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AIBU?

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Original poster

DH wants to get rid of our puppy!!

217 replies

dddddddddd · 15/05/2017 08:57

Long story so please bear with me...

Puppy is actually one year old GSD, who is absolutely lovely. She has so many positives including being a genuine sweetheart and cuddling up to me when I'm feeling low, I love her, pretty much do everything including feeding, grooming etc. DH takes her on long walks which he seems to enjoy!

Problem being she has started to blow her coat and it is irritating DH no end, he's constantly moaning about all the hair even though I'm trying to brush her and keep the house clean. She is also at times quite naughty, nipping and chewing on all manner of items! She can jump the baby gates to stop her getting up the stairs and just generally trashes the place!

He's said a few times over the last week that we've made a mistake and wants to get rid of her!

Im also 8 weeks pregnant and he is using the new baby as an excuse that there will be hair everywhere when baby arrives. I hate people who get rid of dogs because their pregnant and would never be that person!

I think he's being very unreasonable to expect me to get rid of her and I won't even discuss it with him, I just tell him she is not going end of!! He tells me I'm BU! What does everyone think?

OP posts:
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6
QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 10:11

Oh gosh, she is such a beautiful dog!

Our cat is also a furball. And currently (she's very old and not very healthy anymore) we can't really brush her... So we just stroke her with hair catching mittens (all the hair gets stuck...)

I'm glad you have such great control on the situation!! :)

Elphaba99 · 15/05/2017 10:13

Aah, she's gorgeous, OP 💖💖💖

Butteredparsnip1ps · 15/05/2017 10:15

Ok if it is DH's PFB I'd probably cut him (a little) slack. He's being daft, but deep down is probably worried.

Reassure him. The dog hair can be managed, the teenager will have firm boundaries maintained, and will have settled down by the time the baby arrives. You will enjoy your family together, but it's an understable wobble.

I use a hula-hoop wedged in the door frame above our stair gates. It's very temporary, but enough of a deterrent.

Lancelottie · 15/05/2017 10:15

Argh, that giant cat cushion! Are you trying to intimidate the poor pup into better behaviour?

VivienneWestwoodsKnickers · 15/05/2017 10:17

Lancelottie that cushion cat is the spitting image of my actual cat!

Dog and cat just about get on now.

DH wants to get rid of our puppy!!
ThatsNotMyMummy · 15/05/2017 10:26

They are dickheads at this age, its often the stage people get to and go "what the fuck have i done?" and get rid of them
They are no longer cute tiny puppies, but are behaving like they are.
Go back to basics with the training, it won't take long. They know it, they are just being, well dickheads.
When you come out the other side you will have a fantastically well behaved dog, you just need consistency and boundaries.

Spudlet · 15/05/2017 10:28

My baby has been found chewing on my dog's deer antler and splashing in his water bowl... he has the immune system of an ox. A bit of hair is fine!

I would second (more like forty fifth) the need for training, ideally you should continue with some kind of class for the dog's first two years as they are developing throughout that time. Your dog is a teenager, and needs to keep on with her lessons, as do you (as do we all!).

Ball chuckers are great but if you get one, use it sparingly. Chasing a ball puts a lot of strain on their joints, a friend on DH overdid it with his GSD and she blew her Achilles' tendon and ended with with a totally flat foot. As a bigger breed she's still physically immature so be careful not to let her do more than her frame can handle Smile

ineedwine99 · 15/05/2017 10:29

I have 2 cats and they shed everywhere despite regular grooming, baby is fine with the fluff (though obviously we try and keep her as free from it as we can)

Morphene · 15/05/2017 10:30

Sounds like having a dog turned out to be a lot more difficult than your DP realised....you wait till he finds out about newborn babies!

anon1987 · 15/05/2017 10:31

Book her into some puppy obedience classes.
Try some glucosamine with omega 3 (helped massively with shedding on my lab)
Take her to the groomers for a good de shedding.
Buy a furminator brush to use at home.

I can understand your husbands issues, and I can also understand the worries about keeping her and then your new baby coming along, but I also think it's reasonable to try for a bit rather then just give up on her.

SheRasBra · 15/05/2017 10:33

Tell him kids raised in households with pets have less asthma and stronger immune systems. Agree with comments about using a Furminator in the garden to lift out the undercoat and put a couple of tinned sardines on her food once a day to reduce shedding.

She really is in the teen stage. Maybe have a look on FB and find a good GSD community to join. You will get load of tips and support on health, training and behaviour.

Congratulations on your pregnancy OP! Your dog will be your DC's guardian and best friend Smile

AnnieAnoniMouse · 15/05/2017 10:34

Awww she's gorgeous!

