What to do...

[RLC12345678]

Lindsey, I can totally relate. When I started dating my now dh in college, we both had dogs. I had a yorkie that my ex-boyfriend had given me and he had a lab that his ex-girlfriend had given him. We both hated each other's dogs because they represented our ex's. Both of our dogs ended up going to live with our parents, for many reasons, not just because we didn't like each other's dogs. Anyway, to this day our parents still have our dogs we had in college & now DH and I have a lab and yorkies that are OURS, not just his and hers. I'm sure your bf doesn't like Layla bc Layla isn't HIS. If I were you, I would try really hard to get your BF to accept Layla and try to make her "his" as well as "yours." Ask him to take her on walks and help you give her baths. Try to make him feel like you aren't putting Layla in front of him (even if you are). If it gets REALLY serious (or if it already is) between you two, refer to him as her "daddy." Make him hold her and give him kisses. I think he'll come around in time if he really loves you and if it was meant to be. Some people just aren't dog lovers. Hubby and I both love OUR dogs, but neither of us are keen on other people's dogs.

[AngieDoogles]

Great advice Rebecca!!

[Lindsey]

Thanks for all the replies!
My ex was very jealous of Layla. He admitted it. Whenever he came over he got upset when I'd give attention to her (for most of our relationship we lived 2 hours apart so we just got weekends together). He always asked why she has to sit on the couch with us, why does she get to be in my room while we slept, etc. Kyle and my ex are friends. Kyle told me that night that we had our talk that maybe it's just because Ryden hated my dog so much, he thinks most of his dislike just comes from stories Ryden has told him.
And, the first night we had a fight about her, I said something I regret... I was trying to tell him that she's huge part of my life and that would never change. I said "I love her more than I could ever love a person" and he got even more angry and said what's the point of even dating me. It's not something I should have said, but I think it's true!
Rebecca, I know he is a dog lover, but he's a "big dog" lover. He hates little "wussy dogs" like mine. Like I've said before, she is very princessy and sort of high maintenance. I have to brush her every night and bathtime takes an hour every week. But soon I'm giving her a shorter cut for the summer so that should cut down on a lot of time... He just doesn't understand why I have to brush my dog at all or why I do anything for her.
Oh and Marilyn, I love that you all care so much. My relationship with my mom isn't so great and I never talk to her about things like this... she hardly ever knows when I'm even dating someone! So I'm really glad I have all of you to talk to!

[Tink]

Lindsey, You'll get all the surrogate mothering here that you can handle. LOL

[Lindsey]

Originally Posted by Tink

Lindsey, You'll get all the surrogate mothering here that you can handle. LOL

haha well everyone needs a mom or two right?

[DianaB]

Lindsay, your boyfriend has admitted that he's jealous of your dog. He's jealous of the attention that you give her so try not to give her much attention while he's there. He wants to feel that he's number 1 in your life, not number 2 after a dog. My husband feels the same way and I've quit giving Reuger as much attention when dh is home. Also, you may need to train Layla not to jump on the couch or bed so you can have that privacy as well or put her in the bathroom or kennel. Good luck.

[Lindsey]

The problem is I LOVE having Layla with me. I'm not with Kyle all the time, and when he's not around I like laying on the couch and having her come cuddle up next to me, or having her to cuddle in bed. I guess lately while I sleep Kyle kicks her off the bed. I woke up once and he said he does it all the time. She won't even sleep with just me anymore He only spends the night maybe one or two nights a week... on the weekend if we go out and get home late he just stays over. The rest of the week I'm kind of lonely without her! I can get her on the bed but she won't even lay down, she'll jump off and go sleep on the floor. I feel bad putting her in a seperate room when he comes over. I want them to have a relationship. Everytime he pushes her away she looks at me with her big sad eyes like I should do something about it and I'm so torn!