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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]I suspect your friend has untreated anxiety and is using the dog to cover it.  Not being able to leave your dog to be able to go to the store is really unhealthy.[/quote]

+1.  I had an aunt with OCD and anxiety disorder.  She adored dogs but never got one for herself because she was too worried she wouldn’t be able to fully take care of it or something would happen to it.  She eventually moved in with us and obsessively spoiled our dog.  He loved her but he gained about 30 pounds hecause she would hand feed him constantly because she was so worried he wasn’t eating enough.  She would bring the water over to him to drink because she was worried he was thirsty.  Etc.

My spouse also has social anxiety and I think he often has used the dog as an excuse to avoid social interactions — can’t go because of dog, has to leave because of dog, etc.  its also part of his rigid thinking that relates to the anxiety — of dog eats at 5, someone must be home wt 5 to feed dog, or it’s cruel to dog.  Etc.

My view is that any interest that substantially interferes with other aspects of your life or limits your ability to engage in regular daily activities is problematic — whether that’s an exercise addiction, sex addiction, or dog obsession.  [/quote]

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