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We've had our 17 week old Dachshund mix, Hamilton, for about 9 weeks now. It very quickly has become obvious that I am his person. He likes other people fine, isn't protective of me in any way, doesn't have separation anxiety when I leave him, but if I am home, he wants to be with me. In a way it's flattering, I like to cuddle with him, I like that he listens to me, but it's causing some stress between my husband and me because since the dog "likes me better," my husband bows out of a lot of dog responsibilities. I can understand why the dog might be more attached to me since I am home much more than my husband, and when I am home, I spend more of my time with the dog. From the beginning I had to tell my husband to put the damn kindle down and interact with the puppy when he's "watching" him - he feels being in the room is enough. My husband goes to tai kwon do classes in the evening - I bring the dog to the park and to social groups. He does come to the puppy training classes though. The dog is so attached to me it makes it easier for my husband to have an excuse to bow out of doing things with him. Last night I got home from work, walked the dog for 30 minutes or so, came back, played in the yard with him for another half an hour, then I had to cook dinner so my husband came out. Ten minutes later they're back in the house - "He wanted to follow you." ...
Is there any way to help my dog be more attached to my husband, or am I getting into arguments about "spending more quality time with the dog" for nothing? Don't get me wrong, I love Hamilton, but sometimes I need personal space and the dog is supposed to be a shared responsibility. If it's a lost cause, then I guess I can stop arguing about it and just enjoy being adored by a doxie mix.
Is there any way to help my dog be more attached to my husband, or am I getting into arguments about "spending more quality time with the dog" for nothing? Don't get me wrong, I love Hamilton, but sometimes I need personal space and the dog is supposed to be a shared responsibility. If it's a lost cause, then I guess I can stop arguing about it and just enjoy being adored by a doxie mix.