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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

Aibu to update on my last thread. Dog rehoming.

23 replies

flirtygirl · 27/06/2019 11:08

Hi I posted a few weeks ago about being overwhelmed with my first puppy. My daughter aged 9, 10 last week was also overwhelmed.

However we kept the puppy. I read about the puppy blues and knew we had to keep the puppy. I have been okay, cleaning up has not broken me, my home no longer feels invaded. My ocd has adapted like when I had to change my daughters nappies. It has become part of our family.

She sleeps through the night no crying. She is crate trained and loves her bed and crate. I don't allow her on the beds or sofas but she okay with that. Our garden is secure so I leave the back door open for her and she is nearly getting the habit of walks means I poo and wee and seems to be holding herself for walks rather than going in the house. Lots of accidents but getting far less.

She is also on a harness and leash and loves it.

I could not have seen this turnaround 3 weeks ago. She is funny and naughty being only a baby but she will settle down even more and it's a joy to watch like having a toddler in the house.

My thread was taken down as people really piled on and attacked me. I think I was overwhelmed because of the external pressures on me and maybe should have waited a few more months to get our puppy.

However this has taken me years to get to this stage and she is a part of our family and I would not be without her now and I just wanted to update the people who had given me kind support and understanding on my last thread.

OP posts:

MoreOfADogPerson · 27/06/2019 11:11

I'm so pleased for you - I remember your last thread. It sounds like you're doing brilliantly. How old is your puppy now? (Also, what breed is she? I can't remember from your previous).

I have an almost eight-month-old sprocker puppy who is full on, but it's delightful watching him grow. He's just started sleeping until about 7.30am and I feel like a new woman as a result!

honeygirlz · 27/06/2019 11:36

My thread was taken down as people really piled on and attacked me. I think I was overwhelmed because of the external pressures on me and maybe should have waited a few more months to get our puppy.

I thought you agreed with the breeder that they would take him back?

People didn't attack you OP, they said that you should have done your research before getting a puppy and not relied on your young dd to assume responsibility for him.

I admit I was very irritated by your post. I hope things work out but I still feel sorry for that puppy.

SickOfBeingFat · 27/06/2019 11:39

Well done, OP! Getting a dog is a massive commitment and you seem to have stepped up and made things work. I hope they continue to

Everanewbie · 27/06/2019 11:45

So glad to hear this OP. It gets easier. Plenty of captain hindsight's on here. I loved my puppy to bits but regretted getting him a lot. It got easier, he picked up his toilet habits, stopped chewing the chairs etc. He's along way from perfect, and there are some major drawbacks with dog ownership, but mine has enriched my life beyond measure. The good bits completely outweigh the bad.

PeePooAndPaperOnly · 27/06/2019 11:46

It only gets better flirtygirl
Put in the hard work now and it will pay dividends

Schuyler · 27/06/2019 12:11

I don’t think it’s that abnormal to have regrets. I found it very hard work and was permanently scared that I was messing it all up with my dog. I stuck it out and we had a lovely family pet who sadly died last month. Honestly, I think it’s ok to think ”I don’t want you because I can’t do this and you’d be happier elsewhere” while doing all the right things; training, cuddles and walks etc.

MatildaTheCat · 27/06/2019 12:15

Really pleased for you.

@honeygirlz what a nasty post. The OP was given a pasting on her last thread and she took it on the chin and worked on dealing with her feelings and is now updating us. Yet you still need to put the boot in.

ImNotReallyAWaitress · 27/06/2019 12:39

How is that even a nasty post?
They just posted a recap / summary. ❄️

Yeahnahmum · 27/06/2019 12:46

What did you expected a puppy to be then? Easy? . Glad you kept it. It is going to suck for months to come. And then you will have a dog and the fun begins. Unless you have a crazy dog that will take years to settle down and not being a complete nutjob (like mine) but they become part of your family. And you will love them so much. Well, hopefully

geekone · 27/06/2019 13:03

I have a crazy dog! They are way more fun.

Congratulations OP glad to hear it all worked out, those initial weeks are hell no matter what research you do.

geekone · 27/06/2019 13:05

I also agree @honeygirlz your post was uncalled for I am sure the OPs dog is happy and loved and doesn’t need your pity.

