Okay I should start out by saying that he is a great dog. He is obedient, gentle and kind. You could not ask for a better family dog. He is a 90 lb Black Lab. He was a stray and was near death when I found him. He was only 40 lbs. I have dog karma, dogs come to me.
He is old and has arthritis. I have him on medication but he is still pretty stiff. I walk him everyday, well most days. But we do long walks, 3 or 4 times a week and a few short ones too.
His faults are:
- He stops in front of me, blocking my path, especially in the kitchen. My kitchen is small, I often cannot walk around him. He is kind of deaf and I have to raise my voice for him to move. I hate raising my voice.
- He goes by the baby when he is eating, the baby touches the dog and then has dog hair on his hands. I have to clean off the dog hair. It bugs me. It is not like I don't let him eat the food that drops. I do.
- I have to clean up his poop. He likes to walk-and-poop. So he will leave a trail of poop over 10 to 30 feet. I then have to play “find the poop”. 99% of the time he stays on our property, but sometimes I have to visit the neighbors. I hate his leaving poop with the neighbors.
- I am not someone who wants a dog that does not bark. He is not a dog that barks all day. However, he will bark when dinner is done because he wants the leftovers. I have to clear the table to make him stop. The is after he has been fed. I cannot feed him all the leftovers because he is an old dog and his weight would increase his pain. I hate the noise!
Of course I will miss him terribly when he is gone. He is 11 years old. I know that big dogs, especially strays, don't live that long. I am still nice to him. We have lovies everyday.
Maybe I am just overwhelmed with my kids? Maybe I miss the dog that used to want to play? Maybe I am afraid that he is going to die soon and I am trying to protect myself?
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19 comments:
My dog pooped on the kitchen floor this morning. I don't know who told him about the post, but I am sorry now!
I used to think that I was a dog person. We always had dogs when I was growing up. They were a part of the family. Since I've left home for college I've only had a cat since I've had odd hours and no yard since then. Now grown up, my sister has a dog that I'm watching for a night and a day. He's a good dog once he calms down, shits on my carpet 10 mins after his arrival. This dog needs a farm, not the crate and one bedroom apartment that my sister gives him. She and her fiance love this dog. I love my cat even more now. She poops in her box and purrs on my lap. She never eats anything she's not supposed to. "Meow!" is never too distruptive. I'm not a violent person, but sometimes I want to punch the dog in the face, but I know that may only cause him to piss on my carpet again. I'm not a religous peron, but I've found prayer. There's a slight oder in my apartment and I can't find it. I recomend finding a farm or an Animal Rescue League. Maybe they can find a foster home that can acutally help your dog. It doensn't mean you don't have a heart. It may just mean you cannot provide that best environment for the dog. Not any stray that arrives at your door is going to fit in your family. That's ok. BTW- Thanks for letting me vent a little.
My dog hates me since I had children 7 years ago. He has been moping about depressed ever since I brought my boys home from the hospital. The kids don't like him either and he doesn't like them. There is mutual hate all around. He never adjusted to having to share the house with children. Now, he is getting old and crotchety. He bites. My vet says he needs prozac. He is 11 now, I can't give him away at this point. Soon, he will need diapers and a kidney transplant or something. I am sure people are going to tell me how awful I am for saying this but it's true. It is not fun to clean, feed, care for, walk, bathe and finance (600$ for teeth cleaning??!!?) an evil little beast that wishes you were dead. Besides that, I am tired of picking poo off my carpet.
my dog just pissed on the floor because she refused to pee on the 25 minute walk I took her on. we walk in the door, i go to put her in the crate she runs away from me and pisses in the middle of the carpet. I just got this stupid animal 10 days ago. She hates me. and the feeling is starting to be mutual. the lady I adopted her from treated her like a big baby and that is not the case in this house. she is going to be 80 pounds. I can't carry her like the lady did. I can't let her sleep and piss wherever she wanted like I believe the lady did. I can't freaking deal. She is 5 months old and is acting like a complete jerk. It makes me hate her. I feel bad saying that but really. I just can't deal sometimes, most times. I got mad at her and told her no and bad dog and all that and she ran to the crate. I could kill her. why is she doing this to me. I was doing what the books all say to walk and if she doesn't pee on the walk take her in put her in the crate and try again later. I just can handle this. I can't tell anyone in my family because they will just say "I told you not to get a dog" I undersand puppies piss in the house but I think she does it to irritate me. I mean it was a 25 minute walk in 45 degree weather at 2 am. I hate her right now. Any suggestions? What do I do? I just am so angry.
I too used to think i was a dog person..maybe i am, maybe its the small dog breeds I should stay away from. I felt pressured into getting the dog i have now...bad beginning... i have had her going on two years, all i think about is how to get rid of her. She has a weird odor, HORRIBLE breath, she pees in her bedding no matter how often i let her out to pee and then smells because she lays in the peed bedding. On the upside she is sweet and affectionate, good with my 5 year old who can be rough at times,but the fact remains that I am not enjoying her and i dont know what to do with her. I would love for some lonely older person to take her, for a lap dog/companion. In addition to my already hectic and stressful life I cant do her justice. Help.
