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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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Original poster
dddddddddd · 15/05/2017 11:23

I thought I'd made it clear he loves and cares for the dog? He doesn't hate her as you keep presuming.

OP posts:
StarryCorpulentCunt · 15/05/2017 11:26

Whattodo you sound very naive about shelters.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:26

WhatToDo

Well, we obviously have a different opinion on this.

He either didn't do enough research or doesn't have the determination and sense of duty to suck it up during the difficult "teenage years".

Yes, I'd lose respect for that person.

Especially because it's because of hair. Yes, dogs shed. Some more than others...

And I'm not even a "dog person".

HappyFlappy · 15/05/2017 11:26

she is well trained just seems to be a bit more "spirited" lately

If she's not spayed, she may be due for her season OP.

Be prepared for your DH to complain about the mess. You can get her spayed 8 weeks after se is finished.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:27

Btw, I'm not saying the OP should leaver DH.,

But if her DH really hated the dog/honestly wanted to get rid of it, like WhatToDo suggest, simply because of shedding? No way.

ShoesHaveSouls · 15/05/2017 11:27

Oh give over, WhatToDo Hmm

The husband agreed to get the dog in the first place, You can't just welch out of it a year later because of a bit of hair and chewing. This is an animal, a pet beloved by the OP.

user1493759849 · 15/05/2017 11:27

When they got the dog, the OP wasn't pregnant.

And it's OK to say 'he made that informed decision to get a dog!' Things aren't always as black and white and rosy and cosy as we expect them to be. Dogs are hard work, and having one is not for everyone. And you don't know a dog is not for you until you have one! Obviously.

Far better to rehome him now, into a family who has the time and patience to care for the dog. Especially as things will only get more stressful when the baby comes along. As I said, if BOTH people are not on board, then the dog can't stay.

It's a dog, not a piece of furniture, or a wallpaper pattern! The OP's husband isn't going to just 'get used to it,' or 'suck it up!' Making him keep the dog when he doesn't want it and is resenting it more by the day, is cruel to the fucking dog. Can people not see that?! Angry

People need to detach themselves from the 'awwwww he's so cute mwah mwah mwah' and 'Oh my actual God, he is bloody beautiful! train of thought, and think logically here!' And as for the 'I would leave him if MY husband made our dog leave!' yeah sure you would. Wink

And he is not an irresponsible pet owner; he is being sensible in wanting to get the dog rehomed. Keeping a dog you don't want, is FAR crueler than rehoming him. And trust me OP, when the baby comes along, you will not have the time or patience for a huge dog who moults everywhere and is very demanding. Far more sensible - and kind to the dog - to rehome him now.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:28

dddddddddd He loves and cares for the dog... he just doesn't want her. He's told you he doesn't want her.

You are forcing him to live with her. Therefore, I would leave.

StarryCorpulentCunt Not naive. I know what happens to most of them. But a puppy has a better chance.

QuietNameChange And you are entitled to that opinion.

QuietNameChange · 15/05/2017 11:30

What

Yes, I know :)

ShoesHaveSouls · 15/05/2017 11:30

You can leave whenever you like, WhatToDo. This thread, for example. Wink

HappyFlappy · 15/05/2017 11:31

she is well trained just seems to be a bit more "spirited" lately

If she isn't spayed she may be due in season. Bitches get PMT in much the same way we do, getting edgy and restless etc.

WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:35

ShoesHaveSouls I do have to go to work soon, so I won't be replying for much longer, but you'll probably go through life a lot happier if you stop trying to silence people who have a different opinion to you Wink

TattyCat · 15/05/2017 11:36

For all those people who think it's acceptable to ditch a dog when it becomes inconvenient, I'd say pop along to your local rescue centre and have a nice little chat with the staff and hear what they think. Most will be polite to your face.

GSDs particularly don't do well in kennels. In fact, most dogs don't do 'well' in kennels and become very stressed and/or depressed; it's heartbreaking to witness. They don't all get rehomed quickly either - they can be left there for literally years (in a 'no-kill' kennel) or could be PTS after a period of time if no-one wants to take them on.

