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The doghouse

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Original poster

Why is my puppy harder than a baby?

49 replies

AsherandIris · 31/03/2023 20:08

Surely this isn't actually normal or maybe it is? Grin

But Jesus, when do I get a break? When she's sleeping for those apparent 18-20 hours puppies sleep for? Absolutely not! (I'm convinced that's just a lie anyway) but when she's asleep, it's don't move a muscle or she jumps right up to play and you literally can't get her to settle again? Nope, now it's play time! Which ofc needs to involve me or she is trying to pull plugs out walls or chew cushions or whatever else and even though those things don't move, she needs me moving the toy to be engaged in it Grin fine but then it's oh let's put a timer on for 10 mins to make sure I take you out for the bathroom or you'll pee on the floor. Okay session is like 2 hours long! That's literally 12 bathroom breaks. Can I do anything else yet? No, she needs feeding... okay, maybe I could quickly make myself some food while she eats? Absolutely not!! Because it's gone in 5 seconds and woo, time to go back outside for a shit. Ooo she finally looks tired, but oh hang on a minute... she is sleeping ON me, can't move her or we have that all over again?

Like, when am I supposed to eat? Let alone CLEAN? I mean, I'm barely allowed to clean up an accident without her pulling on the stuff I'm trying to use to clean it up and then it's chase her around to get it out her mouth...

I had 3 babies many moons ago now (they are grown up) and I can genuinely say it felt easier than this? Down for a nap, great!! Can at least quickly grab something to eat or wipe the kitchen over.

Can't go for a shit myself or god forbid a shower without her crying outside the door, I let her in and she just cries outside the shower anyway, so I'm in and out as fast as humanely possible for it to start all over again.

No sleep either as it's alarms after 3 hours to take her out to potty.

Surely a puppy isn't harder than a baby? Or were my babies actually just good/this puppy just hard? God knows!!

OP posts:
Unicornsparkle1000 · 31/03/2023 20:13

Your dog sounds like mine, mines just turned one. The sleeping situation sounds the same, he is fine to sleep on me but the min I get up he is up following me around. Is your dog ever left alone? I sometimes leave mine down stairs while I go upstairs he used to whine but has got used to it now. My dog uses a slow feeder for his food, he has two different ones while get changed everyday. Has your dog got any toys that you can put peanut butter in and leave the dog to eat that. My dog has a licky mat.

Oldermum84 · 31/03/2023 20:21

Your puppy does sound like my baby was - fed every 3 hours for the first month and took 1.5 hours to settle after a feed. I didn't sleep more than 1.5 hours at a time for a month. I was hallucinating. I never showered or ate. It's easy to forget how hard it is!

But just like a baby she will grow out of it, it will just take time.

Try some separation training maybe? Crate her with a frozen Kong to keep her occupied and happy to be alone for increasing time periods.

Also try ignoring her when she's behaving badly - turn your back and avoid eye contact. Then when she's quiet reward her with a treat/clicker.

But as I said, she will settle down.

Good luck x

Mixkle · 31/03/2023 20:21

Yes it is a common saying that a puppy is harder than a baby. Google it.

Helenloveslee4eva · 31/03/2023 20:23

But they grow up like 10x as fast.
by 5-6m my pup was amazing. Then he got teenagery 😂

GuyFawkesDay · 31/03/2023 20:25

Puppies are gits.

Cute gits but gits all the same. It gets better, promise.

peppermintteagirl · 31/03/2023 20:30

Sounds about right - that's why they make them cute!

GCAcademic · 31/03/2023 20:33

At least the puppy stops being an arsehole once it's around 2 yo, though. Can't say the same for the human equivalent.

Original poster
AsherandIris · 31/03/2023 20:36

Very cute but gosh, thankfully yes, it isn't quite as long as the human equivalent Grin hopefully this can all be a distant memory soon enough and all feel worth it. I feel I've lost my whole identity and can't look after myself or the home properly lol

OP posts:
bizzywiththefizzy · 31/03/2023 21:34

Gosh I'm putting myself through this again in a fortnights time .Actually I'm soo excited I really can't wait 😁.

Wolfiefan · 31/03/2023 21:39

My first was like this. Would only nap on me. So bitey and over tired. Bloody nightmare. She’s 6 now and lovely.
My second puppy was a dream. @bizzywiththefizzy wishing you the same!!

hiredandsqueak · 31/03/2023 21:45

Yes definitely harder than babies in my experience. The cuteness is to encourage you to forget how grim it is so that you do it again. We weren't fooled though had a mature rescue second time and it has been so much nicer.

