Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rehome him. Don't feel guilty. He's not a good fit for your family. He will not get better if this is how he is at age 9. He will be happier with someone who likes him.

Who wants an aging dog with genetic dental decay? His teeth run me about 2k a year alone and it's only that cheap because I drive him to my parents house where vets are cheaper.

I really feel that his chances of being successfully rehomed are very low.

Dog can live very happily without teeth -- toothless old dog--had one of these for many years. Actually happier than dog with mouth full of decaying teeth.

Anonymous wrote:There. I said it. I HATE my dog.

He is nothing more than a burden.

He came into my life about 9 years ago. He is a maltese. We never bonded. We were always more like roommates that coexisted. Sometimes it was nice to have a roommate, sometimes not so much, sometimes we even found an occasional thing to do together and that was nice.

Well here we are 9 years later (and a few dog trainers I might add). And I'm done pretending to like my dog or make our relationship into one of those that people post on Facebook about with such glee.

Things that the dog has done in the last 60 days alone that have led to my feelings:
1. Escaped his crate, defecated on my floor and drug tampons out of the trash. He left these over my recently shampooed rug.
2. Peed in the house despite regular walks etc.
3. Bit my baby on the cheek, not breaking the skin (because dog has lost most of his teeth) but left a bruise
4. Made baby cry on several occasions by barking at him
5. Woken various family members up (particularly the baby) with his awful barking at nothing
6. As a result of his barking, my DH and I have created a system where by which we text it's each other before entering the house so one can secure the horrible barking dog away from the baby's room and not end nap time.

I am tired of dealing with his shit (literally and figuratively). I have lost the ability to find even one redeeming quality in him.

Are you ready for the worst? Get ready to flame! When I hear of friends pets dying and their accompanied distraught, all I can think is my dog will live FOREVER just to spite me. I find myself actually jealous of their conclusion to pet ownership.

Why don't I give him away? Because I feel like even more of an asshole abandoning him. At least in this house he has medical care and food and comfort. As much as I hate him, I feel that it's my responsibility/burden to see this to the end. Who knows maybe it will get better? Though I'm doubtful.

Anyone have a pet like me?

I feel the same way about my cat. Surely he can't live forever? He's 16 years old, for God's sake. And yet he just keeps on trucking, vomiting up his putrid hairballs on the sofa and having diarrhea on a regular basis, thus requiring us to take him for frequent haircuts the poop doesn't stick to his butt-hair and get everywhere. He used to be so cute and cuddly, and now he's just a burden.

Op here,
so is the opinion of this forum that a rescue would be able to find someone to take a 9 yo dog that barks, snips, is generally anxious, hard to housebreak and has large medical bills?

Because I feel that they will find someone who thinks they want this dog until they have to live with him. And then he will be bounced around, behavior will become worse etc. etc. I don't have confidence that this will be a better long term solution. It's reassuring to know that 16:18 knows somebody, because I can't think of one person. Are all rescue societies the same? Can anyone recommend one?

So to one PP - I do believe the dog is a charity case at this point. The breeder told us from the getgo that if we didn't want him anymore at some point, then we should call a rescue society. I kept the dog for 9 years, because when i got the dog I made a lifetime commitment. And everytime I thought, "wow this sucks" or "ohmygod i don't like being a dog owner", I would try to find ways to fix our relationship or seek more training etc. Then I would feel defeated and give up. So I kept him for so long because I've tied myself to this belief that I will never ever abandon him. Maybe this was faulty logic- I know better now.

The playpen is a good idea (thank you!), but for now we keep them separated via baby gate to give the dog more free room. I don't know what we will do in the future. This is a one week at a time type of deal. The dog tries to bite out of annoyance, not maliciousness. So my other hope is that the baby will become less annoying and therefore the dog will have less reason to bite. Perhaps wishful thinking, but for now - one week at a time.

To answer the pps question about when I stopped liking the dog. When I was single and had nothing to do, the burden of taking care of his needs was easier. I had more time and energy to meet them. So I was less resentful. As I've grown and phased into a new area of life (home ownership, starting my own business, marriage, child etc. etc), my patience for his high needs has diminished and the resentment formed. I am not proud of it or defend my behavoir. I wish it was different, but this is how it is.

Thank you for all the advice and suggestions. I've gotten several helpful avenues to explore and will look into them. I live in Arlington so if you know of any resources available locally please send them my way.

I would feel no guilt getting rid of my dog if he bit my baby. I've had him for 11 years and he would be out of the house immediately. MIL's tiny dog tried to bite the baby, and we make her lock it away if we come visit, which we do rarely because her dog is an a-hole like yours and barks all the time.

^^ The Maltese rescue. There are MNAY people looking. I had to do this with my Bichon when DH got cancer.

Anonymous wrote:There. I said it. I HATE my dog.

He is nothing more than a burden.

He came into my life about 9 years ago. He is a maltese. We never bonded. We were always more like roommates that coexisted. Sometimes it was nice to have a roommate, sometimes not so much, sometimes we even found an occasional thing to do together and that was nice.

Well here we are 9 years later (and a few dog trainers I might add). And I'm done pretending to like my dog or make our relationship into one of those that people post on Facebook about with such glee.

Things that the dog has done in the last 60 days alone that have led to my feelings:
1. Escaped his crate, defecated on my floor and drug tampons out of the trash. He left these over my recently shampooed rug.
2. Peed in the house despite regular walks etc.
3. Bit my baby on the cheek, not breaking the skin (because dog has lost most of his teeth) but left a bruise
4. Made baby cry on several occasions by barking at him
5. Woken various family members up (particularly the baby) with his awful barking at nothing
6. As a result of his barking, my DH and I have created a system where by which we text it's each other before entering the house so one can secure the horrible barking dog away from the baby's room and not end nap time.

