Quote:
Originally Posted by Britster  Is it a requirement that your current or future significant other loves your CURRENT dogs?
Meaning, not in any future dogs you may buy together, but if you had dog(s) before you met your spouse.
Would this be a deal-breaker in a future relationship or has it been one in a current/past one? Does a future SO only have to like or tolerate your dog(s), not love them? Would a non-dog-savvy person be someone you're uninterested in as a SO?
I know, for me, Jackson and I are a package deal. He wouldn't have to love him AS much as I do, obviously, but I don't think just 'tolerating' him would be enough. He would have to appreciate that I am into training, agility, and respect that as my hobby and obviously treat Jackson well. I don't think I could ever be with a non-dog lover. |
My brother decided, when he just got a divorce, that he wanted the companionship of a dog. He decided to get a Cairn Terrier from a breeder. However, right after he got the dog he started dating. Needless to say, the dating became more important then training and establishing a relationship with the dog. Poor boy has never gotten the patient training and will basically do anything for attention.
Well, now my brother married the girl he was dating and she basically blames all their marital problems on the dog not being trained well. She gets so angry when she comes to my house and sees that Gizmo rings the bells to go potty, doesn't run around barking, doesn't have bone aggression, and stays when I tell him to.
I've tried to explain to my brother and his wife, that this took extensive training for Gizmo, my husband, and I. We didn't go out to a movie and lock him in the crate for hours on end. Instead of going to the mall just for us, we take Gizmo with us and walk him around socializing him and working on his sit and stay with people around.
Needless to say, I've almost adopted their Cairn simply because they think he's untrainable, and because my sister-in-law always says she didn't like the dog, and it's not her dog, it's my brother's dog, etc.
Anyway, the point of my long story is you both have to be in the same boat with regards to Jackson. Granted, I don't know anyone that wouldn't love Mr. Action Jackson. But, it does cause alot of anger and resentment if the significant other starts to think the dog is being maniacal and is set out to destroy your relationship
. Heck, even I'm mad because in my opinion they are doing a huge injustice to the dog who is so lovable.