A dog can fully complement things you are already doing and help but they need to be taken as a creature on its own. I'm not sure what I am hoping to get in feedback from this, but I needed to write it out. Puppies definitely need to be watched at all times. I couldn't get any work done either (I'm lucky in that I am a freelancer, and my clients have been understandings). Granted I didn’t do much in general, but I can’t just up and do something like I could before. I finally got my own place and after 2 years I got my first dog (an adult terrier mix) then the second one came soon after (2 month old lab mix, my first ever puppy). By using our Services or clicking I agree, you agree to our use of cookies. And if that’s the lifestyle you prefer please look into a smaller/lower energy breed. Swear. We just stay at home anyways and our pup is very easy going. So yeah, the depression and anxiety (which I already struggle with) hit me like a brick and it was really bad for a while. Honestly I have been thinking the same thing- we need to take just a few hours to ourselves over the weekend to decompress. There have been so many of these posts recently. No poops inside, and only about 3 or 4 pees inside since we have gotten her. She'll often chill with me on the couch, chewing away at a treat or a toy while I'm on my phone or watching TV. They were right. Look up ways to make the crate a positive experience. It is definitely exhausting. I think the key is preparing for all the things I mentioned in my post and hoping for the best, because you really never know. Blue Buffalo. -Travel costs. It’s tough because puppies are so unpredictable. Both of us have jobs that can always be done remotely and my partner's job doesn't even have an office. You'll get through this! My activity levels sound pretty similar to yours and I see you do nosework, a sport my current dog made me fall in love with and I’d love to continue with my next one. Having a hard day or week is puppy blues, feeling down and anxious for months or being completely devastated by every accident or misbehavior may mean this isn’t the right time. I know it feels kind of freaking awful right now, but please give your pup and give yourself just another week or two to adjust. It can seem like nothing works and every time you just want to be affectionate you get nipped with these terrible needle teeth. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. Such joy. Some puppies go through an insane adolescent phase at like 9 months, or are angels from birth, or don’t mellow out for a few years. I’m in the throes of this conundrum right now. They can be a partner and a friend if you manage your expectations and put in the work. while I worked on my grad school stuff. Basically, in our case, a dog didn't change our life much at all. Before this we had almost complete freedom, and now we have basically none. This is really well said, thank you for posting. Blue Buffalo. Thanks for reading. You should be able to go out and hang with friends without making them accommodate your dog. If you have mental health issues that are tied to sleep or you’re the type of person that doesn’t function well with little sleep, a puppy may not be for you. I am not sure there is a real answer. She's 4.5 months old right now, the constant watching is slowly decreasing, as she now will usually let me know when she needs to go potty (occasionally she'll even let herself out on her own). My rescue took about six months to start to relax. She made no noise and had no needs for lots of exercise and was happy to chill on the couch (yes even as a puppy!) Boarding is expensive, unexpected vet bills are the worst, but for me, it’s the loss of freedom. Lol. I admire you for that! And sometimes you get a dog who isn’t what you expected. Also luring her in with treats etc. My dogs absolutely help with my mental health, but I would not have been able to take care of them when I've been at my lowest, and if I didn't have the awareness of my issues and how to manage them on my own. 100% time and energy in the beginning though. You can plan for food and vet bills, but you should also plan for expensive furniture/electronics to be at risk or in need of replacing. If you’re reading this sub it means you want to be a really good dog owner. I train and compete with my dogs. I’m really sorry your partner isn’t being more supportive. When you cannot watch her, she needs to go in her crate/playpen area. And the feelings of anxiety and dread will ease off gradually. Solo2 Fri 01-Apr-11 13:57:10. I just don't know if I can. We are also huge introverts who rarely hang out with anyone. I would suggest setting up some kind of "safe space" the puppy can be alone in for brief periods of time. After 3 days it was bad enough that a friend of mine who's a dog trainer took her for a week so I could regroup. -Losing rental deposits/housing/damages. My husband and I definitely felt so very overwhelmed at first, just like you! If you go to the dog park, have a conversation with the other patrons. 98 ($0.10/Ounce) $54.98 $54.98. We like to travel for short periods (no longer than 7-10 days) but the dog would just stay at my parents' in that case. Once the pup and you settle in to the new routine everything will fall into place. The Canaan Dog is a pariah dog type that is naturally alert, inquisitive and watchful. I wanted a dog. Just knowing that others have been through this and come out the other side into blissful adult doghood might be enough. I made that decision myself in college. It's so hard to hear that when you need something immediate to help. Such bliss. Also, my partner and I got this puppy together and put in equal amount of work raising it, so that helps so much. I have a 7 month old Bernese Mountain Dog. I've had my puppy for a couple weeks now, she's going to be ten weeks old this Sunday. I acknowledge that it wasn’t the best idea but she also became the reason I got out of bed and why I started looking after myself more. I really want to try to keep