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Puppy dilemma - it’s not her, it’s us

332 replies

neverwakeasleepingpuppy · 14/06/2025 15:45

Brought home a gorgeous 2 month puppy two weeks ago; the kids wanted one for years, DP and I are mildly pro-dog, thought it’d be great for us as a family, everyone says they’re great, unconditional love blah blah.

Being fair, she’s a perfect puppy so far - quickly getting the crate and toilet training and is now sleeping through from 11-7am, minimal accidents in the house. Hard work but manageable.

We are the problem - despite her gorgeousness, we are all a little meh. DD2 seems to be allergic; puffy eyes and sneezing. The kids have zero interest - spent maybe 30mins with her since she landed. DP and I are enjoying her somewhat but also my OCD is going through the roof, googling amputees from dog licks etc.

Am interested to hear others views on this as I think it’s a case of it’s not her, it’s us …. the breeder is fine to take her back as she has a waiting list for an adorable puppy who is mostly trained! Just wondering if it’s fairer all around to do this?

OP posts:
itgetsthehoseagain · 14/06/2025 16:54

She’s being responsible after realising her mistake; this is what happens sometimes 🫤

Summerdogdays · 14/06/2025 16:53

neverwakeasleepingpuppy · 14/06/2025 16:12

Well, the consensus is that we are horrible people which is fair enough, I am properly upset about it.

The thing is, it wasn’t a snap decision. We already have a much loved cat; we waited 2+ years until the dog could have proper space. In the meanwhile we dog-sat friend’s dogs to see what it was like and had no reason then to think about allergies - turns out that both of our friends dogs are non shedding types.

It’s also not about the work, it really isn’t. We have been sleeping on the couch beside her, outside playing for hours every day, she has lots of cuddles, toys, treats - it’s been tough but I don’t work and the teens are helping so she’s getting lots of attention.

We just don’t adore her and it’s a really tough and horrible thing to say but I think that’s the reality of it.

I know it's not the same
But I took on a relatives 10 year old dog ..really didn't want to .but the was no other option ( that I'd consider)
I really resented him at first ,would of given him back gladly in the first month.
By 6 weeks ,his feet were under the table and he was my dog ..I don't even know how or when it happened..I just fell in love with him.
So maybe the same will happen for you too

AmelieSummer25 · 14/06/2025 16:53

godmum56 · 14/06/2025 16:39

or no pet at all people....

So you think they should get rid of their much loved cat or haven't you bothered to read the OP's posts??

Namechanger1993 · 14/06/2025 16:53

Cockerpoo? Labradoodle? SomE sort of spaniel or retriever are my guess.

But first post nails it. It shouldn’t be this hard and as many posters have said you don’t buy pets for kids.

Send her back. Don’t ever get another pet

Todayisaday · 14/06/2025 16:52

Send her back. Dogs are such a huge commitment. We dog sat one for two weeks after kids and husband have been begging for years to get one, they walked it once, i ended up doing all feeding and walking and although they liked her they just werent bothered to interact, walk, feed etc.
Its ok to decide now that you dont want her, if the breeder is going to take her back then that is a great solution.
Otherwise two decades of having a dog you dont want that needs love, care and time is not going to be a goos idea

CantStopMoving · 14/06/2025 16:52

My friend desperately wanted some kittens for her children to grow up with so when an opportunity to get some came up she took it. She was so excited but she realised with 3 small children and energetic kittens it just was all too much. She preserved for a few months but she was miserable and she realised the children were too young to look after the kittens. So she rehomed them to someone she knew and they have a happy life.

fast forward 5 years and the children are older she tried again and got 1 older cat this time and she is loving it! Nothing like last time. Just a case of wrong cat, wrong time.

sounds like the same for you OP. Not a failure of it doesn’t work out now. Things might change in the future.

StarDolphins · 14/06/2025 16:51

This folks, is why the rescue centres are full. Op, you should’ve decide BEFORE getting a puppy whether you can fully commit for over a decade.

Take her back to the breeder and please don’t ever get another pet.

This is one of the most irresponsible posts I’ve seen on here.

ButteredRadish · 14/06/2025 16:49

That poor, poor little dog 😢😡
We got a puppy at the end of April and he’s the most amazing thing to happen since DC was born, we love him to pieces! Puppies need love, cuddles and playing with. Lots of walkies (once they’ve had second injections obvs) and even more love.

Motheroffive999 · 14/06/2025 16:48

The kindest and best thing for the puppy is to return to the breeder asap , unless you feel that you would feel utterly heartbroken to never see her again.
You are not wrong by doing this , there are many people who get a dog , realise it's too much but keep the dog anyway and the dog doesn't always get the love and attention it deserves.
For me I feel that a dog is like a child and they are hard work and I have three large dogs aged 10 , 8 and 1.They are my world.I love them more than holidays , eating out , shopping.I love walking them and spoiling them and I spend alot of time in mud or in the vets and I wouldn't have it any other way.I have never regretted them for one minute ,ever .It is ok to return your puppy to the breeder but do it soon ,don't expect a refund.
To the lady who lost her dog recently, I am so sorry.

CantStopMoving · 14/06/2025 16:48

tropicalteas · 14/06/2025 15:57

Ffs it’s not that they aren’t a decent family ! One has allergies and it hasn’t worked out. They are very responsible for reconsidering the situation so quickly and speaking to
the breeder.

