All my life I wanted a Basset Hound. In November my husband agreed and we got one. She has been a lot of hard work but I expected it having many dogs as a child. We did the research and started to "raise" her. We have had her now for almost 6 months and she is now 8 months old. No matter what she does my husband treats her like she is the "red headed" step-child. He calls her stupid all the time and threatens to sell her everytime she does something naughty. I sit down and tell him to stop it. He says she will just ruin our house. And when we have to do things differently because of her he makes it a HUGE deal. I love her so much and I realize she is just in her puppy stage but he doesn't. He apologizes to me and her when he acts wrong towards her but I feel she may get depressed. I know that dogs can understand how you feel and so if he calls her stupid all the time, she may get depressed. I just don't know what to do. I love my dog and I love my man? Help!
2007-04-25 15:10:11 · 21 answers · asked by Angela1218 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Angela, i tried to avoid it but i must answer this.
First, since you say "we did the research" that would mean your husband agreed to this dog.
However, maybe he did only to make you happy (or if he's not so nice, to stop you from talking about it).
Sounds like he has not had a dog before, or else his view of a dog's role is different than your view.
Crate training can be very helpful in avoiding most accidents and making things easier for you, and more secure for the dog. Try the following book as a basic manual for crate training: (small book)
"What all Good Dogs Should Know" by Volhard
Simple, easy to read and follow advice on training - it covers all the important "do's and don'ts".
For understanding dog behavior and psychology, nothing beats watching "The Dog Whisperer" on National Geographic Channel. Link to Web site below (videos, books, and clips available).
Consider also that your husband can be jealous or simply unsure of your loyalty because of your affection for the dog.
It sounds like you just love animals and want to give this dog a nice life. Might be that your husband does not understand your feelings. He's probably frustrated, esp if he never trained a dog before.
However -
The poster who said to be watchful is right.
You need to communicate better with husband, and also think very hard about the way he treats the dog.
Is this the way he deals with everything that doesn't go his way? Does he threaten to leave you, tell you you're stupid, or say he should never have married you?
If you answer "yes" to any of these, he has a big problem.
He may need anger management, or counseling, or both.
If he treats the dog poorly - dogs who only wants to please and make you happy!!! - how will he treat children?
2007-04-25 16:27:57 · answer #1 · answered by Tanya968 5 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Your husband hates dogs because he had an experience with a dog before. (that is usually the reason why people hate dogs) Talk to him, ask him if he ever had a dog or if he ever had a bad experience with them. Maybe he will tell you, then you will know why he hates them so much. Then try to make dogs seem better. For example, Reasons to have a dog: They are loyal They can be a guard They are a best friend They will never betray you And they will always love you I hope I helped Good luck!
2016-05-18 23:26:38 · answer #2 · answered by audra 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Basset Hounds are sweet but extremely stubborn. Maybe you and your puppy need professional obedience training. Have you taken classes with her yet? (Actually, it's the caretakers of the dogs, not the dogs themselves that get trained). If she's being destructive (you said your husband claims she will ruin your house), maybe she's bored. Is she left on her own a lot? Although Bassets don't need constant exercise, they do appreciate a nice walk a few times a week and some time to play. If you both work during the day, have you considered a good "doggy daycare"? Dogs may not understand the words you say to them but they can certainly understand the tone and I'm sure your dog knows when your husband is displeased with her. Hopefully if you address the problems of your puppy's behaviour and she improves, he'll lighten up.
2007-04-25 16:18:47 · answer #3 · answered by roley4 2 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Well it does sound like a dilemma, maybe if he starts to participate in the training he will start to have better feelings towards the dog. This stage is a tough time for people raising dogs, you start to doubt your decision every time you have to clean up the mess left or buy a new pair of shoes that have just been chewed up. Soon they will start to get along, it's inevitable , they can't live with each other any other way. Good luck
2007-04-25 15:20:17 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
To be honest your husband sounds like he isn't a very nice person. Did he agree to the dog just so he would have something to insult and to use as an outlet for his anger? If he agreed to a dog then he needs to treat the dog better. Puppies are like children in that they need time to learn the things that they can do and the things that they can't (or shouldn't ) do.
2007-04-25 15:32:02 · answer #5 · answered by Sarah K 1 · 2⤊ 0⤋
When it comes right down to it your husband needs to come first. I would suggest counseling if he would agree to it.
He might be angry about other things and he projects it on to the dog.
You may need to take a weekend and work on modifying her puppy behavior. It can be done.
You might have to tell your husband that you will get rid of the dog if the tension continues.
Both your puppy and your husband need to co exist.
2007-04-25 15:23:47 · answer #6 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 1⤊ 1⤋
Ugh! what is it with men and dogs?
Perhaps it is a jelously thing...my hubby always says i love the dog more than him!! In a way maybe i do.
My hubby says the same things but sort of jokes about it...he really does love our dog though...he pats him and smiles when he comes to the door to greet him when he comes home from work.
I can only suggest that you encourage hubby to be more involved with the dog...perhaps go on walks together with the dog! Maybe he is just jelous of the time you spend with the dog and not him!
Men what can you do?
Good luck with the Man!! LOL
2007-04-25 15:17:07 · answer #7 · answered by redfroggirl 3 · 4⤊ 2⤋
You might want to ask him why he doesnt like your dog. Or if you dont get it from him, maybe he feels the need to mean to something and a dog wont rat him out for yelling.
2007-04-25 15:14:42 · answer #8 · answered by ? 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Clearly, the dog is YOUR dog.
Accept that your husband wants nothing to do with it.
Expect that the dog is now entirely YOUR responsibility.
If the dog messes up, you've messed up, as far as your husband is concerned.
Accept it, or get rid of one or the other. Your husband isn't going to start liking the dog and the dog isn't going to stop being a dog.
PS - Did you happen to mention to your husband prior to bringing the dog home, how very bad Basset Hounds STINK?
2007-04-25 15:16:50 · answer #9 · answered by J.C. 2 · 3⤊ 4⤋
I can tell you what is wrong here.You are the one who is more excited about this puppy than your hubby is at present and you are probably spending more time with puppy than hubby.Lucky puppy is getting all the attention and hubby is feeling a bit upstaged.You have to reassure your husband that you still love him so much .Give him equal time as your pup and set the puppy aside so you can be with just him who was there first.You have to fuss over your hubby more and once you have evened the balance of love he too will come to love puppy as you do.Your hubby doesn't hate your dog......yet!One more very important thing..you love your man and THAN you love your dog.Got to keep your priorities right honey!!!!!
2007-04-25 16:05:02 · answer #10 · answered by carolhubac 2 · 0⤊ 3⤋