I am tired of dealing with his shit (literally and figuratively). I have lost the ability to find even one redeeming quality in him.

Are you ready for the worst? Get ready to flame! When I hear of friends pets dying and their accompanied distraught, all I can think is my dog will live FOREVER just to spite me. I find myself actually jealous of their conclusion to pet ownership.

Why don't I give him away? Because I feel like even more of an asshole abandoning him. At least in this house he has medical care and food and comfort. As much as I hate him, I feel that it's my responsibility/burden to see this to the end. Who knows maybe it will get better? Though I'm doubtful.

Anyone have a pet like me?

Don't feel guilty, don't feel bad, call the rescue. I have a friend who has this exact dog. Empty nester and really does not mind it at all. LOVES that dog.

It seems to me like you liked him until your baby came along. I see this quite often w/pets...Once a new family member is added to the picture whether it be a new baby or a new spouse, for some reason the pet becomes the adversary suddenly.

OP, do not keep this dog due to guilt, he is not a charity case.

From what you have written, you are filled with extreme hatred and bitterness toward this animal and I am quite sure he senses it since animals have a keen awareness of this sort of thing.

I strongly suggest you find another home for him ASAP.

Maltese dogs are very cute and I have no doubts there is a family out there that will have the patience to deal with him and his shortcomings.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Get rid of him. There is no need to be embarrassed if he is biting your baby.

We are using baby gates to separate them but it usually leaves one whining at the gate. So it's effective in that nobody is getting bit but annoying in that the dog is being provoked to make another noise.

Do you plan on using baby gates for the rest of your dog's life? What will you do when your child is too old for baby gates? I hope you have a large house with a room that the dog can just have. When your child gets older it will be impossible to keep him in just one area and you will get rid of the gates (for child). Get rid of the dog.

Anonymous wrote:There. I said it. I HATE my dog.

He is nothing more than a burden.

He came into my life about 9 years ago. He is a maltese. We never bonded. We were always more like roommates that coexisted. Sometimes it was nice to have a roommate, sometimes not so much, sometimes we even found an occasional thing to do together and that was nice.

Well here we are 9 years later (and a few dog trainers I might add). And I'm done pretending to like my dog or make our relationship into one of those that people post on Facebook about with such glee.

Things that the dog has done in the last 60 days alone that have led to my feelings:
1. Escaped his crate, defecated on my floor and drug tampons out of the trash. He left these over my recently shampooed rug.
2. Peed in the house despite regular walks etc.
3. Bit my baby on the cheek, not breaking the skin (because dog has lost most of his teeth) but left a bruise
4. Made baby cry on several occasions by barking at him
5. Woken various family members up (particularly the baby) with his awful barking at nothing
6. As a result of his barking, my DH and I have created a system where by which we text it's each other before entering the house so one can secure the horrible barking dog away from the baby's room and not end nap time.

I am tired of dealing with his shit (literally and figuratively). I have lost the ability to find even one redeeming quality in him.

Are you ready for the worst? Get ready to flame! When I hear of friends pets dying and their accompanied distraught, all I can think is my dog will live FOREVER just to spite me. I find myself actually jealous of their conclusion to pet ownership.

Why don't I give him away? Because I feel like even more of an asshole abandoning him. At least in this house he has medical care and food and comfort. As much as I hate him, I feel that it's my responsibility/burden to see this to the end. Who knows maybe it will get better? Though I'm doubtful.

Anyone have a pet like me?

No-we never had a dog like that. If I did and it had those issues inc housebreaking I would not have kept the dog for 9 years -good breeders take them back. 9 years later you are stuck. I've met a lot of annoying dogs but at least this one is little. Get a play yard and leave him in it. Or gate a vinyl floor3d laundry room. Has this dog always been so annoying? Was there ever anything you liked other than his appearance? Is he from before having a DH and a baby or did you and DH get the dog?

Contact a rescue and see if they will accept him.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At least he's just a dog. I feel this way about DH!

Was not expecting this and I just spit out my tea laughing. Oh my. Can you re-home your husband?

OP, it sounds like you are trying to do right by your dog and I would be at my wits end too. This is going to sound totally crazy, but have you asked the vet about meds. I remember years ago reading articles about dogs on Prozac and it was life changing.

I've thought about prozac, but never asked. He is very anxious. I will ask the vet, thank you!

I hate all dogs.

Anonymous wrote:At least he's just a dog. I feel this way about DH!

Was not expecting this and I just spit out my tea laughing. Oh my. Can you re-home your husband?

OP, it sounds like you are trying to do right by your dog and I would be at my wits end too. This is going to sound totally crazy, but have you asked the vet about meds. I remember years ago reading articles about dogs on Prozac and it was life changing.

3. Bit my baby on the cheek, not breaking the skin (because dog has lost most of his teeth) but left a bruise
4. Made baby cry on several occasions by barking at him

These are not good signs. The others I could live with.

Things are not going to get better if you don't change them. If they can't change then it's time for him to go. I would post ads on Craigslist or at vet offices. Wait until you find a home for him that you like. There's a chance someone will love him.

OP, I also (sometimes) hate my dog. Terrier mix, rescue, kind of a mess. Severe intestinal issues that thousands of dollars have not cleared up (or identified a cause). We buy super expensive dog food and never ever give him anything but that food. We can't even switch from the flavor we give him because switching flavors causes a flareup.