It's home!

[puppypalavas]

Got our puppy today.
Been about 8 hours since we’ve had her and I’ve got puppy blues already!
She’s doing ok toilet wise. Maybe 3 inside, 3 outside and a poo outside.
Got her confined to the kitchen at the mo and she’s got a playpen in here.
We’ve got a deep sided box for her for our room tonight.
We’ve put her in her playpen probably 5 times, for short durations, 15 mins or so.
Then we went to the shop to find a box for her for tonight, so we were out for 40 minutes.
She’s howls and cries and barks solidly in her playpen.
As soon as she’s quiet we go in and praise her. Sometimes getting her out and sometimes leaving her in there.
Every single time though she has barked and howled in her playpen until she’s vomited. She’ll be losing weight at this rate.
Am I doing the playpen thing right?

[mama1980]

Honestly when we brought our puppy home I didn't really put her down for the first 48 hours, she was scared and alone. Then we only put her down for short periods.
We didn't leave her at all for about 10 days then once she was used to her bed in small doses, we left her for 10 mins then 30 etc and she wasn't at all distressed.
I think tbh you are saving her too soon, she's a scared little pup, maybe wrap a hot water bottle in a towel to simulate another bodies warmth for her to lie next to.
Hug her, keep her with you and she'll soon gain confidence and independence.

[puppypalavas]

Because I thought that a couple of hours would be ok?!
I’ll just drop her at the class and get her friend to bring her home after. But I still have the school run to do so 2.45-3.45!
I’ve messaged 3 dog sitters in my town and they’re all fully booked until the new year. They can’t even sit with her for an hour.
I honestly didn’t think it would be this hard.
And yes of course I did my research.
And we’ve had dogs before.

[ILoveautumnleaves]

Poor puppy.

Day 1 you’ve left her alone loads and for 40 minutes. Day 2 you’re going to be out TWO HOURS. She’s a BABY that’s just been separated from her Mum and siblings. Jesus wept.

Tomorrow, either get someone to take DD & collect her for you or she doesn’t go.

Are you leaving the puppy on her own to do the morning school run?

Where is your DH, why can’t he mind the puppy or bath the kids. Frankly though, given he thinks a tiny puppy should be left alone, on day 1, for 40 minutes, I’m not sure I’d trust him with the puppy, or the kids.

I seriously hope this is a wind up. If it is, it’s bloody well worked.

[puppypalavas]

Can’t really take her on the school run. Well I suppose I could, but I have to park 10 mins walk from school so she’d be in her crate in the car for 20 mins. Daughter is foundation stage so can’t get her to walk out alone and can’t take dog in.
Maybe I could get her friends mum to run her out while I stay in the car with her.

[mama1980]

Yes tomorrow the school run will be far too much. Can you ask a neighbour, friend, call in a favour? Failing that take her with you, snuggly box in the car next to you?
the first few days/weeks are so crucial I honestly wouldn't leave her at all.

[yiskasha]

I don't think you've realised how much commitment dogs take. You've had your puppy (an 8 week old baby, no matter what species) for one day, and you've already left her alone for 40 minutes, upsetting her enough to make her vomit, and planned on leaving her for 2.5 hours the next day? Awful. I'd truly consider if a dog is the right thing for you and your family.

[Iloveautumnleaves]

I honestly didn’t think it would be this hard

. You’ve had her 8 hours and left her several times until she vomited. It’s not YOU that this is ‘hard’ for.


And yes of course I did my research

Clearly not.

[puppypalavas]

Ok ok. I get your point. She’ll be by my side now for the next couple of weeks!
Husband can do AM school run, I’ll do PM school run and take dog. I’ll get daughters friend to walk her to my car. I’ll drop daughter at after school class and get friends mum to drop her home!

[mama1980]

Could you carry the dog with you inside you coat maybe up to the school gate?

[Costacoffeeplease]

There is absolutely no way you can leave her for two hours tomorrow? WTF?