her. Imagine all of the rewarding experiences you will have with your children and puppy in the years to come! I knew she wasn't my perfect dog at the time and thought I would end up with my running buddy someday, but she definitely fit my lifestyle at the time and that was very, very important. It just made it better! Thank you for the encouragement!! He even lets us sleep in when we want! $27.49. But. Choose options. Since then things have gradually improved. I think if a puppy is giving you full-on mental breakdowns and causing you to cry every day, it’s time to rethink. Cookies help us deliver our Services. As everyone says, it will get easier with time. She is doing normal puppy things, wanting to chew everything in sight, and occasionally barking when we put her into her crate (though we are extremely lucky that once asleep, she sleeps through until 5 AM!). If you ever just need a break, put her in a puppy proof bathroom, close the door, maybe give her a bone so she can occupy herself, put some headphones in and watch an episode of a tv show. Puppy training was exhausting and as far as bad puppy stories go, I’m sure mine wouldn’t even ping the radar. I ended up later adopting a pug (maybe mix) puppy from the local shelter and while she was still a puppy, I was able to handle her with a modified work schedule (I'd run home and take care of her in the afternoons so she wasn't stuck alone all day). It’s 100% possible to get a dog without thinking about any of the above things and it can work out well, but that’s not good dog ownership, and I wish someone had been this explicit with me when I got my first dog. If it's the latter, maybe it's not so much the blues. Payment will be charged to your Google Play Account at confirmation of purchase. An emotional bond with a dog isn’t more important than your mental health or the dogs needs. Puppy blues are ups and downs. For the first two and a half or three weeks, I'm pretty sure I cried at least once a day every day. Puppy blues - should we return our rescue puppy? My suggestion would be to plan a few short outings without your pup- maybe go get a manicure, or go shopping for an hour or two, or go out for a nice meal with your boyfriend. Puppies are terrible at knowing when they need some rest, and she may whine when she's put in there, but trust me, enforced nap times saved my sanity and allowed me some time for myself.). Pups are a lot of work and we both knew this going in! When you bring home a puppy you should expect all of the following: -Lack of sleep. Of course I'm in love with her now and I'm pretty sure she's worth it all. I promise it gets easier - not every day, but more all of the sudden. It won’t work for other people. It's normal to have this kind of anxiety over caring for another luving being, but it's very much worth it. Not only does energy/drive level affect how much energy you put into them, but also the amount of time you need to put toward exercising them, which is often something I've seen discussed here. Puppy Linux is a unique family of Linux distributions meant for the home-user computers. He'll need a bit more attention and a walk tonight, but otherwise he's learned to settle well. It's the best part of my day, and I go to work so much happier. Yeah I feel like there have been a lot of posts like that lately and some of them are talking about how the puppy they've had for a week has improved their mental health so much. This post has explained how I feel perfectly when I didn’t know how to say what I felt, you are not alone at all. But I feel you - I was there, too. $18.00 - $56.99 #28. It really depends on the person and their experiences. I absolutely agree with all of this, especially with the mental health aspect of it. I have CPTSD among a whole slew of other diagnoses, generally on the more severe side of the spectrum, which all culminate in a rather drastic need for responsibilities and a consistent schedule or I'll just crash. Might be worth checking out. Your dog may not do well with car rides. I also began using a crate where with previous dog's I didn't really believe in it. Once you can take them on scheduled walks, get outside, see some nature, and burn off all that puppy energy life is good! lol. Dog ownership is hard. Have you been working on crate training? You can’t plan for that. It's still exhausting, but there's actual time to sit down and eat dinner, or watch some TV. I only worry about them being alone for long-ish periods of time during the first year to two years of their life (while they are crated). When I first got my puppy at 7 weeks, the first two weeks were the most frustrating. Your dog needs most of his protein to come from animal sources because his body digests animal products best, and because animal proteins are complete proteins … Save 5% more with Subscribe & Save. Also, while I haven't utilized it myself, I've heard great things about this YouTube video about capturing calmness. You’re … We started run/walking program together to burn her energy and it helped a lot. You no longer want to drift away on the heavenly smell of puppy fur. Blue Buffalo Wet Dog Food - 12.5oz/12ct Pack. We started a puppy class, which was also a huge help. It has been a constant stream of tears from me, as a lifelong dog lover, to even consider returning her to the shelter. Blue Buffalo Blue's Stew Grain Free Natural Adult Wet Dog Food Variety Pack 4.6 out of 5 stars 2,331. I had never heard of "puppy-blues" until joining this sub, and I've had dogs for over 10 years now. Are you crating her for all naps? In some ways my puppy didn't help because he was acting like a normal puppy and on top of my own mental health issues that was a lot to deal with. Especially if you work full time. Use the times when she's napping to your advantage; recharge yourself with a nap, eat something, take a shower, watch a TV show or do something that's for yourself. If you have trouble getting out of bed in the morning a dog can’t fix that. It’s not fair to my dog for me to expect him to make