having to choose between my boyfriend and my puppy

[BabyFidgette]

Well, I'm going to give you my experience because I was actually on your boyfriend's side...here's the story.

My ex-boyfriend had two cats when I started dating him. He knew I didn't like cats (sorry cat lovers, it's the truth), but I treated his cats well. I NEVER asked him to get rid of them, but I said, "When they pass, that's it for cats right?" He said, "No" that he always wanted cats and not dogs. So...I had to make a decision. Did I love this man enough to live with his cats, litter, hair all over, vomiting all the time, and scratching the furniture? Well, he's an ex today...not because he threw me out, but because I guess I didn't love him enough to put up with something I was not comfortable with. Does that make me a bad person? I don't think so. I tried to compromise, but he didn't want to. O well, I'm glad I left because then I would be living with cats and not Baby!

Now your boyfriend on the other hand is just getting fed up with the chewing things and is jealous of your dog. I will tell you this, if you get rid of the dog, you will regret it...because if he's complaining about this, there will be other things he complains about and expect you to change those things too. If he really loves you he will live with your dog. If he leaves, and he realizes he loves you more than he dislikes the dog, he will come back.

I hope I helped a little, and I hope nobody things bad of me b/c I'm not a cat lover.

[chachi]

I dont know what I would do if my Husband was not an animal lover like myself. Luckily he is. It is easy for us to tell you to keep the dog and dump the boyfriend. You are in love with your boyfriend and I am sure he has alot of good qualities. Why not take Pixie on walks with him and other things to try to create a bond. Ass far as the chewing just keep things that she can get ahold of up and that shouldnt be a problem. Good luck.

[julieg]

I didn't read through the other post but have you tried Bitter apple? If you catch her chewing on something you don't want her to chew on and can't move it (ie furniture) you can spray a little on and they won't chew on it anymore. It comes in different brands, there were a lot to choose from at petsmart. I crate our little girl at night for fear she will chew on cords in our bedroom.

I can relate, sometimes my husband of 10 years gets a little upset when the dogs have chewed something or made a big mess or had an accident in the house. I think men are just wired differently then women. We have nurturing attitudes about a lot of things men simply do not. They are not bad just different. If people were polled I am sure a lot more women then men would want an indoor pet. I am speaking in generalities so don't bash me (please). Do a little preventive measures to help things out and try to get him to interact with the pup as much as you can. If he sees some of the good things like how much love they have to give maybe he will just change his mind.

I think you would have a hard time finding someone that was thrilled about having their things torn up. AGAIN not on his side and not at all saying he is right!
JMO

[bchgirl]

I come as a package deal....me and my pets. In our house we've had items destroyed or soiled by pets, everyone has learned NOT to leave items on the floor where they can get to them. And no offense, but it sounds like a control issue to me, then again I do not do well with demanding ultimatums. Chances are my choice isn't going to be the one expected. Good luck.

[Cudda84]

Sounds like a control issue to me also. I do not do well in those type of situations.

[suz]

Ok, you have to choose between your Pixie and your BF. BF must learn to put his stuff up where she can't reach it. Round my house, if it's left on the floor, it's "free" game!! Put your socks, shoes, phone cords where they belong, or they're going to get chewed on. Simple as that. Grandkids wonder why their toys get chewed on....well, where did they leave them? ON THE FLIPPIN' FLOOR!!! Yep, you guessed it. It was in the "free" zone. Kids want to leave their stuff all over the house? "Free" zone. Hubby leaves his stuff on the floor, on the chair, on the couch (ie., remote controls) "free" zone. It is not my job to go from room to room to make sure nothing is on or in the "free" zone. If you want to keep it, and if it's something you'd prefer not to have chewed up, PUT IT AWAY!!!

Crates or X-Pens are good. But if I were you, I think I'd crate the BF!!! JMO
Suz

[Miss Cat Ears]

I haven't read the whole thread, but in my opinion, the dog will always love you unconditionally and if this boy would give you up completely for something as small as a little barking and a $10 phone charger, then I wouldn't call that unconditional love (and isn't that what you're supposed to feel when you get engaged or married?).

[Tiger's Mom]

All I can say is that when you love, love unconditionally . . . .

[mustangbee]

I see red flags!!!!
Hey, sorry, but no way would I give up Princess. It's been over a year,
he should have talked about this a lot sooner. I would sit him down and ask him. What his plans are when you have children? Are you sure he wants them??? I think he wants to be in total control, he needs to learn you are a team, and you have to work on everything together. If he really loves you, he will work things out, if not, it's better to find out now.
I wish you luck, go with your heart, but never let anyone control you.

[Cheryl Field]

To be blunt, I would dump the boyfriend. He sounds like bad news and I doubt he is going to undergo a miraculous transformation. I hope I haven't offended you, but I'm in my late 50's and have had a few boyfriends in my time, so I think I speak from experience.

[vainchick5]

I'm sure this is a totally difficult situation. My boyfriend is not an animal lover and I disagree with people here. Just because your significant other isn't an animal lover doesn't mean he doesn't love you or can't love you. My boyfriend loves Coco, not really other animals or dogs but he loves her and takes care of her. That's all you could really ask for. Now I don't agree that he should live putting everything away to keep Pixie from chewing because you should be training her on those points, maybe even take her to a class. But he should not make you choose either. Try talking to him rationally and if that doesn't work, maybe he's not the one for you. Good luck hun.

[lisatodd]

is he willing to take her to sometype of training????

[Storm]

Please don't take offense to this, but I think your boyfriend is acting very immature. This is a dog. It sounds like he is vying for your attention and is jealous of a little dog. There's something wrong with that.

[lilfoot]

my husband is not an animal lover but in our house we have 2 hamsters, 1 hermit crab, 2 cats (which he absolutely hates but Daughter loves) and 2 yorkies..(which he does love)..what does that say about compromise...we get the animals and he gets his golf..lol

[Claire]

Ok, I skimmed through all of the posts... everyone seems to have good advice for you.

My advice... maybe sit down and talk to your BF and see if together you can come up with a compromise. You keep Pixie and "baby proof" the house, set up spots out of reach from her for his things (phone charger ect.) and agree that when he wants you all to himself or he feels like you are giving more attention to her when he needs your attention (men are big babies too sometimes) you will put Pixie in a designated safe spot, away from the both of you, so that ya'll can have alone time...
Sitting down and trying to compromise will really show you if he is "with you all the way" or if he is "my way or the highway"... does that make sense??

Men may come and go but Pixie is for life! She will be there for you always, can you say the same for him????

I wish you all the best!