42-year-old irresponsible dad impulsively gets two puppies for his 15-year-old daughter, but only 22-year-old sister takes care of them: 'I'm the only one who's taken any time to train [the dogs]'

Author image for Ayala Sorotsky
Ayala Sorotsky • Writer and Editor
Jul 21, 2025 3:00 PM EDT

Any dog lover knows: puppies aren't just cute - they're a full-time job. Especially when we're talking high-energy, big-brained breeds like German Shepherds and English Setters. They need more than kibble and cuddles - they need structure, time, and someone who shows up. So when one person steps up and starts training, while everyone else shrugs off the work? That's not being "overinvolved." That's being the only one who actually cares about the dogs' future.

Getting dogs "for the kids" sounds sweet until no one steps up. When the ones who begged for puppies disappear after day one, guess who ends up doing the work? The person who didn't ask for them. It's not just frustrating - it's exhausting. Pet parenting isn't a mood board fantasy, it's a daily commitment. And pushing that invisible labor onto someone who never agreed to it is not just unfair, it's emotional dumping.

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  • 01
    I'm a 22-year-old woman living with my dad (42M) and my 15-year-old sister. I know I probably overreacted, and I'm trying not to let things get to me, but it's hard. Before I moved in, my dad impulsively got two
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  • 02
    German Shepherd-English Setter mix puppies. They're about 4 or 5 months old now and honestly, they're a handful.
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 03
    Cheezburger Image 10531920384
    via Marcin Jucha

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

  • Trying your best shouldn’t make you the villain - but it does when you’re the scapegoat. One wrong move, and suddenly you’re “disrespecting the dogs” or “making things worse,” even though you’re the only one showing up. It’s not just about pets anymore - it’s about power. When you’re doing the parenting and getting punished like a child, that double standard cuts deep. It’s not overreacting. It’s reacting to being cornered, blamed, and unheard.

  • 04
    Even though they're technically my dad and sister's dogs, I'm the only one who's taken any time to train them. I taught them how to sit, which I did on my own time. My
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    Cheezburger Image 10531920640
    via SDI Productions

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  • 06
    dad works a lot, and when he's home, neither he nor my sister puts any real effort into taking care of them. Sure, they give them food and the occasional affection, but beyond that, the dogs are either cooped up inside or stuck in the playpen my dad built in the yard.
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 07
    This morning, around 3:30 AM, I woke up sweating and noticed the dogs staring at me, whining like they needed to go out. Usually, I let them out off- leash and they come back after peeing-but not this time. They ran wild around the yard, completely
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 08
    Cheezburger Image 10531927552
    via Gili Pup from Pexels

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  • There's always something endearing in looking at puppies running around, having carefree fun… but not at 3 AM, when you need to go back to sleep. We can feel the frustrations.

  • 09
    ignoring me. I didn't want to leave them out there, because my dad would accuse me of "throwing them out" again, like I'm neglecting them—when in reality, neither he nor my sister trains them or spends any meaningful time with them.
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    Cheezburger Image 10531915008
    via Umkehrer

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  • 11
    So I tried to get them back inside, but they thought it was a game and kept running around. At that point, I was beyond frustrated. I slammed the door a few times (which I know wasn't okay), and texted my dad. He came
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 12
    out furious and basically threatened to kick me out -again. That seems to be his go-to reaction whenever there's conflict.
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  • 13
    Look, I'm not asking him to pick me over the dogs. But it's frustrating to watch him constantly stress about how he's going to afford their food or give them a good life when no one is actually taking responsibility for them.
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 14
    They were supposed to be my sister's dogs, but she does absolutely nothing with them. She'll watch well-trained dogs online and say, "I'm gonna teach them to do this," then never even tries.
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  • 15
    Cheezburger Image 10531927296
    via luna4

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  • 16
    We're already financially struggling, and somehow the blame always falls on me and my two cats—as if my cats are the reason money's tight. But these
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  • 17
    dogs are going to grow into 100-pound animals that need serious care and training. Why get dogs if you're not ready for the responsibility? That's why I have cats-they take a lot less time, energy, and money.
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  • 18
    I'm just lost. I don't really have anywhere else to go. I could go to my mom's, but honestly, I'd rather be homeless than live with her again.
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  • 19
    So... who really overreacted me or my dad? I know I probably did, at least a little. But come on, I let the dogs out to pee and they ran off. And somehow, I'm the villain for getting mad and trying to deal with someone else's mess?
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    Cheezburger Image 10531944448
    via alberto clemares exposito

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  • 21
    Woozy Degenerate · NOR. my dad was the same way when i was growing up, except we only lived with him during school breaks (yay divorce). he'd often get pets, anything from fish, hamsters, to dogs, to make us happy. as a kid, it was so cool and fun! but by the
    via WoozyDegenerate
  • 22
    time i was in fifth grade, my siblings and i realized how truly fed up it was for our dad to get dogs and ditch them so quickly.
    via WoozyDegenerate
  • 23
    all that to say, i have huge empathy for you in this situation. you dont want these dogs to be neglected, but it wasnt even your idea to get the dogs! it's a situation.
    via WoozyDegenerate
  • 24
    have you talked to your sister about it? you mentioned how she wants to train the dogs. is that something y'all can do together?
    via WoozyDegenerate
  • 25
    BigBoisterousB... OP. I don't even know where to start I've NEVER had dogs. The closest to it was dogsitting this old dog (he was a sweet hard but it was almost two decades ago with my mom) I've talked
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  • 26
    about it with both of them and the most they do is if they have spare food only my dad will attempt to make them shake. Then after that he might do it again in. Couple of days. My
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 27
    sister puts forth 0 effort and ALWAYS says "I'm gunna do better" an sit on the he phone. She complains about being bored, but she NEVER wants to walk to dogs let alone play with them barley. They're sweethearts but i can tell they're probably too far gone and stuck in habits. Yk?
    via BigBoisterousB...
  • 28
    Just-Secretary-4018 ⚫ So...just to be clear the dogs are gone? Like, the puppies are literally missing? Is anyone in your family at all worried about them or looking for them? Because if not, I would say you are all underreacting. They are lost puppies?!
    via Just-Secretary-4018
  • 29
    BigBoisterousB... OP. Naw I put them inside, and he put them his room
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  • That's a double lock on some energized puppies - not the way to keep your doggos at home…

  • 30
    Just-Secretary-4018⚫ Okay, then your dad is overreacting.
    via Just-Secretary-4018

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responsibility adopt family drama dogs adoption dog training puppies sisters reddit story family feud adopted dad story entitled training family sister little sister dog adoption entitled people Father
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