AITA for getting mad at my SIL for getting another dog?

Imagine planning a family vacation at a dreamy getaway, only to clash over a furry new guest. That’s the bone of contention for Lisa, a mom of three, who lost her cool when her sister-in-law (SIL), a dog enthusiast, brought a third pup into the mix. Fearing the extra dog would disrupt their shared time at the family’s co-owned vacation house, Lisa’s complaints sparked a heated family feud, leaving her SIL in tears and vowing to skip future trips. Was Lisa protecting her family’s peace, or did she bark up the wrong tree?

Lisa’s Reddit AITA post is a tail-wagging saga of family ties, pet passions, and property disputes, with a fallout that’s got everyone on edge. Reddit’s growling at her stance, and this canine conundrum is fetching debates fiercer than a dog park showdown. Let’s dig into the mess and see who’s in the doghouse.

‘AITA for getting mad at my SIL for getting another dog?’

My SIL, meaning my husband's sister, is the kind of person you'd call a dog mom. She and her fiancé don't have kids of their own yet and I don't think they'll have kids anytime soon since they're both 25 and they consider themselves young. That doesn't really matter though.

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The problem is the fact that they have 2 dogs already and they just got a 3rd dog. When I found out I got pissed off. I don't care what she does in her own house and how many dogs she has but I get upset with the fact that whether she likes it or not her actions and dogs affects my family as well.

I am a mother of 3 kids. Every Xmas and summer my husband and I go on vacation to his family's vacation house. His sister, her fiancé and their dogs are also there. Her getting another dog means that there's also another dog everytime we might come across each other at the vacation house.

I don't hate dogs like many people do but I'm not a fan either and the fact that she didn't take into account how another dog would affect mine and my family's vacation at that vacation house everytime we come across each other pisses me off. I voiced my concerns to my husband and he later spoke to his mom and dad about it.

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His mom and dad scolded my SIL and her fiancé about how they can't keep getting pets without thinking of the rest of the family who doesn't like spending time with dogs whenever we are vacationing together. My husband and my in laws got in a heated fight with my SIL over this and my SIL called me crying and said I should be happy because she's never stepping foot in the vacation house again.

She also reminded me how the vacation house is also hers and not just my husband's and my in laws since her name is on the house too and how I have a lot of nerve for basically kicking her out of her own property and causing a fight between her and her family.

My in laws and my husband said she'll get over it but that I shouldn't expect her to get rid of any dogs right now but that after the fight they're certain she won't get another dog ever again because of the shame she felt with that fight. Part of me feels guilty over this but I also stood my ground and I'm glad I put a stop into this madness for once. AITA?

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Lisa’s anger over her SIL’s third dog stems from a clash of priorities, but her approach was a misstep. The vacation house, co-owned by her SIL, is as much her space as Lisa’s family’s, and expecting veto power over her pets is entitled. Lisa’s failure to communicate directly with her SIL, instead escalating via her husband and in-laws, turned a manageable issue into a family fracture. The SIL’s decision to avoid the house altogether signals deep hurt, not resolution.

Relationship expert Dr. Gary Chapman notes, “Respecting shared spaces requires direct dialogue, not ultimatums” . The SIL’s dogs, absent any danger, are her choice, just as Lisa’s three kids are hers.

Lisa should apologize to her SIL, proposing a compromise like staggered vacation schedules or pet-free zones at the house. Dr. Chapman’s “active listening” technique—acknowledging her SIL’s feelings—could mend ties. Lisa’s concern for her kids’ comfort is valid, but her method bit harder than it should’ve.

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Here’s how people reacted to the post:

The Reddit pack pounced like guard dogs, baring teeth at Lisa’s entitled outburst with a mix of wit and wrath. It’s a virtual kennel where everyone’s got a bone to pick, and the shade’s flying fast. Here’s the raw scoop:

[Reddit User] − YTA.. She can't get a third dog but you can get a third kid ?

MaxusBE − YTA. Her names on the property. This is something for the others to figure out, you had no business butting in. Don't want to spend time with the dogs? Well guess what, it's not your vacation home. Be glad you have the chance of being able to go there in the first place!

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Coffeeisareligion − YTA. I don't like kids, but would never have dreamed of saying to you 'why did you have a 3rd kid, I don't want to put up with a baby/toddler whilst on vacation'. If it bothers you that much, then communicate and try to ensure your vacation dates don't overlap.

Fritemare − She also reminded me how the vacation house is also hers and not just my husband's and my in laws since her name is on the house too and how I have a lot of nerve for basically kicking her out of her own property and causing a fight between her and her family.

YTA. Everyone else is an AH too except the SIL. She is a partial owner. Banning her from a vacation home she partially owns is ridiculous. When I found out I got pissed off. I don't care what she does in her own house and how many dogs she has but I get upset with the fact that whether she likes it or not her actions and dogs affects my family as well. I am a mother of 3 kids.

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If you don't think vacationing with 3 kids is annoying, you're wrong. Especially when those kids don't belong to you. I say this as a mom too. Most adults without kids don't want to vacation with your kids anymore than you want to vacation with her dogs.

superjudy1 − YTA did you ask her when you had three kids that you drag to the vacation home?

SigSauerPower320 − YTA. You expect someone to not get a dog…. That lives in their house (not yours) because you “have to” spend your vacation with said dogs…. In a house that technically is more here than yours.

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Unless the dogs are a danger to you or the kids, you really have no right to complain. You expecting someone to refrain from getting pets so you don’t have to deal with them while on vacation is quite entitled.

countrybumpkin1969 − YTA. Not everyone wants to run across your kids at the vacation house either.

ColdstreamCapple − YTA. You say you don’t care what she does in her own house and yet as soon as they get another dog in THEIR own home you lose your S**t. If you don’t like dogs don’t vacation at the vacation home at the same time….Problem solved!! Also your sister in law is right, The vacation home is also hers and not yours so she does have a right to take them there

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theyarnbat − YTA did you consider how it would change their vacation that you have three kids?

SambandsTyr − YTA. Did you even consider other peoples comfort being forced to come into contact with children on vacation?? It was awfully selfish of you to get a THIRD child that people will have to meet in their property when chilling on vacation. Oh, wait. Did no one complain about that? Then stfu and stop being selfish. That's not your property anyway so respect your SIL.

Redditors tore into Lisa’s hypocrisy, equating her kids to the SIL’s dogs and slamming her for meddling in a co-owner’s choices. Some urged practical solutions like separate vacations. Do their takes leash the drama, or just let it run wild?

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Lisa’s dog-fueled feud is a reminder that shared spaces demand shared respect, not control. Her SIL’s third pup wasn’t a crisis, but Lisa’s indirect complaints turned it into one, costing family harmony. This tale resonates with anyone juggling family vacations and differing lifestyles. How would you handle a pet you didn’t want at a shared getaway? Share your thoughts and stories below!

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