I live in a small rural town. Large park that is super busy from April-end of August with sports. Right now though, just a few dog walkers. I took Corona there this morning with a 25' lead and walked the entire park path. Takes about 30-35 minutes. And guess what?! After her initial run around for about 5 minutes, she followed me everywhere. She would walk 10 steps ahead while sniffing then turn around and come right to my side. Lots of treats and praise. Even saw a squirrel but stayed with me instead. The last 10 minutes, she never left my side! I think I will do this in the morning fro now on, and her after dinner walk can be on a heel lead. She mostly does really well after dinner with that, probably because she's more tired. Thanks for all the advice!
That sounds really good @jeanine It all takes time. Time and patience and lots of treats and praise and showing them right from wrong. Corona is only young still. There will be hiccups and problems, but that's just part of it all.
Hang in there, I am 56 and my husband jobshares so he is away working 6 weeks then home for 6 weeks. I know its a huge job alone, Ziggy is now 17 weeks and still nips when excited. I would not be without him for a second. One look at those eyes and a big sloppy wet tongue kissing my hand makes it all worth it
I feel your pain, we have had Stanley for 4 1/2 weeks and I feel as though I'm being held hostage in my own home! My husband and I are childless and now have found ourselves "parenting" a nightmare fur tornado. I can't even cook! I can't leave him unattended for 5 minutes, I even crate him if I have to use the washroom . Not sure how we will ever get through this. Sorry I'm not offering much support, just know you're not alone!
Sounds like great progress! I always do Mollie's lead walks just before her meals - that way the food rewards mean more!
It does get better I promise, you will forget this difficult time, you will end up adoring your dog and wonder how you ever lived your life without him.
Maybe it's Stanleys? I was the same, I used to cry all the time holding this little ball of fur thinking what have I done?! He's nearly 9 months now and still testing at times but he's my very best friend and I wouldn't be without him for a day! Everytime said it would get better and I didn't believe them, but it really does and it's 100% worth it!
Jeanine, I empathise completely. I am alone with my 14 week pup, Plum (I have an 11 yr old son but he's a bit fair weathered in the puppy owning stakes!). I am exhausted most of the time and frequently wonder what on earth I was thinking getting a pup. She is amazing in so many ways but the truth of it is that owning and caring for a pup is so much harder than I ever imagined (and I grew up with three labs!) I take each day as it comes and relish the moments she sleeps so I can either have a bit of me time or get on with 'stuff.' I love her mostly but there are times I despair. I hang on to the "it gets better" comments, especially the 'I didn't think it would get better for me but it did" comments! I can already recognise positive changes but it's still really hard. I just want to say I understand your struggle and I think you're doing an amazing job hanging on in there in the face of so much adversity. Corona is lucky to have you for her mum.
@Plum's mum I live in East Sussex so let me know if you fancy meeting up for a walk (well perhaps Plum is a bit young for that, but a get-together). I'm retired with plenty of spare time so if you need a hand, practically, send me a private message.
Thank you for the kind words. I feel so guilty for even complaining. She was such a good girl the entire week with all the company we've had. I'm definitely asking too much from such a young pup. Maybe it's having had older settled labs twice now that is making me long for Corona to grow up a little faster. She's had some unusual accidents in the house, but this may be due to the huge change in routine over the holidays. The walks are better now with allowing her to sniff and run off around with a long lead from time to time. Gonna have to work on the rest at a slow steady pace and just do what I can. You also need to hang in there, 14 weeks old was definitely harder than my 5 month old. You have lots of good things to come very soon!
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