To have woken DS up to walk the dog?

[artemo4kak]

DS is 17, for his birthday we got him a dog as he’d been asking for one for years, one of the conditions of getting him was that he'd walk the dog and take care of it as it's his dog. He agreed.

Last night, his gf stayed over and I reminded DS he still needed to walk the dog. This morning, I woke him up at about 10 and told him to get ready to walk the dog, as we have plans for the rest of the day. He started arguing with me and called me embarrassing for waking him up when his gf is here. DP is on his side and has said I shouldn't have

WIBU?

Different school of thought here. We had 2 dogs border collies, DD was 14, my DF died,left a small amount of money to each GC she wanted a toy. We all went dog walking together, decision made together, when she left home,had children herself, they lived in a flat,(2 roads away) weren't allowed pets. We still have him he's 16, different border Collie,her DKs, 11 and 12 now walk them,DGD feeds them,checks water.

A child does not have his girlfriend staying over and sleeping in the same bed

Depends, do you live in a flat so the dog needs to be walked to go to the toilet, or could one of you just have let him out the back?

if the latter unreasonable the dog could be walked later if the former then yes poor dog.

I also don’t comprehend why you bought a 17 year old a dog. Is he not going to go to uni or work or something? How’s he supposed to care for the dog as his life changes after school?

Yes they do. A 17 year old is still legally a child and yes they are also old enough to to share a bed. What a silly little post

Is the observation not that he is being treated as and wishes to act as an adult (ie gf sleeping in his bed) in some respects yet posters are calling him a child who shouldn’t be expected to walk a dog at 17?

@LondonWolf - you say your dogs got two 30-45 minute walks a day and would be poorly behaved on less, but that's still less exercise than my dog gets even though he only goes out once.

He goes out each morning for a good 1-2 hours at a time. He sniffs, plays off the lead if suitable and has a great time. If his walk is combined with DH going fishing he's often out a good 4-5 hours. He's a working breed (beagle) and has never been destructive or badly behaved in the house.

2 x 30 minute walks per day would be nothing for him.

Why on earth did you buy a 17 year old a dog? They’re a huge responsibility, you sound very irresponsible.

If you genuinely think you have given full responsibility for the dog to your DS, then you need to allow him to do the job well or badly. By timekeeping his routine and banging on his door you are accepting that this is partly your job and the walking is a chore you assign to DS when you think it needs doing.

No you said "most" dogs would be happy with one walk a day. That isn't my experience. Your routine works for your dog but ime wouldn't for most. My current dog is out three times a day for an hour plus each time because that is my routine - children with additional needs who need taking to and from school - large parks next to school/college. Not trying to be competitive by telling you that, I just think it's misleading to assert most dogs only need one walk. Ime no matter how long the morning walk, most dogs are restless and needing a change of scene by the afternoon. Like many people really.

Speaking of beagles my friend had one who used to stay out all night in the local woods. She'd be sitting in the car park waiting for him the next morning! Not for the faint hearted