I may have made a mistake

[lath]

I just got a puppy last thursday and I think I'm already regretting it. I wanted a dog so bad, but now that I'm having to do all this work, I'm not sure it's worth it.

I think I'm just too lazy and I don't have enough patience or something. I'm use to being able to come home for lunch and watch a 45 minute tv show, or spending the evenings on the computer, watching a movie, out with friends, etc.

Now all that is GONE. I kept telling myself itwas just for the first month or two, but I got on this forum and see all these posts saying 7-12 months was the worst time for them. I have to deal with this for an entire YEAR!?!?

Don't get me wrong, I love the puppy very much, she is so adorable. But I'm constantly having to stop her from biting clothes, hands, furniture, etc. Toys only hold her interest for a few minutes, then it's back to trying to bite everything else despite my verbal reprimands.

I can barely eat lunch because I have to take her from her crate and sit there and watch her outside so she will go to the bathroom. Instead of going, most of the time I have to repeatedly keep her from biting the lead or the chair I'm sitting on.

And in the evenings, I can't do anything except keep my eyes on her constantly to keep her from biting things, going to the bathroom inside, etc. I can't watch tv, be on the computer, go out, or do anything except watch the dog!

Not only that, but I'm used to sleeping until 8pm, now every morning I have to get up at 6 to let her out and play with her until I have to get ready and leave for work so that she has a break from the crate. I've been sooo tired lately.

I'm stressed out and feel anxiety about it already, what should I do? I don't mind putting some work into this, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. I want to be able to play with her, then let her play with her own toys while I watch TV, then take naps with her on the couch, and be able to just let her out in the yard by herself, let her do her thing, then come in when shes done.

How long will it be before things are like that? If I'm feeling this anxiety/doubt already, I'm not sure if I can make it. I hope I'm not sounding selfish, but if you're used to a certain lifestyle and then everything is flipped upside down, it gets to you pretty quick.

Thanks for listening.

 

[Caren+Bailey]

I am afraid that everything your going through, we have all been through.
Having a puppy is a big commitment and a lot of time and energy goes into raising the dog.......also yes you lose alot of your freedom.

However it really is worth it and before you know it she won't be a little puppy that you have to watch constantly.....but a full grown companion that you will enjoy petting whilst watching TV.

It really does pay to stick with that hard work

Oh and Bailey was around a year old before i felt he could be trusted to be left in a room alone and even now he has to be crated at night because of his Tendancies to chew.

Good luck with your puppy.........You will look back to this day and realise just how much you love your dog and that your glad you put in the hard work

 

[jess2416]

I'm stressed out and feel anxiety about it already, what should I do? I don't mind putting some work into this, but I'm feeling overwhelmed. I want to be able to play with her, then let her play with her own toys while I watch TV, then take naps with her on the couch, and be able to just let her out in the yard by herself, let her do her thing, then come in when shes done.

I think that everyone has the "puppy blues" I know I just adopted a puppy about 2 weeks ago and I felt the same way... I still am stressed out about, but its getting better...and I know that I will look back on the puppy antics and wonder how I ever got by without him

What breed is she ?? and How old is she??

 

[lath]

Thanks for the encouragement. I guess I just have to figure out a way to stay positive.

She is a 9 week old puggle.

 

[Adrienne]

Could you purchase a puppy play yard? That way you could have time to yourself and still be sure the puppy was safely confined with enough space to play a bit as well.

When you first get a puppy it is a whole new world for them. They need to be around you to learn your rules and how thinks work in this new world. While there is no need for her to be with you constantly when you are home, her following you around helps to form a lifelong bond that brings with it loyalty, companionship, and many wonderful life lessons to boot.

Why don't you purchase a six foot lead and tie it around your waist when you are on the computer, give her a good chew bone and take some time to veg without having to worry where she is at.

 

[jess2416]

It will get better You could maybe try giving her a Kong
It might help be more of a distraction than "regular" toys

You could also tether her to yourself or somewhere you are near that way you can keep an eye out for her and be able to relax without wondering where she is at

 

[whatszmatter]

Things that are easy are never very satisfying, not for very long anyway. Anything that's worth something takes effort, and the more effort the more satisfying. Stick around like minded people that have dealt with what you're going thru, you'll be able to do it, and patience will be your best friend. BUT if your really sure that its not for you be honest, and get in touch with rescue groups and rehome, to a good home. Don't dump off at a shelter. Of course this is worse case scenerio, I'm sure you'll pull thru just fine. You'll start to see small little victories in each training stage and soon, maybe not seemingly soon enough, you'll be doing all those "perfect" things you envisioned owning a dog would bring.

I'm not sure if I can make it. I hope I'm not sounding selfish, but if you're used to a certain lifestyle and then everything is flipped upside down, it gets to you pretty quick.

An awsome thing about being human is we're great at adapting quickly if we let ourselves, that's the challenge.

 

[xo_PuPpYlUvEr_xo]

Things will get better soon... Puppies are a lot of work as you can see. They're just like babies, you have to give them some things such as toys or kongs(like Jess said) and just try to be patient with her. In the end everything is worth the trouble! BTW, I can't wait to see what happens when i get my puppy soon, lol... Good thing I have a lot of energy and spare time on my hands(besides school!)

 

[jess2416]

Do you have any pics We love pics

 

[PoodleMommy]

Puppies are a TON of work, but they are worth ever bit of it.

