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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:
Polkadotties · 01/04/2023 09:47

You need a crate.

Mrsjayy · 01/04/2023 09:52

I'm getting a puppy in 3 weeks I now have regrets 😆

We've had puppies in the past when kids were younger is puppy rearing changed I definitely didn't set alarms for toilet breaks 😲

Dozycuntlaters · 01/04/2023 09:55

Is puppy crate trained? I found it a blessing with my girl. I was really routined with her naps as she comes to work with me so I knows she had to be really good.

She used to have a nap at 10 am till midday and then another nap about 2.30 for a couple of hours. Those were in her crate and I would also pop her in there is she was particularly bitey as that was a sign she was tired. I had to use the crate because if she just napped on the sofa as soon as I got up or even moved she would instantly be up.

She was also in her crate from about 8pm ( I was far stricter on her bedtime than I ever was my sons) and she slept through from day 1. I never took her out to the loo in the night unless she woke uk wanting to go which was hardly ever. I know some folk don't like crates but for us it was brilliant and she got decent restful sleep.

Let her amuse herself sometimes too. She needs to learn your sole purpose isn't to be with her all the time so just let her potter .

I used a bell for toilet training which was also brilliant. Within a couple of weeks she was ringing the bell when she wanted to go out,

Honestly routine is key with a puppy. My girl is almost 3 now and is such an easy dog. She's a massive knob at times but she's very chilled and easy

Zerrin13 · 03/04/2023 22:57

I've had 3 children. They were all easy compared to having a puppy.

FredandAmy · 03/04/2023 23:09

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.

This. I found that she realised quickly that the crate was for sleep and was much less likely to jump awake if I moved when in there. She also used it as a refuge from excited DC.

The crate’s huge and I was hoping to get rid of it, but she still likes to nap in there with the door open now she’s 5.

AboutTheDog · 04/04/2023 15:44

My puppy is arriving at the beginning of May. I haven't had a puppy for around 16 years, but I can't recall it being anywhere near as bad as having babies. I did use a crate though, and I don't allow dogs on furniture or upstairs. Happily, the breeder I am buying my pup from has a similar view. My pup should already be partly crate and toilet trained when I get her...........but I could be completely wrong and have to eat my words!!

Mrsjayy · 04/04/2023 15:47

@AboutTheDog I will be getting mine around then maybe we should buddy up 😃

dimpleton · 04/04/2023 15:53

Mine is currently two hours into a crate nap...it's her second of the day.

You need a crate with a proper cover on, and train her to love it!

AboutTheDog · 04/04/2023 17:06

Mrsjayy · 04/04/2023 15:47

@AboutTheDog I will be getting mine around then maybe we should buddy up 😃

Sure - I pick mine up on 1st May. She is a Mini Goldendoodle. We haven't decided on a name yet - it's driving me mad thinking about it. What about you?

Mrsjayy · 04/04/2023 17:39

Little cocker spaniel male and not a clue on a name !

AboutTheDog · 04/04/2023 17:53

My last two dogs have been cockers. DH wanted something else this time.

suzyscat · 04/04/2023 18:03

Way harder but not for longer. You can put a nappy on a baby too which helps.

Doseydots · 04/04/2023 19:13

We are also getting a cocker on 13th May. We are calling her Dolly. I imagine I will be on here lots. I have read the easy peasy book and reading through Victoria Stilwell’s website which has lots of tips.

Mrsjayy · 04/04/2023 19:21

I've ordered the easy peasy book .I've had a pup/dpg before but they were when I had kids at home so dogs just fitted into the chaos now i think ill be a middle aged dog mummy who will fret about everything 😂

bevelino · 04/04/2023 19:23

The puppy biting and bouncing off the walls stage does settle down. I have a 14 week cockapoo and she is 90% toilet trained, sleeps throughout the night and doesn’t need a toilet break until I get up at 6:00 am. That said she does go hyper and is in the zoomie phase.

We have a crate and puppy pen and she is happy to stay in there while we have chores to do. Hang in there OP, it does get bette better as they age.

GaryTheCat · 05/04/2023 17:26

I’ve got two kids 18 and 20 now, they were a bloody nightmare. And here’s me thinking now that life is easier and I WfH great time to get a puppy!!! Hahahahaha!!! Well that was nuts! We walk 3 x a day and by the time I log off at 5pm the house looks like a bomb has hit 😂am now using a bit a doggy day care which is amazing (total sanity saver and good for his social skills) but at times I still think why did I do this!! Life was just getting easier!!! He is cute though… that horrible bitey phase is over now his big teeth are through. Boy… is it hard. He is 8.5months… see I am counting weeks 🤣

by the time my OH gets home puppy is exhausted and just sleeps! He thinks it’s a dream! 😫

ohsheglows · 08/04/2023 20:58

I could have written this post a couple of months ago! Puppy stage is HARD! Literally couldn't shower without the pup barking and peeing on the kitchen floor, he always is on the go as well. House looks like a tip!

user1471453601 · 08/04/2023 21:33

It's like having a baby that can walk, so of course they are hard work. But, it lasts a couple of months, rather than years, so it's about even in the end.

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 08/04/2023 21:36

I was saying exactly this today! It reminds me of having a newborn and having PND.

RedBonnet · 11/04/2023 21:21

user1471453601 · 08/04/2023 21:33

It's like having a baby that can walk, so of course they are hard work. But, it lasts a couple of months, rather than years, so it's about even in the end.

And with needle sharp teeth 👀

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 11/04/2023 21:28

Our puppy ate the easy peasy puppy book. Confused

HappyHealthy23 · 11/04/2023 21:35

Arewehumanorarewecupboards · 11/04/2023 21:28

Our puppy ate the easy peasy puppy book. Confused

Pup had the right idea there. I found that book really annoying.

We currently have a 10-week-old puppy and we love her to bits but she is exhausting. Getting better, though, especially since I chewed DH a new one for not getting with the crate training program. We got her from a refuge and the foster lady strongly advised cry it out, which is terrible at the start but does pay dividends rapidly.

bailarbailar · 11/04/2023 21:44

@Arewehumanorarewecupboards my puppy ate the book too! Thought I was the only one

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