'Thinking of it breaks my heart': Boyfriend calls dog-owner girlfriend dramatic for refusing to leave her pup alone overnight for a “sleepover” at his place, sparking relationship doubts

Author image for Blake Seidel
Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jul 15, 2025 10:00 AM EDT

Good morning, animal fam. If you've ever owned a pupper before, you know how big of a responsibility it is. Maybe you didn't understand it at first, but you quickly learn as a dog owner just how much of your life changes once you bring a furry friend into your life. Sleeping in? Yeah, you can forget about that for about eight years - if your doggo gets up around 7 AM to go outside every morning, don't expect them to act any differently on the weekends! Speaking of weekends… no more spontaneous getaways, that is, not unless you're bringing your doggo with you.

That's why we sympathize with the canine pawrent in this post - if someone asked us to leave our doggo alone overnight, the answer would be a hard no. They are our responsibility, and we always have to put them first. Well, this decision is putting their relationship on the rocks, and he's even calling her dramatic for refusing to do so. Scroll through the story below!

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  • 01

    Am I overreacting - My boyfriend expects me to leave my dog alone overnight?

    'He's taking the fact that I have a living, breathing animal to care for as me not liking him'
    via Val Burger from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 02
    I've been seeing a guy for a couple of months and everything has been going well so far. He always comes to see me and stays at my place, which is about a 30 minute commute. This involves him having to leave again in the morning.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 03
    (another 30min commute) to go home, shower, get ready for his day, etc. Obviously, this is a lot of driving and gas when we see each other regularly (more than half the week, lately).
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 04
    He's expressed he wishes I'd stay at his house sometimes, which is totally valid and I have no problem doing that aside from the fact that I have a dog that I can't bring over. He sees this as an excuse, I see this as a responsibility... I'm fine coming
    via Antique-Stomach3543

  • You have to accept people as they are. If she has the responsibility of taking care of the dog, you either have to accept that you'll be at her place until you move in together, or not accept it at all. Compromise is crucial to any relationship, and if they can't compromise over this, how will they compromise over the hard things later?

  • 05
    over whenever, but not staying the night because I don't want to leave my dog alone overnight. He thinks it's ok to leave a dog alone overnight sometimes, and I'm not so sure.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 06
    I completely understand his perspective on why he doesn't always want to be the one commuting. And, to be fair, my dog sheds a lot, I live in a really small space right now so his hair accumulates quickly, and i
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 07
    understand wanting to sleep in your own bed, etc. I guess I'm just frustrated that he's taking the fact that I have a living, breathing animal to care for as me not liking him or caring enough to contribute to the relationship.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10529445120
    via Douglas Bowker from Pexels

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 09
    My dog is crate trained and does fine alone for longer periods of time (he's used to being alone when I'm working). I of course could make sure he's fed, has water, gone potty, etc. But I just feel so guilty leaving him alone for long periods of time when it's not necessary.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 10
    Last night, I texted him that I'd come over but not stay the night. I asked him with that was okay, he said "of course". But when it came time for me to leave, it reopened this entire conversation about how it isn't okay and how this makes him feel unprioritized. I'm not sure
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 11
    what to do, because I do care about him and our relationship, and this (again) isn't a reflection of that... it's a responsibility I have. AIO???
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 12
    ETA: • I can't bring the dog to his place. It's a combination of things, but currently we're both staying on other people's property. He's basically in a renovated shed, and there are other animals on the property. Not enough space & not practical with the other animals present. I do think part of it is the dog hair, though.
    via Antique-Stomach3543

  • Girl, if he's living in a shed… maybe he's not in the right stage of life to be looking for a long-term relationship. Relationships require some level of stability, and if you're both in temporary housing, it just doesn't seem like the right time, or the right place.

  • 13
    I originally said my dog is used to being crated for 8+ hours, and what I meant was up to 8 hours. I'm typically gone 4-6hrs for work, 4 days a week. Rare occasions, 8 hours.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 14
    Cheezburger Image 10529445376
    via cmannphoto

    This image is for illustration only, and the subjects are models; the image does not depict the actual subjects of the story.

  • 15
    • I've had my dog for 7 years, and lived with my best friend this entire time up until a month ago. I used to be able to leave him with her, but we're now in different states. I can leave him with family on occasion, but
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 16
    that's not practical for multiple times per week or month. I could hire a sitter, sure, but this would take time/patience finding someone I can trust & difficult unless planned ahead. But I am open to that.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 17
    • As far as him bringing a change of clothes/showering here, unfortunately not practical and same for me staying at his house. He's welcome to, but both of us have shared bathrooms with the other
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 18
    people on the properties which is less than ideal. These are short term housing situations for both of us though and should be different in the next few months. Part of it is that he has a routine he doesn't want to disrupt. He wakes up early go to the gym, etc.
    via Antique-Stomach3543
  • 19
    Secret_penguin- I don't think there is a right or wrong here. But if you guys. can't find a way to compromise with this small problem, how are you guys going to compromise when bigger issues arise in your relationship?
    via Secret_penguin
  • 20
    Dance Dense · 1d ago . No you made a promise to your dog when you got him. You can't leave him overnight in a crate and then what come home and get ready to go To work and leave him again?
    via DanceDense
  • 21
    Benevolent_Grouch 1d ago 8 hrs in a crate without a bathroom break is cruel.
    via Benevolent_Grouch
  • 22
    Twistfaria 1d ago Why exactly can't you take your dog to his apartment?
    via Twistfaria
  • 23
    slimjimreddit You won't hesitate to leave your dog alone all day for work, but leaving it overnight is "not caring for a living breathing thing"?? That doesn't make any sense to me.
    via slimjimreddit
  • 24
    YourADHD_BFF Dog owner here lol I left my dog overnight once to stay over at a friend's house. When I got back home the next morning I had to rush him to the vet because he could not stop
    via YourADHD_BFF
  • 25
    vomiting. I thought he had eaten something while I was away so I took him cause I was scared, it was a LOT. So, the vet was trying to get more information on what he ate when I told him that I had left them overnight alone so I couldn't really know.
    via YourADHD_BFF
  • 26
    They did scans and everything was OK. The vet came back and asked me if he's alone often overnight, and I said this was a first. He told me that animals get stressed and anxious, with sudden abrupt routine changes. I couldn't understand because I
    via YourADHD_BFF
  • 27
    leave him alone a couple of hours when I go to work so what was the difference?, He said animals also have circadian rhythms that are tied to their regular routine - so for my pet that was me heading to work
    via YourADHD_BFF
  • 28
    after being out during the day, but being home when it gets dark. And sometimes that's why some pets legit seem upset at you when you - let's say - take them to be taken care of in another place.
    via YourADHD_BFF
  • 29
    I understand it's a hard decision, but whenever I have has to leave overnight, I'd rather do rover. It's true he'll be kinda upset when I get back - I can see his attitude lol - but that's still better than him staying all by himself and alone all night. (Besides just thinking of it breaks my heart now)
    via YourADHD_BFF

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boyfriend dogs pupper relationships girlfriend sleepover dog owners animals doubt
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