Our question this week was:

My husband wants a divorce and took one of our dogs; the boy and I have the girl. We have no children; they are it and mean more to us than anything.

Now he's saying we can do visitation with the dogs. What's the best way to do it? Will it be too painful for my dog to see her brother every other weekend? Should we just let them be?

Kara Carpenter

Answer

Hi – thanks for your email. I'm sorry to hear that you and your husband are getting a divorce. You have two dogs and each now have one and he wants to do a "visitation" with the dogs. You asked – what is the best way to do it or should you do it?

Good question Kara. This is totally up to you and really...as much as anything your relationship with your x-husband. I think the dogs would be fine seeing each other every other day or every week. The question is more...are you okay seeing your x-husband that often?

You could do it like people do children. You could have "custody" every other day – where one of you have both dogs every other day or for part of the week then trade off. Or you could do "visitation" on alternate nights after work for a few hours. There are so many ways to do it.

Alternatively, if you both work, you could drop them off at doggie day care and they could be there together all day and you each pick up your dogs at night.

I read about a new book out called "We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs" by Jennifer Keene. It is about Doing what's best for your dog when your relationship breaks up.

For more information about the book - go to We Can't Stay Together for the Dogs

Best of luck!


Dr. Jon




To read most recent questions Click here!

Click here to see the full list of Ask Dr. Jon Questions and Answers!