Girlfriend wants me to move in, but I hate her dog. what do i do?

Question

I've been with a girl for almost 2 years. I'm sure one day we will be married, but for now, we are living apart. She is constantly hinting that she wants me to move in. The only problem is, i absolutely hate her dog. Her dog is a big lab-mix and is about four years old. This dog never stops barking, or whining. It eats everything, destroys garbages, and wont stop licking me from the moment i get there until the moment i leave. I have a a very lazy, friendly, well trained beagle and am not used to this crazy dog. Should I tell her I hate her dog and thats the only reason I don't want to move in?

I really do love animals, especially dogs. I've had dogs my whole life, and even have one now. I would never pick a girl over my dog, and certainly wouldn't ask her to pick me over her dog.

Answer 1

Talk to her and let her know your feelings about her dog. He does need some training and the sooner the better.. He must be a good size dog by the sounds of it. It is very hard to deal with an unruly dog, especially a big dog. If you care for this girl, and she cares for you, be honest, but gentle, about your feelings. Go to a pet store, the big ones that offer dog obedience and see if they can help you with this problem. Or, call her vet or yours to see if they know of any reputable trainers. I would suggest to get a trainer especially for obedience training. Don't ruin your relationship with your girlfriend on count of an unruly dog. It won't be worth it. Good luck!

Answer 2

I think you should tell her, but try and put it a bit more politely, so you don't put her immediately on the defensive.

Encourage her to take the dog to obedience school. Labs can be very overzealous, but with a little obedience training...she (and you) can really get a handle on it.

She needs to be the one to take the dog....but it would help if you attended and watched. After all....the trainers are training the owners to get control of the dog...not teaching the dog to get control of itself.

So it would help if you also learned the skills to help the dog behave in an acceptable manner.

It is possible.


Better yet, let her see your question, so she knows how sincere you are.

You are a dog lover, so with a little obedience training, it can work out happily for you all.

By the way....it is possible to teach an old dog (or any dog) new tricks!!!

Good luck!

ps. ( I love that someone sent you Reiki.I wish that I had thought to do that)!

Answer 3

I would suggest dog training. Owners of any pet usually are not willing to let there pet go and that would be putting the lady you love into a not so pleasant position for her, also if she would part with fido it may come back to slap you in the face when as all couples do have a dissagreement. Tell her how you feel honesty and being upfront might solve the problem if she doesnt know how you feel about the dog things will stay as they are.Help her train him you can teach an old dog new tricks. Best of luck

Answer 4

Maybe ask her about the possibility of training the dog. If you trained you beagle so well it should be no problem for you to do some magic with her dog. Just explain to her you would love to move in, if the dog learns some better manners. If she loves you, she will probably be ok with the idea of her dog learning some manners for you. Good luck.

Answer 5

Well that would be pretty bad to ask her to get rid of her dog because you don't like him. What's the problem with him licking you? You have a problem with a dog showing his LOVE for you? The dog obviously cares about you or he wouldn't act that way towards you. If his behaviour bothers you enough, then pay for him to get into some training. But you shouldn't ask her to place in him in another home. I know to me no man is worth giving up my dog. I've had her for 4 years and I don't care what someone would think of her, they can accept my dog and I as a package deal or not have me. Maybe she feels the same way ;)

Answer 6

Having a trained dog isn’t the same as having a balanced dog, but if your dog knows a few basic commands, it can be helpful when tackling problem behaviors — existing ones or those that may develop in the future. Learn here https://tr.im/gsrNo

So where do you start with dog obedience training? You could take a class, but it’s not necessary; you can do it yourself. In fact, with the right attitude, it can be fun for both you and your dog!
Step 1 : Sit
This is one of the easiest dog obedience commands to teach, so it’s a good one to start with.
• Hold a treat close to your dog’s nose.
• Move your hand up, allowing his head to follow the treat and causing his bottom to lower.
• Once he’s in sitting position, say “Sit,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat this sequence a few times every day until your dog has it mastered. Then ask your dog to sit before mealtime, when leaving for walks, and during other situations where you’d like him calm and seated.
Step 2 : Come
This command can help keep a dog out of trouble, bringing him back to you if you lose grip on the leash or accidentally leave the front door open.
• Put a leash and collar on your dog.
• Go down to his level and say, “Come,” while gently pulling on the leash.
• When he gets to you, reward him with affection and a treat.
Once he’s mastered it with the leash, remove it — and practice the command in a safe, enclosed area.
Step 3 : Down
This can be one of the more difficult commands in dog obedience training. Why? Because the position is a submissive posture. You can help by keeping training positive and relaxed, particularly with fearful or anxious dogs.
• Find a particularly good smelling treat, and hold it in your closed fist.
• Hold your hand up to your dog’s snout. When he sniffs it, move your hand to the floor, so he follows.
• Then slide your hand along the ground in front of him to encourage his body to follow his head.
• Once he’s in the down position, say “Down,” give him the treat, and share affection.
Repeat it every day. If your dog tries to sit up or lunges toward your hand, say “No” and take your hand away. Don’t push him into a down position, and encourage every step your dog takes toward the right position. After all, he’s working hard to figure it out!

Answer 7

Since you love her, see whether you can adjust to her dog. There are good books on making a dog behave and see whether you can control it.

Also, try this and tell me (Ok, mail me).

Get some Holly (Bach Flower Essence) and put a few drops of it in the water which the dog gets to drink. Since it is fond of licking you, may be you could also rub the Holly drops on to your hands or feet (whatever part that the dog licks). Mentally tell the dog that you love it but not the licking. See the results.

I am also sending you distant Reiki (free, no money) to help the situation. Accept with thanks to Reiki. If you want to know what is Reiki, see the following link:

http://www.hpathy.com/ezine/2007Jan.asp

and download the Reiki.pps in the alternative section of the ezine.

Answer 8

It sounds like he would get better with a little bit of training. Talk the ur girl about him. Her dog is probably like her baby so don't diss him too bad. Just say that you are not used to wild dogs and that you would like to try to train him. Maybe if you move in you can get him a kennel so that he won't be tempted to eat garbage when your gone. Some people don't like putting dogs in kennels but most dogs treat it like a home. It kind of becomes their personal space. If you like the girl, don't get a dog get in the way. TALK TO HER!!

Answer 9

instead of "Just talking to her about it"......why not do it more subtly....as she might get upset. You can't seriously hate this dog because it's ACTING like a dog!

Get her AND you to sign BOTH of your dogs up for obiedience training, tell her it's because you want to spend more time with her and make absolutely sure you BOTH can control BOTH dogs. If she says "But your dogs already trained" tell her you want your dog to have a "refresher" type course. lol

Also if your dog is older, it may be why he is so lazy and laid back, labs are VERY hyperactive and NEED and REQUIRE LOTS of play time, and many walks.....try talking walks with her at night. Training the dog yourself to stay away from the garbage. When the dog jumps on you, stand there, push the dog down, and say VERY sternly (can't think of another word) NO!, then turn and walk away from him. When he stops following you, go play with him as a reward for about 5 min, then walk away, if the dog jumps on you again say no, and leave it be for the day, try again the next.

If you truely love this girl, you just have to deal with the dog.

think about it like this.
If you can't even talk to her about the dog (or even subtly hint that he is annoying, frusterating and aggitating) then how are you supposed to talk to her about any sexual kinks, or fetishes you might have (EVERYONE has them, because everyone considers different things to be kink or fetish!), about financial situations, etc....etc....

think of it as a learning situation and get the most you can from it.

Answer 10

If you love her you need to take the good with the bad. Just maybe ask her to put the dog in a dog training class before she moves in.