Having a wobble

[CleverQuacks]

So for anyone who doesn’t know (I have posted so much on here the past couple of days that I don’t think anyone could not know) I got an 8 week old whippet pup on Saturday. So far things are going well but this afternoon I am having a bit of a wobble.

I have just come home from the school run so pup was left for 25 minutes and whilst out she pooed. Luckily this was in her play pen on puppy pads so the mess was minimal but now our whole downstairs stinks of dog poo (it’s very open plan).

I know it’s to early to expect her to be toilet trained but I took her out right before we left. I am stressing that she will never be toilet trained (logically I now it’s to early to expect anything but I can’t help catastrophising).

Not helped by the fact I told my mum we got her, something I have been avoiding cos I know she won’t react well and she has had a go at me cos she thinks I have to much on my plate. She forgets that I am an adult and therefore it is my decision.

I just need to relax and stop worrying about the little stuff but right now I am wondering if I have done completely the wrong thing by getting her.

It can take months to fully toilet train a dog. At 8 weeks you cannot expect them to go when you want e.g. before the school run or to hold on until you get back. You are expecting far far too much of her right now.

As for thinking you have done the wrong thing then that is the puppy blues. Really common and just warning you it can last several weeks.

It will pass. They do grow up relatively quickly. They change every week at this age but expect two steps forward and one back. Stop worrying, you are doing fine and things will fall into place in time.

It is too early to expect her to be toilet trained and she has only been with you a few days. She is doing her best and will improve with patient training over time. Many dog owners have wobbles at the beginning - I have had 4 rescue dogs and always had a wobble but tried to stay calm and positive and all has come right and I have been so glad that I kept them. It is too soon to give up and you need to have confidence that you will get there and she will love you and rely on you - that sort of love that comes from a dog is worth the wobble.
Come on here when you need support. She is still a baby and they aren't toilet trained in days.

I know you are both right and I am in no way blaming her or angry at her for toileting in the house. It just feels such a big responsibility and I am desperate to get it right. I love her to bits though so it will all be worth it.

Can you not carry her with you on the school run , it would be good for her .

Dogs aren’t allowed on the school playground unfortunately otherwise I would definitely take her.

I have never ever had a dog that takes months to toilet train.

If you are with your dog the chances of accidents are less and the quicker they will learn.

If you only got your puppy on Saturday, was today the first day she was left on her own? Some of the poo may also have been anxiety. She is a baby in a new place, she has to learn to settle in and get used to the correct place to poo.

Just pick up the poo open the windows and think again of how you can handle this.

Could you carry her to the school gates and get another parent to go into the school to collect your children for a day or two -just to give puppy a bit of time to settle in?

Tell your Mum who will fall in love with the puppy immediately (who could not a n 8 week old whippet!) and she will offer to stay with puppy while you pop out for the school run.

Right now you are a bit overwhelmed.
Think of the positives you will have a fantastic dog who will love you unconditionally and the family for years to come.
She will be an pleasure to your dc's and you.

It may take a while to get into a new routine and will take a bit of time and effort to start with. You have brought up dc puppies are waaaaaaaaay easier

Do enjoy the early days, do not worry about getting it wrong, there is way too much pressure - dogs are pretty resilient and do not hold grudges

By the way do you have any photos? Just to give me a puppy fix

It's early days. But there will always be occasional accidents/upset tummies etc. With dogs does come an amount of mess and bad smells.

Yeah, just a wobble, I think you already know you're worrying unnecessarily. First week was hardest for me too.PS seconding request for pics!

Honestly it is normal to have a wobble. Just carry on being consistent and then one day you'll realise that she is trained! When she does go you need to praise her - when you want her to go find a word or short saying that you use so she understands - I used "quick wee" when letting the dog out and my dogs all knew to have a wee (and a poo if required). Put her outside for a wee every half hour or so if possible even if you think she might not want to go then she will associate being outside with going to the toilet.

To her, she needed a poo so she went - that's how she thinks - she didn't poo to upset you and yes poo smells.

You will look back and be amazed and proud at how far she has come and how much you have taught her!

Thanks all. You are all completely right and I am feeling reassured. I will try to upload a photo.

Ah the puppy blues!! Everyone gets them! Honestly, it’s quite hard to get it wrong with a puppy and everyone has different methods so don’t worry too much about ‘getting it right’.
It’s tough, it takes a while but it’s definitely worth it.

And that adorable ball of cuteness is definitely worth it!!

Oh my CleverQuacks she is gorgeous - thank you for the photo and puppy fix

1. She is beautiful
2. Almost every puppy owner, ever, worried their dog was going to be the odd ball that never 'got' toilet training (I know I did)
3. Toilet training takes longer than any of us seem to remember from last time

You'll both be fine

Oh she is lovely! Never actually seen a whippet puppy, they're so podgy!

I think it was about 3 or 4 days after bringing lurcher pup home that I broke down and sobbed! It is very overwhelming but you will get there. Mine is nearly a year old and I still wobble every now and again!

Classic puppy blues! You (and she) will be fine. Try not to let it stress you out, and when it does, just pick up the phone to someone or come here for some reassurance.

Ours took AGES to toilet train. Some dogs just get it quicker than others, but they all get it in the end. It’s so overwhelming at the beginning as well, because you’re trying to do everything - toilet training, separation training, command training, dealing with biting and sleeplessness and this needy little creature following your every move. It’s exhausting! I know I ended up in floods of tears on more than one occasion, but it passes. Bit by bit things resolve and get easier and she’ll become an absolute joy to have around.

The main thing is, as you said, you love her. So that will get you through! I love our daft mutt so much and I’d do the gruelling puppy phase a thousand times over for him to be the dog he is now.

Hang in there and enjoy the puppy cuddles!

She's gorgeous! And yes, the puppy blues are a thing - we've had our beagle pup two weeks now and some days I still think "what the bloody hell was I thinking". But, if I look back, he's come a LONG way in those two weeks already. He's already learned some basic commands and tells us when he needs letting out for the toilet.

Was it her first time being left? I wonder if it was a bit of anxiety on top of her just needing the toilet. Some dogs don't like being left alone and small puppies especially struggle as they're used to being around their mum and siblings.