Husband Asks If He's The A**hole For Saying Walking Their Dog Is A Chore

Walking the dog sounds simple until it becomes one more thing on a packed to-do list. For one Reddit user, that everyday task turned into a bigger fight about work, money, and who is actually doing enough at home.

He says he works 70-plus hours a week and still tries to keep up with household responsibilities, but his wife wants him to take on more, including dog walks. He sees it as a chore he cannot realistically add, while she sees it as him not pulling his weight.

Now the argument has spilled over into Reddit, and the comments are not exactly subtle. Here's the full story.

OP asks:

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OP's wife thinks he's not pulling his weight around the house

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It has long been an issue, but OP can't see how he can improve given that if he works less, they might not be able to afford the house they live in

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The struggle to balance work and personal responsibilities is a familiar theme in many households, especially for those juggling demanding jobs. The article highlights how the husband perceives walking the dog as a chore, which sheds light on a broader issue faced by many pet owners. Long working hours can create a sense of stress and resentment towards domestic duties, including pet care. This perspective is crucial in understanding the dynamics of shared responsibilities within a household. Recognizing these feelings as valid rather than dismissing them as mere laziness is essential for fostering healthy relationships and ensuring that both partners feel valued and understood in their roles.

OP feels that his wife isn't taking his schedule into consideration at all

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Now, she's asking him to walk the dog more, and when he tried to refuse, she blew up

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Working 70+ hours a week is almost the entire week, leaving just a few hours of sleep in between. That's a full schedule, and it's difficult to see where the husband can even find those extra few minutes to take the dog out.

It's not that he doesn't try to contribute as much as he can to the housework; it's just that he simply doesn't have the time and, we think, the energy to add more to his plate.

Many people in the comments section also agree. Some even say that if the wife wants him to contribute more at home, she should accept him working fewer hours and making less money.

Here are the top comments.

1. OP's points are right, but he needs a lifestyle change before he gets burned out

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This can result in conflicts over household responsibilities, especially when one partner feels overwhelmed.

2. If she wants him to help out more at home, she should accept him working fewer hours and making less money

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3. OP is already spending all his extra time with his family as it is

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4. If you love someone, you'd want to make their life easier

Talathia

Caregiving responsibilities can often feel burdensome, particularly when one partner is overextended due to work demands.

Understanding this can help couples approach household responsibilities more collaboratively.

This is similar to the friend who kept asking for puppy walks, until someone finally said no.

5. She should also understand that him working 70+ hours a week is no easy feat and will have consequences for him

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6. They might both be burnt out from their family roles and may need a mediator to come up with a solution

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7. They should look into other solutions rather than just him helping out more

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Communication about workload and feelings can help partners understand each other's perspectives and reduce resentment.

Additionally, setting aside quality time together can strengthen relationships and alleviate stress.

8. She might be too frustrated to even notice how she's acting out

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9. Her hours are really very few compared to his

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10. Maybe the wife needs to reevaluate her attitude towards things at home

bathroomstallghost

Resentment can build in relationships when partners do not communicate effectively about their needs.

11. Looking for other solutions rather than just giving ultimatums would be great

KeyFly3

12. It seems that they're both trying to do their best for their parts, but they're just both burnt out from it

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13. There's more to it than just walking the dog

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14. Maybe switching places would do the trick

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15. Some people think maybe the wife should step up more

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16. A fair division of labor

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17. Other factors might also be contributing to the stress in their marriage

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Being in their situation can be quite hard, especially since they're both trying to keep their home afloat in different ways. One is taking care of the finances while the other is managing the home.

As some of the comments have said, it might be that they're both getting burnt out from their roles in the household, which could be causing frustrations and stress. Hopefully, they will seek counseling so they can talk through it with a neutral party intervening.

And we hope this will provide them with the solutions or compromises they need to ease their tensions and live a happier and healthier life together.

In the context of pet ownership, the notion of walking the dog as a chore highlights the broader challenge of balancing responsibilities in a relationship. The article illustrates how essential communication is in addressing these feelings, particularly when one partner views pet care as an obligation rather than a shared joy.

By understanding the emotional implications that accompany caregiving responsibilities, couples can foster a more harmonious environment and mitigate feelings of resentment that may arise. The narrative emphasizes that through mutual cooperation and dialogue, partners can better manage the dynamics of shared responsibilities, ultimately enriching their relationship.

For more pet-sitting conflict, read about refusing to walk a neighbor’s hyperactive dog when your schedule is packed.