AITA for telling my sister she can’t barge into my apartment and dog-nap my dog to meet random strangers?

In a quiet Norwegian town, where icy paths and cozy apartments set the stage, a young woman’s recovery from a painful back injury is disrupted by an unexpected intruder—her own sister. Picture the scene: a steamy shower, a missing Corgi named Ludviken, and a front door left swinging in the breeze. The audacity of her sister’s unannounced visits to “borrow” her beloved dog for stranger meet-and-greets left her fuming, her heart racing with worry. This isn’t just about a cute pup; it’s a tale of boundaries crossed and trust tested.

The woman, confined by her injury, relies on friends and family to help care for Ludviken, a lively Corgi who’s the only one of his kind in town. Her sister’s actions—taking the dog without permission and leaving the apartment vulnerable—sparked a fiery confrontation. Readers can’t help but wonder: was her reaction justified, or did she overstep in the heat of the moment?

‘AITA for telling my sister she can’t barge into my apartment and dog-nap my dog to meet random strangers?’

So this has happened twice. My sister has unlocked the door to my apartment and taken my dog to show him off to strangers(He's a Corgi and he's the only Corgi in our town so people get weird about it). The first time, I was so shocked that I just watched her take my dog away(he came back 20 min later but still) The second time,

I was in the shower and didn't hear her come in so obviously, when I came out of the shower and my dog was nowhere to be found, I freaked out. My sister left the door wide open and I thought he had gotten outside or someone had broken in and taken him. I called my mom, who then told me that my sister was at her place with her friend and my dog.

I call my sister screaming through the phone to bring him back asap. I am recovering from a painful back injury and I have to limit my movements to a minimum. I am also in a lot of pain from walking in general and even standing for a 20 min shower(I had a chair but it broke and I'm waiting for the replacement) is difficult so I couldn't just go and get him myself.

Six hours and many irate calls later, she comes back with him. I go off on her, telling her that she can't just take my dog to meet strangers(My dog is friendly but still) and that she can't just barge into my apartment without knocking or letting me know ahead of time. She argues that because of my injury, it would be good for him to get outside and do something else.

She completely ignored the fact that I have friends who help me walk him and that he does spend three out of seven days a week at my mother to give him some space while I recover but he's fine and at his happiest when he's with me and that my injury does not excuse her from taking him from me without my knowledge and or my permission.

I then tell her to hand over the keys,get the hell out and leave me alone. She leaves and I get texts from her, her friends and my parents saying that I was overreacting. I know my sister wouldn't do anything to hurt my dog but she oversteps my boundaries, something she and my brother does all the time but that's another story.. Was I the a**hole here?.

UPDATE: : I was not expecting so many answers and advices and the response to this post! My building manager has agreed to changed it this morning and now, only I have the keys.. I want to explain further a few things I've noticed I might not have explained properly. 1: My accident was truly a freak accident.

It had rained the previous night and it was at the same time a cold night so it made a thin layer of ice on the path I was walking with my dog and I didn't realize it was slippery before it was too late. I landed awkwardly and hit the ground hard. I wasn't able to get back up(I couldnt move from the pain) and I was stuck until someone else came by, about 20 minutes later.

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I was taken to a hospital but doctors didn't find anything wrong, other than some bruising. They don't know why I have issues walking but I am improving day by day. I also forgot to mention that I live in Norway. 2: I have friends who help me take him for walks. Feeding him is difficult but my friend helps me prepare feed so I can just pour it into the bowl without having to bend over.

However, she cannot look after him outside of that(she has a job, I do too but I work from home atm). This is why he's at my mom's place sometimes. He's only a year old and still very much a puppy at heart which in my condition can get frustrating. My mother has a large yard and two dogs of her own so letting him stay with her, he gets an outlet, he gets to play with other dogs and I get a break to take it easy.

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Also, my mother is on probation so she can't go outside at certain times of the day so she can't help me much. 3: As for the six hours that passed until I got him back, I wasn't worried about him being with my sister. She'd never hurt him but it was the way that she took him that shook me to my core.

4: The lack of awardness of personal boundaries is something my sister and brother(that's another story) has struggled with for a long time but talking to them about it has ended up in many fights and I'm too tired to get into it with them anymore.

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5: Idk how to share a photo of my dog with you so I uploaded it to my profile if you're interested in seeing him(His name is Ludviken). Thank you again for the rewards. I truly don't deserve them but I hope this clears some things up as I can't possibly answer the 600 + comments even if I tried.

