I Trained My Dog to Bark at My Mother-in-Law’s Perfume and Don’t Feel Bad About It
Sometimes, dealing with challenging family dynamics requires creative thinking—like training your dog to react to a specific scent in order to drive your mother-in-law away. Here’s the story of a Corgi named Potato, his owner, and how an 8-month plan led to the hilarious downfall of an overbearing mother-in-law’s visits. Does this cross the line, or is it a clever move?
We all know the struggle of dealing with family members who just don’t know boundaries, and it seems like you’ve found a unique solution. Your mother-in-law is “a lot,” as you put it, and she’s apparently been a thorn in your side for a while now. From unannounced visits to rearranging your kitchen, to even criticizing your pot roast, it sounds like she’s made a habit of crossing lines. So, you came up with a plan—train your dog, Potato, to bark whenever she shows up. But it’s not just any bark—it’s an all-out, crazy reaction triggered by the scent of her perfume.
Let’s be real, that’s both brilliant and hilarious. You bought a bottle of her perfume, spent eight months slowly associating it with excitement for Potato, and now, whenever she enters the room, the dog goes into full meltdown mode. She thinks it’s something dark in her energy. You think it’s just a dog who has learned to associate one thing with “crazy time.”
It’s no surprise that she started visiting less and now claims your dog makes her anxious. Honestly, the fact that she’s gone to her priest asking about “evil spirits” just adds a whole new level of comedy to this situation. But hey, for $150 (which feels totally worth it), Potato has earned some extra treats for his stellar performance.
Is It Justified?
Okay, let’s break this down. On one hand, it’s kind of genius. You’ve clearly got some pent-up frustration with your mother-in-law, and this was your way of handling it. It’s harmless, right? The dog isn’t hurting her, he’s just being really, really loud and enthusiastic when she arrives. It’s not like you’ve caused any permanent damage to her in any way, and she’s not exactly a victim here. She’s been overstepping her boundaries for a long time, and this is just a funny little way to reclaim some control over the situation.
On the other hand, some might argue that it’s a bit passive-aggressive. Instead of confronting her directly or setting firmer boundaries with your MIL, you’ve turned Potato into a bit of a weapon. And while it’s definitely funny to imagine her walking into your house only to have your dog bark uncontrollably, it could also be seen as creating unnecessary stress for someone else—especially if she’s feeling genuinely anxious around the dog now.
The fact that she’s asking her priest about “evil spirits” means she’s likely taken this seriously in a way that could make family gatherings a bit more awkward. But let’s be honest, if she’s truly the overbearing type who’s always crossing boundaries, it’s hard not to feel like this is a well-deserved little bit of karmic payback.
The MIL Dilemma
We’ve all had a family member who pushes our buttons, but when they don’t respect your space or boundaries, it can be maddening. Unannounced visits, constant criticism, and a general lack of respect can take a serious toll. What’s even more frustrating is when that person ignores your wishes or doesn’t get the hint—so in some ways, your plan feels like an act of self-preservation.
The dog, Potato, is just the perfect tool to disrupt those unwanted visits. You didn’t hurt anyone, but you’ve definitely made her visits less comfortable, which in your case, seems like a small win. And let’s be real, if it keeps her from rearranging your kitchen, then that alone might be worth the investment. If your MIL’s anxious enough to stay away because of the dog, you’ve won—without having to directly confront her.
Family Dynamics and Boundaries
The real issue here is about family dynamics and boundaries. It sounds like your mother-in-law never got the hint that you need space, and she hasn’t respected your personal space for a long time. Instead of just getting frustrated or complaining to your spouse, you found a creative way to deal with it. You didn’t escalate things into a full-blown confrontation. Instead, you made a strategic move that both you and Potato (your loyal sidekick) could execute.
That said, you should also be prepared for a conversation with your wife. It’s important to make sure that your wife is on the same page as you when it comes to your MIL. While it’s hilarious now, your wife might be more invested in family harmony than you think. You’ll need to strike a balance between enjoying your victory and ensuring that the dynamics don’t turn too tense, especially if Potato’s “performance” continues to be an issue.
The Verdict: Is It Really Bad?
Look, sometimes we need to vent our frustrations, and you found a way to do it that didn’t involve drama, just a little canine chaos. Was it manipulative? Maybe a bit, but the fact that your mother-in-law is avoiding you is kind of an unintentional bonus. Is it going to be a forever solution? Probably not, but it’s definitely a funny chapter in the ongoing saga of dealing with family.
Honestly, I think the only thing you might feel bad about is the $150 you spent on the perfume (although, let’s face it, that was totally worth it for the laughs). And as for your MIL, well, it sounds like she’s gotten a taste of her own medicine—and maybe now she’ll be a little more mindful of how she approaches your space. For now, though, Potato’s got some extra treats coming his way, and I think we can all agree that he deserves them.