AMEN, i hate my dog too... ever since i had a baby and my large dog is around...and my husband left to iraq and left me in charge of dog for a year...bah humbug...please die dog...ugh
i know i know bad ...sweet dog,... something about having a baby made me loathe her.. ick. please someone come take her away!
When I had a baby I felt guilt about not being as interested in the dog and then I was mad at the dog for making me feel bad. Not logical, but true.
I have a new dog. He is pretty good, but needs an hour of walking a day or he is crazy. Yes, I know, what was I thinking. He is a great dog, as long as he gets his walks.
If I was to give advice. More walks, consistency in behaviour and deep breathing relatation.
You guys are fucking idiots. You are taking out your frustrations---and your parental incompetence---on your poor dogs. I have two kids---ages 2 and 5--- and I love to see them interact with our two dogs. My dogs love my kids and at the same time my kids gain respect and compassion for animals. Mind you my dogs were here before my kids. Oh yeah, my dogs are fully housebroken cause I took the time and responsibility to do so. Patience is key, I have learned that from being a first grade for the past seven years. Don't get a dog if when the novelty is over, you realize your life is better without them.
Well Anonymous, you lack the guts to post under a name and you missed my point entirely. My dog was housebroken and probably the sweetest dog you have ever met, but he was old and sick. We had to put him down. He was pooping on the floor because he was senile.
My post was about the very human frustrations that I felt in that moment. I hope you have more compassion for your kids that you did for me.
Best blog comments EVER! I don't hate my dog...not all the time. The truth is, my dog hates me. He's been depressed ever since we adopted him two months ago. He just lies around the house doing nothing. He doesn't bark, doesn't come to greet me, doesn't come when I call, doesn't take treats or bribes. He won't eat unless he's absolutely starving or I'm not looking. My husband walks by him and says, "I think your dog is dead." I feel like I need to pump my dog up with drugs just to get a reaction out of him. The only thing I can count on my dog to do is pee all over my carpet, even though he is doggie litter box trained. Last week, he walked over to my mother-in-law and peed/marked her leg, ruining her pants. He has perfect bladder control, because he only pees when he wants to pee at the worst time and in the worst places. I've tried training him, bribing him, praising him, reprimanding him, cuddling him, you name it. All he does is stare at me with this look that reads, "who the hell are you?" He still hates me, and what's the point of even having a dog if he hates you? Isn't it an oxymoron to own a dog that hates his person? I have showered this pooch with exercise, goodies, love, activities, and good vet care. I have now started putting him in doggie daycare just so he can have some "happy" time with his dog friends...which are the only things he DOES like. I spend a ton of money on doggie daycare to try to keep him happy. When I pick him up, you'd think he would be a happy dog, but nope, he comes home depressed and mopey all over again. I think I want to leave him at doggie daycare and never pick him up again. Then maybe, he'll finally be happy.
Thank you - I thought this was just me. Since I have had a baby now 20 months ago my dogs drive me mad. Prior to having the baby I worked full time so I suppose I never saw the real them. I have always accepted they are totally bonded with my husband. They drive me mad. They bark the entire time I try to put my son down to bed, shed hair once I have cleaned, stand in the way when I am carrying. My son loves them and they love him. I just can't cope with them. I am glad it is not just me!!
I am so happy to read these, because I hate my dog, too!! He is a good dog, by most standards. Obedient, doesn't chew, friendly to people... but the barking and the constant energy and the unbelievable shedding and the neurotic herding dog thing (and more, oh, heck yes...) drive me insane. I can't give him up because my daughter says it will wreck her life. All my friends say I need to suck it up and deal. Well, he makes my life a constant struggle to not somehow fake his disappearance, or make his death look like an accident. Just looking at him infuriates me.
The "Anonymouses" of the world try to make you feel like a total animal hater for not liking your dog. Well, s/he should try to live with him. There is such a thing as "the wrong dog for you", and this one is it. I think it is sad that this one has to live with me, because I'm sure that someone, somewhere, would love him.... but I'm stuck with him, I hate him, and I feel everyone's pain here!
i Love this posting :-) I have 2 dogs. no kids, married. While am all life for my dogs, it drives me crazy. I make them spend all the time with me (work from home plus student). While LONG walks help them curb their behavior, none of the training actually works. My first dog mellowed down with exercise hes just 3. Hes now adorable. But my second one, i hate her now. Infact she was whining the whole 1.5 hours of trail walk yesterday that it ruined my complete composure. she whines while seeing people from house, she whines in a car ride, she whines SO much. Gone to vet - shes hale and healthy which is great. it is a behaviour problem and NO, dogs do not emulate owner's personality. People keep telling me this a lot :-(
For people who "LOVE" dogs, it is similar to people who talk "GREEN"...they think they can advise and have a holier than thou attitude. but come one we are humans and we have our short comings..i think negative e3motions are natural EVEN with kids. how many parents are so caring after the kids get a personality? Sure it is definitely the way we "handle" things..but dogs too can be real nightmare. I am planning to ignore her for ever, no smiles or love, just as a duty will feed her exercise her groom her.thats it, am this close to going insane.