Poor pup, she needs to be your priority for the next few weeks, she’s a tiny vulnerable puppy who has just left her mum and siblings and her whole world, she’s not a stuffed toy

You need to make a plan for tomorrow and school runs now, and treat the poor thing properly

[Floralnomad]

Carry her for the 10 minute walk and then get someone else to take your daughter in , pup gets exposure to new things and people , your daughter gets to show her to her friends - win win . What sort of pup is she ?

[Bunnybigears]

You did you research but thought you could leave puppy for morning and afternoon school run which you seem to be saying take an hour and 2.5 hrs in the afternoon?! Im shocked actually you thought this would be ok, apart from one person telling you what other research supported this?

[puppypalavas]

In the past we’ve had rescue dogs from around 8 months plus. They came from a charity who said they could be left for 3 hours alone.
I’ve not had a puppy this little before.
I read the books, did the research, spoke to friends etc, but this is still a million times harder than I thought it would be.
Friends I had spoken to said that puppies could be left for an hour max, which is what I planned to do on the school run. But she hates being left. So I can’t do that can I?
Also the 3 dog sitters I contacted said that dog sitting wouldn’t be a problem, just to contact them when I need them.
I’ve contacted all 3 today and none can help now.
I feel shit.

[Costacoffeeplease]

If you think it’s hard after 8 hours, god help you in 3-4 weeks time

I think it’s time to really do your research - properly this time

[puppypalavas]

School run is usually 40 minutes.
If daughter has an after school class, twice a week then it’s 1 hour 20 mins on top of this. So 2 hours.
Its fine. I’ll sort it.

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

I’d carry her. She’ll meet new people which is great, also your DD will be a full on celeb when her friends see that she has a tiny puppy. Someone will be able to get your DD out of the classroom I’m sure.
I’m surprised that you’ve had dogs before. From puppies, or adult dogs? Both stressful in their own way of course but very different

[mama1980]

X post that sounds a good plan op.
I'm assuming then it's the school holidays so you can focus on your pup. It does get easier but you've got to put the effort in to start with. Within 6 months once she securely attached you'll be able to go out for 3 hours or so.

[NoSquirrels]

At our school there are always LOADS of puppies being carried in arms on the school run - and they get tons of fuss (free socialisation!) Bet your DD would love to show off her tiny puppy, so I would look to bring the pup to the school gates in arms, if that is possible for you to manage.

[Costacoffeeplease]

8 months plus is not the same as 8 weeks how did you think it was?

[puppypalavas]

Yes we’ve always had older dogs. And they’ve been left from day one for a few hours.
I literally didn’t think a puppy would scream solidly if it wasn’t attached to me 24/7!
She’s sleeping in a box next to our bed tonight so I’ll be able to touch her constantly.
She’ll like that!

[Namechangeforthiscancershit]

I’ve contacted all 3 today and none can help now. I feel shit

Oh my dog sitter is so busy this week, I’m not surprised. Don’t feel shit. You’ve asked for help. You will get through this and have a lovely, lovely dog. Puppy blues get to all of us.

I wonder if the friends who said an hour is ok might have meant a bit older. Lots of people say “puppy” when they mean under 6 months or even under 12 and obviously you won’t be having these problems by then. 8 weeks is titchy and very dependent.

[puppypalavas]

I literally feel like crying.
I really do.
It’s like having a newborn, but worse as you can’t even take it anywhere with you and you can’t put a nappy on it.

[LittleLongDog]

I’m glad to hear you have a bit of a plan forming and are coming to the realisation that puppies are crazy hard work.

Please start reading absolutely everything @Whoseranium linked.

And please stay here with us and keep checking in. We have a nice puppy support thread: www.mumsnet.com/Talk/the_doghouse/3443583-Puppy-support?msgid=83370763#83370763

[Chocolatedeficitdisorder]

Tiny mammals feel incredibly vulnerable if they're left alone and will cry and scream until a carer comes to save them. The little pup has been absolutely terrified when she was left alone and in fear for her life. She's a baby, use some empathy and think how she feels.

The older she gets, the safer and more comfortable she'll be and you'll be able to start leaving her for 10mins in a few weeks, but definitely not yet.

[puppypalavas]

I will definitely keep checking in.
She’ll be stuck to me like superglue for the foreseeable next month.