I don't like my puppy

[Cait73]

And I hate myself - she's taken over my life I know puppies do (okay I forgot it's been 12 years) and she's a dear little thing but the biting, chewing, training, eating schedule and endless trips to the garden just to come in and find a poo on the rug

I'm exhausted all the time - I don't feel like I love her is this normal? I'm really hoping someone will tell me it's too soon I've only had her 5 weeks and the love will grow?

All I remember is I loved my last dog from the second he arrived and I didn't even care how much work he was, I loved every inch of him every second of the day

Why don't I feel like that??

Loving this little girl more and more as time goes on

What a wonderful update (or pupdate!). That little face is so gorgeous.

Omg I would love to have your Peggy. Just adorable 🥰

I don't like our 9 month old lab, he bites, jumps up, ignores training and I am constantly exhausted and anxious. I've felt like this since he was about 6 month before then I kind of liked him. The last couple of week I've started to like him a bit more. Not sure if he's any better or if I'm just worn down. Maybe for you it's being older and having less energy or this dog is just harder. I try to keep things in perspective, that his behaviour will improve and his frustrating behaviour is only parts of the day. Good luck.

@DBI78

I don't like our 9 month old lab, he bites, jumps up, ignores training and I am constantly exhausted and anxious. I've felt like this since he was about 6 month before then I kind of liked him. The last couple of week I've started to like him a bit more. Not sure if he's any better or if I'm just worn down. Maybe for you it's being older and having less energy or this dog is just harder. I try to keep things in perspective, that his behaviour will improve and his frustrating behaviour is only parts of the day. Good luck.

I have an almost 7 month border collie and he sounds similar to your lab. I'm in tears most days but keep telling myself it will get better. My brain does not stop worrying, I wish I had a way of knowing that his biting communication will stop as he gets older.

@DBI78 you poor thing, worn down YES! I don't know how you're managing my saviour is knowing I've got a small breed she's more manageable, crate training has been our saviour to be honest she now goes in there every few hours as soon as I see her behaviour is getting a bit "wild"

They tend to go wild when they're over tired and every single time I crate her she curls up and goes to sleep, like toddlers they need to be reminded to sleep

I think people underestimate how much sleep a puppy needs, when they go bonkers they're usually need the toilet or sleep, or both

@Cait73 yes our lab is now 40kg of energy !! It's definitely hard with a bigger dog. I am covered in bruises. In my early twenties I got a basset hound pup, my dd's were 1 and 3 and I ran a business from home and I don't remember it being this hard! I agree with some of previous posts people need to be more vocal about how hard it is x

@DBI78 goodness I'm grateful for my little 3kgs of trouble lol

I put mine in his crate in the day and he just barks. Keeps pooing on the sofa that he can now jump on.
Think having a puppy is the hardest thing I've ever done.

@cheeseisthebest that doesn't sound like any fun

Hope you’ve had a better week @Cait73

@Floralnomad things continue to get better and better, toddler and puppy ignore each other more and more plus I'm using gates and crates to anticipate problem times. I was worried Peggy would feel punished if put in her crate but if used correctly they feel it's a sanctuary.

She was getting over tired so turning into a monster, I pop her in her crate for quality sleep and it's literally changed our lives

Peggy's also learning we don't really enjoy being bitten and she can spend more time with us as a family if she doesn't hang off my hands or toddlers head lol

She's also fully toilet trained which has made a massive difference

I need to change the title of this thread because I LOVE MY PUPPY!!!

That’s great to hear congratulations.

@Floralnomad thank you for all your help xx

I don’t feel like I have helped at all , I just enjoy seeing pictures of the lovely Peggy .

Oh my puppy is lovely, love him so much just not managed to use crate for sanctuary. Well done for cracking that!

@cheeseisthebest she was crate trained when she arrived which helped, we fell out of the habit and had to start again but it only took 2 days, you just have to make the crate THE best place in the world to do, I followed an online tutorial

Now I just pick her up and pop her in it's great and SO useful, especially at 8:30am getting 2 year old up and out the door for nursery AND nappy changing etc

When she can come out I don't make a fuss I just open the door, she generally doesn't even come straight out

He does sleep in there at night but not keen for naps!

It happened for me because it had to, and I think the puppy knew that too!! She sleeps on my bed at night but I can floor train her later, it's the days I was struggling with

Your posts reminded me what little monsters they are. I always loved mine but definitely had moments of regret.

I have to admit I prefer her as a dog. I’m pleased it’s all working out for you. They do get better.

Im starting to massively regret winterpup, hes just turned 6 months old border collie. It feels like overnight someone has replaced my coming along nicely pup into a dog reactive, lead pulling, jumping up at me nightmare.
Im turning into an anxious dog owner, constantly scanning for dogs and people when out and dreading the walk.
I know it's me, not winterpup but god im finding it hard.

Ilikewinter I am in no way an expert but I have a collie a little older than yours. Two things that have helped which you could try. When pup jumps up at you, you know how they look up with a little Clint in their eye like they know they are about to be naughty, immediately say no sharply and mean it. I was given this tip by a police dog trainer and it did work. You crack the lead immediately and say no very strongly. This did work for us. I know it’s not in line with all the positive reinforcement training, but this is the only negative training we ever did. And she did get the message. Another thing we have found helped to get your attention when out is to do the one two three game. Drop treats in to their mouth. Say one, two, three, treat. And they get a treat on “treat”. It helps give them something to do when you want to get them to focus on you.

Also make sure you have taught a watch me command. This is very useful to get their attention. Some people say hold a treat to your eye to teach this. But I find they are just looking for the treat. I found it better to sit on floor with them and every time they look at you in the eye, click and give a treat. They soon catch on, then name what they are doing with a “watch me”

@Tealandabney thanks for the suggestions, he definitely gives me the side eye! He does respond to the ckicker and ill give the 1,2 treat ago. Gosh puppies are hard work 😂

They are indeed. Practice 1.2.3 treat in garden first then try out and about