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Original poster

new puppy

15 replies

Sabs1979 · 07/08/2018 15:46

Hi everyone,
we got a new puppy(shih tzu) two weeks ago. He will be 11 weeks on Friday. He is generally a good pup, except for his accidents and wild active biting moments. I understand this is just a phase and it will get better. We got a puppy to help with my depression and anxiety I am a little overwhelmed at the moment. I feel like I can't catch a breath. Taking care of my two girls and now our puppy. Hubby works evenings and my girls are 9 and 8. They help out when i ask but it can be a chore sometimes. I love and hate him at the same time. I just want this puppy phase to be over.
We exercise him, train him and play with him. He takes naps in his crate and when I clean he also goes in his crate. To be honest, I question my decision to get a puppy but deep down in my heart, I love him and can't wait until he becomes my companion.
I am hating the potty training it is very difficult. We take him out first thing in the morning, after he eats, after play and after nap and before bed. But sometimes he doesn't always go. I know he can hold his bladder for about 2 hours now. Sorry for the vent but having a moment here.

OP posts:
pigsDOfly · 09/08/2018 14:43

Most new owners get the puppy blues but it sounds like you're doing all the right things. Have you tried posting in the dog house for extra support and ranting, there's a dedicated puppy thread on there.

Original poster
Sabs1979 · 09/08/2018 15:27

Thank you . will look into it.

OP posts:
adaline · 10/08/2018 21:32

I'm sorry to say but it will be like this for a good few months yet.

Ours is six months and still a lot of work. He's less bitey but still does it when he's over-excited or over-tired. He's only just started to let us know that he needs the toilet in the last few days - otherwise we had to take him out regularly to prevent accidents.

At 11 weeks you need to be taking him out every 20-30 minutes when awake - and every time he shows signs of needing to go (sniffing and circling are the main ones, and squatting).

When he's had his injections I would strongly recommend puppy classes. They were invaluable for us and he absolutely loved it. He passed foundation last month and starts the second level in September. He knows sit, paw, lie down, leave and stay.

And don't forget puppies don't need much exercise. At his age he doesn't need any walks at all, from three months (after jabs) it's five minutes per month of age, upto twice a day. Too much exercise is bad for their joints and will only make them over-tired and hyper.

Original poster
Sabs1979 · 10/08/2018 23:39

Thank you. We have been walking about 10 mins a day as he seems to enjoy it. Never pushed him. He just followed me on his leash and after his walk he had a good rest.
He knows how to sit, stay, leave it and we are in the process of teaching fetch. I have been training with him daily on those and has grasped them quite quickly.

I will continue working on the potty. I guess I just have to be extremely patient.

OP posts:
confusedmomm · 10/08/2018 23:55

Puppy phase will last for another 6 months easily. Keep at it, will be worth it. You'll have a non judgemental best friend for life.

confusedmomm · 10/08/2018 23:57

Is there any puppy class you can send him to locally? The very first day mine went to doggy daycare for puppies, he came back, went out in the garden and lifted his leg and wee'd. They learn a lot from watching the other dogs as well. Very much like children do. If there are no classes take him to the park where he can play with other dogs and watch them do their business and fetch etc
Just keep an eye on other dogs around as it's not uncommon for older dogs to be snappy with puppies

JoanneIrel18 · 13/08/2018 16:41

Hi, I got a puppy last week and already considering rehoming her. Last week i hardly ate due to anxiety, I thought the puppy would help! How wrong was I, I have a 9yr old daughter and my husband works away. I also work part time near where we live so can come home at lunchtime. Puppy cries what feels like all night! Daughter is incredibly jealous and had friend round who want to play with the dog whilst she does not! I feel like I've made a huge mistake!

adaline · 14/08/2018 18:42

I also work part time near where we live so can come home at lunchtime. Puppy cries what feels like all night!

Please don't tell me you're leaving a tiny puppy on its own all day, with just a pop-in visit at lunchtime?!

JoanneIrel18 · 14/08/2018 19:12

Puppy is left 3hrs in the morning and 3hrs in the afternoon. I come home at lunchtime for approximately 1hr. Most people I spoken with leave there puppies that amount of time. She doesn't soil her crate and when i come home at lunch she is quiet.

adaline · 14/08/2018 19:13

Just because lots of people do it doesn't mean it's okay. The recommendation for adult dogs is 4 hours/day maximum, not in one go and certainly you shouldn't be leaving a puppy alone for six hours a day on any kind of regular basis.

adaline · 14/08/2018 19:15

not in one go

By that I mean, it's four hours/day total, not four hours, then a break, and another four hours.

aaarrrggghhhh · 14/08/2018 19:17

@JoanneIrel18 6 hours alone is not AT ALL okay for a little puppy! That's terrible.

I suggest you should rehome.

adaline · 14/08/2018 19:19

Thank goodness you popped up @aaarrrggghhhh

Unfortunately I see so many people get puppies and just leave them on their own while they work, it's horrible. I'm a member of a breed specific group on Facebook and one young girl got a puppy and is leaving it alone for 8 hours/day at 10 weeks old Angry

She then posts regularly about how her pup messes in it's crate all the time (duh!), cries whenever they leave and can't be toilet trained.

I really think some people shouldn't be allowed to keep pets...

aaarrrggghhhh · 14/08/2018 19:26

@adaline it gives me the rage! These poor little pups are so vulnerable and dependent. So many people don't understand the emotional needs of dogs (as well as needing to be able to go the toilet).

My boy's just getting to 18 months and it has been an ENORMOUS amount of work raising him. But I just look at him and think every single aspect of your life is totally dependent on me!

The max I leave him for is four hours total in a day - more than that and someone comes in to play with him or he goes to doggy daycare or home boarding. He also goes out for countryside adventures four times a week while I work at home.

And even then I still feel guilty because I know he gets a bit bored sometimes.

I think there should be a licensing system and a lot more public upfront information given to new dog owners.

adaline · 14/08/2018 19:34

Yeah, ours is six months old and goes to daycare when we're at work. I could never leave him home alone all day - I know how bored he'd get! I don't know how people can justify it - maybe very old dogs who sleep all day might be okay on their own, but a baby? Just no, it's not right.

Dogs are social animals and crave company, you can't expect them to be happy and well-adjusted if you leave them on their own in a crate all day. I have no issue with crate-training when done properly, but people who just go to work and stick their dog in a crate, and do the same overnight give me the rage - what's the point in getting a dog if it's going to spend the majority of it's life alone in a box?

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