did anyone feel like this?

[myermay]

we rehomed a puppy 1 wks ago and shes lovely, she understands lots and does most of toilet outside but i can't help feeling "what on earth have we done". we've wanted a dog for ages, as we are always out at park adn going for walks, but it's such bloody hard work and i feel so tied already. Sorry sounds so pathetic, when will i stop feeling like this? i don't think lack of sleep because she's been crying is really helping much - it's like having a new born!

Introducing a new dog/puppy into your home is a huge upheaval. I think it is perfectly normal to feel like this, although as time passes, and you see her becoming more responsive to your training and therefore fitting into your lifestyle more, I am sure you will feel less tied.

How old is she?

thanks she is 15 wks. I just feel really emotional - which in turn is worryig my because i had pnd with my kids - hoping it's not puppy depression . It's only day 5 so it's early days

They are hard work when they first arrive but it gets easier quicker than it does with a human baby!

What sort of dog is she?

gsd, she's very cute but quite nippy at the moment, so feel like i'm constantly telling her NO. Is it ok to leave her for an hour?

It is like having a new baby.

I had a bit of the "oh, God what have I done" too, especially as I was the one pushing for a dog. DH was not so keen and I was left with the all the work (as agreed, my own fault).

She is now almost a year old and I can't imagine life without her.

What is your puppy's name? Do you have a pic?

Mmelindt, that's exactly it, i was pushing and dh not bothered,and i'll be doing everything! so i can't tell him how i'm feeling

No pics yet i'm afraid, but will take some soon

It will be fine to leave her for an hour, but I would advise getting an indoor kennel/cage to put her in prior to leaving her alone. She is just about at the 'teething' stage' and it really wouldn't help things if you came home to find she had chewed your furniture.

When we had our puppy (he's nearly 10 now), we booked a dog trainer to come around to our house for 3 hours to go through things with us and the children. His advice was invaluable. So useful to have someone give you quality on-to-one advice on training tips and generally living with a dog etc.

That is it. I felt that I could not even moan to DH about how much work she was as he would say, "You wanted a dog. You deal with it"

He probably would not but I felt like it.

I started leaving ours after a week or so, at first just for 15 mins when I went to pick up the DC from school, gradually increasing the time I left her.

We had a cage but have not used it, but then she has never chewed furniture.

If he bites, even gently, put him in a different room for a couple of minutes. Withdraw attention and he will get the message that biting is not acceptable. Do make sure he has a toy or something that he is allowed to chew.

yes i've heard lots of positive things about crates, she did not have one at her previous home, and at night i shut her in the kitchen, but can often hear her bouncing about.

Also sounds good about the the dog trainer. thanks you've helped to put my mind at ease