To re home my new puppy?

[anidiotathome]

I got a puppy 4 weeks ago. She really settled into our family (me and dd who is 9) well. She has been really quite easy. I have often spoken about how I think pets (where possible) should come in pairs to keep each other company, however this wasn't financially feasible for me.

My dad is quite a lonely and isolated man, and has been speaking about getting a puppy for a while. I suggested that there was still a pup from my puppy's litter available and why doesn't he go for that. He said no because he would be embarrassed to be seen out and about walking with her (Chihuahua). He then did a 180 and decided he would do it.

So I arranged it through the breeder. Exchanged money and she was happy the pup was going to him as would mean that my pup and his could play etc. However, on the drive home he said, 'surprise, I got this for your 30th birthday'.

My 30th is 4 weeks away. I didn't know how to respond and felt awkward as he'd just spent 700 pounds on the puppy and then an additional 200 pounds buying all her stuff. I just acted really surprised and grateful but had a bad feeling.

Now I've only had her since Monday and she is lovely but her and my other pup are fighting a lot and it is soooo much more hard work having two rather than one. Where my first pup is basically potty trained and crate trained and was coming on with commands it's starting again with the new pup and that's really hard to do with two.

Every day since I've got her I've just wanted to cry. I feel like neither are getting my attention, whereas I was really enjoying my time with my first pup and absolutely loved it. I don't feel like I can bond with the new pup. I am beyond irritable and stressed and my daughter is noticing.

I just don't know what to do. I feel so sad that my dad has spent all this money but I just don't feel like the new pup fits in and as if I love her as much as my first pup. I suppose he could have her but he doesn't really want her and I couldn't go back to the breeder I feel embarrassed and as if the pup wasn't being cared for properly there. She looked awful when we picked her up.

I just feel like I'm trapped and have lots of years of this ahead of me and the new pup seems really happy with us and has become quite attached so I worry about that and about how my first pup will react if she has to go. I also feel like first pup is regressing with training and have barely had a minute to train either since Monday.

I was thinking it's only been a couple of days. Should I give it a month, like a cut off date and then just be honest with my dad? My little girl loves the new pup as well and keeps saying I can't believe we have two puppies. I'm just so upset this is happening. I wish I hadn't suggested him getting her. I think at first he bought her for himself then thought again and since money exchanged hands felt he couldn't go back.

Pain. Keep him, in a few days you'll feel better about it and in 2 weeks you wouldn't be without either. But it's awful when people buy pets for other people, that's how I got this 🐕 here. He's a cutie but I would NEVER have chosen him myself.

I couldn't go back to the breeder I feel embarrassed and as if the pup wasn't being cared for properly there. She looked awful when we picked her up
So a puppy farmer then???

If you don't want her it would be kindest to rehome her. If your dad won't have her, will the breeder take her back - for partial refund? Kinder to act early, before she is attached to you. Personally, I would take the financial loss, and give back or to a reputable rehoming centre, rather than risk her being passed around.

Having two puppies at the same time is a really bad idea unless you both want to AND know what you're doing.
Google littermate syndrome. Rehome the 2nd pup, it's for the best.

Your dad got you a surprise puppy for your bday? Even though you got one a month ago?

I know he's your dad and all but aren't you just a little bit annoyed at this insane decision??

Just read your update, definately not back to breeder then 😢Dogs trust/RSPCA?

I got a border terrier puppy years ago, a much longed for and saved up for pup. However I realised fairly quickly that my energy levels couldn't keep up and I was rapidly going downhill, (I have chronic health conditions.)
I phoned up the breeder and she said she would phone her list of people waiting and it was best to do it quickly so he would settle well with his new family, and also, importantly, while he still had puppy appeal.
I got about 75% of my money back but was so relieved once I'd made the decision. I cried a bit too.
I actually knew the family he went to and saw him occasionally; he had a long and happy life.
Do what's best for you and then look into what solutions are available. If you don't trust the breeder then look elsewhere, maybe the vet as a source of information? He/she might know of someone looking for a Chiwawa. Good luck, that's a tough thing to do.

So you got a dog from a puppy farmer and then encouraged your dad to get another dog from the same puppy farmer?

Then you agreed to take the second dog with yours with absolutely no preparation and no research into littermate syndrome?

I despair, I really do.

Yabu to go to a breeder. Gross.

Poor puppies 😞

I thought you weren't supposed to have 2 puppies from the same litter, due to litter litter mate syndrome?

I've no idea what littermate syndrome is, could someone please explain it?

Try this

Points for a pointless comment. For plenty of people, getting a puppy from a breeder is a rational and sensible decision.

OP, two puppies together can work if you are prepared to train each puppy individually and give them time apart. However, it's not something I would do (and I have owned dogs for almost 20 years, having grown up with them).

Even if you didn't do adequate due diligence on the breeder, it's not your fault that you have ended up with the second puppy. Chat to your dad about him having the puppy, and explain why you can't have two. If he doesn't want the puppy, and the breeder is no good, rehoming is your best bet. Your vet may know of someone looking for a puppy, but in any case a young puppy will be easy for a rescue to re-home.

This. I give up. Those poor dogs.

So you got a dog from a puppy farmer and then encouraged your dad to get another dog from the same puppy farmer?

Then you agreed to take the second dog with yours with absolutely no preparation and no research into littermate syndrome?

I despair, I really do.

I agree and I find it very hard to believe someone would buy someone a puppy for their birthday as a surprise, especially one that was so expensive.
If it is true you would say you don’t want it and return it straight away.

Give the puppy to the RSPCA and report them for being puppy farmers and keeping dogs in bad conditions.

Also the earliest you get rid of it the more chance it will have to get a home.

That was a very stupid thing for your Dad to do and if the breeder knew then they are not a reputable breeder and you need to be careful about the health of your own puppy.
Return to the breeder ASAP and explain or if you must lie and say your Dad can’t cope. Are the chip, papers etc in your name?

As an owner of 2 chihuahuas this is quite upsetting.That poor puppy.

Dear god, you dad is an idiot. You don’t buy a dog for someone else as a surprise present. Especially when they’ve just got one.
If you can’t keep the second pup, rehome responsibly (Dogs Trust etc) asap. Not with your dad, not just because he’s embarrassed to be seen with a Chi but because he’s obviously clueless.

Your dad is just thick and thoughtless. The breeder sounds dire. I'd advertise the puppy myself at a loss and try to make sure it gets a really good home. Too bad about your father's money - it's a tax on stupidity.

Your dad is a twat, the breeder is a twat.

Rehome the second one, please. Don't advertise it, take it to a shelter.

@anidiotathome
IF the ''Breeder'' is responsible, they will happily take the puppy back.

Ours had a years financial ''Refund'' of either 100%, 50% or 25% for a year.

The Breeder will take back any dog she has bred regardless of age.

BUT, she is diligent, has maybe one litter every 3 years.

Your dad was irresponsible doing this.

Take pup back, as littermate syndrome can be a real problem.

Your dad ought to know NEVER give pets as presents.

Our pup's sister coincidentally lives 3 miles away, but when they meet, they play {Roughly!} ..it would be a nightmare to have them both full time.

Individually they are easy.

Report the breeder and take your dogs to puppy classes and behavioural classes, you can find free ones.
If you still can't cope once you've put some training in then go to rspca or wood green if you're near enough. X