Husband has two small indoor dogs. I am allergic to dogs. They are not well-behaved; outside not option. HELP

Question

They pee and poop on the floor, he's not the best at cleaning up after them. The first day he brought them into the house, one immediately lifted his leg on the wall (AFTER being taken out to potty). They wallow all over the furniture (I sneeze to no end) and beg terribly while we're eating dinner. He got a little peeved when I told him no dogs in the bedroom.. it's the only place I can BREATHE. We're getting the backyard fenced in, but he says outdoors is NOT an option to his little angels. My cat has been living in a closet the past three weeks, because the dogs terrorize her. The dogs ravage the litter box looking for "snacks". I am at my wits' end! HELP

I take Zyrtec and Benadryl... Hepa filters all in the house. Is it necessary for me to be loopy and drugged up in my own house?

The litterbox is in the cat's closet (hiding place)... sometimes the dogs will sneak in and "help themselves"...

Can you teach a old dog new tricks? One is 8, the other is 5.

We've been married a few months... my allergist stopped my injections because I couldn't accept the weakest dose. I had horrible KNOTS under my arm, and he decided to keep treatment oral. I'm at my wits' end! :-(

He knew I am allergic... he promised to bathe and help me vacuum... I know, promises, promises... Do you really think it should come down to "the dogs or me"? I'm having a hard time understanding why "outside" isn't an option with him.

That's not a rat you smell, it's me, not logging out before sis hops on the PC

Answer 1

did you just recently marry? or did he just suprise you with these dogs? I would think being married you would have discussed the issue of bringing strange, adult dogs into the home, and had you known you were allergic, you should have told him. If you found out you were allergic, then as your husband I would hope he realizes your miserable and he needs to find the dogs new homes.
This is going to put a strain on you, the dogs, the cat and your husband. Talk to him, tell him what is going on. Tell him its me or the dogs. If your, too afraid to do that, and he WONT get rid of the dogs, and you WONT put your foot down. They you have to live with it. You suck it up, you clean up after the poorly trained dogs, you suffer with them. I thinks its totally not fair to you or the dogs, or the cat for that matter.
Time to re-evaluate your living conditions. If you live in a house do you know that these dogs can actually make the price of your house go down? They can ruin your floors, your carpets. If you are not ready to work everyday to fix them, PLEASE FIND THEM NEW HOMES.

Do it while he's at work and tell him they ran away... noo just kidding dont do that.

OUTSIDE isnt an option its a cop out, also its not good for the dogs, they are small dogs, they dont belong strictly outside. No dog should. This can cause terrible issues with behavior and belonging. Especially at that age, they have been allowed indoors. Its not fair to the dogs, and do you really think hes going to pay attention to them outside? If hes not helping you now who do you thinks going to have to feed them, clean up there poop and play with them OUTSIDE? YOU my DEAR. I think it really is Me or the Dog, or like I suggest just be quiet and put up with it if you dont want to put your foot down.

Answer 2

How long have you been married?

How long has your husband been an abusive tyrant?

Discuss the situation with your physician, and ask him if he can write a note for you if he agrees that the dogs should be oustide or gone due to your allergies. If he's comfortable with doing this, show it to your husband (after making yourself a copy).... better yet... only show your husband the copy as he'll probably tear it up.

Meanwhile, if he goes off to work, I'd put them outside in the fenced yard, and not ask his permission or tell him. If you do that, make sure they have some kind of shelter and always have water.

You could talk to the ASPCA or your local humane officer and see if they can help in any way. They might not be able to, but you never know.

If your husband goes off to work, maybe you could take the dogs to obedience class and learn how to control them so they obey YOU at least!

Just remember, if you don't follow your husband's "orders", he may well leave you and divorce you, but from what you say, that would be doing you a favor.

You can get lattice and make an archway or box with a top that allows the cats in but not the dogs (unless the dogs are the same size as the cat. You can also put a cat door in with radio control and a radio control collar that allows ONLY the animal wearing the collar through the door. That will help a LOT! Then, the room that is accessible to the cat only is the room to put the litter box and food into.

Answer 3

Why on earth did your husband bring dogs home when you are allergic? What is he thinking? Not about you...this signals to me lack of communication and personal disregard for your feelings and health in the realtionship - bigger than just the dogs themselves.

When dogs are in the house with allergic people, certain things must absolutely occur. The dogs must be bathed frequently to remove dander from their coats - frequently mean every other week at a bare minimum. They can't be on upholstered furniture or in bedrooms. Vacuuming every day with a vacuum with a HEPA filter is a must.

For sanitiation sake the dogs need to be housetrained and I recommend crate training (see link). They should be sleeping in their crates at night to keep them out of the bedroom and keep them from soiling the house. Whenever one of you can't supervise the dogs, they should be in their crates until they are fully housebroken.

Also, you need to move the litter box up high so the dogs can't get in it.

Lay down the law that these are your rules for the dogs to stay. Your husband needs to step up to the plate if he wants his "babies" to stay. Otherwise, he needs to find them new homes. This has to be the bottom line for your health. You need to come first, not the dogs.

