We rescued her from the local shelter and brought her home on Saturday (we live together). I should note that I am 28 and he is 24. Now that she is with us, he's decided a puppy is too much responsibility, too much effort to train, and to messy and unpredictable. He feels his freedom is gone since we have this little dog to look after. He teaches high school and will be home for the summer. Now he's saying his summer is ruined because he will have to care for our dog. What should I DO?? This is devastating and I do NOT want to give up our dog. Will he get over this? Is this something one gets "used" to?
2007-06-14 06:52:59 · 26 answers · asked by eaj01 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
Crate training.
You don't need to give up your life. Communities are even making traveling and other things easier for pet owners to take their pet with them.
2007-06-14 07:01:21 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 2⤊ 1⤋
First of all, having a puppy is like having a baby. Period. Lots of time and care goes into this thing if you want to do it right. Get a kennel crate and a book that explains the rules of kennel training. Puppies live in the kennel and get free about 20 minutes of free time after they go potty. This time gets longer as the puppy gets older and becomes more predictable. If you've never had a puppy before, part of the training is your getting to know the puppies patterns. What do they do when they need to go outside, when they are hungry, etc. If you do this correctly, the puppy is very trainable and will be a great pet. The boyfriend however is another problem. He's not as trainable from the sounds of it. I suggest whacking him on the nose with a rolled up newspaper to show him who the boss is and if he doesn't listen, put him in the backyard. Let the puppy stay in the house!!
2007-06-14 14:03:28 · answer #2 · answered by mngoldwing 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Bear in mind a puppy is much like a baby. It needs lots of attention for its early life. Once it gets older, it won't need AS MUCH attention. Be sure he knows this, that it does get easier. Another thing you may want to consider is a buddy. I know it may seem like more responsibility per dog you get, but in actuality, it makes your job as a parent easier. They play with each other and keep each other occupied, so you don't have to spend as much time with them. Plus, once one learns something, the other learns it very quickly after. It sounds like he's just realizing the care needed for a puppy, but between the two of you, I'm sure you can handle it. If he really starts getting agitated and outright dislikes the dog, then you may want to give it back to the shelter. Better for it to find a good home at an early age than stay in a home where it's not loved.
As for training, puppies are easily trainable within the first few weeks of having them. Pee pads work great, and so does putting the waterbowl outside (I'm not sure how that works, but my girlfriend showed me and it works like a charm). Once your boyfriend is over the "responsibility mountain" view, you'll both fit the puppy into your daily routine and things will work out fine.
But as I said, if he starts to really not like the dog, then send it back to the shelter.
2007-06-14 14:03:11 · answer #3 · answered by trinilim 3 · 2⤊ 0⤋
Don't get rid of the dog.. get rid of the boyfriend!
Practice humane crate training. Not knowing how old the puppy is but with proper crate training and housebreaking the dog will be able to be left alone for 8 to 10 hours with proper food and water management.
I am single and 28. Getting a dog last year was the best thing i have ever done as far is giving me responsibilities and getting my life on some schedule and getting out of the 20's party scene!
I encourage to read this article on how to properly humanely crate train the dog!!
Good luck!!
http://www.sfspca.org/behavior/dog_library/crating.pdf
2007-06-14 14:18:37 · answer #4 · answered by punk101rocker101 2 · 3⤊ 0⤋
Me and my wife have similar arguments sometimes. Not that I want to return our dogs but I simply don't want to take the dogs with me everywhere I go. Sometimes it does seem as though I have lost my freedom. But I do love my dogs and I think the infrequent sacrifices I have to make are worth it. Get your boyfriend to work with him on some fun activities. Most guys enjoy fetch or teaching the dog how to catch. Since it is obvious that he doesn't want the dog, focus on teaching the practical commands yourself, and let him teach the fun tricks. This way he will fall in love with the dog and won't even realize that you are secretly training him to love the dog. Get him to let you keep the dog for a while longer and encourage him to have fun with the dog. Once the dog is trained and adjusted he won't feel like all of his freedom is lost.
2007-06-14 14:17:06 · answer #5 · answered by Jon H 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you think your boyfriend will resent the puppy, then it's not a good situation for the dog. I believe that EVERYONE in the household has to be on board with caring for and loving a dog for that dog to be happy & healthy.
You've just learned something about your boyfriend you didn't know before. Do you want to remain with someone who fears responsibility and has so little compassion for a helpless puppy?
Keep the puppy. Show boyfriend the door.
2007-06-14 14:09:56 · answer #6 · answered by K 5 · 4⤊ 0⤋
Well it depends. I wanted a dog 12 years ago and my husband didn't. Now she's getting old and he's the one who brushes and feeds and gives her her medicine. But it depends on your guy and how he handles the responsibility. If you think he really won't want to care for the dog then you may have to take on the responsibility on your own. If you think that's too much, then I would say return the dog now before everyone gets attached including the dog.
2007-06-14 14:03:48 · answer #7 · answered by Diane T 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Boyfriends come and go...a dog will love you till it dies.
Seriously this is a major problem, people getting pets without thinking. Then where does that leave the pet? They do take time. They do take energy. They do cost money. They need a schedule and training, both house and obedience. Taking care of a dog properly is not much different than taking care of a toddler, believe me, I've had both. Do what you will but do consider the first sentence I wrote. It is one of those truthful jokes.
2007-06-14 14:04:44 · answer #8 · answered by ebby 5 · 5⤊ 0⤋
I would be very careful as if you live together be really careful about getting pregnant or you will be out the door a puppy is a large responsibly but a baby is even more if he can't handle a pup yo might as well forget about having kids
I say ditch him and keep the pup
2007-06-14 13:59:33 · answer #9 · answered by Kit_kat 7 · 4⤊ 0⤋
tell Ur boyfriend to get over and to grow up BC he was difficult to take care of to at a young age i have three dogs and i just got a new puppy and hes great he behaves very well. tell him that the puppy will behave u just have to train it and play with her BC she needs the attention now to become a well behaved dog and if he cant handle it than o well. u want it so keep it and u take care of her if he wont but don't ever abuse her just think of her as Ur child
2007-06-14 14:29:02 · answer #10 · answered by Allie 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Don't give up the puppy!! Training a young puppy is a pain but by the time she's 6 months old everything will be much better. Just do your research, look into crate training if you don't want her running loose in the house all day...
.... and DONT have kids with this guy!!! They are NOT trained by 6 months!!!
2007-06-14 14:02:39 · answer #11 · answered by miraflores 2 · 4⤊ 1⤋