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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

Tell me it gets better

49 replies

Dogdaywoes · 23/10/2023 18:54

We got a puppy almost 2 weeks ago.

I've wanted a dog for ages, I grew up with dogs, researched the breed, the breeder etc. I was all set. But now I think I've made a terrible mistake.

DH was never really onboard with actively participating in dog ownership but was fine with me getting one. But he's now getting very irritated with the dog. The kids are scared of the dog as it's jumpy and bitey (as is typical of a pup).

The puppy stage is just much harder than I'd anticipated. And doing it with no help is hard.

It gets better doesn't it?

OP posts:

1AnotherOne · 23/10/2023 18:59

I never believed anyone when they said it gets better. I couldn’t stand my puppy, I worried she hated me as she would snap at my face. I realised after talking to colleagues that she was trying to play, thought I was a littermate. They told me ‘go home tonight, do not look at her. When she is calm you greet her.’ So that’s what I did every night for weeks.

honestly, it got better. I promise it will

NormaLouiseBates · 23/10/2023 19:02

It 100% gets better but it's much harder when you've got very little help or support 🥺

Nannyfannybanny · 23/10/2023 19:03

Yes, we got a 7 week old border collie puppy on the 1/9, getting up twice in the night, hourly toileting in the day,THEN 3 weeks in,we both got Covid first time ever,was really ill 2 weeks. Whoever was feeling the best at that time got up in the night. Trust me that was REALLY hard. We have an 8 year old border collie as well,DH has no patience with the puppy and gets annoyed at accidents (she encountered rain for the first time on Wednesday,and didn't want to go out. We changed all our carpets for water resistant laminate,it was carpet last time, but he was working then,so I did most of the graft. Some years ago, I had 3 young kids, huge garden, chicken,rat, rabbit,2 cats, worked full time nights,and got 2 puppies 6 months apart.

Riverlee · 23/10/2023 19:05

It gets better. I’m a first time dog owner, and probably cried on a daily basis for ages - dog nipping, lack of sleep, poor lead training, picking up stones etc.

user1471453601 · 23/10/2023 19:11

I thought of the puppy months with our (now) lovely dog, as having a baby who has teeth and can run a dammed sight faster than me. And she was a tiny littlething, Jack Russell.

Every dropped bit of paper, every shoe was seen by her as an opportunity to play.

Three years later, and she's a bit of a darling (if only she would stop fucking barking every time a mouse farts three streets away.)

I'm told "puppy blues" is a real thing. Persevere, would be my advice, and start training as early as possible.

RNBrie · 23/10/2023 19:11

It does get better!!! Our puppy was a nightmare with the kids, nipping them, nipping their clothes, clambering all over them but he's nearly 8 months now and everyone adores him. He doesn't bite them at all now (but he does still mouth me if he's given a chance)

We kept a basket of his favourite toys outside the kitchen door which had a baby gate. The kids would grab a toy before coming in and if he tried to jump up they'd toss the toy and he'd go after it. It wasn't perfect but it helped. We also got them to do a lot of sit training with treats so they'd grab a treat and get him to sit when they came in a room.

I read about puppy regret before getting ours but I never believed it would happen to me, it definitely did. Mostly now I am just delighted to have him but sometimes he's a dick and it reminds me that life was easier without him. He brings us all a lot of joy now though!!

Original poster

Dogdaywoes · 23/10/2023 19:28

Thanks. This is really reassuring! I've honestly been considering giving her back to the breeder

OP posts:

userxx · 23/10/2023 19:40

Come and join the new pup thread, there's loads of advice.

What breed is your pup ? It's really hard, I totally underestimated how tedious it can be at times. My pup is 12 weeks old and the biting is definitely getting less, he also understands no which is making life a bit easier.

Nannyfannybanny · 23/10/2023 20:11

I got ripped another one on here last year when someone mentioned all their lifestyle,then said tell me the truth about having a puppy, I did, it was obviously not going to fit into their lives. They changed their mind and I got apologies. I have never regretted any of my puppies. Poster, what breed is your puppy?

Original poster

Dogdaywoes · 23/10/2023 20:28

Labrador.

I don't think our lifestyle is incompatible with a puppy.

And the people on this thread have reassured me that what I'm feeling is perfectly normal.

