AITA for Kicking My Sister and Her Newborn Out Because She Keeps Calling My Dog ‘Dirty’?
When family needs a place to stay, you help them out—right? But what happens when they start disrespecting your home and your beloved pet?
OP (30M) graciously let his sister (32F) and her newborn move in for a few months. The problem? OP has a golden retriever named Max, who is his absolute pride and joy. His sister, however, wasn’t having it. She constantly complained about Max being “dirty,” demanded he be locked away, and even sprayed disinfectant on OP’s couch because Max slept there.
The breaking point? OP caught her kicking Max when he got too close to the baby’s playmat. Furious, OP told her to leave. His sister stormed off in tears, and now their parents are furious at OP for “choosing a dog over family.” Was OP wrong for standing up for his pet, or was his sister taking advantage of his kindness?
‘AITA for Kicking My Sister and Her Newborn Out Because She Keeps Calling My Dog ‘Dirty’?’
Expert Opinion:
Why Pets Are Considered Family
For many pet owners, their animals aren’t just pets—they’re family members. Studies show that over 85% of pet owners consider their pets part of their household and form deep emotional bonds with them.
Dogs, in particular, provide:
- Emotional support and companionship
- Routine and stability
- Unconditional love and loyalty
For OP, Max isn’t just a dog—he’s family. Asking OP to banish Max from his own home was not only disrespectful but emotionally harmful.
The Entitlement of “House Guests With Demands”
When someone moves into another person’s home, they should respect the house rules—especially when staying rent-free. Demanding that the host change their lifestyle to accommodate them crosses the line into entitlement.
Dr. Ramani Durvasula, a clinical psychologist, notes that some guests overstep boundaries because they feel entitled to special treatment—especially family members who assume they should be prioritized.
In OP’s case:
- His sister knew about Max before moving in.
- She had no right to demand changes to OP’s home.
- Kicking Max was completely unacceptable.
Lessons Learned: When to Set Firm Boundaries
- Your home, your rules – Guests should adapt to the home they’re staying in, not the other way around.
- Animal cruelty is a dealbreaker – Kicking a pet is abusive behavior. OP had every right to act immediately.
- Family ≠ free pass – Just because someone is family doesn’t mean they can disrespect you, your home, or your pets.
OP wasn’t choosing a dog over his sister—he was choosing respect, boundaries, and kindness over entitlement.
Here’s what Redditors had to say:
Most Redditors stand firmly with OP. His sister knew about Max, disrespected his home, and physically harmed his pet. Asking her to leave wasn’t cruelty—it was protecting a beloved family member.
Pets are not disposable just because someone doesn’t like them. OP didn’t “choose a dog over family”—he chose to protect his dog from someone who didn’t respect him or his home.
What do you think? Should OP have been more accommodating, or was he right to kick his sister out? Share your thoughts below!