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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

Relationship and old dog issue. Advice and help troubleshooting needed pls

50 replies

Vibing · 25/05/2022 08:15

Hi
Recently messaged about step children and how to navigate tension when teenagers and DP are at loggerheads.
It opened up conversation between us and we have a plan going forward. The dialogue has led onto my two dogs. One is now 14 and the other 13. The 14 year old is at the weeing inside stage. Just the kitchen....we use dog pads, frequent short walks etc.
DP last said how much he's resenting them as the mess, smell....and he's conscious for his kids to be around it. I think he was letting off steam and said a few things that came out harsher than he meant. Think this has been bottled up for a little while. He wasn't solution focused

The reality is my lovely dogs are prob going to be here for another couple years.

Any advice?
I might post something in pet corner too for dog incontinence. I dont know just feel a bit lost this morning. As what do I do with that information. Leave. Do we live in two seperate houses until they've passed. I think id resent him then.

Hes a good man. Can be a knobhead but a great guy too. This morning he's not my favourite person though but love him.

OP posts:
Arrivederla · 25/05/2022 11:28

This sounds really upsetting for you op and I understand your concerns about your dogs.

However, I would also struggle with dogs weeing in the house, especially if I thought it was going to go on for another 2 years! You love them and they are part of your family but he probably doesn't feel quite the same about them, and I'm not sure you can really blame him for that.

Sensitivity and understanding need to go both ways here.

Watchkeys · 25/05/2022 11:33

Sensitivity and understanding need to go both ways here

No, they don't. If your partner does something that is wholly unacceptable to you, sensitivity isn't how you sort it out. You tell them clearly that it's unacceptable, ask them how they're willing to compromise, and tell them how/if you're willing to compromise. If you can't find a solution together, you have to create distance. 'Sensitivity and understanding' suggests that OP should try to gently get her head around what he's thinking, whilst he's being rude, venting, and hurting her.

OP, you need boundaries rather than increased sensitivity to his feelings.

anothernamedoesntsmellsosweet · 25/05/2022 11:47

We have a dog that has just turned 13. She is really starting to show her age and can be quite doddery. We have loved her for 13 years, there is no way my DP would not do everything he could to make her happy and comfortable in her home. I'd move to somewhere where those pups can be comfortable away from him. His lack of compassion and empathy would really put me off

Chesneyhawkes1 · 25/05/2022 12:09

My 16 year old dog sometimes pees indoors.

We've put pensioner pads down for him.

My DH hasn't moaned about it. I think he knows not to. I've had the dog longer than him and he'd be told to fuck off if he did.

There's many things I'll put up with, hurting or being horrible about my dogs isn't one of them

StarDolphins · 25/05/2022 12:29

altmember · 25/05/2022 09:19

I couldn't live with incontinent dogs in the house either. Do you have a utility room or garage where they could sleep?

Would you like to be put in the garage out of the way when you’re old & incontinent?

SerendipitySunshine · 25/05/2022 12:31

Vets can prescribe medication. There are dog nappies too (we used the washable ones with a disposable one inside). Your husband should spend his time finding solutions, not complaining.

Arrivederla · 25/05/2022 12:36

Watchkeys · 25/05/2022 11:33

Sensitivity and understanding need to go both ways here

No, they don't. If your partner does something that is wholly unacceptable to you, sensitivity isn't how you sort it out. You tell them clearly that it's unacceptable, ask them how they're willing to compromise, and tell them how/if you're willing to compromise. If you can't find a solution together, you have to create distance. 'Sensitivity and understanding' suggests that OP should try to gently get her head around what he's thinking, whilst he's being rude, venting, and hurting her.

OP, you need boundaries rather than increased sensitivity to his feelings.

Rubbish

lunar1 · 25/05/2022 12:39

I just read your other thread. He's very intolerant, I have to wonder how that will translate to you as you grow old together. Do you think he will look out for you? Or will he resent you too?

Kennykenkencat · 25/05/2022 12:41

This would be a massive Red Flag

If he was really concerned about the dog pee he would have asked whether dig nappies would be a good idea or a check up or medication might help.

instead he offers no solutions and infers he just doesn’t want them around his children.

This shows his character at the very least
someone who criticises and expects everyone else to come up with solutions or someone who criticises and expects someone to kill their pets because he doesn’t like them.

No way is this guy a good man.
He is a disgusting human being and needs gone.

At the moment it might sound like having the dogs for a couple of more years and then everything will be great but what else will crop up in future.

Your kids playing up-Dump them
You getting sick -He dumps you

Going forward you need someone who at the very least has your back and this guy certainly doesn’t.

nearlyspringyay · 25/05/2022 12:41

having had two senior dogs who made it 17 and 16, and now have one is heading towards 13, blind, deaf and with a myriad of health issues and DH / DP complained I know who I would be losing and it wouldn't be the dog.

EvenMoreFuriousVexation · 25/05/2022 12:45

Definitely speak to the vets and see if there's anything that can help, but ultimately every animal (and human) ages and incontinence is often a feature in later years.

I personally love dogs, but couldn't live with one. Therefore, I wouldn't have moved in with a dog owner.

How long ago did he move in, OP? Was it quite quick and do you get the impression he may have jumped into what he thought was a "solution" to him having somewhere for contact with his kids (and/or housework and life admin if he's a lazy fucker) and perhaps has now realised the solution has actually created a problem?

