I’m I being unfair?

Carrot007

boliston wrote: »

dogs are a major commitment (like having a child) - perhaps a cat would have been better?

I find your thoughts that cats are less important and less of a commitment than dogs offensive.

Loz01

Christ. Why do people get a dog when they know it's going to be stuck indoors with 1 walk a day poor thing.

If you cant re-home it, look for a local dog walker who can come in during the day and take it on a long walk and replenish its food/water. You hate having it there but have you considered maybe its not having a fun life either?!

comeandgo

I think you would be cruel to think on rehoming the dog. Why does he smell, wash him or take him to a doggy wash place. If he leaves hair, brush him more and get a dog walker to take him a walk. Is he allowed free roaming in the house? Could you train him to stay in the kitchen or at least stay out of the living room and it would give you a room with no hair or trace of the dog.

theoretica

You got the dog so your children could walk it, but your partner does all the caring and walking? Put the children to work, I say, and get them to walk it more and do more of the caring and cleaning, increasing the amount the dog gets. Having a pet as a child is an important responsibility to teach, and it sounds like they have been missing out on this.

gettingtheresometime

Carrot007 wrote: »

I find your thoughts that cats are less important and less of a commitment than dogs offensive.

In fairness I've had cats before I had my dog and whilst cats are still a commitment, dogs are even more so.

iammumtoone

gettingtheresometime wrote: »

In fairness I've had cats before I had my dog and whilst cats are still a commitment, dogs are even more so.

They are less of a commitment in terms of the daily caring/looking after them but just as much of a commitment as in you can't have them for 3 years to just give up and re-home them because they are not what you expected.

elsien

Loz01 wrote: »

Christ. Why do people get a dog when they know it's going to be stuck indoors with 1 walk a day poor thing.

If you cant re-home it, look for a local dog walker who can come in during the day and take it on a long walk and replenish its food/water. You hate having it there but have you considered maybe its not having a fun life either?!

If it's a good long walk and the dog has lots of interaction/stimulation when indoors, what's the issue? Gitdog only gets one decent walk a day and he's absolutely fine. Mental exercise tires them out far more.

TBagpuss

OP, I think you are being unfair. You and your partner made a commitment, and it sounds as though having the dog is a positive for your partner and son.

Can you think about what specifically you don't like, and how those issues could be addressed without having to deprive your family of their pet? For instance, you mention not liking the hair and smell. Could your budget stretch to regular grooming to reduce these, and perhaps talking with your family and agreeing on one room or area in the house which is dog-free?

Does your son walk the dog? If not, is this something he could start to do?

If your son is normally at school and your partner at work, could you look into doggy day care or advertise for a local dog walker? This could benefit the dog by ensuring that it gets more exercise and interaction, and might help you by giving you some dog-free time a few times a week.

What training has the dog had? If part of what you don't like is the way the dog behaves, for instance jumping up or lots of baring, then with a bit of patience and advice it will probably be possible to train it so it doesn't behave in those ways.

Talk to your partner about how you feel - not to demand that the dog is rehomed, but to discus ways you can make this work better for all of you. What can your partner do to ensure that the dog get more exercise? Can they do more in the way or clearing up so you don't have quite so much to deal with in the way of hairs and smells? What things could you do to free up your partner or children to take on those tasks?

gettingtheresometime

iammumtoone wrote: »

They are less of a commitment in terms of the daily caring/looking after them but just as much of a commitment as in you can't have them for 3 years to just give up and re-home them because they are not what you expected.

Oh I totally agree.

Red-Squirrel_2

redlove wrote: »

We have been together for 18 years and have children, One of which has special needs. Due to my sons condition I decided that buying a puppy would be a great idea to ensure he had company and he could take the dog on walks etc. I have never had a pet before.

I have not bonded whatsoever with the dog and absolutely detest having an animal in my home. I hate the smell, hairs everything to do with having a dog. I have tried for three years to change my feelings but I cannot.

My partner does all the caring but the dog is walked once a day due to work commitments and the dogs life is hardly ideal.

I have asked and asked for the dog to be rehomed and he won’t hear of it even though it would mean a much better life for the dog he loves.

I know the kids would not forgive me and my partner too but I am really feeling so frustrated with this situation. I feel completely unheard and my feelings are not being taken into account.

This is causing a lot of stress and unhappiness

No family members will re home the dog.

This whole post is disgusting, but the worst is the bit in bold where you try to pretend that any of this is about concern for the dog rather than yourself.