OP posts:

Lastqueenofscotland2 · 23/10/2023 20:39

The puppy blues is such a real thing. Labradors are particularly bitey puppies too

Newpeep · 23/10/2023 20:45

It gets better. Then worse, then better, then worse. You get the idea 😉

I am experienced with older dogs and training agility dogs but my very first baby puppy is now 14 months. She nearly broke us. At 6 months it got better. Then at 8 months adolescence hit. It got worse. Now at 14 months we’re on the up again but it’s been a shock how long it takes them to become a dog.

Dogs are amazing. Puppies are vile. I move in training circles. None of my friends particularly liked their puppies. It’s a means to an end.

Lougle · 23/10/2023 20:58

Do come and join us on the puppy thread. I have a lab puppy who is 12 weeks old.

NormaLouiseBates · 23/10/2023 21:33

Labs are the best dogs but as puppies they are absolute monsters! I thought mine would never stop biting us... it was relentless. But she's 9 months now and is turning into the very best dog day by day 🧡

Twiglets1 · 23/10/2023 21:46

Labradors are very bitey as puppies but are the best dogs. I was told to squeal loudly every time he bit me with his little baby teeth (it didn’t really hurt much). That’s what I did and he normally stopped and looked at me all surprised. I bought him lots of toys to bite on and he soon preferred biting them to me seeing as I seemed so delicate.

stayathomer · 23/10/2023 22:14

It’s like having a newborn that’s actually a toddler! It really is!!! My favourite book is easy peasy puppy Squeezy, because it reminds you that they are a baby, they just want and need to be loved, and the best thing- have chew toys/ teddies everywhere as in, sporadically everywhere and one with you at all times and any time they go to mouth/bite you hand them a chew toy/ teddy and then they get used to picking one up anytime they feel like biting/grabbing something. We were all there, it gets easier and everything you ever wanted from a dog (he’s a year and a half and it’s quite recent but you’ll get there! Just remember your dog loves you and you’re their everything!!

PuppyMonkey · 24/10/2023 07:13

Ah, I knew this would be a Labrador or golden retriever. Nobody tells you about the horror of them as puppies.

I only got through it because my partner was on board with getting a dog, if your partner is not helping I do really wonder if it’s the best idea for you to have one. The adolescent months are a big challenge too.

NormaLouiseBates · 24/10/2023 07:54

PuppyMonkey · 24/10/2023 07:13

Ah, I knew this would be a Labrador or golden retriever. Nobody tells you about the horror of them as puppies.

I thought I knew what to expect from our Labrador puppy having previously had our Dalmatian from a puppy too.

The 2 couldn't be compared 😂 she was RELENTLESS!

Riverlee · 24/10/2023 09:30

Labradors are often touted as good first dogs and good family dogs - loyal, easy to train, gentle etc. No one ever adds the caveat that that comes with time, and doesn’t apply to the first twelve months!

Nannyfannybanny · 24/10/2023 09:34

In-laws have always had lab/retrievers, they are getting on for 70, just got a gorgeous black 8 weeks old. He isn't particularly bitey, the others haven't been either. I was taught to yelp,high pitched as possible,that's what other dogs litter mates do. A friend of many years,also similar age, suddenly lost both her dogs within a month,one quite young, other friends with or had puppies, not one has ever said they hate puppies.

DRS1970 · 24/10/2023 09:39

This reply has been deleted

Message deleted by MNHQ. Here's a link to our Talk Guidelines.

SwanBoat · 24/10/2023 09:54

I think I cried every day when I first got mine (large retriever) but he's 7 now and the best dog. The yelping thing when they nip really works. I remember doing that and then he'd chomp on his own leg and look at me as if to say, I can't believe that really hurt, you must be such a wimp!

SwanBoat · 24/10/2023 09:57

I would never bat a dog's nose! Personally I think having love and a good bond is the way to get your dog to do what you want them to.

Costacoffeeplease · 24/10/2023 10:05

Never ever hit a dog on the nose, it’s one of their most sensitive areas. If you want to antagonise it or frighten it, go right ahead

🙄

commonground · 24/10/2023 10:06

Oh gosh, it is relentless. I can only reassure you by saying that by all accounts Labs do seem to really grow into the most bomb proof family dogs.

I think it is soooo much harder when you are the only one advocating for the dog and having to manage everyone else's irritation at the same time.

We had a bit of the same dynamic here in that DH was really not interested BUT luckily the kids loved and adored the puppy, however annoying it got, so I didn't feel so alone.

I think you just have to fake it til you make it - become the puppy's biggest cheerleader, love it, make it your little mate, your best pal.

When she turns into The Best Girl (she really will) they will reap the rewards (but she will always love you most 😉).

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