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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Giving up my pup

108 replies

BB8sm8 · 11/06/2019 18:04

I’m heartbroken so please go easy on me - I really don’t what to do for the best. I’ve never had a dog and always wanted one. I would always dog sit for weekends, walk friends’ dogs etc. I work from home, DC (5 and 8) are both at school so now seemed an ideal time. My husband much prefers our cat but reluctantly agreed to get a dog. We got a pup as I was nervous of a rescue dog with an unknown history, having once witnessed a rescue dog snap at a child. She’s 5.5 months now, we’ve gone through all the sleepless nights, the worst bits of the early days...but I’m really not enjoying it. I love her & we enjoy our walks which have also helped to lift my depression a little, we like puppy class, the school run etc. but my goodness it’s hard work, she’s full of energy & is getting quite big (she’s a cockapoo). We do puppy classes but she’s pulls badly on the lead & is so strong. She will wee & poo outside but still wees in the kitchen if I don’t pick up the sniffing signs quickly enough. I know she’s young & that she will grow out of the puppy phase but I’m not enjoying it anywhere near like I thought I would. It feels like having a very difficult 3rd child at the moment. I’ve contacted the breeder & she’s happy to have her back. But should I give her back, will I regret it? Or should i wait it out & hope I enjoy her more with time?

OP posts:
BlackSwan · 23/06/2019 11:16

Rehome now if you've made up your mind. The longer you leave it, the less marketable your dog will be. Such a shame you haven't bonded. But you're doing the dog a disservice if you keep it and don't love it.

adaline · 24/06/2019 11:14

It sounds like your dog is massively over-exercised and over-stimulated - three walks a day is a lot even for an adult dog, let alone a young puppy. At five months she should be getting a couple of thirty minute walks a day, that's it.

Mine has never had more than two walks a day but he normally gets one - we just increased the length as he got older. He's now 16 months and get about 90 minutes off lead a day, either at the beach, the park or the woods. That's in one walk in the morning and that's typically it. If we go out all day he comes with us, and last week he got a walk and a trip to the pub (which he loves) but I try not to over-walk him.

Our trainer always told us - the more you walk a dog, the fitter they get, and the more exercise they need to tire them out. Training sessions and brain games work much better than exercise to tire them out - make them think and use their brains!

I would try not taking her on the morning school run as she's not had a walk and is too over-hyped - give her her breakfast in a kong or similar and crate her while you go out, then take her out when you get back. Encourage her to sleep/rest in the day and then take her on the second run, but walk/run her about before you get to the school so she's a bit calmer. Then home with a chew or kong in her crate while you sort dinner and things with the kids, then feed her later once the kids are in bed so she has space and time to calm down before bed.

Good luck!

Purplecatshopaholic · 24/06/2019 11:53

It is a massive adjustment even with lots of research! I adopted a young rescue and we have learned together. Getting a good harness was key, and I got a trainer in(for me as well as for him!) We have started clicker training as he still sometimes has issues with other dogs, and it’s going brilliantly. Hang in there!

Ashlay · 15/04/2024 15:36

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Ashlay · 15/04/2024 15:36

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Otter2 · 15/04/2024 19:46

I am a bit surprised that posters think that a 5.5 month old is in its teenage years? This is still a pup! There is much more to come OP and if I was you I would give this puppy back to the breeder and heave sigh of relief. Dog ownership is not for everyone.

Otter2 · 15/04/2024 19:51

As a rule of thumb my working bred spaniels hit their 'I cannot remember any of my training and I am going to test your patience until you are close to a breakdown' at anything between 12-18 months. It gets better rapidly afterwards and they do come good but it is hard. Puppies are bloody hard work.
This dog is half spaniel...

OldSpeclkledHen · 15/04/2024 20:57

lol this pup would be 5 years old now 😂
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