“My boyfriend wants me to treat him like a dog – I love him but it’s weird”

The man has taken to Reddit to explain how much his 19-year-old friend loves it when he treats him like a dog – he’s started feeding him and rubbing his stomach when he shows positive behavior

When you move in with a new partner, you learn who they really are as a person — but that doesn’t always mean you’re prepared for what you find out.

A man has found out he’s dating “the human version of a golden retriever” as his 19-year-old boyfriend loves being treated like a dog, having his stomach rubbed and all.

While he doesn’t mind his partner’s “rather unique behavior”, he has questioned whether it’s “normal” and something he should continue to partake in.

Speaking to Reddit, the man said: “All things considered, he’s a really loving guy, but his overall personality just reminds me of a giant dog.

“He is super affectionate, super likeable and always looking for my affection.

Sign up for our TeamDogs newsletter for your weekly dose of dog news, pictures and stories.

“He’ll cheer up massively when I praise him, and if he ever sulks, all I have to do is cuddle him.”

The man explains how he used to take on his dog-like behavior and says he rewards his friend with praise for simply washing up or eating his vegetables.

And his partner usually wants that praise in the form of treats or a tummy rub.

He added, “He’ll sulk if I don’t give him enough attention, not in a manipulative way, just like, ‘I’ve been waiting for you all day, your work is taking so long, I miss you, come hug me’ .

“I know that sometimes when I’m leaving and he has nothing else to do, he’s literally just sitting there waiting for me to come back.

“If I ask him to get me water, the newspaper, whatever, he’ll do it any hour, even if he grumbles a bit.

“But outside of our relationship, he’s the opposite of what the funny thing is.

“Of course I don’t take advantage of that in any way and I do stuff for him too. The time I spend treating him to affection and random things he wants is crazy, but I love it.

“My boyfriend is acting like an overexcited puppy, I have no problem with that, just curious if anyone else has had a relationship like this/what do you think of it.

“It’s just personally amusing, I love him dearly but damn he’s like a puppy.”

While most users praised the man for accepting his boyfriend’s “unusual behavior,” others admitted their partners also like being treated like animals.

One user said: “Some people are dogs and some are cats.

Another user added: “I don’t see what the problem is unless it annoys you.”

A third user said: “If you don’t mind and he likes it when you feed on it and treat him like a puppy, then there’s no harm in continuing with what you’re doing.

“You don’t have to ‘fix’ or change anything that other people might find weird. If it works for both of you and doesn’t hurt anyone, then go ahead.”

Do you have an unusual dog story to tell? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.