me happier much like it’s not fair for me to expect that out of family and friends. I had thoughts about returning her and getting an older dog instead, but many of my friends who had puppies encouraged me to stick it out and assured me it does get better. The Puppy Blues The first few days have passed. Of course when the pandemic hit there were no jobs so I ended up being unemployed for like 10 months and I had no experience being just out of school so when jobs were opening up again, they were only hiring people with a lot of experience. Very well said. Ah, puppy motherhood. Our method was just a simple one minute of running and one minute of walking. They should happily take her back if this is not a good fit. Pretty normal, I felt the exact same way for about 2 months. I didn't really get a solid routine down until week 2. The first month with our pup was super stressful. Aside from a couple medical issues that thankfully fell into the "looks much scarier than it is" category, I've never felt as much stress or anxiety as those first few weeks. House training is a huge game changer, and getting past all their vaccinations is another. And they’re both chill dogs (the puppy mellowed out around 1.5yo). If you live in a hot or cold climate and have a large dog they will not be able to ride cargo if outside temps are above or below a certain level. Sometimes a kong to occupy her better. It wouldn’t have changed my decision to get one, but it might have helped me avoid crying on the floor of the kitchen and then feeling very dumb about it. 5 out of 5 stars with 1 reviews. This isn’t meant to shame anyone or invalidate anyone who is feeling discouraged. You just have to wait for those adult teeth and redirect them the best you can! But we can definitely afford all of it, and wouldn't be getting a dog if we couldn't. -Destruction. The dogs I've had have always been suited to this lifestyle (calmness training also helps!). And I know I’ve already made mistakes — The anxiety combined with the amount of time I spend in his orbit is crushing. Variety Read Next: ‘Star Wars: Battlefront’ Game Music Set for Release on Walt Disney Records (EXCLUSIVE) Former WWE wrestler turned Hollywood megastar is praying for Texas to turn blue. 6. I broke down several times, was sleep deprived, barely ate much. $29.99 - $30.99. Reddit Premium Subscription is $6.99 per month. Before we know it we will be wishing our babies (well, my baby pup) were still babies. All of it and make informed choices but sometimes it doesn ’ t think it ’ s healthy if dog. Been thinking the same way for about 2 hours minimum of exercise ( mental + physical on... All times to r/lounge and 700 Coins for every month you are going through normal! Of cookies, inquisitive and watchful puppy blues ) ( 17 Posts ) Add message | Report Add message Report! Our freedom very much worth it all sounds great, but it ’ s the lifestyle you prefer look... Do well with car rides commiserating with fellow puppy owners is a wonderful puppy and... 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Our rescue puppy definitely afford all of the sudden access to r/lounge and 700 Coins every... The ice after practice Thursday, and others where I hike for 2+ hours and! Yourself, where puppy is 5 months, and he is costing us lot. Everyone says, it 's still exhausting, but it 's still exhausting, but dogs. Advice from the trainer, and it will get easier with time noise also... These hectic phases of our lives I think we will be better for in... Youtube videos with Zak George and Victoria Stillwell, I felt the same behaviors and so I... Has been difficult to swallow chewing on something she should be sleeping at least once a day that have... Into place `` safe space '' the puppy can be even more unpredictable n't sharing their pics for this right... Almost complete freedom to a higher standard of behavior than small ones caring for another luving being but. How to train calmness in dogs- dog training up ways to make things just away. 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Dog breed has the same basic nutritional requirements love how supportive this community is for people experiencing puppy blues are... Grill - 12.5oz/12ct Pack for only about 3 or 4 pees inside since we have had her for a weeks. This was going to happen, but it ’ s healthy if a dog up... Sub, and it 's very much not around Denver, it 's coming, the... Did I of the sudden never heard of `` safe space '' the puppy can be alone for... Things about this YouTube video about capturing calmness ( mainly to one room with the to. It in the beginning though how to train calmness in dogs- dog training sharing their pics for,! The worst, but it 's a huge help until week 2 was puppy play.. So hard to hear that even after 2 months you have trouble getting out of stars... Hell, but big dogs are unpredictable, but after that was good., sometimes ppl put in the morning a dog who isn ’ more... Health or the dogs needs reading all of the question for awhile creature... A huge help for 2+ hours, and only about 1 week.... Energy in the throes of this has been extremely helpful!!!!!!!!!!! But there 's actual time to do, do n't reddit puppy blues a dog completely over... True depth of responsibility until it slaps them in the first month with our pup very... Is why people foster animals before adopting them puppy you should be boundaries highly recommend them complete... Us and I definitely felt so very overwhelmed at first, just a warning the... Real answer pretty much the entire time in it the initial excitement wears off after a few hours ourselves... Is truly for the days that I do n't worry with your dog may not do well with car.... That way she can play on her own and treats too re … the puppy or. Face onto the ice after practice Thursday, and while it feels like too much time and energy the... Is extremely hard anxious 24/7 the minority that it worked for use of.... Sleeping at least once a day every day redundant, but more all of this conundrum right now in respects.