Thanks so much for this post. I thought ppl might think am a bad person or something. I would love to have you all as my friends...atleast all are true to yourselves. - Anne, Seattle, WA
Hi, I loved reading everyones comments. I hate my dog too. He just sits and stares at me all day waiting for me to service him......I have asked people who own dogs , I give him everything, why can't he go chase spiders, or play with the 15 toys he has or take a nap on his 50 dollar bed or eat his expensive food....I got him one month ago...an adorable ShihTzu...I do love his face and he really is a good dog I would never be mean to him...he is taking my peace of mind away from me. I got the dog for good reasons, I am single home all day working and I cater to him more than my Job. I hate him but I love him..I am becoming obsessed with him because he freaks me out when he just sits there quietly and stares at me with this intense wanting look...right into my eyes...What the f--- does he want??? He is mking me highly neurotic and stressed ..help I have only had him 2 months and every day I want to find him a new home....STOP STARING AT ME!!!!!!
WOW I thought I was the only one who felt this way about a dog! I feel like we have made a mistake getting him. I wake up 3 times a night just to take him out,and what happens? HE PEES! I had to give him a bath at 3am! I dont know about other people but I could not even sleep because i felt dirty,even if I take a shower,I still feel dirty after. That same day I didnt get a chance to take him out at all. why?? because all he would do is pee in the damn house! ughhhh! That was honestly one of my worst days ever since we've had him. I ususall take him out 10 times a day,but that day all he did was pee and pee and pee in the house, I literally gave him like 6 baths because of him peeing..and for everyone wondering,no he does not have a bladder infection or anything.
Thank goodness there are more people out there who feel the same way as I do. I really, really hate my dog. We got him about 6 months ago, after about two years of debating what breed to get. I have had about 5 dogs in my life, and this is the first time I have ever hated my dog. I am not working, so I spend a lot of time with him. I have invested hundreds of hours in training, coaching, playing, exercising with him. The jerk still pees wherever he feels like it. I am tired of him picking through anything he finds. He has the gall to jump on chairs and snatch food. It's not cute, and I seriously loathe him. My kids will not even discuss giving him away. I have found prayer, begging a higher authority for even more patience on an hourly basis. I am also hoping for a happy resolution, a miracle, by which he either starts behaving well, or that he disappears. Thanks for listening to me vent.
Since this is my blog, I am going to leave some advice here. The dog thinks that he is dominant and so he don't care what you say or want. The dog is making all the decisions. Do two weeks of "no touch, no talk, no eye contact".
If you get upset it shows weakness. You must be calm and emphatic in all interactions.
Get into a routine of walking in the morning for at least 1/2 hour, preferably an hour. Then do some obedience work like sit, stay etc. Then feed the dog after the exercise and obedience.
It will not be an instant change, but it will be better than doing nothing.
I hope that your relationship improves.
Wow. I am glad to see this thread. I grew up on a farm where the dogs, we always had dogs, ran and chased and investigated. When I got married, my husband missed having a dog, although we live in town and I don't understand having a dog inside. I thought it would be good for him to get a dog. Now this dog thinks he's mine and he stares at me constantly and I don't enjoy him in the least. When I put him outside he just lays there waiting to come back in. I am trying to look at it as a challenge and learn to be compassionate. Most days I just feel guilty for not loving him more. Everyone tells us he is a perfect dog. That is even harder to forgive myself for. He does nothing wrong but get excited when we come home, shed constantly and poop inside maybe once a month. I just can't bond with him and feel horrible about my status. I feel I am a loving person. I just don't love him and don't look forward to another seven or eight years under the same roof. Thanks for this site. I needed it.
i know there ought to be ways to just keep learning, fixing the problems, since these animals are our responsibility. my problem is i'm exhausted. "don't yell" sure. wtf ever. have you ever been up for days trying to get sleep when the beast never shuts up? oh, but wait, it gets better. he ain't barking. not usually. he's WHINING. he's lazy, cries, won't eat, unless it's forbidden, acts stupid or superior during lessons. this dog is a mess. i know it needs some kind of inspiration to behave, to be content, but my family dotes on it, and crates it, or walks it, or does everything the expensive trainer tells them to, and this beast actually comes across as haughty! just stands there, ignoring the piss out of anyone, except the trainer of course. how can you love an animal who appears to have no respect for the hand that feeds it? i would love to give it freedom, or security, or comfort, but nothing works, as we must be doing everything wrong! oh, now there's some encouragement. you're a shitty owner, dog hates you, neighbors hate you, buy the most expensive items and do what your told, you'll never be good enough. this mutt that you rescued from daily neglect could care less that you exist, unless of course he can't come sit THISCLOSE. then, of course, he just whines till you scream and your head pops off and shoots across england.
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