Dintananadinta · 31/03/2023 21:46

I don't have children but I'm sure mine is worse than looking after a baby or a child.

bizzywiththefizzy · 31/03/2023 21:48

@Wolfiefan Thankyou We really are so excited .

JoshLymanIsHotterThanSam · 31/03/2023 22:05

It really is that hard. Luckily it’s weeks rather than months. DPup is now 20 weeks old and it’s certainly got easier … hang in there op.

DrMeredithGrey2023 · 31/03/2023 22:09

How long have you had the puppy for?

I never set alarms during the night - just waited for the puppy to wake me up. Would you be able to hear her cry from where she sleeps?

NormaLouiseBates · 31/03/2023 22:25

I swear, I could have written your post pretty much word for word. It's relentless isn't it? But it's all perfectly normal I promise. I keep telling myself it's going to get easier... just be patient 😆 we've got the added fun here of moving house next Thursday and it's been so fucking stressful. Only one of us can do anything at a time as she can't be left alone as even if she seems fast asleep the minute I leave the room she loses her tiny mind. Unless she's got a kong or lickimat or similar. And they don't last long. And I can't just keep feeding her constantly can I?! 😭

My children as babies were infinitely easier. At least they stayed fucking still and didn't try to eat every stone, plug, chair leg, cable, shoe, bag, remote control, phone etc etc 😭

WinterMermaid987 · 31/03/2023 22:31

We used a crate from day 1, for those 20-30min naps it was my saviour plus gave the kids a break too. It became her calm place covered in a blanket, a bed and she got a treat going in. We used it for 18mths now she’s a chilled out sofa hogger. Good luck it gets easier.

WinterMermaid987 · 31/03/2023 22:33

Frozen kongs& frozen licki mat lasted the longest everything else eaten in millie seconds,

Tulipvase · 31/03/2023 22:40

3/4 weeks in, I was wondering what on earth we had done ( black lab, ate everything). Two years on, it’s pretty much fine now and has been for a fair while tbh. Hang on in there.

DominoRules · 01/04/2023 05:41

My puppy was definitely harder than either of the DC!! It was like having a newborn, toddler and teenager mixed into one……. Luckily it passes quickly and now he’s just wonderful

drivinmecrazy · 01/04/2023 08:15

We're only a week in and am dead on my feet already!!
Sounds just like your experience.
We're determined to start a bit of tough love today, but tbh I'm not sure I have the resolve nor the energy.
We've been focused on bonding and making sure he feels secure this week but it's just resulted in chaos.
Determined to get him to sleep in his den alone starting tonight, currently sleeping on the sofa with him which he loves but me not so much.
He's a big pup and insists on sleeping on or around my neck but he's growing so fast it's just not feasible now.
We're fortunate in that I don't work and have a 17yo and 22 yo at home. DH leaves very early for work so not so involved in nights.
It's really a full time job.
I find myself shoving the puppy at him and hiding in our bedroom for an hour when he gets home.
Had a major win yesterday when he napped in his own bed for twenty minutes.
Don't think I've watched so much tv (yet barely finished an episode!) since DDs were new born.
Having said that it's a wonderful journey isn't it 💐

drivinmecrazy · 01/04/2023 08:19

Oh and I've started losing my marbles. Was calling him Tiffany last night (don't know any Tiffany's) and have been calling one of our cats after our long departed last cat.
Don't even mention their genders, I've resorted to calling them all 'they', we're very woke here 😂

RedHelenB · 01/04/2023 09:38

Rod for your own back. Puppy needs time apart from you to learn to settle.

nilsmousehammer · 01/04/2023 09:42

Routine with crate, it's the only thing that's ever stopped my puppies from being hyperactive, bitey maniacs who were permanently over tiring themselves. Sleep, wee, eat, play, sleep, wee, eat, play.... in a steady cycle. The signal of being hugely overstimulated and over tired used to be bouncing around like a maniac and getting faster and faster. Forty seconds after going into their crate with a biscuit they were zonked for 90 mins and often two plus hours.

All gorgeous dogs once they got through this stage where you're constantly wondering wtf have I done bringing this adorable monster home!

OOmpityDoomipity · 01/04/2023 09:44

I'd had 2 babies years before getting my puppy so I thought I'd be alright 🤣

I was NOT.

I found it so much harder with a puppy than I did with two babies.

After a while, I got him a puppy pen which could attach to his crate and he was happy enough in there whilst I did chores/sorted myself out.

He's almost one now, still chews upanythingand everything hes not supposed to if hes left by himself 🥴 despiterhe fact he has loaaaaaaaads of raw treats ie proper bones, ears, chew toys ect

But hes definetly a lot easier now than he was as a tiny puppy. It does get better