Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!!

• 08-25-2009 12:16 AM

  Mindy_1 Joined on 08-25-2009 Posts 3 Points 0

  Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact I'm very upset right now as my husband and I just had a huge fight about our dog Sam.  He wants to get rid of him because he sheds to much.  We have had him for a yr. in a half now, and the kids (all 3 of them) and I have really grown to love him.  They are going to be heart broken when he leaves.  He really is a good dog and has no huge behavorial problems...he is part golden retreiver/collie.  Couldn't ask for a better family dog.  My husband was deployed overseas when we got him, however I sent my husband pictures of him and told the kids Dad and I had to talk about it before we decided.  He said it was okay and we got him.  My husband has been home for a year now.  I clean like crazy to lesson the dog hair and run the swiffer vac just before he comes home from work.  We recently found out that my daughter is allergic to dogs and spoke with her pulmonaligist in depth about this, and he was certain we could keep our dog.  If he even would have hinted about not keeping him, he would have been gone.  Sam does not go down stairs where there is carpet and is not allowed in my daughters room either.  Upstairs is hardwood floor and the swiffer vacuum is run at least 2-3 times a day.  Still this is not good enough for him.  He will be taking him to the shelter on Saturday.  It really bothers me he can't stand the hair so much he is willing to break our kids heart (and mine) and get rid of him.  It seems rather selfish on his part and is no way the dog's fault.  Sorry this is so long, just need to vent somewhere at this hour.

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• 08-25-2009 1:09 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  TysonSS Joined on 07-17-2008 Silver Spring, MD Posts 218 Points 60

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact Is there nothing you can do to change his mind? My dog sheds quite alot (husky) and my parents hate it as well but they deal with it. I think he is being unreasonable and needs to sit down and see how unreasonable it is that he wants to give him away simply for being a dog and shedding :-/ I dont want to be radical and give an extreme example but thats the equivalent of disowning a 3 year old child because she doesnt like vegetables or something. Talk to him, let him know that he is breaking your children's hearts as well. You might also want to throw in that if your daughter can handle the shedding (AND SHE'S THE ONE WITH THE ALLERGIES!!!), why cant he?! Tell him to man up >:[

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• 08-25-2009 1:12 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  Mygirlcricket Joined on 08-09-2008 Posts 69 Points 10

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact  I'm sorry your going through this right now. It sounds like your husband just doesn't like Sam. However if your daughters allergies aren't bad enough to have to get rid of him. (Most people use this as an excuse.) I'm a bit lost. Honestly I think you should talk to him and he should reconsider. He told you that you could have the dog and it is a family pet. It should be a family decision, pets are not disposable.

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• 08-25-2009 1:58 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  Krissim Klaw Joined on 08-26-2007 Posts 647 Points 100

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact  Well personally I would drop the husband at the shelter before one of my dogs, but the fact you mentioned he was deployed leaves me to wonder if there isn't something far more serious problems bubbling beneath the surface.  Has he been having any other issues since returning home?  Has he had any thearpy to help get over the emotional bagage that war can leave a person with?  I highly doubt this is really about dog fur?  THe fur is just an easy excuse.  I wonder if there could perhaps be some jealous feelings toward the dog that stole the famly's hearts while he was away.  Regardless, I would not be willing to meet these demands.  As the other adult in the family, you are the dogs only voice.  At the very least consider finding it a foster home/specialized shelter where you know the dog will have a chance at being rehomed rather than potentially being put down do to lack of space in a shelter setting.

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• 08-25-2009 6:28 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  The V.I.P.'S Very Important Poodles Joined on 11-22-2007 Indiana Posts 87 Points 225	Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact Dump your husband Keep the dog. Good God I can't beleave somebody would get rid of a dog for sheading. What if one of the children have a problem is he going to get rid of one of them too. Dump your Husband and Keep your dog. Chris The Poodle daddy. Dogs are People Too MS Tisha Lynn; Sir Elton Dijon
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• 08-25-2009 7:01 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  Firestorm Joined on 03-15-2006 Posts 1,610 Points 50

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact I think there is more going on then just the husband being upset with the shedding.  I think you really need to have a discussion and have all the positives of having the dog as part of it.  He needs to give a "valid" reason as to why the dog must go and shedding is not sufficient.  I think that it is a selfish move on his part (wanting to take the dog to the shelter), he has been dealing with the shedding for a year and now he wants the dog gone?  I think that there is more going on then what is being said and that it sounds like its a controlling and/or manipulating move on his part. Do you groom your dog daily?  Have you tried using a FURminator to help eliminate excess hair?  What about vaccumming the dog?  Or sending the dog out to the groomers? His children are going to think that daddy is the evil sister the house fell on, if he takes that dog to the shelter.  I would talk to him and offer up more solutions to the shedding problem.  If that is the real reason that he wants to get rid of the dog. Good luck!   What is the world coming to? An interesting question to try and answer! LOL. Life with rules and constrictions until will all cannot breathe and express our opinions. Thats alot to fathom. No link to click here.

