m not looking for sympathy here I’m happy to do it, but what I’m saying is I’m already stretched thin enough. Deciding on ONE puppy was fine with me and I was ready to take that challenge on but not TWO. Double the cost, double the food, double the accidents and double the fucking work for me when he’s at work! We have been at loggerheads all week, I’ve told him we need to rehome one of them as I cannot cope with the two of them, I have PTSD and ADHD so my brain gets so overwhelmed so so easily and this is just too much for me. I’ve been having panic attacks, barely eating, throwing up ect as I’m so anxious about the cost, the time it’s taking out of my time with my daughter which isn’t benefiting her, the house is upside down with all the big jobs I normally do hasn’t been done which sends my brain into chaos. He has agreed after seeing how bad and exhausting things were this weekend when he was at home, so he asked his mum and dad. They live in a rented flat so have to go through x amount of hoops trying to get an answer as to if they can have a dog or not. Bear in mind they haven’t had a puppy before so don’t know how to train ect (like me so google is a godsend) plus his dad is very quick to change his mind if it affects him and he has to do anything other than his job/golf, but they’ve said they want her. I was taking to my best friend and she said her mum would have her too, as she loves German shepherds and bred them for a long time before she couldn’t do it any more as she was too unwell. I know this as she done this the whole time I was at school with my best friend and she can take her now. With his mum and dad we have to wait for god knows how long for some asshole to say yes or no.
So we’re currently in limbo, with me not being able to relax at all, or get anything done without the pair of these puppies under my feet, or my kids needing me. My worries are -
not enough time with my children as busy cleaning
physically exhausted due to cleaning and tidying
costs of the dogs and food
ensuring they get training and sleep as if not they fight
they fight a lot so have to separate them which is hard as we have an open plan house
the damage they both might do to our sofa / floors
keeping an eye on my kids and the dogs at all times to ensure they don’t eat anything my kids are playing with
the constant shit and piss EVERYWHERE
all the housework being done
going out for longer than 2 hours and leaving them in the crate
the noise as they cry and bark when my husband gets up for work and then at about 6am when I get up
when I stress, my optic neuritis can flare meaning my vision is affected meaning I can’t work as I drive in my job
I also have panic attacks, and all the other stuff that goes with it as said above
training both dogs at the same time is near on impossible with the other one and kids ect
the list can go on and on.

his worries are -
separating them as they may not cope
his mum and dads feelings if they can have the dog but I take her to my best friends mum
my feelings and stress on the situation
having a puppy German shepherd is his dream and it’s being ruined by having to rehome one of them

probably other stuff but that’s the main bulk.

we have spoke and argued more than ever this past week about this situation as it’s brought to light a lot of issues in our marriage we have agreed to work on together which is great.
but I can’t relax or switch off when I’m so stressed out with this situation with no end in sight until his parents rent people say an answer 🙃 so I’m being off with him, not realising, we’re barely having sex or kissing (I know it’s like 34 degrees in England right now so no one is lol) usually we’re very affectionate towards each other but it’s like my body just can’t let this go.
I want to try as soon as the dog is re homed, but in the mean time I just can’t get over the fact that this is all because he thought with his “awwwwww puppy” rather than practically.

am I going mad? Is this normal?
how do I get past this and back to normal with him?
he says he understands all my reasonings ect and we are on the same page now but it’s like it’s already done damage!

Out of all the breeds in the world, GSDs are flipping hard work. I have 1, would struggle with 2. Puppyhood is only one stage of the difficulty. You need to make sure all the training happens otherwise they'll grow up to be reactive and then all hell will break loose.

He was bang out of order doing what he did. GSDs are little land sharks at all stages and are highly intelligent, they need training and a job to do.

You don't sound like you're ready for that challenge and puppies are still a good age to remove. Bless you OP, hope it works out.

throwawayimplantchat · 24/06/2026 17:06

A “decent dad” who denies his kid a birthday treat because there’s no money spare then a week later spends £700 on two puppies he wants from a puppy farm?