You may have to forfeit certain activities in order to be around to walk or feed the dog at a certain time, but you do not have to totally give up your life. You can have a dog and still have time to yourself as well.

As far as the chewing, it is probably just a puppy thing that she will grow out of. Try and get her as much exercise as possible. You will have to get up early for the next few months but after a while she will probably be able to hold it longer in the morning depending on when you take her out at night.

Good Luck with her, hopefully you get through this and you and your dog can become loving companions.

Elissa

 

[mjb]

Both puppies I've had as adults, I felt somewhat depressed during their puppyhoods. I guess it depends a little bit on you and the puppy itself how long it lasts. With my first puppy, it was 'relatively' short-lived. I was probably over it in a month or 2. Now, with the 2 year old I currently have, I was in a funk for 4-6 months. I certainly thought I might should give him up. I might have if it had not been for our kids who had just had the loss of our old dog less than a year before.

It was worth every second. Spanky is the sweetest dog in the world. Well, there are a lot of people on this forum who would disagree because they think theirs is!! Anyway, Spanky was a very difficult puppy who has become a wonderful dog. He's not at all what I wanted when looking for a puppy, but he's exactly what I want now. I would have never guessed he would be such a great match for our family.

On the plus side, for me, the 'depression' I had during his puppyhood cost me about 10 lbs., and I had that many to spare, so I can thank Spanky for that, too!!

 

[Elly]

Things will settle down once you get used to having someone new living with you. It is hard at first and it takes time. It is a big change in your lifestyle but it will work out.

Lots of support on this site as well when you feel overwhelmed.

All the best with your new pup.

 

[LabBreeder]

If you love him, stick with it. It will get better. We got Gunner when he was 8 1/2 weeks old. The last time we'd had a puppy was when we got Tira (9 wks old) and that was almost 2 years ago (she's 2 now). Gunner is 5 months old, about 60 lbs, and still just a puppy. He's pretty reliable potty-wise but loves to chew. He's a puppy, it's what they do.
Just have faith, persevere, love and train and all will be well sooner than you think.

 

[kidsanddogs]

The suggestions above are good. The puppy play yard or exercise pen is my favorite as well as the suggestion to tether the puppy to your waist so you can do computer work with the pup right at your feet. You might put a little bed right under the computer table.

Dogs do change your life. But if you look on it as a new adventure, opportunities will open up for you. Open up your heart to new things. Take your pup out with you. Introduce her to your friends and family. Going out with her is good socialization and will help her to be a well-behaved adult.

Take her to pet stores. You'd be amazed who you meet when you are out in public with your dog. One of my best friends is a person I met while shopping at Petco. If you like plants, go to nurseries with your dog. They usually will let dogs in. So will lots of restaurants with patios.

Take her to dog parks and beaches, if you live near one that allows dogs. Sign up for a puppy class, and then more classes after that. You will meet great people that are going through the same thing you are. Then you can all get together and have puppy play dates at parks or your house. Start teaching your pup some easy tricks. It's a great way to teach her 'how to learn'. Some tricks are here: http://loveyourdog.com/tricks.html

Having dogs has changed my life for the better. I have met people who I never would have known otherwise. I hope you can hang in there and get the support you need so that you experience all there is to this life with dogs. I guess I'm being pretty philosophical, but I really do understand what you're going through. Hang in there!

 

[bubbatd]

Yup !! That's puppy-hood !!! It's worth the efforts. Now when you have kids instead of 1 or 2 years, be prepared for at least 18 years !!

 

[tinksmama]

Agree with everyone else, and here's my best tip...and don't feel guilty about this.... when pup has been played with,exercised,fed,and loved up, it's ok to crate her with a nice kong stuffed with p. butter or something, this allows you to leave the room,have a life, lie around and watch t.v. without worrying about where the puppy is every second! I know i need this in my day, I can't watch Tink every minute!

 

[Fran27]

Just want to say good luck Been there, done that, lol!

 

[Giny]

I just wanted to say that I admire you for coming on a dog site for some moral support, it sometimes can make a world of difference. Letting out some steam through your typing words and reading that you’re not alone with these feeling can sometimes get you through some tuff times. I wish many more people would do this, admit how it is difficult, instead of completely giving up all together. You can read as many puppy books and get prepared before hand but nothing can get you ready for puppy hood, it’s amazingly difficult. I think the only other thing more difficult is bringing a new born baby home. lol Sounds to me like your doing exactly what this puppy needs, stick with it and with time you will be enjoying those blissful relaxing moments with your new fur friend.

 

[mjb]

As much trouble as I was having when mine was a puppy, the one thing he did well was stay in his crate quietly. It was great to put h im in there for an hour or 2 to read or run errands. I would remind myself then that it wasn't as bad as when my kids were babies!! I couldn't put them in a crate and leave the house to get away.

 

[Tinaweena]

Exercise pens, and crates are sanity keepers! When I got my first puppy emily (the one that was truley mine) I so thought about sending her back so many times. But you get through it. You really do! Puppyhood is so quick..for some of us that is sad, for others it's FANTASTIC!
When you need an hour of two alone, put her in the crate. If you want her around, set up an exercise pen in the room you're in. That way she has freedom, can play by herself, but you can be supervising her, and KNOW she won't be getting into trouble.
You can buy them at almost any big box pet store Petsmart, Superpet etc. If you don't have any of those around, you can get one on ebay for pretty darm cheap!