Dog Health Questions: Should I get a dog if my husband doesn't want one?

I currently have two very old dogs that I love dearly, but all they do now is eat and sleep. thank God they're healthy and comfortable. I recently quit working, and don't plan on going back. I have been studying animal behavior and training, and love it, and eventually would love to start a dog training business. Right now I would love to have a companion dog that I can hike with, go to the dog park and train, possibly agility. My husband travels extensively, my kids are in college. My husband says he REALLY REALLY does not want a third dog, but he's not even home that much. I really would love to rescue a young dog as a companion for myself, but hubby will not budge. Should I insist and get one, or forget the whole idea?

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I think you are being very selfish. Hate to say it, but sometimes the truth hurts.

You share your life with your husband.
Your husband is obviously the sole provider to your family.
If he doesn't want another bill on his hands - that is his decision and you should be respecting that.

Enjoy the time left you have with your senior dogs - as I'm sure they probably wouldn't enjoy a new pup in their midst either. Let them live out the rest of their time quietly and comfortably.

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• No. This is about respect for your husband as your partner more than it is about your desire for instant gratification. Wait until one or both of your current dogs passes and perhaps he'll be willing to accept a new dog into the house. He has to pay for the vet care and feeding, not you. Please respect this.


• no. you need to agree together. i know how exciting getting a new dog is but think about your old one and help them through their last stages of their lives.
  
  maybe after one of your dogs has passed away (not straight after) you could suggest getting another dog. just be patient.
  
  also getting another to soon will be ignoring your husband and putting a strain on your relationship. its not worth it and what if your husband forces you to take your dog back and then the dog wont have a home.
  
  your husband might have a very good reason not to get one maybe he doesnt have the money or cant handle 3 dogs. just thin about it.
  
  Good Luck :)


• If your dogs a very old, chances are their time is limited. I would wait until one passes.
  
  If you're not working, then your husband is the financial provider of the family. HE does not want a third dog, and it should be a family decision, especially if HE is the one that will financially support the animal.


• This is a decision you and your husband need to make together. If he doesn't want another dog, then you need to respect his wishes. If your dogs are already "very old" I'm sure your husband wouldn't mind getting another once one of your current ones passes. Just be patient. Until then, look into volunteering for a pet rescue--they always need people to walk dogs. Plus, with you not having your job right now, a third dog is the last thing you need to deal with.


• Let me give you a word of advice- stay married long enough and your husband will be EXACTLY like your old dogs.
  
  Since your dogs are old, chances are their time is limited.
  
  Be an adult and let at least one pass before gettinga new dog.
  
  This really is not worth straining the relationship.
  
  Since you have nothing to do and your husband is working his rear off to support you and the children I suggest you respect him on his wishes that he has voiced.
  
  The fact that you are asking at all is pretty ridiculous, makes me think this is not the marriage that produced the chldren who are in college.


• How can you insist when taking another dog into your home doesn't effect only you? Why not compromise on getting a new dog when one or both of the dogs you have passes? This is one of the reasons dogs get dumped back in shelters. A rescue will not sell you a dog unless everyone in the house agrees anyhow


• It would probably be a bad idea to get one behind his back, so you'll have to convince him. What are the reason he doesn't want another? Is it just because he doesn't want three in the house? Does he not want to take care of it? Pay for it? Tell him that you'll cover all the care and expenses, so he doesn't need to worry about it. I don't know if that would help, but it's really all I can think of. Have you told him all the reasons you want another? If you can't convince him, I guess you'll have to wait...


• Nope. it's like bringing home a baby when it's not wanted. Wait until your older dogs are gone and then get a dog. If you're bored and need companionship, volunteer at your local shelter.


• NO - a pet should be wanted by everyone in the house. Not far to bring in a pet w/o the other's consent as it will cause more problems.
  
  When your old dogs are gone, then talk about bringing in a new pet.


• Just tell him it wandered into the garage one night and you started taking care of it. ;)


• Forget the whole idea until you and your husband can come to an agreement. Part of marriage is making decisions jointly. If you bring home another dog, he's going to resent it, and likely (even if subconsciously) he will take out that resentment on either you or the dog. No pet should ever be brought home without each member of the household agreeing they want it.
  
  As you've got all this free time on your hands now, start volunteering somewhere. A local shelter would be a good fit if you want to interact with some more active dogs while doing something good at the same time.


• Hum. Only you know what your husband's reaction is likely to be if you go ahead and buy another puppy. Coming from living with a husband who, even if he wasn't totally on my side, went along with his odd wife, I'm at a loss to understand why he won't indulge you, especially given your current circumstances which I would have said were ideal. Have you explored why he's not with you over this? Financial perhaps? Or does he know he's going to experience heartbreak when your two oldies die, and is trying to protect himself from that ever happening again?
  
  I do believe you need to sit down with him if you can, and get to the bottom of this.
  
  ps I had a friend who's husband absolutely hated her involvement in her dogs. It was pathetic - like a spoilt child who resented her spending any time with the dogs and not with him....... and if she went to a show, all h*ll would break out if his dinner was late on the table because she had been delayed getting home.


• Not if you want to totally piss your husband off and cause a strain on your marriage. Honestly I'd wait until the dogs have passed and you no longer have a dog in the home. It's not fair to your old dogs to have a puppy around that will drive them nuts and make them uncomfortable in their old age. Also bringing a dog into the house the entire household should agree. I got a puppy and didn't ask my b/f at the time, he got so angry he made me get rid of the dog which I ended up doing.
  
  Honestly it's not worth it, when the dogs die and you're ready broach the subject again.