Considering re-homing my dog, need opinions

[Pacermint]

She is 11 years old, fit and healthy, and has always lived with us. Was born in my bedroom. I love her to bits.

Since DD was born 2 years ago, the dog has had far less attention than previously. However, while I was at home with DD for the first 2 years, I did make sure I took her for a walk every day, either with DD or when DH got in from work I'd take the dog out by myself.

Four weeks ago I returned to work and DH gave up work to care for DD at home full time. Role swap. But he just does not bother to walk the dog. He feeds her, makes sure she has fresh water and bedding, and lets her relieve herself in the garden. But not walking. When I ask him why he hasnt walked her he says things like "it was raining" or "it slipped my mind" or "we were too busy". But it's practically every single day.

When I get home from work DD is like a limpet, practically wrestling me to the couch for a breast feed and wanting 100% of my attention from the moment I walk in til the moment she goes to sleep. I go to bed as soon as she is asleep. Which leaves me no opportunity usually to walk the dog.

I've told DH I'm seriously considering rehoming the dog if he doesn't start walking her (I have a relative who would have her in a heartbeat). He doesn't want us to rehome her. I don't really want to, I just think it might be best for the dog. Even though the dog would always choose to stay with us - she is extremely timid, very emotionally attached to us and doesn't really trust anyone else. So I'm also worried that she wouldn't be happy in someone else's home, however much they walked her.

What do you lot think?

Could you walk her in the morning before work?
Would be tough at first but could soon become something you really look forward to. Half an hour of calm before the madness?
Cheaper than gym membership too!

Could you not hire a dog walker? Although Dh should be doing it, it is difficult walking a dog and managing a toddler. We still go for a wander about the park, but tbh, the dog doesn't really get 'a walk' if dd2 is there as we are too busy hurrying dd2 along who has stopped to admire dead leaves/a tree/dog muck/grass etc.

My dog gets his main walk on an evening. DH naths and beds the children and I walk the dog.

Personally, I couldn't give her up if you have had her all her life.
I'm afraid I'd just tell dh that he has to walk her, it's part of the daytime routine and he must fit it in come rain or sunshine. Walking a dog can be fun,I'm sure your daughter would like it too.

I wonder how your dh would feel if he wasn't allowed beyond the garden for a week?!

dog walker?
put dd in buggy and walk dog??
i wd ask dh to try and help at least once or twice a week and then use dog walker or buggy and take dd for other times.

If your DH is refusing to do it, then hire a professional dog walker. Even if the professional only comes twice a week this is taking the pressure off your husband and doing right by the dog. I would also say that your Dh has only been a SAHD for four weeks - you had two years to get your day managed, and he may well be feeling completely overwhelmed and still struggling to get into a routine. This must have been a big change for the whole family.

Do you really think it is fair to be considering rehoming an eleven year old dog, especially one who you say is timid and emotionally attached to you, over a problem which is so easily solvable? From reading your post it almost sounds as though you are looking for a reason to get rid of the dog. It would be a very unusual and devoted relative who would take on an elderly, timid dog - how confident can you be that they would take care of the dog until its death, and do you really think it is fair to rehome it just when it is most likely to be sick and needing expensive vets bills (beign realistic here - older dogs often virtually impossible to insure at reasonable cost, your relative must be either very rich or very devoted).

Can your DH walk the dog after you get home from work (as you said you used to do when the roles were reversed), and possibly first thing in the morning as well before you go out? If he finds the combination of dog and toddler too much to handle, that is.

If he really won't/can't do it, then I agree a dog walker is worth considering if you can at all afford it, surely that's better than putting the poor dog through the stress and upset of rehoming at her stage of life for such a small reason, that just doesn't seem right to me.

Assuming that an 11 year old dog isn't exactly bounding around with the joys of spring, surely he can take him out with your DD - even if they don't go very far/fast, it's still OUT, which your dog needs - and presumably your DD does to, I'd be concerned that she isn't getting time in the park because 'it's raining' or whatever.

I would politely but firmly explain that this is as non-negotiable in the daily routine as forgetting to feed your daughter, and if he can't see a way to fit it in right now, you will be hiring a dog walker (jointly paid for) until he can.

Tbh I see this as less about the dog and more about your DH - does he also leave housework/washing/food shopping for you to do because he was 'busy' looking after your DD, more so than you would have done when the situation was reversed? Unfortunately it's the dog which suffers.

Take the dog out before you go to work whilst your daughter is still asleep?

I walk my dog in the morning before work ,it's just a short walk to the shop for my paper and then she gets a longer walk in the evening,could you walk the dog in the morning and when you get home tell Dh you will watch Dd and he can walk the dog.

What 30 said, only I wouldn;t have been so tactful.

You have a responsibility to that dog - you can't just give up on her and tear her away from her home because your husband's a selfish/lazy arse (delete as appropriate although both may be used).

I do feel qualified to call him that too. When my husband walked out on me I was totally without help or support. My DD1 was 19 months old and my ceasarean-section-delivered baby was 7 weeks old. I had two lively dogs, one of whom was a SBT cross of about a year old.

I still found the time and energy to walk my two dogs with both my babies in a buggy my and I would never have given them away nor let anyone put me in the position of even thinking about it.