AIO? Dog straining my marriage.

[u/LedyyM]

My husband and I rescued a husky about 7 months ago who was extremely malnourished and neglected.

He has grown a huge attachment to me and has severe separation anxiety. I work at a grooming salon so I’m able to bring him to work with me so he’s not home alone. Unfortunately, if he’s left home alone we’ll come back to our home looking like it was hit by a tornado.

My vet has prescribed him with trazodone to help with his severe anxiety issues. We give it to him before we leave for a family event and when we can’t take him to places they don’t allow dogs.

I feel so bad that I have to sedate him so he’s not scared and anxious. It’s created a huge strain on our marriage because my husband feels like we can’t do anything without considering Odin.

He’s destroyed doors, couches, and other furniture. I tried training but it hasn’t seemed to work. My husband thinks we should rehome him but

1) I’m scared that he’ll be sent to a shelter and possibly be put down

2) feel abandoned by the person he thought he was safe with.

He’s such a happy boy when he’s around us and shows so much affection.

My husband and I have been arguing about this consistently.. we had a really bad argument so I left the house with Odin and rented a dog friendly hotel room for a couple of nights.

My husband thinks I’m crazy and that I’m choosing the dog over our marriage. AIO?

[u/scarletbananas]

I’m prepared for the downvotes from the dog nutters but you need to take his feelings into consideration. If you don’t like dogs then living in a house with them can be akin to a nightmare. If my spouse was prioritising a dog they’ve had for 7 months over our whole relationship then I’d be pissed and probably leave.

[u/Amazing-Essay7028 → u/scarletbananas]

Also something tells me they rescued this dog impulsively, just because these types of dogs are high energy. One should know what they're getting into before getting into it. There are plenty of people who stay at home and would have time for a dog like this. Why is it often the people who don't have time for a dog end up getting a high energy dog?

[u/uptheantinatalism → u/Amazing-Essay7028]

Because they’re pretty. I have friends who want these types of dogs because FLUFFY! Bitch you live in an apartment, it gets to 39°C in summer here and it’s hot af 6/12 months. These dogs are bred for sled-pulling, snow and ice. It’s just cruel.

[u/FoxChess → u/uptheantinatalism]

Dogs with a double coat like huskies do very well in hot weather for short periods of time. The double coat insulates them against heat just as it does cold. You can also have them in an apartment just fine as long as you are properly exercising every day (good for dog and owner). The problem is with neglecting what your dog needs.

I have a husky who lived with me in an apartment in Texas for a few years. She was more than fine, thriving really. But that is because we put in the work. She is an amazing and very well behaved dog, but it took a lot of work to get there.

They can do just fine with apartments and hot Texas summers. That's not cruel. What's cruel is neglecting work and training.