When our marriage ended in 1999, we owned a house and three dogs. The house was sold and we agreed that the dogs should live with me because I worked from home, but my husband had a full time job outside the home. As you can imagine, I was very happy with that solution, even so, taking care of three dogs put a strain on my finances at the time.

After my ex-husband found a new apartment, he told me that he wanted to be in contact with the dogs and take them for walks two or three times a week.

This was not good news because I did not want to see him almost daily! I mean, when you break up, you really don’t want to see your ex that often, do you?

Anyway we had agreed to part ways as friends and the dogs still loved him very much. So how could I decline your request? We finally agreed that he would come to pick them up on Tuesdays and Fridays for two hours.

The dogs enjoyed their walks and in the end I was quite happy to have two dog-free afternoons when I didn’t have to take them for a long walk.

The agreement ended when it became clear that for financial reasons I had to hand over one of the dogs and he took her away.

Since then many people have asked me if it would be good for their dogs if their ex-partner still took them out from time to time. I even know a couple who agreed that their dog should spend a week with him and a week with her.

The question is: Can a dog deal with two primary caregivers who do not live together or is a dog someone who needs to bond exclusively with one person?

Does it hurt a dog when someone who used to share your life takes it from one place to another?

I do not think so. I am sure that a dog benefits when he can maintain his relationship with his “other” partner. After all, it is not the dog who is separated from his master, it is the master and the owner who decide to go their separate ways.

If your ex-partner wants to see the dog, there is nothing wrong with that idea from your dog’s point of view.

Like it or not is a different matter.

Sometimes being generous is a good thing; Again, if you really hate your ex, it might not be such a good idea after all.

The advice I give my clients is this:

If both you and your ex are sure that all you want to do is take care of the dog regularly, it may be worth a try.

If, on the other hand, either of you are trying to avoid the final breakup or restart the relationship through the dog, it may not be a good idea after all because it means that the dog is only being used as an excuse not to. . accept your mutual decision.

Whichever way you decide, remember: neither children nor dogs should become weapons against each other when it comes to a divorce or breakup of a relationship.