Hello and welcome from me and Lilly. All you need is a bit of time and patience and a DESIRE to do the best you can. It's a steep learning curve but you will never ever regret it. Enjoy the puppy phase.
Do you mean your puppy is eating grass? If so, don't worry, they all seem to be at it at the moment! I suggest you buy "The Happy Puppy Handbook" by Pippa Mattinson, it will tell you everything you need to know and put your mind at rest at difficult times. It is hard work having a puppy, the first 6 months are the worst and you will soon forget those. She will soon sleep through longer, though her bedtime is a wee bit early, mine didn't go to sleep until about 11pm but in not time at all he was sleeping until we got up at 8am, but those first couple of weeks being awake at the crack of dawn, out in the garden with a pup swinging on my nightie were a little hard Don't hesitate to come onto the forum and 'let it all out' when you are feeling overwhelmed, we have all been there!
Hi and welcome to the forum Harley is my first ever dog so you already know more than me having 2 dogs already in your family. I am sure you are going to love Raina and have a fantastic bond
I know this is an old post but it's very helpful to read it's normal to have times of despair! I've had a very tearful morning thinking I can't cope and should admit I've made a mistake. I'll read that puppy blues link next.
There was a few times with Stanley I found myself, head in my hands, sobbing, sat in the middle of the living room floor. Especially when his barking/crying was at its worst. And he didn't sleep through until about 17 weeks which meant, neither did I. At one point I even say my OH down seriously and said I thought we should rehome him while he's still little enough for someone to want him. Now - someone would have to kill me before they got my puppy. And I have no doubt you'll feel the same, they get more independent and you just fall in love. You'll get there and this is very normal. A nice glass of wine and some "you" time is needed
You sound very mature for a young teen. I see lots of encouraging comments so I'll just add, I think a little self doubt is better than being overly self confident. If you channel doubt into questions and observations and a desire to learn instead of thinking you already know it all you and Raina (love her name) will both grow, benefit and learn and she will do you proud.
Cooper is my FIRST dog and I got him at age 77 (me!).....I wanted a puppy and friends said I was crazy....I was too old for a puppy. They were RIGHT...I had absolutely no idea what I was getting into.....biting, peeing, pooing, barking,chewing....not sleeping. I was ready to give him to anyone that walked by!!! I was desperate.....talked to my vet...she said wait until he is 6 months old.....he will be a different dog. Well,it took longer than that but he is now 2-1/2 years old and is the sweetest fellow you would ever want to know. Your post is back in May so you probably have noticed a huge difference in your pup.....hope so! Hang in there!!
Well done @Yvonne, had my second Lab at age 76, though do worry that he will outlive me and then what will happen to the dear boy. The breeder says she will have him back but I don't feel I can rely on that as you never know what their lives will be then. I will just have to stagger on until I am 90!
Stacia, I am now 79!!! just had two knee replacements just so that I can walk and play with Cooper....so I am damned if I'm going to go any time soon!!! Sticking around for years to come and enjoy my doggie.....so you at 76....you are a young chick!!! I already have someone that will take him if I am no longer here....had to make sure because of my two surgeries!! Can't walk him yet but will pretty soon! So you and I have to make sure we are healthy and spry in our old age!! ha, ha!!!
Indeed we will. I am now nearly 80 in January! Sounds so old, but I only feel 20. If there were no mirrors in the world I would be quite sure I was 20 years old
I didn't start getting over my Post Puppy Depression until Xena stopped biting, which finally started slowing down at 4.5 months. It's really easy to think you've made a terrible decision when your dog is constantly making your child cry, and you can't sit down on the sofa without the dog feeling snacky for some human. A moment will come for you too when the fog lifts and you start feeling good again.
Agreed about feeling 20.....well, more or less....maybe more like 30..ha, ha! I will be 80 in March so we are there together!!! M!y dog Cooper keeps me young.....and happy
Thank you soooo much for this honesty! That is me today. She's just about 4 months old now and vastly improved in so many ways but just tonight she has damaged my phone and set me off again! Tears will ruin my wine in a moment.
Thank you! I keep saying "what have I done?!" It's impossible to go back now but oh so difficult getting through this phase!
No! Anything but that! You'll set me off in a minute! Protect the wine at all costs! Honestly, puppies are horrors. Adorably cute, but awful little creatures, sent to try our patience to the limits. But then you get an amazing young dog and you forget all that stuff. Then, before long, you're thinking of the next one you might have one day, because, well, it wasn't all that bad really, was it?
My puppy blues lasted such a long time. We have been thinking of getting a labrador for 7 years and I thought I was so prepared and ready....WRONG!! She's 10 months now and we are finally getting somewhere with training. She is still bonkers. But I love her to bits. It does get better!
I think our puppies are sent to us to test our strength of character, our patience and resiliency! Also to test our homicidal tendencies!!! But once they are grown up they repay our loss of sanity with sweetness, affection and loyalty......keep the faith!! The future is rosy!
