Tell me it gets better

[Dogdaywoes]

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?

It gets easier, there’s such thing as ‘puppy blues’ …..each time I’ve got mine I’ve felt regret the first few weeks, but all good now

3 years ago I literally posted on here the exact same words. I'm now resting on my bed with him cuddled up beside me. I couldn't imagine a world without him. Stick with it.

I'm another one that hated - and yes I did hate my golden retriever puppy. I cried all the time and wanted to hand her back. I just had to fake it til I made it. Which happened sooner than I thought.
We love each other now and she's the bestest/easiest dog in the whole world now, she's 18 months.

Dh really struggled with our dog when he was a puppy. There were times when I really felt he hated him. Now dog is 4 and dh and he has a great bond. These days dh is quite soppy about him. Last night I walked into the dinning room where dh was working hearing him say. "You are such a good boy".. "What did he do" I asked? Dh:"oh he is just being so good just laying there.." 😁. So ddog got praise for being lazy... (yes I joined in ddog is amazing)

As a puppy though he was more bitey with dh and dh hated it. We found puppy classes with dh being actively participating helped a lot and oddly lockdown. We got dog in October as lockdown happened in March. By the time lockdown was over dh was in love with the dog again..

So yes it gets better but it can feel a lonely route.

One of my dogs was an angel. Calm, intelligent, eager to please, loved kids, loved me more than anything. Never needed a lead unless by the road. Basically if I could communicate to her what I wanted, she would do it.

Her puppy stage nearly killed me. Up in the night multiple times only lasted a few months but I was exhausted. Chewing. She chewed EVERYTHING. So much energy she was constantly on the go. House training her almost broke me.

It does improve. In a year, you won't recognise her. In 18 months, she will seem to go backwards with obedience as she becomes a knobhead adolescent. In 2 years, you will start to see glimpses of the adult dog she will be.

It's like raising children, it really is. Well, they are children. Children of a different species but still babies. Just be consistent and keep reinforcing good manners and start obedience training immediately. They're never more receptive than they are now, start as you mean to go on.

I've never said I hate her (or puppies in general), just that I'm finding it harder than I anticipated.

She's not bitey with me/ people but with stuff, but I expected that and I've been redirecting her to her toys and keeping as much stuff as possible out of her way.

I don't remember the puppy stage with my family dogs, but I guess even though I was an older teen/ adult I didn't have the full weight of the responsibility!

I'd never hit her.

Honestly, I wore wellies constantly for the first 2 months.
Our boy was a nightmare, but we finally had some relief when we realised that he loved to chew baskets (the lovely wicker ones) as opposed to our toes or my wooden furniture. I just had to imagine that I was back with young babies again, with less sleep and eyes in the back of my head. Once I really accepted that, it helped a bit. They do improve, but with mine it was quickly out of the really rough bit (well within 2 months) and then a slow improvement over the next 2 years, except for the hideous teens at 9 months. He's a large breed so everything was slower. Good luck!

Dogdaywoes, I didn't say you said you hated the puppy,(although you did say you were seriously thinking about returning to breeder) a lot of posters have said that they hate the puppy stage.

Me included. Pup is gorgeous but I'm not loving this stage.

Lab puppies are land sharks. It gets better OP, it really does!!

I don't know why Labradors have a reputation for being bitey.

Lol - that little sweetheart?

I remember when my old Lab was a puppy he had a penchant for chewing the Sky remote control. He got through about 6 in 6 months because the kids kept leaving them out. He was also very partial to my daughters ballet style shoes.

I know, such deceptively small teeth.

I have a 6 month old golden retriever and he is absolutely crazy! They are similar to labs - very bitey and energetic as pups. I adore him but he is difficult and needs to be watched constantly (or he will swallow things he shouldn't) Ive also been told it gets easier and if I think back the first few weeks were so much harder. Don't give your doggy back- stick with the training! Good luck!

I have am 8 month old retriever and she is def getting better. I thought I was
so well prepared, and really struggled. At 5 or so months things got a bit better, then teenager-ness hit :(

Some things that have helped (if nothing else, to give back a feeling of control about the whole situation!)

1. 1:1 behaviourist for two sessions at the very, very beginning. She set us up with some basics such as boundary games, there being value in staying on the ground and beginning whistle recall training. Trainers registered with COAPE and IMDT are worth looking for.
2. shove a toy in their gob whenever they want to bite you or the furniture. Also, bitter apple spray worked for us
3. There’s a Facebook group that has loads of fab info in their guides. I found it invaluable for when she suddenly started pulling badly on the lead. https://facebook.com/groups/dogtrainingadviceandsupport/
4. google impulse control games. Sue Garret’s “it’s yet choice” and absolute dogs “airplane” and “mouse” games.

Ah, forgot to add - accept that it’s not all about training, management is also super important. Partly because it’s important the dog doesn’t get to practice bad/rewarding behaviours such as reaching for the kitchen worktop. So, stairgates, moving books off the coffee table, keeping the kitchen super clean, emptying the bin more often etc.

Asked my friend who's had them donkeys years. She said the shreek to let doggo know it hurts,then a firm no. I also make sure to give a hard teething toy.I've had 6 puppies a few older and rescue dogs, I've never let anyone of them bite my hands arms like the picture, suppose it was a toddler! Talking of,yes, exactly the same, plants, books, ornaments, anything on low tables put away. The worst thing that happens in mine ATM,(said puppy 14 weeks today,) is playing with big sis,you can't put a drink on the coffee table, because they are both thundering around playing tug of war.

Oh, I have had 7!

To be fair, I haven't 'let her'. It's just that over the last 4 weeks, she has occasionally caught me with her sharp canine.

ive also been bitten a lot by my pup and believe me I didn’t just let him bite me!

Puppy blues is a result thing. I had it. I hated my puppy, and regretted getting him even though I've had dogs all my life. He was bitey, the constant wee's and poos and even now he's nearly 2, but I would not be without him. He o my gets bitey when over excited, he's a handful but I love him so much. Hang on in there, it'll be worth it.

Yay, first 24 hours with no accidents!

@Dogdaywoes

Now Dog Days Success!