In the Doghouse? Today's Your Day to Get Out!

Being in the Doghouse

Being "in the doghouse" typically means that you're in trouble with your spouse or significant other and have been metaphorically sent out into the cold all alone. It can also mean that you've somehow fallen out of favor with your boss, BFF, neighbor, or someone else of importance to you. Regardless of how you got there, National Get Out of the Doghouse Day is all about making things right and getting back into the main house!

The Origin of the Phrase "In the Doghouse"

While etymologists (people who study the origin of words) are in agreement that the concept of being "in the doghouse" seemingly originates in Chapter 16 of Peter Pan, when Mr. Darling relegates himself to Nana's kennel out of remorse for causing his children to be kidnapped, the actual phrase doesn't appear in the book. (In the UK, where J.M. Barrie resided, dogs lived in kennels...not doghouses.) The first time "in the doghouse" appeared in print was J.J. Finnerty's "Criminalese," a 1926 glossary of criminal language and behavior.

Tips for Getting Out of the Doghouse

The list of mistakes, offenses, and other blunders that can get you into the doghouse is long, and there's a scale of seriousness associated with it, so be sure to adjust your method of making amends accordingly. (A 10+ might require more than the amends we can cover here.)

• Apologize! You're unlikely to succeed otherwise, and more likely to in person. Assuming your apology is accepted, take them to a baseball game, concert, craft beer festival, renaissance faire, cosplay event, or other favorite activity.
• While you're with them, put your phone away!
• If saying you're sorry isn't enough, don't despair...being human is hard sometimes.
• Buy them a book by their favorite author from ThriftBooks.
• Unless they're allergic to it, chocolate never hurts. Just sayin'.
• Send flowers. (Include a note!) If they're not flower lovers, take 'em a plant.
• Be nice...it will make you feel better and make the world a better place.

Reads on the Sassier Side of Being in the Doghouse

• How to Stay Out of the Doghouse by Josh Rubin and Jason Musante
• In the Doghouse of Justice: A League of Canids Anthology by Kyell Gold
• How to Stay Out of the Doghouse: For Beginners and Blockheads by The Great Dr. James Dane

Reads for Those on the Other Side the Doghouse

• Imperfect Forgiveness: The Miracle of Releasing Hurt Bit by Bit by Alice Wheaton
• The Art of Forgiving by Lewis B. Smedes

Doghouse Reads for Kids (Because Sometimes It’s Just a House for Dogs)

• Stella, Unleashed: Notes from the Doghouse by Linda Ashman
• A Boy in the Doghouse by Betsy Duffey
• Skippyjon Jones in the Doghouse by Judy Schachner

Read more by Beth Clark