What was everyone's experience with puppy blues, puppy struggles etc in regard to having their 2nd puppy? Was it easier?
Ah, now that's an interesting question! I do remember feeling a bit pained with my first labrador puppy, more so around 10 days - 2 weeks or so. I didn't really experience any of that with my second, I guess I knew what to expect. I am also not a great puppy fan, rather preferring them around 6 months when I can start working with them. So I guess I kept my expectations manageable.
Well Odie was my first puppy, he was a dream. He was house broken within a few days, he would bite when playing but never hurt (he’s a Pomeranian). So going into our second puppy, Axel (lab) I was thinking it would be a breeze. HAHAHA , was I ever mistaken. But I love him dearly. So now I’m thinking when ever I get my third that I’ll be prepared if he’s anything like Axel.
I don’t think I ever felt real puppy blues (I’ve had three dogs from puppies). I certainly felt tired and sometimes irritable but never wanted to hand any back. I don’t remember my first two being biters, but Molly was dreadful, making me bleed daily. Actually, come to think of it I do recall feeling a bit weepy a couple of weeks after Molly’s arrival and just thinking I wanted my dear old Rolo back. I think it’s probably easier on the second pup in that you know what to expect. The pup weeing on the floor never bothered me because I knew there would be accidents.
Some pups are easier but once you know what to expect its ok. I had 3 down to 2 now and am considering another. 3 for me was perfect number but I doubt my own health will be up to 3 again. Soon I will be down to 1 again and I'm going to see if I'm well enough for another. The most import thing is to make sure that the first dog is trained and you and it are good together with a good routine. This helps the next pup as the established routine helps it to fit and you cope with the extract work. my first was a super easy not my second who was a real challenge but the 3rd was very bitey and very ill for the first few months. I loved him deeply and passionately from the first hour I got him home. I researched hard and waited a long time to get the right pup. There was a gap of 10 years between him and the first 2. He fitted in perfectly and wonderful with my other 2. He helped the second dog get through the passing of my oldest and helped me through a difficult period in my long standing health problems.a multi dog household is hard expensive and lots of work but I found it wonderful but it's not for everyone or every dog you have to judge your dogs temperament and make sure the next one will he a good fit.
Sorry I just wanted to say I never felt the puppy blues with any of mine. I soon got used to everything they threw at me and adjusted quickly and I think that's what helped me. It was just a case of constant readjustment and assessment I wanted dogs so this is how it was. I was on my own and did all the care and training myself so I think I just didn't have the time to worry too much. I just put thought on hold and went puppy crazy. It was a bit Cultish for the first few months.
Ive done 4 pups, If you count the Rough Collie I had as a teenager. My Malamute that I had in Chicago was an outside dog most of the time, so there were few puppy issues. I wish I had known as much about raising pups and dogs 40 years ago as I do now, he might have been a better companion. Of our Labs, Ginger was a 4 year old rescue, so we only have had two Lab pups. Tilly was probably a bit easier to raise than Cooper. We got both of them at 7 weeks which is still the norm for Labs in the US. Both were pretty easy to potty train, and slept most of the way through the night after the 1st week. Cooper was more inclined to chew up our stuff than Tilly. We lost a lot more tchotchkes to Cooper than Tilly. Both were bitey, but not as bad as a lot of the pups I read about here. We never had puppy blues, partly because we knew what to expect, and partly because the dogs were, and still are, pretty well behaved. When someone says that Labs are easy and almost train themselves, I tend to agree. I love watching puppies grow up. They learn so fast, and grow so fast. You can see the changes day by day. Ours have very different personalities and quirks, but all three have had the essential Lab character. Friendly, smart. easy to train, and easy to live with, as long as you don't mind dog hair and dogs that that think you are part of their family.
FWIW All of our Labs have been on the field end of the spectrum. Tilly looks more like show stock, but her mom was an English style Master Hunter and her dad was definitely a field bred dog and a Field Trial Champion. Coopers mom and dad were a Senior Hunter and Master Hunter, and both were tall lankier dogs. Ginger (our rescue) was that shape also though we know nothing about her parents.
I don’t get puppy blues - I’m puppy addicted! I have one puppy a year. I wouldn’t say it gets easier as they are all different but, to me, that’s the fun and challenge. Best job in the world.
Hehe well, not any time soon. OH wants a human baby first. Doesn’t stop me from showing him puppies and rescues almost daily.
Had lots of pups, some intentionally and others were dumped on me ( but welcomed all the same ) . I tended to find that with each one came experience , even being a little blasé if you like , a sort of Been there, done that attitude . But they are all so different , some easy some not so easy, but it passes soon enough . I did find myself musing over having another last puppy , but knowing my luck I would get the puppy from hell , the chewer, biter and destroyer of all things sacred , so I wont ! x