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• 08-25-2009 7:19 AM

  In reply to Firestorm

  .stacer. Joined on 06-03-2007 Ontario, Canada Posts 474 Points 10

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact  I'm echoing everyone else.  There HAS to be more going on here than just the shedding, especially because you run the swiffer 2-3 times a day.   I would actually dump my husband (well soon to be husband) before I'd dump the dog.  If my husband did this and I stuck around it would only lead to feelings of resentment and the realationship wouldn't last anyway.   My parents got rid of a cat when I was little and I've still never totally forgiven them for that.  A small part of me still resents them for doing so and I'm not even sure I know the reason they did it.   Stacey.

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• 08-25-2009 7:24 AM

  In reply to Firestorm

  2shelties Joined on 04-30-2007 Posts 835 Points 90

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact  This sounds like one of those defining moments in the course of a marriage to me, because it seems like something he is doing to try to assert control over you...why does he alone get to make the decision to get rid of the dog when there are two adults in the house that should be partners? Is there other stuff going on besides this? Could he be doing this to hurt you? What would happen if you said, "No, you are NOT taking the dog to the shelter."?  If this has anything at all (really) to do with shedding, taking Sam to the groomer can work wonders. I took my shelties and asked them to bathe, brush, and blow out the undercoat, and they came back beautiful and they seriously hardly shed at all now. I used to pet them and fur would fly, but now even if I tug on their coat no hair comes out. Good luck to you and to Sam. I would at least insist that he stays with you until you can find him a home yourself, and/or try to get him into a rescue. If Sam does end up at the shelter, you can help him by giving as much information as you know, let them know that the problem is you and your husband and not a behavior problem on the part of the dog. Let them know that he has lived with children, any tricks he knows, anything that can go in his description that will give him an advantage. Ripley - Shetland Sheepdog Frosty - Shetland Sheepdog Shiner - Border Collie Scarlett - something mini aussie-ish Muffin and Pookie - the kitties

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• 08-25-2009 7:53 AM

  In reply to 2shelties

  mrv Joined on 09-10-2007 west central OH Posts 2,924 Points 745

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact   I am so sorry you are going through this.  Like many other responses, this is a deal breaker for me, but it may not be for you.  I second the idea of talking as openly as possible and trying to find out what is really going on....Sounds like something else is happening and the dog issue is just a symptom. As to shedding, you can improve it by using different tools and to a degree by making sure you have a good diet to promote healthy hair growth.  If you have a shop vac with a reversable flow setting,  you can blow out the dog (or take him to a groomer for the first time to see how it can be done with a kennel dryer).  The amount of hair your can remove is amazing. Investigate thinning rakes such as the furminator, mars coat king, mat buster.  They remove considerable hair (do be careful the tines/blades) be careful as the blades/times can also damage skin.  Weekly brushing with one of those tools, a good pin brush and finish with a boar hair brush and the amount in the house will go way down. Get a large spray bottle or one of those pressurized hand held sprayers from the garden department of a local hardware/wally world.  Use that to moisten the coat prior to brushing.  Also do a very LIGHT misting before swiffering,  hair will be collected far more effieciently.  Good luck and prayers for a good outcome.

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• 08-25-2009 9:18 AM

  In reply to mrv

  glenmar Joined on 09-10-2007 The Florida Panhandle Posts 13,481 Points 405	Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact I agree that there is something beyond the shedding going on, and I too would not give in to this demand.  When I bring an animal into my home, I make a lifetime commitment to that animal.  I don't break my promises easily. A house without fur is not a home. Glenda ,
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• 08-25-2009 9:28 AM

  In reply to glenmar

  georgie4682 Joined on 09-10-2007 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Posts 1,628 Points 430

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact My parents got rid of my first dog when I was around 8 years old and I still haven't completely gotten over it (I'm 27 now).  She was the best dog ever.  Great with me and my sister and just an all around wonderful pet (she was a yellow lab).  They just took her to the shelter and left her there.  I never knew if she got adopted or put down.  She was about 4 and had had puppies, so I'm guessing she was put down.  Back then there weren't so many no kill shelters.  The reason was my mom's allergies and because they were looking for a new house and couldn't find one that allowed dogs. If your husband won't budge, can you at least find a new home for Sam instead of taking him to the shelter? GeorgAnne, Lady (beagle mix? - 15 Years), Max (GSD/cattledog - 10 years), Benny (pom - 4 years) - CGC, and Finn (lab mix) 8 months - CGC Buster - greyhound mix - 9/1994-2/7/09