Or maybe he's a decent bloke generally but had no experience of pet owning and what it entails 🤷🏻‍♀️

Roselilly36 · 25/05/2022 12:45

He doesn’t sound like a great person to me, so first it’s your kids, now your dogs, what will be the next thing I wonder? Do you really want to live like this, I know I wouldn’t.

FictionalCharacter · 25/05/2022 13:15

He’s not a great guy. The dogs are part of your family. He can choose whether he still wants to be.

Basilbrushgotfat · 25/05/2022 14:13

OK at no point has the op said that her oh wants them pts!

It's not great, but it is understandable that he's feeling resentful about someone else's dog weeing inside, especially if he's never had pets himself. There are always threads here about people struggling with the puppy stage and feeling resentful about their own dogs - old age can be just as challenging.

If he is just being honest about his feelings, which are probably heightened given the other tensions in their relationship, then he's not necessarily a bad guy. We all let off steam at times and we don't sound our best when we do.

However, having understanding for the man doesn't solve the op's problem and obviously she's not going to abandon her dogs because he's finding them challenging.

I also looked at another of op's threads about tension with their blended family and couldn't see any evidence that he's been complaining about her children either, so I think the bloke is being unfairly tarred in some of these replies.

Op - I see you have 4 main options:

  1. he calms down, you talk things through, agree ground rules, move in together with your dogs and see how it goes (I wouldn't sell your own home if you move in with him though
  2. you rehome your dogs and focus on building a life with him (don't think anyone sees you doing this)
  3. you continue to live apart for the time being
  4. end things. I think you need to weigh up how happy and loved you feel in your relationship overall, tensions at blending families/lives are normal and from reading your other thread it sounds like you're a more chilled and tolerant person than he is.

I've read recently about a bell you can buy to hang on the back door handle. Dogs learn very quickly to ring it when they need to go out. I think this would be a good idea for you to try - given that your poor dog is only going in the kitchen, they're clearly haven't lost their faculties. Or you can look at the Fluent Pet buttons.

Both his children are old enough to navigate the odd puddle of wee on the floor, so he's either being precious or he's worried about their mother kicking off. Which it is will determine how you respond to that concern.

Re the smell and mess. It is hard, it's hard for anyone (including your dogs). I think you both need to take a bit of time to cool off after his emotional offloading last night.

It's not just you who has decisions to make here. Presuming your dogs are non negotiable, then he also needs to decide what he is able and willing to bend on. It might be too much for him, that doesn't make him a bad man just someone with different tolerances to you.

Maybe he needed to let off steam, maybe the mess can be managed better by noticing it earlier to clean up. A room diffuser or opening windows more will also help with smell.

Focus on practical changes you can make to reduce the impact, but in turn he needs to respect your position, appreciate your efforts and make an effort to take a deep breath and let it go.

I get the feeling he's a bloke who's not very good at this, who let's his initial feelings dominate his reactions. Unless he's willing to examine this (eg cbt), because it effects him more than anyone else, this is going to be an aspect to him that will be present throughout your lives together.

Suzi888 · 25/05/2022 14:31

I’d go to the vet first.
Secondly a doggy belly band that they pee into, you then change it.

Id moan about having to live with an incontinent dog too. I have a dog, I love him but I’d still moan. Are you sure your other half really meant it or was just whingeing?

muddyford · 25/05/2022 16:07

Hmm. When my dear dog got incontinent (poo not wee) my husband was as distraught about it as I was. If it had ever become an issue, he would have lived elsewhere!

cottagegardenflower · 25/05/2022 16:20

Not sure if it would work for you but I did put a nappy on my little Yorkshire terrier.

Juniper68 · 25/05/2022 16:48

I've ordered some dog belt pads. I hadn't heard of them.

allboysherebutme · 25/05/2022 22:29

I'd rather be without him than my dogs, his kids seem to have too much input for his.
I'd move on.

Vibing · 28/05/2022 14:36

Thank you all for your insight, suggestions and thoughts.

Just to clarify DP never asked for pts. My take was that he was offloading to me bit of a ranty whinge. Not a helpful one as no solution etc

It was a tense weekend last wkend and since we've both just laid low. I feel a bit raw.

I would never part with my dogs they are the sweetest gentlest loveliest angels ive ever had in my life. I get frustrated and a bit despondent by the weeing but would appreciate a solution discussion not a offload and no resolution.

Im going to look into the suggestions on this thread, thank you. I'll do them for me and my dogs and cause I dont like the wee smell either.

OP posts:
Juniper68 · 28/05/2022 15:07

Glad you have found it helpful posting.

Suzi888 · 15/11/2022 16:37

Belly band? There are a few incontinence solutions for dogs. My friend used a belly and with her large breed.

WowIlikereallyhateyou · 15/11/2022 16:51

Sounds like an arsehole. Would be a red flag for me!

AuroraBoreaIis · 16/11/2022 02:26

Hm. A human doesn't want his human children to live in filth. Because that's what it is. I can totally understand his POV. It must be utterly repulsive to be living in a home with dog piss all over the floor, and you'll likely soon be dealing with incontinence from the other orifice too. Your dogs are old, and have obviously had a good life. I really don't think being overly sentimental about them now serves anyone well. He's not the one being unreasonable here, imo. It would be a kindness to PTS.

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