Exactly. Sometimes how you imagine how it is going to be doesn’t match the reality. The dog will be rehomed. It will not suffer from abandonment. Better to give the dog the best life than them muddling through

saltinesandcoffeecups · 14/06/2025 16:48

Now I do think some are being unfair in this thread @neverwakeasleepingpuppy . You don’t sound like a horrible person and your situation doesn’t require you to be dragged into the town square to be pelted with rotten fruit.

But if you are questioning keeping your puppy this much I really would make your decision sooner than later. You said yourself there is a waiting list with the breeder and it’s not good for the puppy to bond with you and age only to be rehomed later. The wait and see approach suggested by some in this thread is only good if you learn to love your puppy. What happens if you don’t? That really would be a sad existence for your dog. Sure, I would expect you would perform all the necessary things for it, but it doesn’t sound like you’d show a lot of affection.

lowlight · 14/06/2025 16:48

Don't waste any more time canvassing opinons and thinking about it - that is not fair on the puppy. You should return her tomorrow.

Do not even consider chatting it through with the kids.

Perimenoanti · 14/06/2025 16:48

Two weeks is so early. I think you should give her back because she deserves full commitment. But also, why do you expect to totally adore her after two weeks. I introduced cats a few months ago and it was hell. I didn't like many parts of it, but I was committed and it wasn't even a question. I did wonder at times whether I made the right decision for them, not for me.

Now a few months down the line and the work as eased and I sleep during the night again I see the personality of the new kitten and start to love it. It's all about bonding and it just takes time.

Agapornis · 14/06/2025 16:47

I have two cats adopted simultaneously. One I loved from the start, one who took a while to grow on me. It's fine.

Re allergies, give it longer than two weeks. I am allergic to most cats initially, but after a couple of months my body builds up the immune system/antibodies to deal with it.

AmelieSummer25 · 14/06/2025 16:46

@neverwakeasleepingpuppy

some people don't feel 'besotted' 'in love''adoring' whatever you want to call it immediately, some people take a long time to feel that way.

maybe you would if you kept her, but maybe you wouldn't & to me, that's too big a risk to take for her.

At the moment she's still a very young puppy & you've done the early stages well for her. The breeder has families who would love to take her & give her her forever home. That's the kindest thing you can do for her now.

Even teens are ho claim to adore the dog generally don't have much time me for them as it's a stage of life to become independent & they focus on their friends & activities.

dog sitting was obviously a novelty, ownership is SO different.

i hope you can get help with your OCD.🤗

pinkstripeycat · 14/06/2025 16:46

Beetletweetle · 14/06/2025 15:47

Send her back as soon as possible so she can go to a decent family and never get another animal again.

Agree!

Sunshineandoranges · 14/06/2025 16:45

Fingeronthebutton · 14/06/2025 16:40

There should be a law to stop people like you owning animals 😡

Why so nasty?

Paperpensanddustmotes · 14/06/2025 16:44

We got an puppy just over a month ago, my dream dog since I was about 8.
I spent the first week regretting it, hiding in the loo trying to not cry. The following week I kept trying to think of plausible reasons to give the dog back without me looking like a monster. I was dreading coming home, full of anxiety and to be honest, a lot of resentment that my husband was bonding with him so much better than me.
Then I didn't cry about it for 24 hours, then 48 and now it's been two weeks and he's properly settling with us, his training is going well, I'm not losing the will to live and I enjoy spending time with him! Just like childhood me knew she would. The puppy blues are a real thing!

Seasidelife1 · 14/06/2025 16:42

It sounds like she’s a great puppy and despite you only being mildly pro dog you did try and prepare for dog ownership, you’ve also done all the right things since she arrived. There are ways you can control allergies (dander wipes for the pup etc) but at the end of the day she doesn’t have your hearts. She’s young enough to settle with a new family who will give her a good life and that is probably best all round. Sometimes things just don’t work out but it’s not for want of trying.

Melsy88 · 14/06/2025 16:42

Fingeronthebutton · 14/06/2025 16:40

There should be a law to stop people like you owning animals 😡

If only there was a law to stop you voicing your stupid opinions too.

Boomer55 · 14/06/2025 16:41

Rehome as soon as you can. It’s not working for you as a family.

Fingeronthebutton · 14/06/2025 16:40

There should be a law to stop people like you owning animals 😡

Lotsofsnacks · 14/06/2025 16:40

Please never get another dog, poor thing

godmum56 · 14/06/2025 16:39

ttcat37 · 14/06/2025 16:38

It’s normal not to feel a bond with the dog immediately. It’s not a baby, there’s no instinctive connection. But you do have to want to spend the hours, make the effort, do the classes and include the dog in order to create that bond. Allergies are difficult to get past and I’d say your defeatist attitude might indicate that dog ownership isn’t for you. There’s nothing wrong with being cat people.

or no pet at all people....

Newnameshoos · 14/06/2025 16:39

neverwakeasleepingpuppy · 14/06/2025 16:18

Well, most so far are saying that we should at this stage. How did you feel about yours in the first few months?

I adored my girl from the moment I set eyes on her photo. I absolutely hated her when I was up at 2am for toilet breaks with her and I was exhausted. And when she became stubborn as she went into toddler stage, was teething and everything was fair game. Aka landshark stage! Now, she's a very elderly lady and I dread the day when we have to let her go.
I think you do make mistakes with your first pup. It's inevitable. If your heart doesn't melt when you cuddle them though, I'm not sure what will get you through the rough points.