He’s a shit dad.

And a selfish prick doing long distance lorry driving on 3-4 hours sleep a night. Terrifying we share the roads with people doing that daily.

Lucyladybug · 24/06/2026 16:52

You must never put two dogs in one crate
They can fight and kill each other
Very cruel..

SALaw · 24/06/2026 16:42

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 06:24

so I did contact the breeder on Monday last week and she was going to take one back, however because we hadn’t finished our conversation in my husbands eyes and I’d already contacted the breeder he got really mad and said I basically don’t give a shit about his thoughts or feelings. I went into panic about all of the above and just wanted to know we had a way out but then got told “I’m not choosing one to go back I don’t want to do that and I’m not helping you take one back you’ll have to do that yourself if that’s what you want” the journey was 2.5 hours. He wanted me to do that with our daughter and a puppy?!

Honestly a one off 5 hour round trip is worth the inconvenience compared to 10+ years with 2 dogs on top of everything else. Just do it.

Janus · 24/06/2026 16:40

Honestly this is a disaster waiting to happen. With 2 small children and both of you working long hours neither of you will have the time to do this properly and it will lead to an out of control large dog. Yes you are home for some hours in the day but as you then work evenings I assume you have to look after the one year old, do a school run, do all the washing, cooking, house stuff as your husband doesn’t. When will you have time for dog training in all this?? Don’t even start on the litter mate that every dog trainer will tell you DON’T do.

Your husband is at fault for going out and getting not just one but two puppies after a loose conversation about getting a dog. He should be told you had no input in the decision making here and therefore this is his fault the problem has arisen and he needs to take both back to be honest.

A GS is not a dog to mess up training with, you e already said your previous dog had issues, it won’t be any different this time. It would need many hours of dog training which you can’t do with a one year old in tow if you did this in the week. Weekends you work. It needs to be training you both do, not one, so there is consistency.

Sounds like you need to be the adult here and just tell him no.

TheGreatDownandOut · 24/06/2026 16:36

Raising puppies is bloody hard work - if you do it right. Even if everything else is in your favour - I.e. you have the right finances, good mental health, enough time to dedicate to training etc and you have none of these things. Also, TWO GSD puppies for £700 is suspiciously cheap. I doubt they’ve been bred well!

BuildbyNumbere · 24/06/2026 16:30

Good God … how do people live like this?!?

Singlemumsurvivor · 24/06/2026 16:27

I’ve said you are being unreasonable. To get puppies in the first place. You clearly do not have enough time or energy to care for and train one puppy never mind two. These dogs need proper training as they are highly intelligent.
your dh is unreasonable too. Get rid of both puppies and him.

BuildbyNumbere · 24/06/2026 16:26

Stressedlavatory · 24/06/2026 06:24

so I did contact the breeder on Monday last week and she was going to take one back, however because we hadn’t finished our conversation in my husbands eyes and I’d already contacted the breeder he got really mad and said I basically don’t give a shit about his thoughts or feelings. I went into panic about all of the above and just wanted to know we had a way out but then got told “I’m not choosing one to go back I don’t want to do that and I’m not helping you take one back you’ll have to do that yourself if that’s what you want” the journey was 2.5 hours. He wanted me to do that with our daughter and a puppy?!

Contact a local rehoming centre and sign them both over … for the dogs sake if nothing else!

BuildbyNumbere · 24/06/2026 16:23

YABU rehoming one … they both need to be rehomed / returned to the breeder. The poor things sound like they are not in for a particularly good life as neither of you have time for them … how are dogs that size going to be exercised regularly. Your husband sounds like an irresponsible d-head.

boringperson123 · 24/06/2026 16:12

This is one of the most stupid threads I’ve read in a while your husband is a manchild of course he shouldn’t have randomly bought 2 high needs breed puppies, from the same litter, without asking you, when you do the majority of the housework. Seriously

Kristy20 · 24/06/2026 16:12

Tell your husband that these dogs are actually better off separated. Littermates often don’t do well homed together.

Swipe left for the next trending thread