Cryalot2 · 27/06/2019 13:20

Flirtygirl it was lovely to read your post. I am so glad all has worked out. We leave our conservatory door open as it opens onto the secure part of the garden .
Things will only get better., when you are out with her other dog owners often chat.

My wee dog is unreal. Recently I had a bad fall and a heavy stool fell on my arm and I banged my head and and after an hour was going into shock.
She licked my face when I fell (I think I knocked myself out. ) then with her little head pushed the heavy stool off my arm and then lay in close to me and kept me warm when I went into shock.

Once you get over the initial training and things settle down , they become family .
May your family and dog have a wonderful time .

Original poster

flirtygirl · 27/06/2019 15:47

Thanks everyone. That few days were awful but we turned it around. I do most of the work and I'm happy to do so and we have really bonded. Lots of lovely cuddles, the puppy has a lovely life with us and it's making me more active.

It's good as we do have a lot of time to spend with her and she can come most places with us. I stay with her whilst my daughter does her lessons and activities, the rest of the time she is with us all.

Our time is spent at home, parks or visiting family and friends and she welcome at all places. My mum acts like she has gained another grandchild so that's good too.

I took loads of tips from the last thread about the constant taking her out as we were doing so hourly, so changed it to the suggested every 30 mins plus with her able to go out by herself, the training has got easier. Crate training made a big difference and she loves snuggling up in there when she's had enough playing.

I think her teen days may be hard but I've read up on it. She is a beautiful puppy and will be a gorgeous dog.

OP posts:

Original poster

flirtygirl · 27/06/2019 15:49

cryalot2 your dog sounds fab, helping you like that. Hope you are better now.

OP posts:

TanyaChix · 27/06/2019 20:16

This is great- your hard work has paid off

RickJames · 27/06/2019 20:26

That's great! I have a Havanese which are notorious for shitting/pissing in the house. It's been really hard and she still sometimes does it if left alone for a couple of hours. I'm the other hand she is a ball of love and concern and makes our family complete. She also doesn't smell or chew things so I'm happy about that.
Enjoy your dog!

Weatherforducks · 27/06/2019 20:53

What a lovely post to read! I got my dog at 18 months (still with many of the ‘puppy issues’). I had always loved dogs, my DH not so much. But I pestered and pestered and he gave in. The first few months with her were horrendous! Not helped with a months worth of rain in the first few weeks (in my head it had been hazy summer evenings of long walks with a final stop off at the local). I was soaked for at least the first four weeks of walking her...and she was a nightmare. We had dog trainers in, dog classes to attend (which she was banned from because of her barking). Before her, I had thought I was quite an experienced dog owner...oh how I laugh now. In all seriousness, it was the closest me and DH got to divorce. So well done for sticking it out...we did too, and it’s one of the best things we ever did. She is one of us. She still has her quirks, but I wouldn’t swap her for the world. And now with two kids in tow, she is my little bit of sanity and we share many hazy summer evening walks together.

helen650 · 27/06/2019 20:56

That’s lovely :) sounds like she’s settling in. It must have been hard especially if you have OCD. Enjoy your dog and all the lovely walks you’ll have

StillWould · 27/06/2019 21:00

Really lovely to read this, thanks for updating OP.

Lizzielocket · 27/06/2019 21:04

I remember your last thread op and I felt really sorry for you.
Bloody well done with sticking with it, you will reap the rewards and have a well trained pet.
I’ve had a fair amount of experience with dogs, I’m on my 3rd large breed, she now 2 but my goodness I’d never known anything like it when she was between 6-12 months. She was awful, I almost rehomed her several times, she reduced me to tears with her constant crapping in the house and chewing of everything. She is now a well behaved if still slightly bouncy young dog. Love her to bits.
Ignore the pp comment about pitying your pup, just plain nasty.
Keep going op, it sounds like your pup is much loved and a member of your family now.

MoreOfADogPerson · 27/06/2019 21:32

OP,
I've just come back from an hour in the pub where DDog was, yes, still very lively, but overall behaved himself, enjoyed seeing the other dogs and is now contentedly having some treats at home. Looking forward to this happening for you too.

Purplejay · 27/06/2019 21:38

Aw this is lovely to read. i think a lot of people who get a puppy think what have I done at least once! Keep up with the training. She sounds fab!

Deadringer · 27/06/2019 21:39

I remember your thread op, I followed it with interest although i didn't post on it. That is an amazing update, so happy that it all worked out.

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