Or maybe I mean "how to learn to love being a dog owner?"
DC had begged for years for a dog, we always lived in rented before now so couldn't but DH and I had grown up with dogs and remembered it to be rewarding, so we were keen.
We got a puppy earlier in the year from what we believed was a respectable breeder (but from further research I believe is a 'legal puppy farm'). Within two days we realised she had a problem (ectopic ureters) which was stressful and meant that she couldn't fully integrate into family life because she was constantly wet.
She has responded well to surgery which has been mostly effective.
We both changed jobs which meant we couldn't be home during the day (unplanned but necessary) and now pay for daily alternating long and short walks with other dogs which pup enjoys.
She is a bright and affectionate puppy, now 9 months old, but the problem is that I loathe having the dog. It's not her fault, she's loving and bonkers, but I can't enjoy it.
My anxiety is through the roof, which started through cleanliness issues around the puppy's incontinence and have continued. We keep her confined to the kitchen area mostly because we got into that habit when pre surgery and never got out of it. We try at times but she goes bonkers and gets bitey and destructive. So still trying little by little.
I don't know why I'm posting or what in looking for, but how do we deal with having a dog when we don't enjoy it? I fantasise about rehoming her, as I think it's likely better for her in the long run, but mostly worry about impact on DC.
For the dog lovers among you I fully appreciate how awful this all sounds, we didn't (still don't) take pet ownership lightly and I know what I'm saying probably sounds ridiculous, but it's causing us a lot of stress and unhappiness.
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The doghouse
How to learn to love your dog?
19 replies
Frankenterfer · 18/10/2018 09:26
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