This is not aimed at Op, btw, but perhaps to her DH - no-one can say they love their dog if they are willing to do this to them because they shed their hair or have a period of 'naughtiness'. They just can't.

ShoesHaveSouls · 15/05/2017 11:37

WhatToDo - This is an open message board, I hardly think you're being silenced. You keep badgering the OP that you'd leave her - go right ahead Grin

TheSockGoblin · 15/05/2017 11:38

If she's naughty, nippy and jumping gates surely the main concern right now should be that rather than the hair?

Shouldn't you both be discussing how to manage her behaviour in the next few months before there's a newborn in the house? Would be highly stressful to have a newborn and a dog who is still displaying those behaviours - how would you ever relax, if you knew she was capable of jumping gates and giving a nip?

TattyCat · 15/05/2017 11:40

There are a number of posters on here that I'd be willing to PTS, however.

Wolfiefan · 15/05/2017 11:41

Sounds like she needs some more training and also some brain games to get her thinking. You say you did training when she was 14 weeks but training should be ongoing. Something every day.

Wolfiefan · 15/05/2017 11:42

Oh and Zoom Groom is great if it's suitable for use on her type of fur. Takes out all loos fur.

Original poster
dddddddddd · 15/05/2017 11:42

As I've said previously her behaviour is generally ok and nothing that can't be managed via a bit of extra training. I'm confident we can manage this but the hair is going to be an ongoing issue for DH. I am well aware of what I've got in store having a newborn and a young dog as I was in a similar situation with my DD 11 years ago, only didn't have a DH to help at that time!

OP posts:
WhatToDoAboutThis2017 · 15/05/2017 11:43

ShoesHaveSouls Yes, if I were in a relationship with her. Thankfully I am instead in a relationship with my DH who actually values my feelings.

Original poster
dddddddddd · 15/05/2017 11:43

@Wolfiefan From 14 weeks and is a generally well behaved dog but has her moments!

OP posts:
Wolfiefan · 15/05/2017 11:46

But the training should still be happening.
DH is a fuckwit if he didn't realise a dog like this would shed.

Kattekit · 15/05/2017 11:47

I'd look into diet for the dog as well as the grooming suggestions. We have a gorgeous German Shepherd cross and feed her a raw diet (google BARF if of interest) I'd also rub a bit of coconut oil into her fur, it has many benefits, one is the dog will groom her coat as they love coconut oil, two after applying the oil a brush with a decent slicker brush will work wonders.

We have a furminator, if your going to use one - please please make sure you use it outside! You'll get roughly a full dogs amount of fur the first time you use it, also make sure you buy the correct brush, long or short hair, small, medium or large dog.

I think from what you're saying your DH is under pressure, first baby and wanting to make everything perfect. I'm sure he doesn't really mean he wants to get rid of her.

There's always the option of putting her in short term home care when you're baby is first born, I'd suggest the dog was allowed to visit that way will get used to the baby and the new pack dynamics.

Those that have suggested getting rid clearly have no idea how many dogs are put to sleep everyday. If the worst does happen and you do need to rehome her, please contact one of the many German Shepherd specialist charities, they will ensure she would go to someone with lots of experience with the breed so she wasn't then moved on again or put to sleep or even worse used for fighting.

sparechange · 15/05/2017 11:48

OP Is she spayed?
If not, has she come into season yet?

It is quite common for large breeds get their first season at around 12 months, and it is very common for a season to make them a bit loopy

TattyCat · 15/05/2017 11:48

Op, is it just that your DH is having a bit of a 'moment'? There have been times in the past where I've wondered what we did when we took on our rescue, particularly during winter when it becomes doubly difficult with all the mud and trying to keep clean! But I never for one minute could have actually sent her back to the rescue centre, or to anyone else for that matter. She was so confused when she arrived and is now the perfect family member.

DH wants to get rid of our puppy!!
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