New puppy - When does it get bearable?

[puppyblues]

We have a 9 1/2 week old whippet puppy. We did our research but it's been so much harder than I imagined. And we were prepared for it to be bad.

I keep telling myself it'll be a lot better when he can go out for walks in a month. Is that true?

He's just frantic all the time, snapping at everything and attacking the toddler in the same way he attacks the mop (they are both home for 1 1/2 a week and at the moment he has to be separated from her). We are trying hard with the training (yelping and going limp) and he does wee outside when we go out every hour, although understandably he has a few accidents in the house still.

But it's just so joyless. I am committed to this for the long haul but if I could wave a magic wand and make it so we never went down this path, I definitely would.

Just wondering if anyone else felt the same at this stage? And did it get better?

I think him going out will be a major milestone so I'm just trying to endure this part and get to a month away.

Thank you everyone, it's reassuring to hear but a bit daunting too.

We've had a better couple or days as I've been relentless with the training and treats. He's sitting on command now and the indoor toilet accidents are fewer.

In addition to his crate he has a bed in the living room and he's getting better at playing with toys in it and going to it when he's ready to calm down.

As PP suggested we had a friend come over with their vaccinated big whippet. Was great to tire him out but I have to admit seeing another whippet and his full grown size only drove home how important it will be to nail the training.

Oh I fully expect the puppy nipping, I just don't want it to be a habit that continues into adulthood so I'm going to be doing my best to get his command and recall training started ASAP. My brothers whippet cross was a bit of a nippy type when playing but now we both have young kids. I'm worried I won't be a good 'master' as this is the first dog I've owned myself so I just want to start as I mean to go on with training and making sure I have good control when taking him out. I was excited but now that's being replaced with HUGE fear of his arrival now, lots of puppy horror stories from friends.

We are out the other side now with 2 whippets who’re 2.5 and 3.5. Not going to lie - it wasn’t easy - there were days when I discovered they’d eaten yet another pair of shoes, skirting boards, carpets etc and I didn’t think we’d ever get there, but they’re great now. Give it 18 months

I read somewhere recently that more dogs die from being poorly socialised (am assuming that means pts) than from preventable illness from vaccinations.

Our pup is just over 4 months and we have taken him out every day we've had him (since he was 8 weeks) we carried him at first and then started letting him down after his 2nd vaccinations. It def helped him sleep better day and night, he is also sociable with people and other dogs. Apparently puppies are meant to meet a 100 different people before 16 weeks.

I'm a bit worried by talk of the terrible teenage years though 😱 when does that start?? I've already got teenage dd at home not sure I can cope with a moody dog as well 🥴

For us the teenage years started at five months old and lasted a good 7-8 months I'm afraid to say - it was really bloody hard and I can totally see why so many people rehome teenage dogs!

However he's 19 months now and good as gold - he's been castrated and has a good routine and plenty of exercise/brain games to keep him busy. He's a very happy boy and gets lots of compliments!

Are you taking him out and about (in your arms) to socialise him? Walks will do the same when he’s been vaccinated but you can’t walk him far so don’t count on that to calm him down.
You shouldn’t be giving him constant attention, Little pups sleep about 18 hours each day and he needs to learn to amuse himself sometimes.

I have given birth to four children but nothing overwhelms me like a puppy I can't stand puppies, they have my nerves shredded BUT just keep telling yourself he'll turn into a dog and it'll be fine

I have a Rottweiler and a Border Collie, both were savages as pups- my Rottweiler used to hold on to my jeans while I walked, growling and shaking his head- I was convinced I was raising a psycho! Now the Rottie is the softest cuddliest lump in the world.

The Border Collie used to destroy everything in his path and constantly bit everyone/everything and now he's as good as gold.

Just keep telling yourself 'this too shall pass'!