I badgered my OH for a puppy for years! We grew up with labs and always wanted one of our own. Then I got offered the chance to take 18 months of work to complete some postgraduate study and bang along came Alfie!! We did so much reading and research but I cried so much when he arrived! He always wanted my attention, he bit me, he cried, he wasn't cuddly and I worried I was doing the wrong things with him constantly! There were a few times when I really wanted to send him back and thought we had made a terrible mistake! Fast foward twelve months and I adore him!! Truly love him! He doesnt bite anymore he cuddles us comes running to me in the park when i call him. I do think it took me a good few weeks maybe a month or so to fall head over heels for him. I do wish I d relaxed a bit more as I think this would have made me feel less anxious and upset. Hang in there - it ll all come good in the end .
I'm a puppy mad crazy dog person who'd wanted a dog forever. I cried every day when we got Stanley, regretting my decision. We've had him a year now and I'd say 10 months of it have been brilliant! If you can get through the first couple of months you'll be fine! It sounds like you've had a really tough time of it. I really hope you find some comfort in your puppy (once the terror teeth have gone).
Thank you so much to everyone who has replied. I've only just had a chance to sit down and read through them all. I'll reply to a few of you individually too. Luna is currently asleep on my lap which I just love! I think I was trying to fill a little hole in my heart with Luna. My whole family thought it was a great idea and just what I needed. On day 2 me and my husband were both so upset, I think we expected a different feeling to the one we got. It's good to know that so many of you have been through the same re puppy blues. I feel so silly admitting to people that I'm so stressed out with the puppy! I work from home so I'm with Luna all day, I can't wait for my husband to get home of a night so I can have a break! I would never give her up, I'm too stubborn and would hate to admit I've been defeated! I'll try and add some pics of the little devil Xxxx
Please can you tell me how to post photos??? It just says I have no media but I don't know how to add media! Xx
It's when she's tired, excited, hungry, just woke up! Mostly when she's not sleeping! Of course she is super cute and I love her probably half the time at the moment! Some days more some days less. I'm sure I'll get there in a few weeks. Feeling more positive today after reading everyone's replies. Xxx
Thank you. As soon as I get a chance I will have a good read of your post. Everything revolves around when the puppy is asleep!! Quick, clean the house, shower, go shopping, eat!!
Thanks, it's so relieving to know I'm not alone feeling like this. Yes I must admit I did think she would fill a little hole in my heart, unfortunately it made me feel worse around 2 days in. She was more a reminder of what we didn't have. It's less upsetting now but I do miss having my own free time. Everything revolves around when she's had enough exercise, play, food etc and she's ready to be in her crate for a bit. Looking forward to her being bigger and going out for walks! Xxx
You need to use a photo-hosting site like Imgur, Flickr or Photobucket. Here are three posts which explain how to do it for each site: https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/posting-a-photo-from-imgur.12177/ https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/posting-a-photo-from-flickr-update.10872/ https://thelabradorforum.com/threads/posting-a-photo-from-photobucket.12914/ The alternative is to become a "forum supporter", if you decide to stick around, which is £10 for a year and allows you to upload photos (up to 1MB in size) directly.
I must add to this thread, like everyone else to just reinforce that you are not the only one. Rolo is now 10 months old. He is so much calmer, and easier. I cried for several days, it caused friction between me and my partner, but today, we both love him so much! You will get there in the end. Its hard work. I remember someone on here told me this, I think it may of been @snowbunny and her widsom. Puppies grow and mature faster than babies! So this intense period whilst not nice to be in, really doesn't last very long in the grand scheme of a dogs life! You will have many years to enjoy a fabulous companion and the puppy days will be a distant memory. Cant express how invaluable training will be in these stages so make it fun for yourself and the puppy where you can. Also take care of yourself too, Its ok to have some 'me' time.
I'm so glad you're feeling more positive, although you'll still have some of those 'Why on earth have we done this?' moments! Does your local vet have puppy parties? If so, you could take her to those before she's had her jabs so that she socialises with other puppies - and you also have a chance to meet other new puppy owners and chatting to the veterinary nurses. Once you can walk her you could also take her to puppy training classes too. Some are better than others, but it's quite a good way of making contact with other puppy owners in your area. Meanwhile, keep the gardening gloves handy, enjoy the fun, then make the most of the peaceful times when she's asleep!
Oh, puppies are so hard, and I defy anyone to say otherwise. I swore I would not have another after my last dog grew out of that stage. And as it turned out my current pooch was a hand-me-down when he was 8 months old...which came with its own set of problems. But on the whole, I still think I don't want to do puppyhood again. So I totally know where you are coming from. It's hard to imagine just how all-consuming caring for a puppy is, especially if you really want to get it all "right". So...the others have given you great advice and I don't have much to add, except to make sure you get some breaks once and awhile. A crate is a magical thing that saved my sanity in the puppy days. And maybe you can call on a friend to puppy-watch for you so you can have a break during the day or something. Good luck and keep us posted!
I expect I'll have another soon and i expect it Will be a lab I've found the easiest way for me to cope is just put everything else on hold and stop thinking. I deal with the pups needs and everything else takes a back seat for a while. Its like going into a trance I just deal with now yesterday's gone and tomorrow can wait. I have a job and a life but that gets put on hold for the first frenetic months.it's all about expectations I know it will be hard but ive done it enough times now to know it will be ok
That's exactly it, I'm trying to do everything 'right'. I swore I would not have a naughty dog so I'm trying my best to encourage good behaviour and do plenty of training! My grandad used to have a dog that barked at anyone who was having a beer to demand he got some!!! My grandad used to give him tea and biscuits, and he barked at his bed until someone fluffed his pillow!!! Not that I would allow any of this but I really want to make sure that she is well behaved and trained! After a good day yesterday she's back to being a bitey monster! X
Now that my boy is a teenager I actually look back on those puppy days with fond memories, I'm sure it's just the effect of time dulling things Each stage has its ups and downs but I definitely look forward to when he is in the next one!! Of course when he is old, I will be looking back at his insane crazy teen days with fond memories too...
This was my experience too. Puppies are THE WORST. I thought it was going to be like all the cute Buzzfeed videos *snort* oh what a sweet, summer child I was. The first 11 weeks (from 7-18 weeks) were awful - they bite all the time, their bladders are still quite small, you can't go on proper walks, and they're just so, so demanding. Unfortunately, you've probably got a month or two (or three) of awfulness to come, but it will get better. Hang in there in the knowledge that you're not alone, and that there's this wonderful forum of people from around the world who completely understand how you're feeling.
Hi @LooneyLuna - yup been there, got the scars. had the feelings! After 30 years of waiting I finally get my little ball of fluff "dreaming" of the Andrex Puppy....yeah right - the nearest Bailey ever was to the Andrex Puppy was ripping up the last roll of loo roll just after the local shop shut!!!! After that bathroom door stayed firmly shut! As others have said this will pass - grit your teeth, get in plenty of plasters and get used to repeating yourself - you will have your dream companion but it will take time. This forum has saved me from going insane many times - just by reading posts that show I was not the only one going through this horror of a cross between a Lab (the sweet thing snoring on my lap) and the crocodile that showed itself at any time! We all do really understand. So sorry that you have had such a tough time, hopefully things will start looking brighter for you soon.
We forget very quickly! I know - I have a new pup every year and fondly look back on each ones 'antics' .
