Man With Amazing Relationship Seeks Advice Online As Only Fight They Always Have Is About Their Dog

"I'm starting to ask if this issue is just too big for this relationship"

Maryjane

• Published in Animal Stories
• February 9, 2024

Those with social anxiety have been shown to benefit from owning a pet, which can help reduce anxiety levels. However, having a pet might actually make you more anxious when things go wrong, like when your dog develops a chronic illness.

Before the OP started the relationship, his boyfriend had an 8-year relationship with another guy and was actively married for 5 years. Two years before their breakup, they decided to take in a rescued sick puppy who was supposed to live for a couple of months only.

Long story short, the puppy not only survived, but it grew up to be a big dog—a mix of a Labrador and a boxer—which is a big dog to have in an apartment. His partner left the country, and OP's boyfriend stayed in their old apartment with a young dog to take care of.

OP's boyfriend used to get out of work every day and return at night to find the house a complete mess. This means he had to clean everything every night, so he developed chronic anxiety, which most probably got linked to the dog.

OP is a dog lover, as he loves to see and allow a dog to just be a dog. The OP and his boyfriend have been fighting every week or so, usually triggered by some of the dog's behavior.

Usually, the arguments start because the boyfriend gets anxious about something and the OP doesn't realize it.

The OP writes

They usually leave their "arguments" with the feeling that their relationship is growing stronger

OP's bf developed chronic anxiety and it most probably got linked to the dog

The conversation quickly heats up into pointing fingers and blaming

The OP left this summary behind

My bf has a dog from his past relationship, and I moved in with him 18 months ago. He doesn't like the dog as much as I do. Now we are fighting non-stop about the dog and I don't know what to do.

We've gathered some of the most upvoted comments from other Redditors for you to read through below

A dog who gets enough exercise is a happy and well behaved dog

There's a strong possibility the dog's picking up the BF's energy

This makes no sense to this Redditor

A dog requires an interactive family

This Redditor is wishing the OP and the dog the best of luck

Giving the dog to someone that will take care of it

The OP left this update somewhere in the comments section

A happy, well-mannered dog is one that receives adequate exercise, socializing, and cerebral stimulation. If you aren't giving that to your dog on a regular basis, especially if it's a big dog, the results are usually very clear.

When the dog yawns and stretches, OP's partner becomes upset with it and it baffled many Redditors. It sounds like OP's BF needs counseling and should give up getting any dog in the foreseeable future.

Maryjane