Some people are pet lovers, some aren’t – and it’s one of the things that commonly cause problems in a marriage.
If you hate your dog but your husband loves him, this is an issue that you need to find a solution to.
Otherwise, you’re going to end up resenting the time your husband spends with your dog, you’ll end up hating the dog more, and it’s going to make you miserable every day.
Here are my best tips for finding a solution to help compromise living with your husband’s dog!
I Hate My Dog but My Husband Loves Him! – How To Handle It
Talk Openly With Your Husband About How You Feel
Communication is everything when it comes to resolving any problems in a marriage or a relationship.
You need to be honest with your husband about how you feel and why you feel that way.
It’s important to explain what it is about the dog you hate, as well as how it makes you feel, how you see your relationship dynamic changing due to the dog’s presence, etc.
This can be a hard conversation to have, but it’s an important one nonetheless.
You have to be careful how you bring up this conversation, too. You’ll know your husband better than anyone and how to approach the topic, that’s not something I can tell you how to do.
Be very careful not to make your husband feel cornered, trapped, or like you’re asking him to make a choice in any way.
The goal is to get everything out in the open about how you and your husband feel about the dog and how you both view your relationship and the impact the dog is having.
Related – Really hate your husband’s dog? Read this post!
Set Some Boundaries for the Dog
If your husband loves his dog, naturally he’s going to want to spend time with him and will give him freedom.
That doesn’t mean that you have to be okay with that, though.
You need to set some boundaries for the dog in terms of where he is and isn’t allowed to go in your house and when.
For example, maybe the dog is allowed in the living room but not on the furniture.
Or, maybe he can go upstairs but not in your bedroom.
You need your own personal space if you’re not comfortable being around the dog or if the dog is damaging your house and personal possessions.
If your husband can’t understand or respect this, it’s going to become a constant source of friction in your relationship.
Take Into Account How Much the Dog Means to Him
This is a big one.
You need to try to understand and accept how much the dog means to your husband.
For some men, their dog is like their child or as the saying goes, “a dog is a man’s best friend.”
And, just like you wouldn’t want him telling you that he hates your child, you shouldn’t tell him that you hate his “child.”
It’s not going to help the situation and is only going to make things worse.
Instead, try to see things from his perspective and understand how much the dog means to him.
It’s not easy, but it’s important.
Once you two talk about this out in the open, you should both have a newfound understanding of each other’s position, that’s why you discuss things.
Speak With a Therapist if You Can’t Find a Compromise
Disagreeing over something like a dog can be a pretty big deal. It’s not that different from feeling indifferent over a child, especially to some people.
If you can’t find a compromise or resolution that works for both of you, it might be a good idea to seek professional help.
A therapist can help you and your husband communicate better, understand each other’s perspectives, and find a solution that works for both of you.
It might seem like a last resort, but sometimes it’s necessary as it can be hard to come to a resolution when you’re both pushing and pulling.
Related – Tips for resolving a relationship if your husband cheated or if he’s involved in an emotional affair.
Can Pets Ruin A Relationship?
Pets can absolutely ruin a relationship if the both of you are not on the same page.
Having a pet is a huge responsibility. Not just for the person who bought or owns the pet, but for everyone living in the household.
Some pets are a lot of work, it’s always a long-term commitment, and sometimes it can cause financial problems.
You have to be on the same page in regards to who is caring for your pets, as well as respecting boundaries and how that pet fits into your family dynamic.
Otherwise, it can lead to resentment, arguments, and a lot of frustration.
If you’re struggling with this issue in your own relationship, hopefully, this article has helped give you some clarity.
Pets can be wonderful, but they can also put a strain on even the strongest of relationships if not properly managed!
Image credits – Photo by Jonathan Borba on Unsplash
Phil lives in England, UK, and has around 20 years experience as a professional life, career and executive coach. He started this blog to help others find and define their own self development journey. Blogging about a wide range of topics to help facilitate a better future.
I am in this very struggle. Not only do I HATE the dog, I’m terribly allergic to his fur which he sheds EVERYWHERE. We have had open discussions about it but my opinion doesn’t seem relevant. It causes fights almost daily but he doesn’t believe in finding a loving home with a big yard to run around in. We relocated to a home that has a great yard but no fence and it rains constantly so he’s always muddy and smelly. I feel like a jerk having resentment towards an animal, I usually love animals and have had a few very special ones in the past, but this dog is just the worst. I try to pretend I’m ok but eventually I end up bursting and that helps nobody. Any advice?