No matter how strong a relationship is, you're bound to experience a few rough patches along the way.
Big or small - where's important is that each partner takes them seriously and addresses what's going on.
But one man left people rather divided after he explained how he rekindled the spark with his girlfriend after she complained he wasn't very attentive.
Writing on Reddit, he explained that he decided to treat his girlfriend like his dog - and claims they're much happier as a consequence.
Sharing his baffling relationship advice, the man said his girlfriend had sat him down and told him she needed to feel loved and appreciated.
So in a bid to show her more attention, he turned to the other love of his life...his dog.
He explained: "I rarely show emotion. I’m very reserved and level headed so my emotions, whether positive or negative, rarely spike too much.
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"She knows I don’t wear my emotions, and that generally includes her even though she knows I love her.
"I’m not handsy, I kiss her when appropriate, and let her know I love her when appropriate."
Trying to appease his girlfriend, the man started to treat her like his dog, who he always provides with his undivided attention.
"I love my dog more than anything or anyone. She gets more life and emotion out of me than anyone," he added.
Since their heart-to-heart, the man has been getting "kissy and playful" with his girlfriend, mimicking how he treats his beloved dog.
He has also been surprising her with treats such as chocolates and "little gifts" that he spots when out shopping.
He said: "I’ve been thinking of my affection for her like I do my dog. I get super excited to see her like my dog does when I get home.
"My dog constantly wants scratches so I always rub her shoulders or play with her hair or have my hand on her thigh.
"My dog loves when I give her a new toy or treat so I have little gifts and snacks to give to her when the mood strikes."
Amazed by the difference it has made, the man claims his unconventional approach to his relationship has also improved the couple's sex life.
"My girlfriend loves it, and it’s easy for me because I literally just treat her like my dog, but without the baby voice," he said.
"It’s renewed our passion and she is so, so happy and can’t understand how I turned my emotions around so easily."
Sharing his advice to couples struggling with intimacy, he added: "I just do the things to her that I do to my dog because I love my dog more."
While some users said he "should have kept this comparison to himself", others quickly shared their own experiences with treating their partners like their pets.
One user said: "If my husband kept asking if I wanted to get snacks, I'd be pretty happy to be honest. Fat, but happy."
Another added: "My boyfriend actually openly tells me that my dog and I are like the same. We both love belly rubs and demand for affection. I am not insulted though, as long as he gives me my belly rubs."
A third said: "I showed my boyfriend this and now he keeps going 'Wanna get snacks?' and 'Need to go potty?'."
Do you have an unusual dog story to sell? Email paige.freshwater@reachplc.com.
