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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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SoulAccount · 15/05/2017 10:56

"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!"

This would worry me, with a baby in the way.
Unlike hair, this is an actual issue, surely?

Yogagirl123 · 15/05/2017 10:58

I can see both sides, having owned a long haired dog in the past, it is hard work, grooming etc. I had someone come to the house with a trailer to wash and groom etc every 8 weeks, that helped. I had my dog long before DC came along, he was 7, when DS1 arrived, I wouldn't have parted with him. A pet vacuum cleaner is essential too for picking up hair. Perhaps you can compromise by training her to stay in a certain room? so there isn't hair everywhere, and never in babies room if that is really what is upsetting your DH. A dogs life is way to short in my opinion, life does change over the years, children arriving etc it's a huge commitment owning a dog. Good luck OP

SheSaidNoFuckThat · 15/05/2017 10:59

Dddddddddd she is beautiful

IfeelFloopy · 15/05/2017 10:59

I don't think it is even possible to strip their coats. I do recommend taking her regularly to a groomer as it will really help.

Also second what another poster suggested, invest in a blaster! Is what we use at the groomers and you can blast out a tonne of dead coat with it. Dead coat covers every surface in the room after it has been used.

My sister used to have a gsd and the shedding never ends, however it was always drastically better for a while after going to the groomers. I think if you got yourself a blaster to use regularly you'd see a big difference.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 10:59

QuietNameChange Well exactly, I wouldn't have got the dog.

But they have, so now they need to deal with it and rehome the dog.

WhatALoadOfOldBollocks · 15/05/2017 11:01

Oh my, I was expecting a massive bundle of fluff after what you were saying about the hair, but she's actually short coated! The thing with dogs is that they shed hair and it ends up every where, but it's one of those things he's going to have to get used to. What was he expecting?

And yes to teenage dogs being twats. I adopted one who was "too much for his previous owners". 7 stone of untrained muscle he was, but he got over his issues with training and time.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:01

What

No. Her husband wanted a GSD, now they have one. They wife wants to keep him and DH should take the responsibility for his actions/suck it up.

It would be somewhat different if her husband had never wanted herin the first place, but this was clearly not the case here....

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:02

*the
her in

Grin
arbrighton · 15/05/2017 11:03

Large breed so still a pup.

Dog gates? erm, my two don't go upstairs. They know it's not allowed, full stop. Ddog2 has tried it twice since she arrived. Big NO and DOWNSTAIRS NOW and that's it, no more.

As for hair. DDog1 is poodle, just got Ddog 2 (collie cross) who was FIL's but they moved abroad. The shedding is taking a bit of getting used to but is markedly better if she's brushed outside and I hoover regularly. I'm 33 weeks pregnant and it's dealable with- I'm more bothered than DH though. She's not a pup though, almost 3 so chewing less on an issue.

Writerwannabe83 · 15/05/2017 11:04

Your husband is NBU to have these feelings, he's probably realised the reality of having a large dog is quite different to what he envisioned.

If it was me I would be annoyed too and feel pussed off but the difference is that I'm not keen on dogs whereas he played an equal part in your decision to get one. He needs to accept that the dog hadn't been forced upon him, he wanted it too and it would be wrong to change his mind 12 months down the line because it's more challenging than he thought and want to just get rid.

However, I do agree that things are going to get a lot worse for him when baby comes along and if he's already angry/stressed about the dog then those feelings may escalate when he's suffering from sleep deprivation too and having to deal with all the other life changing aspects that come from suddenly being a new parent.

I would also be concerned about having such a 'spirited' large dog around a newborn, especially one who can jump over stair gates. I think you need to seriously consider how you will manage your dog when baby arrives.

Congratulations on your pregnancy though OP and I hope that over the coming months everything calms down Flowers

Guitargirl · 15/05/2017 11:06

Irresponsible pet owners give me the rage Angry

I love dogs, I would love to have a dog as a pet. The DCs would love to have a dog. But we don't because I know that we don't have enough time to invest in looking after one properly. It wouldn't be fair on the animal.

Who the fuck are these people who just get a pet without any thought about the reality of it...

confusedat23 · 15/05/2017 11:07

OP your dog is bloody beautiful!

