I have been having a hard time with the way DH is dealing with the new dog. This winter we took in a stray untrained chihuahua. I'm all warm and fuzzy because my maternal urge to cuddle small packages is being met. Being met for about 2 weeks, until DH's training techniques become upsetting. I try to train it myself so it won't be so difficult with him, but honestly - I'm not really up to the task right now. I spent 15 months training a rottweilor and I just wasn't ready to start again. But you can only last so long before problems arise with an untrained dog. So I started working with her - using treats. She responds pretty well. I told him I was going to work with her solidly for 3 weeks, and if there wasn't some improvement, I would adopt her out. She's cute - we'll find a good home. DH was surprised I would consider getting rid of her. Thought she was starting to show signs of turning the corner. But she still hates him. Growls at him, runs to me when he comes around. Twice now he has hurt me trying to get at the dog. Last night he chucked his keys at her, and nailed me in the leg instead. I told him he'd hurt me twice now (first time he crushed my finger on the pavement under the dog and it bled) and he said, "Wahhhh". Obviously that pissed me off. Then all my PTSD management training went out the window and I told him his temper was out of control. So he decided to show me what "out of control" really looks like - right in front of his daughter. The saddest thing is he had just given her a bike with a dolly seat, and she was beyond thrilled. He was the apple of her eye all evening. We had just gotten back from her first bike ride. Then I lose my cool for one second, say one snarky remark in response - and BAM. He's punching things. One broken storm window later, I was having a sleepover at the neighbors.





