Delayed Puppy Blues

[OrangeSunsetSky]

Just wondering if this is a thing? I know it can happen the first weeks after getting a new puppy but ours is 9 months old now and I'm looking back on how easy my life was before him and I'm feeling a bit down in the dumps if I'm honest.
Dont get me wrong I love him to bits and could never let him go but it's the relentless early mornings, watching him like a hawk, not being able to go to the loo alone!
Also some family members arn't keen on him, when they visit he's obviously excited to see them but they make horrible remarks which upsets me.
Looking ahead to Xmas, I'm thinking no tree and miserable family members dissing him.
Is this normal? will things improve?
He was not bought on a whim, he is a long planned for puppy, currently sat on my lap, all 5 stone of him!

[BiteyShark]

I think it's perfectly fine to miss the restriction free life you had before. Dogs are restrictive unless you have lots of family who want to help out or are happy to leave them alone for hours on end.

Your puppy is still a young puppy so it will get easier as he grows.

Mine is 3 and I love him but my life still revolves around him and at times it isn't easy.

[userxx]

Awwww he's beautiful. Yep, dogs are tying and bloody hard work, they can also be a massive pain in the arse at times. Don't let family members get you down, some people are just not dog people. He's still really young and bouncy but he will settle down eventually.

[talia66]

He is so lovely. I think it's totally normal and it will get easier and easier. Younger dogs are hard work. Before you know it they are older and want to sleep all the time.
My dog passed away in August and I was so upset. I tried so hard to look on the bright side. I would no longer be stalked night and day, we could go away on holiday and days out without worry. So much less hastle. This lasted a couple of weeks. And then I realised my house just felt so empty. The heart of the house was gone and it didn't feel right.
So we welcomed our new dog Max a month ago I must admit there are time I think 'oh god what have I done!!' Especially when he woke me up at 5am this morning! However I remember that empty feeling from before and how much a dog adds to my life.
Xx hope this makes sense xx

[OrangeSunsetSky]

Thankyou everyone,
talia66 so sorry you lost your dog I actually can't imagine not having a dog now, we've just been on a long walk (got soaked!!) and now hes snoring next to me on the sofa. He's such a little sod tho, turn your back and he's got the tv remote in his mouth, or worse!
Im looking forward to him being just that little bit older

[Knowivedonewrong]

He's gorgeous.
Nothing wrong with how you are feeling at all.
I felt the same with my Black Lab before she was a year old.
I almost gave her back to the breeder. I was on my knees.
But it does get better and now I wouldn't be without her.

As for people not liking him when they come to visit, I'd say too bad! He lives here you don't!

[pigsDOfly]

Sounds like you might have hit the adolescent dog blues OP, if he's being a big trying. He will be pushing boundaries and being generally quite hard to deal with at times, if that's the case.

Dogs, if you're a good owner, change your life completely and sometimes it does feel like an imposition.

I often think about how much freer my life would be if I didn't have this little furry family member, but at the same time, my house would be empty - there's just me and the dog - and I'd have no one to go for walks with; and no one who thinks it's a good idea to roll in fox poo either, but that another issue.

She's 8 years old, so I've a good long time to get used to the restrictions.

I think it's one of the things every dog owner accepts, it can be a pita but I wouldn't want to be without my lovely dog.

[OrangeSunsetSky]

Thank knowivedonewrong and pigs glad to hear it improves! I think he has hit the teenage stage! He's a stubborn bugger but oh my those puppy dog eyes💕
I think it is the constant having to think about some one else 24/7 my youngest is 22 so I'm far past the baby stage
As for family, they don't think he should be allowed in the lounge and complain he's wild! I say well you only see him when he's all excited as you're visiting. when it's just me and him chilling on the sofa they don't see that.
I can even sit and eat my sandwich now without him trying to steal it! I'm abit worried about Xmas but if family don't like it they don't have to come!
Thanks all

[pigsDOfly]

Oh yes, my DCs are all adults - youngest 32 - and I must admit the 24/7 responsibility when you no longer really need to be doing it because you no longer have small children, does make me sometimes think, why did I do this to myself.

My dog doesn't like it when my grandchildren are here, although they're perfectly lovely with her. Sometimes she takes herself off upstairs but mostly she wants to sit on my lap the whole time and I'm sure no one believes me when I tell them that she never does that when we're on our own. In fact she's actually really independent and never sits on my lap when it's just the two of us here.

What your family think about what your dog should or shouldn't be doing doesn't matter. You know your lovely dog and how he is normally. And as you say, if they don't like him or the way he behaves they don't have to come.

[OrangeSunsetSky]

Had a better day today, he's been an angel. Ran around the dog park with his friends, came home and slept. Had a play and a bone and slept again.
Yesterday he was awful, digging holes in the garden, bringing in leaves, branches and getting mud everywhere.
He wrecked his bed, stole 2 sausages from DS plate. I.was fed up😤

[Jouska]

You may have lost some freedom and have some early mornings but you have gained

Beautiful autumn walks everyday

You have gained a family member who will never ever criticise your decisions (unlike other family members by the sound of it)

You have gained a family member who will make you laugh every day and greet you with a happy grin always.

You will always now have a tidy house as you can not leave things lying around

You will always be on the look out for fantastic walks and locations

You could get involved in a dog sport and meet loads of fantastic people and dogs

Christmas with just my dogs sounds like a dream come true tbh - wrap up a few tennis ball and I would be sorted

He is a handsome boy and will make you proud but if he gets too much send him this way..........

[OrangeSunsetSky]

jouska no you can't have him
Your post bought a tear to my eye, and of course you are absolutely right!