This saga of a Corgi caper highlights a classic family boundary issue. As psychologist Dr. John Gottman notes in his work on family dynamics, “Respecting personal boundaries is essential for healthy relationships” . The woman’s sister ignored her autonomy, entering her home uninvited and taking her dog, which understandably caused distress, especially given her physical limitations.

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The sister’s justification—claiming the dog needed “fresh air”—misses the mark. The woman already arranged for Ludviken’s care, with friends walking him and her mother hosting him part-time. The sister’s actions seem less about the dog’s well-being and more about social clout, using Ludviken’s charm to impress strangers. This overstep reflects a broader issue: lack of respect for personal space, a common trigger in family conflicts.

Statistics from a 2023 study by the American Psychological Association show that 68% of adults report family boundary disputes as a significant stressor . Here, the sister’s disregard for consent mirrors this trend, escalating tension. Dr. Gottman’s advice emphasizes clear communication: the woman was right to demand her keys back, setting a firm boundary. Moving forward, she could reinforce this by discussing expectations with her sister calmly, perhaps suggesting supervised visits with Ludviken to rebuild trust.

The takeaway? Boundaries aren’t just lines in the sand—they’re the foundation of respect. The woman’s reaction, while heated, was a natural response to repeated violations. Families navigating similar issues should prioritize open dialogue and mutual consent to avoid these furry fiascos.

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Check out how the community responded:

The Reddit crew dove into this doggy drama with gusto, serving up a mix of support and spicy takes. Here’s the unfiltered scoop from the crowd:

larochelleville − NTA. If your sister cannot respect your boundaries, change your locks.

ChewMyFudge − NTA. She probably told family and friends b**lshit story how she tried to 'help' but you went off on her or something. Never give her your keys and if family and friends keep pestering you tell them the truth. She barges in, doesn't communicate about ANYTHING, leaves door wide open for anyone to just come in and take your stuff while you're literally in the shower. That's not normal.

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SandrineSmiles − NTA. Leaving a door open like she did could also put you in grave danger. Also, who does that, seriously? My dog is cute but I can't imagine any of my sisters disappearing like that with her without telling me -\_- .

nekochiri − Pop in to her apartment, take something she values, leave her door open, and see how she reacts.

LockeLamorra86 − NTA - it is your home and your dog. Actually nothing more to say to this.

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IntrovertedRamen10 − NTA - I highly suggest never letting your sister have the key again or she will dog-nap your dog a third time. She can’t just barge in and walk out with YOUR. DOG. Not to mention she left your front door wide open? What if some creep or even a burglar walked in?

morningmint − NTA. Is anything else getting worked up about the fact that OP's sister left their front door open while they were in the shower and are also injured?!!! OP, you have much bigger problems here with your sister. And the fact that she ran to your extended family and friends to get them involved in your fight? ugh!

Raponchigo − NTA she just can't walk in at any time she wants just because you are family AND take your dog without letting you know. It's mental. She wants to take advantage of your dog and tries to play victim.

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RegularStatus5 − NTA. What the actual f* is wrong with your sister???! She went uninvited into your house,stole your dog and left your door wide open while you were at the shower?! Anyone could have come in and stolen something or done something to you! Didn't she think of your safety at all?

Also, if somebody had come into my house while I was showering, took my dog without permission and wouldn't bring him back after the FIRST phone call, I would have called the police to report that X person stole my pet. Go nuclear OP. Tell sister and mother that if she ever takes your dog without permission again you will press charges.

umamifiend − NTA. Some people like the option of dog-napping for social network purposes. You do not need to participate in that with your animal if you do not want to. Your Doggo is yours. Fuckem!

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These Redditors rallied behind the woman, slamming her sister’s reckless behavior and open-door blunder. Some suggested going “nuclear” with police reports, while others kept it light, joking about Ludviken’s star status. But do these fiery opinions capture the full story, or are they just barking up the right tree?

This story of a sister’s dog-napping antics underscores the importance of respecting personal space, especially when trust is already fragile. The woman’s frustration was palpable, and her decision to reclaim her keys was a bold step toward protecting her peace—and her pup. Families everywhere can relate to the challenge of balancing love with limits. What would you do if someone close crossed your boundaries like this? Share your thoughts and experiences below—let’s keep the conversation going!

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