“A wife is not a dog”, should seem like a no brainer, right? Well, it’s not. Men often treat their wives as if they are married to a dog. And, depending on how they view their dog is reflected in how they treat their wives.

For example: this husband treated his wife like he did his dog. Each morning, the husband started his coffee machine, got the newspaper, let his dog out of the cage, filled the dog’s food bowl, filled the dog’s water bottle, let the dog out to potty, got his coffee and cereal, let the dog in, and sat down on the couch with the dog by his side for a quiet read. Then he got ready for work, loved on the dog, put the dog in his cage with a treat, told the dog bye, and left. His routine was the same almost every single day. The dog loved the routine. So, where does the wife fit in to all of this you ask?

Well, the husband followed the exact same routine every morning, but slightly different if his wife was home. Each morning, the husband started his coffee machine, got the newspaper, let his dog out of the cage, filled the dog’s food bowl, filled the dog’s water bottle, let the dog out to potty, got his coffee and a bowl of cereal, let the dog in, and sat down on the couch with the dog by his side for a quiet read. The difference was that when his wife came down, the husband told his wife, I filled your water bottle for the day and it is on the counter, I filled your cereal bowl with cereal which is, also, on the counter, there is food in the frig for later if you get hungry, and if you’re quiet you can set on the couch with me and the dog. When he finished the paper, he got ready for work, loved on the dog, put the dog in his cage with a treat, told the dog bye, gave his wife a peak, and left. His routine was the same almost every single day. The dog loved the routine. His wife hated it.

Your wife is not your pet. A routine where you only let your wife in like she is your dog will not foster a healthy marriage. Your wife doesn’t need a water bottle and a bowl of food. She needs love, connection, excitement, friendship, conversation, and so on. The fact that you spared a few seconds to fill her water bottle and pour cereal in a bowl is not a relationship. You are not in control of your wife! Your wife is not property. She is not a dog you can feed and cage. Unlike a dog, a woman will not put up with that kind of treatment for long.

I know what you are going to say…Well, I take her out sometimes. Just like you do the dog? You decide where and when to go? Wives are not dogs. You don’t take them out on a walk and decide where and when. You don’t decide what they eat or who they interact with, either. I know, you think… well at least I don’t beat and starve the dog or my wife. Well, studies show that men who are mean and violent to animals are more likely to be violent and abusive to their wives. Regardless as to how you treat your dog, women are not pets to be controlled. Women are wonderful human beings. If you treat your wife like a person (with love, respect, kindness, etc.), she will want to be with you. If not, she will want out of the relationship. If you don’t know how she wants to be treated, unlike a dog, she can tell you. Ask her! Get to know your wife before she leaves. And, don’t make the mistake of treating her like a dog!