Can I learn to love my dog?

[MyGastIsFlabbered]

Adopted a dog in December, my children adore her. But she drives me crazy, she's so boisterous and is always jumping up on me. And don't get me started on having to pick up her dog poo 🤢

I'm not and never would be cruel to her but I want to love her. Is it likely to come in time or is mild annoyance at her the best I can hope for. As I said, the DCs adore her so she's definitely staying with us, rehoming isn't an option.

OP, I completely understand how you're feeling. I grew up with dogs and would love to fave one now, but I know I'm too lazy to walk it and too inconsistent to train it, so I've resisted the urge.

You know how unrewarding DC can be when they're super young? But how proud you feel when they do something you've taught them to do? I'm sure it'll be like that with your little puffie.

Good luck!

With respect OP, it can't be a huge surprise to learn that when you get a dog you have to walk it, train it and pick up its poop??

If you didn't want to do any of the above, perhaps you shouldn't have got a dog??

Oh boy! avocados that's quite a face plant! I couldn't bear to listen to gasping noises with collar and lead. Mine did it even with minimal pressure on collar, but is fine with harness.
Good luck OP, I hope you're feeling better about your lovely dog soon. All credit to you for thinking/talking about it and looking for a solution

I’m the same OP - I detest the poop picking. I try to do the garden every morning an evening so it’s only a two minute job (I have two cocker spaniels)
I love the walks though, but as a PP said, it’s much nicer once our dog is trained to walk to heel. Most food-orientated dogs are generally really happy with some cubes of cheese/meat as a reward and will do anything to get them, so I think with some consistent effort from you, you can have her walking to heel really quickly.

Also, when she jumps up - say ‘NO’ and turn your back on her, every single time. She will soon get the message.

I'm a bit lost looking at harnesses, I've only ever used a collar and lead can anyone recommend a good one?

Take the dog to a good quality pet shop and get them to fit a harness to suit your dog. There are so many different types out there that you might have to shop around.

It's not a case of just buying one and taking it home. If it doesn't fit correctly the dog will be able to pull out of it. And of course you don't want it to be too tight.

My dog is small, and with some harnesses bits of it will adjust to fit her ok but another bit will be at the extreme end of the adjustment and won't work.

Perfect fit harnesses are often recommended and I got one myself a few months back. I think they have a helpline if you aren't certain about sizes and measurements. However, they are pricey.

I have used ezydog quick fit harnesses as well.

What a gorgeous wee dog. I can imagine it’s difficult to deal with a dog and two small kids, but one thing I will say is, remember that YOU picked this dog to live with you, it had no choice, so you owe it the best life possible. In return you will get a loving, happy companion that you can confide in, cry with and cuddle, that will never gossip about or betray your love.

Would your finances stretch to a dog walker, a couple of days a week. Make sure you get a good one that will properly exercise your dog. They should give it at least an hours really good exercise and it means she’ll not be as difficult for you to walk. Better still, do what some of my clients do, send her to day care a couple of days a week, so you get a break from her. That way you’ll appreciate spending times with her and she’ll have great fun a couple of days a week.

Also, think of picking up poo as an opportunity to keep an eye on her health. You can tell a lot from a dog’s poo.

To be fair to OP I sometimes resent taking the dog for a walk and picking up poo is grim.
However as long as it gets done does it actually matter? Nothing wrong with a rant as long as the dog is well cared for

If the poo thing really bugs you switch to raw food? Hard non smelly poos and healthy dog - win win. (My pooch is an allergy queen raw is the only thing that's worked for her.)

Hi op , we have this harness for our staff , it's great as more like a saddle with wide straps so no digging in .
Stops him pulling as well .
Hope photo shows .
Good luck with d dog I'm sure the love will come .

Ps the handle on top of harness is great to hold them close when crossing roads or when other dogs come rushing over to him

Dog measured and harness ordered. I went for a K9 one, I just hope it fits!

I think to make it work, you need to spend time and effort into recall training. It is,an ongoing process, but almost all dogs can learn this

Maybe classes? And consistent training at home

I'm sure it will .
A harness is better for any staff or staff cross as they have wider necks than heads so you will feel more in control knowing they can't get out of it .
I found with a collar our staff could wriggle out of it as his head is smaller than his neck .
Hope you d dog likes it .

Another dog owner who doesn't let ours off the lead unless we are somewhere super quiet and enclosed. So I pay for him to go to daycare a couple of times a week where he gets to play with other dogs and run off the lead with someone more experienced (and less nervous) than me. Seems to work well and I feel his walks with lead are better as I'm not feeling guilty that he can't run free with me.