How getting a dog with your significant other may change your relationship for the better
When my then-boyfriend and I were sophomores in college, we bought our first puppy together. I know what you’re thinking; surely, this was a bad idea. It was the exact same thing our parents were thinking, as well.
How could two nineteen year old college students that were living out of state and playing college sports handle the responsibility of raising a puppy on their own? This was a legitimate concern, and it could have been an absolute disaster to bring a puppy into our lives at such a busy time. This, however, was not the case. The decision we made actually ended up being quite wonderful for our relationship.
It’s true that getting a dog isn’t for every couple. It’s a big task as dogs require a lot of care and money. Between potty training, crate training, vaccinations, food, toys, etc., it can get time-consuming and expensive very quickly. But if you and your significant other genuinely love dogs and can handle the daily responsibilities of owning one, it can be a really positive life-altering decision to share with your significant other, partner or spouse.
Ranger is our eldest Golden Retriever (we caved and got a second one this year) and he is now five years old. My then-boyfriend is now my husband of two years. As we reflect back on our time in college, and the decision we made to get a puppy together at such a young age, we both strongly believe it brought us much closer over the years, and deepened our connection.
Below, I’ll discuss how getting a dog can positively impact your relationship! For more, follow me on Twitter or on Pinterest!
It Creates a Bond Between You and Your Significant Other
This is not to say that you and your significant other don’t already have a close bond, but loving and caring for a dog together can bring you even closer. My relationship definitely changed when we began sharing the responsibilities of caring for our puppy and our dynamic became more “family oriented.” We wanted to spend more time together and enjoy all of the exciting first moments as dog parents.
It Pushes You and Your Significant Other to Work as a Team
When you tackle the responsibility of being a pet parent with your significant other, you share in both the good and the bad times. It’s not always easy waking up at 3 am to take your puppy to the bathroom, or having to walk your dog when it’s 10 degrees outside, but sharing the responsibility with someone else makes it that much more bearable. Your communication and teamwork will likely improve as you try to support each other in the more challenging times and your love may grow as you work together.
It Gives You and Your Significant Other Something to Enjoy Together
Some couples take classes together that only last a few weeks, or play on a sports team that only lasts a couple months, but raising a dog together isn’t something that will end after a short period of time. It’s a long-term responsibility, and will give you something to enjoy together long-term, such as taking your dog for evening walks each night and reconnecting after those busy work days.
Are you and your significant other interested in getting a dog together? In my next post, I’ll discuss some things to think about before you take the plunge!
In the meantime, here are some more photos of Ranger!
