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Husband can’t cope with new dog

(80 Posts)
ruthiek Sun 05-Nov-17 19:51:35

Can't believe I am saying this , after 45 years of having dogs, a month or so ago we got a 4 year old rescue , DH who has been a rock during a really awful year for both us , was the instigator in getting the dog but is now finding it hard because the dog is not trained at all , so do I push him to keep the dog or look after dh who seems to struggling with everything ?

lemongrove Sun 05-Nov-17 19:57:40

This depends on how much you really want to keep this new dog.Is it a really difficult dog? Rescue dogs do take time to settle in.
If it was a huge mistake, and your DH can’t cope with it all, and you feel the same, then regretfully take it back to the centre.Nobody wants you to be unhappy, and being a young dog will find a new owner.
I really like dogs, but feel that people come first.

Ilovecheese Sun 05-Nov-17 19:58:31

Send the dog back, get one already trained.

Baggs Sun 05-Nov-17 19:59:37

Your husband can't cope with the new dog. You said it. It's all you need to know. Get rid of the dog.

midgey Sun 05-Nov-17 20:07:40

Agree with the others. The dog will find a home, your husband is more important at this moment. Speak to the dogs home, any reputable home will wish to suit dog to new owners.

MawBroon Sun 05-Nov-17 20:14:01

Who chose this dog?
Did you do it together or was it left up to you?
It does need both of you to be on board if this poor dog is to have a chance of a happy life, an untrained dog is essentially not happy.But it depends on what you mean by untrained.
Housetrained?
Recall trained?
Answers to its name?
Hs he lived in a home before?
Was he ill treated? Chained up ina yard?
How is he to BE trained - it doesn’t cone nnaturally!
For me the bottom line is whether or not the dog is trainable and whether you are prepared to commit to that. Surely 45 years of dog owning have taught you that they don’t arrive with perfect table manners, knowing their P’s and Q’s?
If you are not prepared to commit to that then send him back and give him a chance with a family who will take their responsibilities as dog owners seriously.
Oh and get a tortoise or a hamster
Alternatively you could try rehoming your husband. .

MissAdventure Sun 05-Nov-17 20:16:20

Having spent the last week trying to rehome a dog, I would say that the decision needs to be made swiftly. If it was a rescue dog then they may take it back.

ruthiek Sun 05-Nov-17 20:39:05

Maw broom after having this breed of dog for nearly 50 years it has come as a shock. We got her together and the dog is not bad but untrained , what has come out is how ill perhaps my husband is and whilst I think in the long run he will regret it if we give her back I don’t know who to concentrate on . I would like to also say we do take our responsibilities seriously this is our 10th rescue dog

Jane10 Sun 05-Nov-17 20:42:14

What a rotten situation for you. Your poor husband will feel so guilty too.
Bite the bullet. You know dogs. Sounds like this one is not for you. Good luck.

Christinefrance Sun 05-Nov-17 20:56:49

It is unfair on both to keep the dog I think. Rehome the dog as soon as you can so he does not become attached to you. Then you can concentrate on getting your husband well again.
It is not the right time to get another dog trained or not, take some time to look after yourselves.

ruthiek Sun 05-Nov-17 20:58:52

Thank you

MawBroon Sun 05-Nov-17 21:29:19

Ah sorry, I had missed that your DH is ill, that does make a difference as you can only cope with so much and it is unfair on everybody to start something you can’t follow through
The sooner this dog has a new home the better, before you and he get too attached to each other.
Best wishes to your DH too.

MawBroon Sun 05-Nov-17 21:30:34

And apologies for referring to the dog as “him”throughout!

ffinnochio Sun 05-Nov-17 21:45:11

Rehome the dog and concentrate on your husband. When things improve with your husband, perhaps you can think again.

Luckygirl Sun 05-Nov-17 22:15:47

Goodbye dog!

Hope OH will be well soon.

GracesGranMK2 Sun 05-Nov-17 22:20:14

I don't think anything matters other than your partners ability to cope. If he has been a 'rock' during difficult times he may have, sadly, arrived at the point when he need to renew his resources and just hasn't enough left to deal with the dog. It is often the case that people cope with tremendously difficult times, get through them, and then find they cannot deal with something that previously they would have no problem with. It is often a signal to say "what resources have you left to draw on" and acknowledge time must be given to renew them. It is sad about the dog but another time another dog can be rehomed with you.

NfkDumpling Mon 06-Nov-17 07:56:31

You’ve successfully rescued and given good lives to nine dogs. You’re somewhat of an expert and I suspect if you were giving expert advise to another person you know you’d advise sending the dog back as soon as possible, for the dogs sake and yours. It’s difficult to admit defeat and acknowledge ill health but have courage. Do it!

NfkDumpling Mon 06-Nov-17 07:57:34

(Sorry, that came over rather too bluntly)

Anya Mon 06-Nov-17 08:16:54

I’m going to say ‘wait’. A month is not a long time and this dog has gone through enough already without being returned to kennels.

Ring the rehoming organisation. Ask for help. Sit down with DH and make a plan. Tackle the issues one at a time.. After all you said your DH might regret it if you give her back.

Think of this as a puppy you have to train from scratch. Did you say what the problems are? Is she wetting/dirtying in the house? Does she bark too much? Has she separation anxiety?

Give her a chance and rather that driving you both apart, look on it as a chance to pull together and achieve something for an animal that needs a loving home and stability.

PS the worst ever rescue dog we had ended up as the best dog we’d ever had, but it took many months.

merlotgran Mon 06-Nov-17 08:20:46

I nearly found another home for our JR Peggy when she was a puppy as DH had a stroke and I was also involved in my mother's care needs and still working part time.

Quite honestly I don't know how I coped but DH had become very attached to Peggy and I thought it would hinder his recovery if I re-homed her. She's a lovely dog now but definitely did not receive as much attention as she should have done in her early months.

Don't leave it too long before you make a decision.

Newquay Mon 06-Nov-17 08:44:28

Who is more important here? A dog or DH? Send dog back immediately and concentrate on DH!

grannygranby Mon 06-Nov-17 10:15:56

keep your dog, keep your husband - you can do it xxx

radicalnan Mon 06-Nov-17 10:22:43

Did you make solemn vows to the new dog? If not husband has priority, in sickness and in health remember?

Shame about the dog but best sorted out asap.

Craftycat Mon 06-Nov-17 10:26:11

I'm with Anya. Ask for help first.
It could be that she will be a really good thing for your husband later. My DH did not want another dog but totally adored our beautiful rescue dog- never walked her but loved her to bits for 17 years until we sadly took that last big decision for her own good not ours.

grannygranby Mon 06-Nov-17 10:30:05

I do feel the OP is leading for excuses to dump the dog. 'do I push him to keep the dog or look after DH who is struggling so much' as if it is an either or. And she is naturally getting loads of following to do that. Poor old dog.