I can't cope with this

[WentworthPrison]

I can't cope with my puppy (nearly 11 weeks). I'm exhausted. Her behaviour is extremely challenging (normal puppy stuff and beyond that). I am so low. I'm not enjoying any of it. I'm crying constantly, I've lost half a stone and getting no more than 5-6 hours sleep a night (she sleeps well in her crate but still needs loo stops and I struggle to get back to sleep). She needs constant supervision and I'm by myself doing that. She can't be left alone for even a few seconds as she'll eat something, chew something, poo, wee etc. I can crate her but it seems unfair to constantly do this. However I do need to go to the loo, shower etc. I can't even do this when she's asleep as she wakes up if I try. I knew it would be hard but i also thought I'd feel a deep love which would get me through it. I don't feel a bond at all as she's constantly lunging at me, biting me, growling and barking at me. I've spends £100s on extra stimulation toys etc but the problems persist.

I can't give her up. I'd be ashamed to admit I can't cope to my family and friends but I honestly really want to.

P.S I can’t help, I don’t have a clue what I’m doing but I’ll happily sit on a bench with you and have a moan whilst others give us advice

Our pup learned very quickly that nipping would result in him ending up in time out. Yelping just wound him up and turning my back just gave him a different area to nip but two minutes behind the stairgate when he really really wanted to be close to us soon sorted the nipping. Could you try time out OP?

I am so sorry to read you have been struggling. I am one week in with my first puppy (only ever had cats before and they are so easy !) I thought i was prepared but underestimated the impact. I am besotted with him but completely shattered. Most of the previous posters (apart from the unkind comments) seemed to have lots of good advice but for the sake of your emotional wellbeing please don't beat yourself if a puppy is just not right for you at this time in your life. He would be young enough to adjust to a new home and your friends and family would surely understand and not judge you. Hoping you turn a corner. Could it be that the over-tiredness and stress has triggered other underlying issues for you ?

@WentworthPrison

OP, take your pup to a doggy daycare at least for one day (preferably with other dogs or pups) - have a day off! And talk to people running it - they will have lots of advice!

And read the puppy survival threads! Those are much more helpful than books and websites.

Like other PPs said - sign up for puppy training classes. We did those; they were fantastic! You also get advice from trainers and can talk to other puppy parents

Also puppy socialisation play groups are very good! And useful as you teach your pup recall!

You can do this! Hugs

I just found this thread and feel the same way. Can I ask how you’re getting on now?

How old is your puppy WDT? I feel for you. That stage was absolutely foul. My dog was an absolute monster.

She's now 4 and has a few issues but overall is an absolute little star and I love her to pieces. I'm so glad I persisted.

She has issues with resource guarding which I find easily manageable when I'm by myself with her - it can be trickier with others. It makes it hard to leave her with overnight etc unless it's with someone I 100% trust to listen to how to deal with her. However, she goes to a dog walker and doggy day care and does well with them. I now realise a lot of the lunging and biting was due to resource guarding rather than normal puppy mouthing and biting. Had I known that perhaps I could have nipped it in the bud before it got to the stage where it was only ever going to management of it rather than curing.

I wish I'd research trainers better who understood that not everything is normal puppy behaviour. Sometimes it's more than that and with my pup it was.

However, I wouldn't swap her for the world and although I call her a dickhead about 100 times a day I tell her she's the most beautiful dog and I love her more than anything about a thousand times a day 🤣.

Personal message me if you want any advice. I've now done a lot of training and reading so happy to help.

The animal is a BABY. She's been taken from her mother and siblings. You did that. Please persevere for a bit longer!

I did persevere. She's now an amazing 4 year old dog. Nobody needs any judgement for finding puppyhood hard so best not to say anything if you can't be constructive or kind.