I LOVE dogs & I really miss my old girl (Cocker Spaniel) but I'm not sure I'll ever have another one as the hair (and mud!) drove me up the wall. My friend has a gorgeous GSD, but the hair, dear god!

He's not being unreasonable to whinge about the hair or to think you've made a mistake getting a dog. He says he thinks you should rehome her, but I bet he'd be about as able to actually do that as fly to the moon 😁

Anyway, you stick to your guns! Tell him the dog is staying & he can choose whether to or not

anon1987 · 15/05/2017 10:35

Book her into some puppy obedience classes.
Try some glucosamine with omega 3 (helped massively with shedding on my lab)
Take her to the groomers for a good de shedding.
Buy a furminator brush to use at home.

I can understand your husbands issues, and I can also understand the worries about keeping her and then your new baby coming along, but I also think it's reasonable to try for a bit rather then just give up on her.

Lancelottie · 15/05/2017 10:38

I wouldn't dare argue with that cat, Vivienne!

ElsieMc · 15/05/2017 10:39

Yes, shedding can be really annoying but do go to a dog groomer. Don't bother with a furminator, it is so much easier just booking her in. We had a lab who cast terribly and even with a short coat like this, taking her to a groomer made so much difference that I cant believe I did not do it before.

I can see that the other problems are annoying though. But your dh needs to take some responsibility as well rather than throwing in the towel. You will regret it if you rehome her.

I have two rehome working cocker spaniels and they are annoying as well. But they are loving, wilful, needy little dogs who have become part of the family.

user1493759849 · 15/05/2017 10:42

Agree with Hildaog (page 1)

It's very stressful living with a dog you don't want. Add a baby to that and multiply it by a hundred. I can understand where he's coming from. Take other peoples advice regarding the grooming and training, he may change his mind.

And I think this thread is so typical of (some) MN-ers! If one single thing is wrong, they say LTB! I bet the same people saying this wouldn't leave their man! And they would be saying a different thing if the OP was saying SHE was getting sick of the dog and her man wants to keep it. They'd say 'what a tool he is forcing you to keep a dog when you don't want it. LTB!'' Hmm

As lovely and cute as dogs can be, they can also be a royal PITA. And a dog that sheds a lot of hairs is hard work. But I suppose you could shave him down to his skin as a few have suggested!!! Confused

Seriously, dogs are lovely, faithful, cute, adorable animals, but they are HARD WORK. They need love and affection and attention and sometimes a lot of grooming. Also, you will never have a house that is spick and span again. They make the house smell (though many dog owners deny this,) they need regular exercise, and regular grooming, and they cost a lot for their feed and pet insurance (and some stuff isn't even covered with pet insurance.!)

Seriously, if you are both not on board with this, the dog will need to be rehomed. And yeah, I wouldn't want a huge german shepherd dog around MY newborn baby either - so shoot me.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 10:45

I think YABU and he is right. I wouldn't want an animal in my house that was leaving hair everywhere and trashing the place, especially not with a baby on the way.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 10:47

What

Which is perfectly fine, it's your right to feel this way.

But you understand that somebody who shares your opinion simply shouldn't get a dog in the firstplace, right?

Coastalcommand · 15/05/2017 10:48

Glad to hear you're keeping her. I'd be very cross if anyone even suggested rehoming my dogs.
We find the furminator, a good vacuum cleaner and a small handheld Hoover really help. Good luck with the new baby.

doozeldog · 15/05/2017 10:51

He obviously doesn't like her that much! She will grow out of her puppyish behaviour and also u can buy extra tall gates, I have one for my greyhound!

user1493759849 · 15/05/2017 10:51

@quietnamechange

What

Which is perfectly fine, it's your right to feel this way.

But you understand that somebody who shares your opinion simply shouldn't get a dog in the firstplace, right?

Don't know who this is aimed at, but eh???? Confused

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 15/05/2017 10:51

Guessing he didn't know much about GSDs before he decided he wanted one!

They shed 365 days a year, season coat change is especially messy.

They don't reach maturity until about 2 years old (mine are much older and still act like daft pups!)

Put the work in and baby will be fine with pup - unfortunately sounds like it will only be you putting this work in though.

Your DH is being a dick, he needs to help with training and grooming

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 15/05/2017 10:53

Don't use a ferminator on a GSD - you will ruin its coat

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 10:55

user

Aimed at:

WhatToDoAboutThis2017

I think YABU and he is right. I wouldn't want an animal in my house that was leaving hair everywhere and trashing the place, especially not with a baby on the way.

Which is when I responded:
What

Which is perfectly fine, it's your right to feel this way.

But you understand that somebody who shares your opinion simply shouldn't get a dog in the firstplace, right?

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 15/05/2017 10:55

Mousy a tall dog gate won't stop a GSD, both mine can jump ours from a sitting position!

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