I thought I was ready

[Alice44]

Hello. I am a new owner of a 9 week old male GS puppy. I wanted a dog all my life, I watched any dog training program I was able to find, I played with any dog of my family and friends, I read a ton of books and articles on looking after a dog and I thought I am ready! I didn't care what age my new dog will be, but it came up that purchasing a puppy was easier then getting an adult dog and soon enough I got myself my perfect little fluff ball. And now I feel like I hate him, like have no more time for myself and like this will never end. I always wanted a furry friend and now that I have him it feels like a nightmare and NOTHING is wrong! He sits when asked, he sleeps better and better in the crate, he eats his food, he only has pee accidents from time to time. By many he would most likely be seen as a perfect puppy to own and yet my brain is going crazy saying how I should just let go and give up. I do have some problems with having faith in myself and this could have a big effect. He is also still before vaccines so we are both miserable stuck inside the house. I guess I also had the problem of everyone everywhere saying how fun and great it is to own a puppy and I feel like they lied! I'm tired, I can't do things I want to do and I can't stand the constant bitting (and people say that's my life for the next YEAR). I never thought this was going to be easy, but neither did I think it will be this hard. I feel like sending him off for someone else to look after for some time or giving him away all together, but I do not want to give him away. I'm mixed between the two. Soon I will have a trainer come to my house to help me with the basics, but I am afraid that she will just say what people write on the internet and once she leaves I will be on my own with everything. Will this pass once he is able to go outside? Or in a month... Five... Twelve? My other problem is that I have no real safe space for my pup. Yes, I have a crate and puppy proof living room, but I am afraid to leave him by himself in either. And the mixed support makes my brain go crazy. It feels like everybody is giving different advice. "If you leave your puppy in crate you are evil" "I leave my puppy by himself, it is okay" "you must spend with your puppy 24/7" "you will never again have any free time". Help! If I go to my room for an hour will I suddenly turn him into an anxious dog in the future? Or is it just me panicking. Any tips on staying sane?

[Keepsmiling1]

We got our pup 2 days ago and I am feeling very similar to you! I can definitely relate to the anxious feeling - I haven't eaten since yesterday lunch time because I feel sick! I have 2 DDs and don't think I worried this much when they were born! Just wanted you to know you're not alone!

[JesusInTheCabbageVan]

You weren't ready Alice, nobody ever is! I remember that awful gut-wrenching regret from all three of our dogs, and we did in fact come close to giving back our third as she was bloody hard work. One day, you'll look back on this time with complete bafflement. But yes, if you can arrange for someone else to take him for even a few hours a week, you'll find it a lot easier.

[Chelsea567]

I feel exactly the same. Just got Dearpup2. DPup1 now DDog is now 5 years old. Calmest most chilled out Labrador ever. Had DPup2 for 3 days. I'm so anxious haven't slept, crying, lying awake all night wishing we hadn't got DPup2.
All I can think is how brilliant DPup1 was and how awful DPup2 is. How sorted my life was with just DDog. DPup2 is Whining, crying, clinging, screaming in crate. Because I'm a complete control freak I like to write everything down.
Pup woke up 6am, wee at 6:10, played til 7, sleep til 8. That sort of thing. I found the old notebook I used for DPup1. And surprise surprise there was a lot of weeing on floor, crying at 3am. I'd sort of forgotten. And I think once you start see progress it becomes easier. Also doing puppy training and we did Kennel Club Good Citizen bronze silver and gold which was great for behaviour bonding and things to practice and tiring out DDog . Things got better. I'm hoping it'll be the same again! I love the stages of owning a dog pictures! I'm going to use it as my screen saver!

[Chelsea567]

One good thing. The anxiety is crushing my appetite so SlimmingWorld is going better! Not that I'm going to be able to go! 😂😂

[Keepsmiling1]

@Chelsea567 I laughed at the Slimming World comment! I do SW and I got back from holiday last week (before getting SmileyPup) and had put half a stone on. I'm back to my pre-holiday weight already because I haven't been able to eat!!

I have just said to DD1 that we will start a diary tomorrow because at the moment it feels like he is weeing every 5 mins! I thought if I write it down I may see small steps of progress (fingers crossed!)