Got a new dog - feeling really daunted

[KatieMcKatie]

I would just like to anonymously get off my chest that I'm feeling really daunted by the task of having a dog.

He's a rescue greyhound. He's been fine at home and not as hard as a new baby would be. I have my husband and two kids who love him. I love him but I genuinely feel scared of the task. Can't quite explain but I feel overwhelmed. I don't mind the work of walks, picking up poop etc.

I hope it is common to feel like this. I find it hard to say out loud.

Very normal, it’s a huge responsibility and the dog is reliant on you for a good life.

It’s worth it as dogs can bring so much joy into your life - I absolutely love my dog and she’s a huge ray of sunshine!

Yes. I felt the same - getting two rescue dogs was as lovely and overwhelming as having a baby. We’re three months in and I’m more confident with the dogs.

Just take it day by day.

Yes - i felt like this with my cat and my dog. It goes away! But it did take me by surprise

I've had my rescue grey for 6 months now and it's really only the last two months that I've relaxed into it. Never suffered from anxiety before but certainly had a taste of it!

Yep, got a rescue lurcher 4 years ago and found it really worrying at times. I felt like a complete no is when out and about with him. Also it dawned on me how restrictive having a dog is.

But I don’t regret it one bit. Walked him on the beach today and he just loves me so much. Makes it so worth it.

Stick at it and it gradually just becomes your new normal (sorry to use that hateful phrase).

Novice!

It's hard work at first, but once you settle into a routine it is so worth it. Don't know what I would do without my 2.

Take it one day at a time.
We are a few months in to a new puppy and it’s getting easier. The absolutely unconditional bounding continuous love is amazing. Wouldn’t be without him but first few weeks were tough.

Well done for giving a rescue a new home, such a lovely thing to do!
We felt the same too....we picked up our dog last Friday and on the way home all I could think was "what on earth have we done?" It's such a big deal. DS15 felt the same, even though we've been building up to this for a couple of years and dogsat etc. He said it was like having another family member to care for and nearly cried with feeling overwhelmed.
This week had been tough, we struggled the first few nights and he's worked out how to open the stair gate (He's old and arthritic so didn't want a nasty fall), but we wouldn't change him for the world. Having him has made us mentally slow down, he enjoys every moment for what it us and he's such a delight. Everyone is taking turns to walk and feed so it doesn't feel so enormous.
Stick with it, like PP said, one day at a time xx

I creid for about 6 weeks solid when we picked up our rescue lurcher. For about 2 weeks I thought I was going to have to give her back because I found it so hard - she is a hard work dog, but that wasn't it. It felt like I had an alien in the house all the time. I could settle, or sleep. I think it's suddenly having your attention drawn in a new direction... Over time you'll get used to them and learn to speak their language!

*couldn't settle or sleep

I've had the 'omg what have I done?' every time I've added a new dog (all rescues) & although I've had a few now, I expect it will still happen in future. Its a big change to your own routines and of course the dog is also settling in which may add in a few bumps in the road to navigate, which can fuel uncertainty. One day a few weeks on it all suddenly seems much easier, like have hit a level of harmony & even if do have some challenges still to work on your not wondering about returning them.
Considering my greyhounds had never lived in a house before they settled in much easier than I'd manage with a complete change of environment.

Thanks so much for the reassurance everyone