Dog making me feel miserable

[CreativeMomof2]

Back in March, my oldest daughter's bio dad found an abandoned puppy behind a shopping center. My 11-year-old daughter begged me and her step-father to keep the puppy. I was hesitant about it but agreed to it. We have 2 cats that don't like other animals to begin with. I have a younger daughter as well who is 6 going on 7. They both agreed to walk the dog and feed the dog among other duties. They pretty much have neglected their duties to the dog. So, I am the one who has to do all of the work to care for the dog.
Also, my husband is a truck driver and is gone sometimes for 2 weeks or more. The dog is a lovely dog in many ways but is very needy and requires a lot of attention. I just do not have the time to care for this dog and train it properly. I can't leave the dog by herself for one minute, or she will start chewing on anything and everything. She is very high energy as well.
I have become very depressed because of this situation. It has become a chore that I can't even deal with anymore. My husband understands my feelings about the dog but still wants to keep the dog since I can't find anybody to take her.
How can one live in this constant state of anxiety and misery? I believe it isn't fair to the dog or to me with this current situation.
I just need some advice and to vent since others find me crazy or don't have much to add to about the situation.

Thanks

We got a lab puppy. I did all the research. I work part time so plenty of time to train him. I assumed it would be fine. It was a nightmare, the puppy stage I accepted early wake up etc. but around 5 months he turned into a total sod. Ignored his training, destructive if he felt ignored. So much energy and very needy. I cried a lot, we tried 2 dog trainers and then a behaviouralist who actually helped a lot. We use Kongs, antlers, snuffle pad, lick mat , bones, chews to help. He's obsessed with his ball so that helps on walks. He started to calm down around 18m . He's 2.5 now and considerably better although still a nightmare with strangers. I personally would have rehome him around 6m although dh was dead against it. I love him but he's made our lives a lot more stressful.

Puppies are nightmares. Hopefully it will calm. If it’s too much for you then take it to the rspca or advertise on local Facebook

I'm not sure what you're suggesting OP should advertise in FB for, but if it's to find another home for the dog, then it's a dreadful idea. Please only rehome the dog through a legitimate rescue organisation, OP. There are many horrible people who scan FB etc. looking for dogs to use as bait dogs.

can you get a crate and crate train her?

I know how you feel OP, but at least in our case DH - who along with DS allegedly wanted the dog - does the majority of the care.

I think you need to sit your eldest DD down and tell her she needs to fulfil her part of the bargain and walk the dog or maybe it's simpler just to research rescues. Unfortunately DCs are always going to renege on promises like that - DS certainly did - but you were put on the spot as the dog was abandoned.

Do what you think is right for you and the dog. They can live up to 15 years so it's a very long time to,be unhappy.

I agree with children reneging on responsibility. Also, I have thought about how long this dog will live. I can't see a future with this dog. I will be researching rescues. Thanks for sharing your point of view.

We use a crate already. We can't leave her for a second alone. She can be very destructive. As for training, I have no time to do so. The dog is best in new home with somebody who has the time to devote to the dog one-on-one.

I give you props for sticking it out and training the dog. I do not have it in me to spend the time to do so. I am mentally exhausted at this point.

Definitely surrender her to a reputable rescue. She will be a good candidate for adoption as she's so young and they will do the work of finding a good and suitable home (much more thoroughly than you would be able to do via a private rehoming). I feel bad for you and if you have no time for training she will only get trickier to manage as she enters teenagehood. If your daughter is fixed on the idea of a dog, and if it is something you would entertain under different circumstances, perhaps speak to her about the idea of rehoming a more suitable (calmer, adult?) dog in time.

Thanks for taking the time to write a message. I think you and everybody else has given me some great advice. Many blessings to you.

A lot of these are training issues. You get what you put in, and it sounds like little is being put in. It's like resenting a toddler if you just let them get on with whatever they like. They don't just know how to behave, you need to show them.

And I don't know why this posted on this thread, I was answering a different, more recent one!

Rehoming through a reputable rescue is the kindest thing to do, especially if you don't have time to train and exercise her. It's only a good idea to get a dog ( or most pets ) if you are prepared to do the work involved yourself as children are rarely consistent in looking after them!