Regret getting puppy - 6 days in

[sukiwh]

Hello everyone, I’m really just looking for some reassurance here. First puppy in many years, had dogs before but do not remember it being this hard. The cats are furious, I feel so guilty that I have ruined their peaceful little lives, and if I could go back in time, I would not get the puppy. I can see she is objectively cute and understand she is 8 weeks and 6 days old, so can’t expect much from her in the way of understanding. I just wish I could go back in time and not get her. I feel depressed.

Please tell me these feelings will lift. I feel resentful towards this tiny sweet thing. Lots of support from DH and DC, I have no idea why I feel so negatively. I can’t see a future where this decision turns out to be a good one.

Oh god, puppy regret is definitely real. In fact this time I've done an online diary to refer back to, just in case I think about doing it again.

Yes, it gets easier. Put the work in now with training, and you'll reap the rewards. Use things like snuffle mats/treat balls for food so it lasts longer and you get a bit of peace.

Put her to bed for proper sleeps rather than have her catnapping all over the place, then you can get things done.

Are you crate training? I know there are a few on here who are vehemently against it but done properly it can save your sanity. If not at least have a puppy pen so you can put her safely in one place to give yourself a breather.

If it was reasonable to return a dog to the breeder within a week nobody would ever keep a puppy 😂

it WILL get better!! promise!

I cried when i got my puppy many years ago it was horrid. Hated the last puppy

but it does get better - 8 years on. haha

Oh my goodness I am so thankful to each and every one of you with your thoughtful, supportive responses. This is exactly what I needed - to feel understood and not like I’m a terrible person. Thank you all for the reality check. I know that there are tough times ahead, and some lovely times too, which will make it all worth it. The comparisons to having a newborn are valid - I genuinely feel like it was easier with a baby! And, like we do with children, I’ve clearly forgotten how tough it was with our last puppy, but back then I was in my twenties and childless, so maybe I just had more energy!

Thanks for all the positive notes and bits of advice. I probably have cast a pessimistic cloud over everything, and it has stopped me from appreciating the good bits. She loves her crate and after her crazy bouts of biting and mauling everything she can, she goes into her crate and flops down ready for a rest. We’ve put a baby gate between the room we have the puppy in and the hallway so there is some exposure for the cats, and I know they’ll eventually come round. We have two cats, so at the very least they have each other while they exile themselves to the bedrooms upstairs!

Thank you again everyone.

Why do you need a photo? Another person who simply cannot survive without seeing a picture of the dog? Seriously.

Did he cry when you put him in? I've just popped my puppy (day 7!) In his for a rest and he's having a whinge at being in the crate. He whinges at night for about 15 minutes then stops. He us used to the crate as he slept in one at the breeders for a few weeks.

He's so cute but dear god he can be an absolute nightmare and just won't listen! I'm hoping once we can go for a walk he'll be more tired and settle easier.

Also here for the puppy pic.

I have never had a dog but I have had plenty of cats and feel sure they will get over it. They are past masters at guilt trips.

🙄

It's ok OP. I can't lie, ours is 11 months old now and I still have moments where I could easily Chuck him out but it's much easier than it was and continues to get so. Chin up ❤️

Totally normal and par for the course. Puppy blues are real and I think the majority of people think ‘what the fuck did do to my once peaceful life and clean and tidy house’. The blues don’t last, it’s a bit like having a baby. If you don’t fall in love at first sight, you will in the not too distant future.

I had terrible puppy blues and anxiety after I fulfilled a lifelong dream of having two dogs of my own. Huge regrets. Thought I’d ruined our lovely peaceful life. I’d say 2 months later I was totally in love and nearly four years in I’m besotted. They are quite simply the sweetest things I have ever seen (bar my baby son!) and I adore them. Hang in there!

I bet you’re fun at parties 🙄

Doubt she’s ever invited to one

Our cat eventually got over himself and now they have an uneasy truce, the cat is definitely boss.

I was on here when we'd had ours 3 weeks and I'd have just taken her back to the breeder. She's 3 now and can't imagine life without her, she sleeps a lot, loves a walk, is playful and is a completely soft muppet.

They are at their worst when tired...you have to persuade them to sleep! Also brain games and a little bit of training - even at this age - really knacker them. Hide treats in newspaper or toilet roll, get a snuffle mat, play hide and seek.

It gets much better when you can take them out on walks. Let them off as soon as possible - on the first walk somewhere safe - they'll stick with you.

High value treats are great.

All puppies are gits.

Gosh we wanted to take ours back practically everyday 😂. She’s 17 weeks now and it does get easier. There are still hard moments though. Today I suddenly realised how much she’d grown and started feeling broody for another one 🙈🙈🙈🙈

Not the OP, but puppy photos.

Adorable! 😍

Awhh thank you so much for sharing such adorable pictures and for sharing your wisdom further upthread! What a beauty!

(I’m not sharing pics for the sole reason I am a freak and think the breeder or one of the new owners of a litter mate will recognise her. A reach, I know! I just really do feel shame for not being head over heels in love with her.)

This is mine at a few weeks old

The first one kind of sums up the madness.

Enforced nap times and getting the pup used to times when you aren't going to entertain them will definitely be a godsend. I would curl up on the couch with pup in crate with door open, or with him next to me, and pretend to snore! He soon got the message :-) He's currently snoozing on my lap!

Ahh poor you , it's amazing what we do for love .

Alright Cruella. 🤣🤣🤣

I just really do feel shame for not being head over heels in love with her.

Honestly, I think that's quite normal. They're not really bonded to you at first either; they're just a fluffy bag of destruction. For maybe three weeks now, my puppy has pelted to see me with pure joy every time he's had more than 10 minutes away from me, and I think I'm starting to love him. I definitely didn't at first. It was more that I wanted to do my best for him, and that I could logically see he was cute-looking.

lovely pup, SirChenjins.

Bloody hell, who pissed on your cornflakes this morning?