I have always had a GSD they have been a family tradition for over 50 years. Like any dog though they are a reflection of their owners.

Good Grooming is a MUST otherwise they matt... I would suggest you get into the routine of taking her to the groomers every few months for a good tidy up. The chewing is something you really need to stop... Ours never even think to take something that is not theirs let alone chew on it! and the upstairs thing has never been a problem for us as they are trained to know that is not their area.

Other than that like a naughty toddler they grow out of this behaviour as long as they have a routine and disciplin... Also they have character and your dog might just be a cheeky one! lol

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:08

QuietNameChange

Regardless, human trumps dog. He shouldn't be forced to live with an animal he doesn't want to. You don't "suck it up" for 10+ years or however long it lasts for.

If it's not working, you need to get rid. And yes, the decision goes to the one that doesn't want the dog rather than the one that does, because it effects them more for a longer period.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:12

What

No, not if the human wanted the dog in the first place. Especially not if he was the driving force behind getting the dog...

arbrighton · 15/05/2017 11:14

WhatToDo You seem to be willfully ignoring the fact that the husband decided they wanted the dog....
And as someone who dislikes dogs/ seems to know nothing about them, don't realise that GSD at that age is still a VERY BIG puppy so will grow out of a lot of it.

Where do you think this dog is going to end up if they, 'get rid' as you so charmingly put it

IfeelFloopy · 15/05/2017 11:15

Dog blaster in action, this coupled with furminator = much less hair indoors

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:16

I see she's made the unilateral decision to keep the dog so there's no point trying to post any further sense.

And "he needs more training" in reference to her DH? People would be up in arms if it was said by a husband about his wife.

I would absolutely leave the OP for this. Major deal breaker.

StarryCorpulentCunt · 15/05/2017 11:16

He made the decision to get a dog. You don't just dump an animal because it is inconvenient. He doesn't like the hair, point him to the hoover, I presume he knows how to use it. She is a beauty op. I would get her some more training though as she is approaching teenager stage where she will need it reinforcing regularly. Is she afraid of the hoover? If not, hoover her with the pipe. My friends gsd loves it and it reallys cuts back on shedding when they are losing their winter coat.

SoulAccount · 15/05/2017 11:19

The dog needs to be properly trained not to go upstairs.

I have been 'nipped' by a teenage GSD, being excited. Needed 3 stitches in my thigh. Glanced me with some energy with its canine teeth. Leapt up, tail wagging.

Training, training, training, training.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:19

@WhatToDoAboutThis2017

Tbh, I'd also consider leaving somebody if I found out they were an irresponsible pet owner.

He wanted a dog. He wanted a GSD. Now the wife loves the dog and is expected to rehome her just because her DH changed his mind? No way.

HazelBite · 15/05/2017 11:20

Op my DIL took a lab/retriever cross as a "teenager" from someone who couldn't cope with her as she was "out of control" and "shed" too much hair!
Dogs are not easy pets and like any animals that you want to own, you should do your research before you buy/adopt.
My DIL after extensive training and daily grooming has the most wonderful dog, yes she needs a lot of exercise, but I am happy to look after her any time (even though we have cats) as she is so obedient and loving, and a joy to have around.

I would suggest to DH that he takes the dog to training sessions he might find it very rewarding and get grooming!
Please don't re-home unless you are desperate, I'm sure these "problems" aren't insurmountable.

Original poster
dddddddddd · 15/05/2017 11:21

@WhatToDoAboutThis2017 You would leave me for making a joke? Bet your house is a scream?

OP posts:
HappyFlappy · 15/05/2017 11:22

Keep the dog, lose the bloke. Anyone who told me to get rid of a dog I'd chosen to become responsible for wouldn't be the man I married.

This! ^

She's in her stroppy teenage time, as others have said. A big dog like this isn't adult until she's about two. She'll settle down. Is she spayed? That usually calms a bitch.

Getting rid of a dog because she is doing what you can expect from the breed is VVVVVVVVU!

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:22

QuietNameChange It's not irresponsible to realise you've made a mistake and place them in a shelter for another family to love.

It is irresponsible to force someone to live with a dog they hate.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:22

dddddddddd No, OP, I'd leave you for forcing me to live with a dog.

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