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• 08-25-2009 9:45 AM

  In reply to georgie4682

  sharismom Joined on 09-10-2007 mid-Michigan Posts 3,202 Points 30	Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact I'm sorry you are dealing with this.  I hope you can find some resolution.  ((hugs)) Tina
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• 08-25-2009 10:15 AM

  In reply to sharismom

  spiritdogs Joined on 09-10-2007 Posts 11,723 Points 1,020

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact This sounds like one of those defining moments in the course of a marriage to me, because it seems like something he is doing to try to assert control over you...why does he alone get to make the decision to get rid of the dog when there are two adults in the house that should be partners? This was my initial feeling when I read your post.  You need to remind hubby that the things you are trying to model for your children are: a sense of commitment and responsibility, being humane adults, not being superficial (shedding as a reason to reject an otherwise super dog????), and how to treat their partners as equals when they are grown.  If you abdicate these responsiblities to your kids, the long term effects will be worse than the loss of either a dog or a husband.   Regional Director for Massachusetts, International Positive Dog Training Association Director, SeniorCare Pawsitive Connections Program AKC CGC Evaluator #3669 Therapy Dogs, Inc. Tester/Observer Sioux, CGC, TDInc. Maska, CGC, TDInc. Sequoyah, CGC Fergie, Retired Lap Dog, Age 20 1/2 Dancer, CGC, TDInc. (1989-2006) #1 Heart Dog In memory of Mike, please become an organ donor today. "If you talk to the animals they will talk with you and you will know each other. If you do not talk to them you will not know them and what you do not know, you will fear. What one fears, one destroys." - Chief Dan George "The fidelity of a dog is a precious gift demanding no less binding moral responsibilities than the friendship of a human being. The bond with a true dog is as lasting as the ties of this earth can ever be." ~ Konrad Lorenz

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• 08-25-2009 10:17 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  Mindy_1 Joined on 08-25-2009 Posts 3 Points 0

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact Thanks for all the responses and would also agree there would be something else going on but don't think it's anything to do with having be deployed as he has been in for 16yrs, and first 5 were special forces.  With that being said he did call this morning from work and apoligized, "that he was just in one of his moods".  Still no excuse for what he said or the way he acted...I hate it when he acts sooo unreasonable!!!  Usually it takes a day and then realizes how stupid he was.  But at the time he can be so mean and there is no talking to him.  Husband just got back Saturday from some (army training) and while he was gone Sam started itching like crazy and I took him in and they said is was probably allergies and gave us some pills...however after being on it for almost a week it didn't get any better and yesterday took him back and he got a steroid shot.  Hopefully, this will work.  His itching has really increased his shedding 3 fold.  Come to think of it as I write this, maybe it is his military backround....Him just coming home and still being in Military mode and saw a problem that really bothers him and had to remedy it ASAP by any means necessary, then realized how flipping stupid he sounded this morning.  Anyways, Sam is not going anywhere and I hope the steroid shot helps him.  I did have the furmanator brush and loved it however I can not find it anywhere!!  Makes me so mad because it cost about $30.00 and worked wonders.  Sam was just groomed about a week ago too.  Anyhow, hubby will just have to deal with the hair...Really don't think he would gotton rid of him (because of the kids) he just had to be an ass and be right at the time.  All is well and Sam is laying beside me with hair scatter all over the floor...best be getting the swiffer vac out...LOL

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• 08-25-2009 10:42 AM

  In reply to Mindy_1

  Firestorm Joined on 03-15-2006 Posts 1,610 Points 50

  Re: Husband getting rid of dog because of shedding!! Reply Contact Have you spoken to him about him being so unreasonable?  Maybe counseling. Have you changed any cleaning products or food  that the dog has eaten or come in contact with?  Could be something like that, I don't hop on the drug band wagon....I found that my dog has allergies to dyes, chemical preservatives and grains.   From your first post it did sound as though you had resigned yourself to the fact that your husband was going to take Sam to the shelter.  You need to get some serious conversations going about hubby's behavior; still sounds like there are more problems that have yet to be resolved. Best of luck to you all! What is the world coming to? An interesting question to try and answer! LOL. Life with rules and constrictions until will all cannot breathe and express our opinions. Thats alot to fathom. No link to click here.

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