In the meantime, go see an allergist. Get allergy meds and consider desensitization shots. This shoud be your part of the deal for having the dogs stay.

Marriages involve mutual respect and teamwork. You need to solve this problem as a team. If you can't do that, you'll be facing even bigger challeneges up the road.


ADDITIONAL COMMENTS:

If you can't tolerate allergy shots and he is unwilling to do his part, then yes, it's you or the dogs. Hopefully, it's you that gets priority. Outside is a poor option for dogs. Dog really need to be part of the household (their pack) and small dogs especially can't tolerate outdoor conditions. He needs to rehome his dogs.

Answer 4

I think you have a big problem, but I don't think it has anything to do with dogs. For your husband to do this knowing that you have severe allergies is a big red flag to me. I think you should have a conversation, but not about dogs. He is apparently non-caring of your health, and also not respecting you as a partner in a marriage either. This is all food for-what do you have in common with this guy to begin with?

I agree with the other poster who stated that the poor animals will eventually get the worst of this whole situation. It is never a good idea to bring an animal into a relationship without both parties agreement, and to not take care of the animals once they are there smacks of disrespect for the other person.

I wish you the best of luck with this, but I don't see a sunshiny future here, for the dogs, or for you, I am sorry to say.

Answer 5

this kind of thing just makes me mad. did your husband have the dogs before you got married? sorry to tell you, but that should have been a factor. also, small dogs do not belong living outside. they cant handle extreme temperatures and that is not fair to them to be banished out of the house. if they are not house trained, then train them! get them neutered if they are not already. do you have an extra room where you could put the kitty box and gate it off from the dogs? that would help kitty and keep the dogs out of the box. if you guys are having this kind of problem so early in your marriage, then perhaps some counseling might be in order.

EDIT- WAIT IN ANOTHER POST YOU STATED YOU HAVE 4 LABS!! now you are saying you are allergic to your husbands 2 small dogs? which is it lady?

Answer 6

There is a show on Animal Planet called "Its me or the dog" and this sums it up quite nicely. Have a good long talk with him that he needs to get them into obidience training and fast. There is no excuse for the dogs behavior. Those dogs are running your house!! They are at the top. I am sad to say that it might take alot for your husband to realize whats going on and how much its driving you crazy what his dogs are doing. But even with little things as potty, if he or you isnt using a dog scent eliminator product, even if you think you cleaned up thier messes. The scent is still there and thats why they continue to go in those rooms, also its a product of bad training as well. I hope this helps but please have a talk with him about how the dogs are driving you crazy and soon you cant take anymore!!

Answer 7

The dogs have to go out - for your health and their sanity. Dogs do like to get into cat littler. I solved that problem in my home by putting the cat litter box in a room that I can block off with a baby gate. The cats go over it - the dogs stay out.

If the dogs are not neutered (lifting leg is an indication they might not be), they should be neutered which may help a little with the behavior problems.

Put them in a crate at mealtimes so they can't beg. Put them in the crate at night - your cat will love you for it. Good move on keeping them out of the bedroom - you have to have one room you can retreat to when the allergies are playing up.

Last, you might examine your relationship with your husband. It sounds like he is putting the dogs ahead of your needs - is this really someone you want to spend the rest of your life with?

Answer 8

My husband will go into anti-felactic shock over pet hair. So I get it. My to dogs aren't even allowed upstairs. I have a few air purifiers and there is a wonderful dander remover spray. I got it at petco. I use a hair stripper on them once a week-outside and bathe them on a regular basis. Use the allergen reducer laundry soap etc....
I would suggest putting up a few baby gates. One to keep them out of the litter box area and one to keep them away from your room. Also, tell your husband that dogs belong outside sometimes and get them a few jackets if you have to. Also, allergies are no laughing matter. He needs to be sensitive to your needs. End of story. Toss them ouside during dinner, push them off the furniture and let them know who is boss. They probably aren't all bad, just adjusting. Your husband needs to realize it may someday be you or the dogs and get over it.

Answer 9

I'm actually quiet upset for all the critters living in your home! this is something you AND your husband should have worked out before getting married.
it sounds to me like you both have a totally different outlook on where a pet belongs. that is going to cause a MAJOR problem for you both in the future.
i think perhaps you and he need to seek out some sort of councilor to talk w/about the situation. someone that can be a referee between this mess, and help you two figure out what to do together!

i find this whole situation sad because in the end it's the dogs (and your cat) that will suffer! it's not the dogs fault that they are peeing everywhere...dogs need instruction and training from US their owners...so if they are not getting that your husband and your self are the only ones to blame here.

and BTW you two are married now...the dogs are no longer "His" they are BOTH of yours now.

Answer 10

First, get yourself some allergy medication. Second, put the litterbox in a place where the dogs can't get to it. Third, I'd have your husband (and yourself) take the dogs to some obedience classes and/or have an animal behaviorist come to your house. Those dogs haven't been properly trained (as I'm sure you're aware)!