Great DH, bad dogs! another update page 11

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Is there anyone who can help me? Here it is. My DH hates my dogs, and doesn't understand that dogs are not without some issues. When we got together he knew I had my 3 dogs, one is 17, the other two are 5 and 6. For the most part they are good (the old one has a couple issues) I also have a cat which is very well behaved. This is the only thing we fight about. How, I should be able to train a 17 year old dogs not to have an accident! I already have made tons of changes to complate the DH. Like, no dogs on furniture, dogs go in kennel at night. Once the cat jumped in the spot he sits in and he was mad for days at me! I have no control over a cat and it was an accident. My sister says I need to talk to some dog haters and I don't know any. I thought I would ask you guys. He is gone right now because I was unable to answer the door because I was taking a shower and the person was standing there quite a while and my dog peed and he stepped in it. I offered to clean his sandle but he just snapped. Any Advice? would be appreciated. My house is clean and don't smell like dogs. Thanks.

 

[Zahboo]

We have a 15 year old chihuahua that goes without knowing he goes. It's part of him being old. Housebroken he is, but also incotinent (I can't spell it) I think hubby needs to know that there were compromises make. I don't like dogs on my bed because I hate having dog hair on my when I sleep. We have a puppy right now so we argue about him having messes. Mom thinks they should become potty trained overnight. Did he know you and the dogs were a packaged deal?

 

[HenPen]

Did he not understand you liked animals and what that would entail??

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Yes, he knew that! And he was very accepting for a good while, and by the way he loves the chickens they are all outside and he and I take care of them. I used to let the dogs sleep with me, but I didn't like the fleas and such also, so I am ok with that. I just can't kennel them constantly.

 

[Camelot Farms]

Gosh, this is gonna sound mean but HELLO DH. The dogs were there already.

Its not like you hid them away while you dated and then dragged them out after the honeymoon. Seems like he is a little short on compassion when it comes to the 17 year old dog. Hope he expects better treatment when he's elderly.

I'm sure that DH has other wonderful qualities, being a dog lover is just not one of them.

And lets be honest, YOU are a dog lover. Anyone with more than one must be crazy about them and if tomorrow, heaven forbid, all 3 of them disappeared, you would go get one (or two) more because they make you happy and thats part of who you are.
That wont change.

I know this isnt an answer but I felt compelled to add my 2 cents....which isnt always worth 2 cents.

Good luck with this....its a tough one!

 

[LegHorn-BusHorn]

Yes. you are right! If something happens to any of my dogs I would more that likely get another. They are all rescue dogs that would have met their maker if I hadn't gotton them. I am just so upset and don't really know how others feel when dogs just aren't their thing. He actually likes them until something goes wronge and it is just small things. The 17 year old is a minpin and is house trained, just doesn't have the tolerance the younger ones do. What will I do when they get old. Should I do something drastic, like my sister says, get rid of the DH?

 

[Cetawin]

Sorry for your troubles with DH but the issues are his NOT the dogs. He knew the dogs were there when he married you. I would not be trying to placate him or make further concessions. You can talk to him and try to reason with him but it does not sound like he is being reasonable.

You cannot train a 17 year old dog to NOT have an accident. If it were me I would tell him bluntly...the dogs were here when you asked me to marry you, when you married me and they stay, however, you are free to use the front door anytime you so choose. Great DHs do not act like children over a situation they knew existed prior to marriage.

But, that is me. Good luck in your decision.

 

[debilorrah]

I agree with Cetawin on this one. He needs to get a grip. They were there LONG before he was.

 

[Chicks_N_Horses]

Yep, if the dogs were there before him then that is something he married too and will have to learn to love and accept.

I really don't have any advice except for lots of communications and calmly discussing how you each feel, what you can do to try to come to common grounds, etc....stuff like that that makes him feel like you care about his opinion and want to keep him happy but you also want to be happy and enjoy your dogs without all the heartache....

Good Luck to you guys

 

[anngili]

I agree with the others who say that it's your husband who needs to adjust, not the dogs or you. Having said that, if you aren't already using something for the incontinence, I'd check with your vet about getting medication to help relieve that problem. I've got an older dog who also has bad back/nerve problems in her lower back and she has had incontinence, especially after she overdoes it exercising. The vet prescribed Phenylpropanolamine HCL and it's almost eliminated the problem. Now she will sometimes get a small amount of leakage if she way overdoes it, but even then it's much less than before and I think at that point it's exclusively due to the spinal problem.