Getting new puppy in one weeks time

[Puppypanic]

Suddenly scared witless!

Is this normal like that feeling you get before you give birth or get married?

Is it good to suddenly be getting terrified, does it mean I'm not undertaking this lightly? It's such a massive commitment and undertaking. I've had a dog before but many moons ago.

I've thought about nothing else since the end of last year, researched, visited breeders, getting pup from very reputable, responsible breeder.

I over think everything and definitely suffer from analysis paralysis.

Please help calm me down. I know it's what we all want as a family just scary, sure it will all be fine when I can just get stuck in with the care and training etc.

Did anyone else feel the same and was it all ok?

She is now 12 weeks and sat at my feet enjoying a little company before bed

Thank you doghousers!

I sort of feel relieved but still scared and a bit trapped in a way as such an unknown entity. Saying that, im totally besotted with him already so real mixture of emotions and hope I will relax as we get into a routine. He's been such a good boy but very tired after his long day so sleeping a lot. I'm dog tired too ho ho, but fully expect to be up again shortly. He's weeing well in the garden but no poo yet, doubtless that will come at 3am!

He is a Dalmatian Nuggets, not sure how to do the picture thing but will try in the coming week.

Socialisation starts tomorrow in my arms around the town etc and visit to the vet to say hello.

Ah honey sounds so sweet! Did you have fears before you got your pup?

He just groaned and stretched in his bed and gave me the fright of my life!!

Tell me people can get hay fever and not necessarily be prone to animal allergies?!

My DH has bad hay fever but absolutely no dog allergy.

Grimma, you have given me some hope - thank you !

DP and I also suffer from hayfever but have no allergies to any animals!

a dalmation! . No wonder you are panicking! Thwy are reputedly very high energy/

He's absolutely gorgeous I have to say. Met all sorts today on our socialisation trip, don't know who is more exhausted him or me!

I would worry whatever the breed, it's the commitment for the next 15 years potentially that scares the living do daa out of me!

I didn't have the fears before, no. I didn't have time , she was a very unexpected addition after we lost Dragon Dog very suddenly.

I did spend a week sitting up bolt up right in bed at 3am going ohfuckohfuckohfuckwhathave Idone!!??!! Whilst Hully slept peacefully downstairs, but I'm cool now, and so's the pup.

Did he sleep well last night?

Oh I'm so glad it's not just me lying there in the early hours thinking hell what have we done. I felt really down at 5am this morning but as the day wore on I felt better. Not sure, it comes in waves of totally loving it and then being terrified!

Last night wasn't too bad. He settled well and didn't wake until 5am and that was only because my children came in demanding to see him grrrr!

He's just been sick, oh the joys!

oh PP - you are doing great. It is proba a massive adjustment. anyone would be anxious, especially if it is in your nature anyway. You will be fine. You ahve taken the plunge and any negative feelings you have are transitory. You are going to be great xx

It's worth it. Hully is my third Lab, I wouldn't keep doing this to myself if it wasn't although I'd prefer it if the telephone line currently wasn't chewed in half. It's like children, some days you want to pop them out the front door and bolt it, others it's a privilege to have their company.

Also you feel like you have a bit more freedom once they've had their jabs and you can walk them, it gets the structure back in your day then

Hey puppypanic we have had our dalmatian for 4 years now and I still have "what have I done days!" but the positives out way the negatives and I wouldn't be without the daft dog now! We have 2 DD's 7 + 3 and the dog behaves much better for them than she does me, we have massive garden and she races round like a whippet tiring herself out so walks end up being for socialisation more than exercise. Tried taking her for a run once but she's too nosy and kept getting distracted! Oh and all the cuddles as a pup have left me with a large dog that thinks she's a lap dog! So much fun is coming your way!

Thank you everyone. I think it is just such a huge adjustment to our lives as he should be of course. I'm sure it gets easier after they have had their jabs as you can actually take them properly out. We have a big garden too although he's scared to venture too far from the back door but I'm guessing that won't last long!

Oh god he's eating or trying to eat a slug .....

slugs are very dangerous to dogs!!!!

I scooped it up and binned it immediately .

Just had first visit to the vet, he howled all the way there and back - will he get used to the car? I'm feeding him treats in his little pod and sitting out there with him not going anywhere sometimes.

Had his first jab and was so good bless.

Hey Puppypanic - how's it going?

If he isnt great with traveling you will have to train him to be ok. Starting off with not going anywhere. Dont fuss or treat or give him attention if he is uncomfortable or whining.

He's fabulous Misery! He is such a good boy with his toileting and crating. The car is the only issue. I put him in there with the children yesterday, all of them playing in the boot and around the seats, his little pod was in there too and he enjoyed scrambling in and out of it. Should I gradually go on to starting the engine but not going anywhere etc?

Both mine were fully toilet trained in less than 2 weeks, they pick it up pretty quickly!

If I was you I would only reward behavior that is calm and quite to show him that's how you expect him to be in the car. I don't let the DCs make too much of a fuss either as the dog might think it's a time for playing etc.

If he seems ok with just getting in and out and sitting, laying down, having a chew or something in there with the doors/boot shut I would move on to turning the engine on for just a minute and see how he reacts. Then gradually build it up in minutes and maybe rev the car gently etc and then just drive up the drive and back or something. Baby steps until he gets it.

Dalmatian's are well known for 'remembering' bad things so you have to be gentle if you see what I mean. They're sensitive souls at heart!