[Momoftwo]

Hi all! Some background- we are a family of 4- my husband, son (10), daughter (8). My daughter has been begging for a dog for years and I was always 70/30 not interested in getting one. I got a beagle when I was 21 but returned her to the breeder bc I was not prepared to handle all the work. Since we’ve been quarantined and I’m not working from home, I thought it would be the perfect time. We found a breeder with the perfect pup. We surprised the kids the day before and drove 3+ hours each way to get her. She is the sweetest, cutest 8 week old little pup. We got her Monday 4/6. Keep in mind my husband never wanted a dog, specifically stating he didn’t want any more responsibilities than he already has. His job is very demanding and he works long hours. My son was looking forward to getting her but he didn’t really care one way or another. I thought it would be nice for my kids to grow up with a dog (neither my husband nor i grew up with one)

Ok so we brought her home Monday. OMG. While cute and fluffy, she was so much work.Although my kids were helping, the bulk of the work was on me. At 4 lbs she needed to be taken out constantly. She was up during the night, I was sleeping maybe 3 hours. I missed my life so bad. I was so anxious, depressed, sad, with some moments of happiness. But mostly, I wished I could rewind and that we never got her.

After talking candidly with my kids, my son said he didn’t realize how much work she’d be and asked a few times if we could give her back. My daughter was so sad at the thought. So I hung in there. On Day 6, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I love my daughter more than anything but it was too much for me to handle. Everyone kept saying stick with it, it gets better, but honestly the end result wasn’t appealing enough to want to stick it out.

Day 7, I found the most wonderful family to rehome her to. They are total dog lover, 2 kids around my kids ages, and a 6 month old puppy of the same breed. So as of yesterday our pup has a new home. My daughter is devastated. She cried on and off the whole day and night yesterday. I kept her by my side, we cried together. I kept her distracted and we also grieved the loss together. I planned things for us to do that we couldn’t do with the puppy around. Today we are going for a family
Bike ride around the neighborhood. It wasn’t an easy decision for me, and I do miss the puppy. But if my daughter wasn’t so hurt, I wouldn’t have any second thoughts.

I guess I’m just looking for reassurance that I did the right thing. I did love the puppy but like I said, I was doing all the work, with my kids pitching in, and I felt like I couldn’t handle it emotionally. My husband was very upset with me for doing this to our daughter but throughout it all he didn’t offer to help anymore than he has been. I feel like if it had been 50/50, I may have been able to handle it. But he was honest from the beginning and said he was only agreeing to it for me and the kids and because under the current circumstances I’m home to care and train her.

I feel so guilty for putting my family through this.

 

[LeoRose]

Puppies are HARD.They are even harder when not everyone is on board, and only one person is doing all the work. .

One thing that I should mention, though, is that it might have been in your contract to return the pup to the breeder, instead of rehoming it.

 

[Momoftwo]

Thanks for confirming that it was too much for one person. Also, I did check with the breeder to make sure she was ok with me rehoming her.

Puppies are HARD.They are even harder when not everyone is on board, and only one person is doing all the work. .

One thing that I should mention, though, is that it might have been in your contract to return the pup to the breeder, instead of rehoming it.

 

[lydiaxnc]

I can't find the exact links, but when I first got my pup I listened to a bunch of podcasts/read books on dog training. It was mentioned by multiple trainers that don't get a dog for any other reasons other than that you want and are committed in raising the dog. Don't get a dog because your kids want it, don't get a second dog because you wanna get a companion for your first dog, etc.. So even though it feels bad, but I think you did the right thing!
As I was growing up, I had so many pets that didn't last long at home as all. I loved animals, so my dad always brought home cute little animals, puppies, kittens, ducklings, fishes, even hedgehogs, you name it. They all mysteriously disappeared after a few days/weeks because my mom does like them (even though my grandma was the person mainly taking care of the animals/me). I went through a rollercoaster of emotions with every single one of them, but I'm ok now and have my apartment full of animals!

 

[Momoftwo]

Thanks, that actually makes me feel better. I guess I got her for the wrong reasons

 

[InkedMarie]

You did the right thing and please, if you decide on another dog, get an adult.

 

[jmsmith]

I prefer adults. They are already potty trained.

 

[Momoftwo]

Thanks for your comments. I have moments where I question my decision but all in all I know it was the right thing to do.

 

[Momoftwo]

I prefer adults. They are already potty trained.

Do adult dogs have a hard time adapting to a new home? I would not consider another dog at this point in time but maybe sometime down the road. Wayyyy down the road. Lol.

 

[LeoRose]

It's more that with an adult dog, their personality is usually evident., and you typically don't have to go through the puppy nonsense of house training and teething. Or if you do get an adult who isn't already house trained, they usually don't take nearly as much work to train as a puppy. I say "typically" and "usually" because I did have one outdoor dog I took in as an adult who insisted on marking in the house. I adopted him out to another family who was looking for an outdoor dog.

 

[Momoftwo]

That makes total sense. The puppy was honestly more work than my 2 kids. Mostly because of the biting and potty training. Babies wear diapers lol.

It's more that with an adult dog, their personality is usually evident., and you typically don't have to go through the puppy nonsense of house training and teething. Or if you do get an adult who isn't already house trained, they usually don't take nearly as much work to train as a puppy. I say "typically" and "usually" because I did have one outdoor dog I took in as an adult who insisted on marking in the house. I adopted him out to another family who was looking for an outdoor dog.

 

[InkedMarie]

I’ve had more adult dogs then puppies. They’ve entered my home from 1yr of age to 11yrs of age. Outside of a dog with unknown past, from down south, who bit my SIL, never had a problem. Next time I get a dog not from a breeder, it will only be from a rescue in my state with the dog here in my state.

 

[InkedMarie]

MomofTwo, I had a wonderful pbgv, he’s my avatar. He was hands down the hardest puppy I’ve ever had. Seriously. It took until he was 9 before I would get another puppy. Just the thought of dealing with that again made me queasy. I wanted a longhaired whippet so bad but it’s very rare to find an older one needing a home. The breeder told me how easy they are, she swore they were. She said if it didn’t work out, pup could go back.

O’Malley is hands down the easiest puppy, or dog, that we’ve ever had. Boone our pbgv died in December and while I miss him so much, I’ll never have another peeb.

 

[Momoftwo]

Aww sorry to hear that. Glad to hear you’re having an easy time with your pup. It’s funny, when I’m sitting here bored, I wish I had our little pup back. But all I have to do is remember the anxiety and sadness I had when she was actually here. It’s funny how even the shortest amount of time erases bad feelings. Perhaps in the future I’ll consider an adult dog. But I may be just fine with no pets at all. Well, my son does have fish and snails

MomofTwo, I had a wonderful pbgv, he’s my avatar. He was hands down the hardest puppy I’ve ever had. Seriously. It took until he was 9 before I would get another puppy. Just the thought of dealing with that again made me queasy. I wanted a longhaired whippet so bad but it’s very rare to find an older one needing a home. The breeder told me how easy they are, she swore they were. She said if it didn’t work out, pup could go back.

O’Malley is hands down the easiest puppy, or dog, that we’ve ever had. Boone our pbgv died in December and while I miss him so much, I’ll never have another peeb.

 

[jmsmith]

We have had two adult dogs. Our first was a 'pure bred' Heinz 57 30 pounder and the second who just when over the rainbow bridge was a 15" (we got her at the dog pound) beagle.
j

 

[Lillith]

I think you did the right thing in rehoming the pup. Puppies are very difficult, and if not everyone in the family is on board with it and your children are still fairly young, someONE is going to have to take on the entire care of the puppy...and that one was you.

It may seem like a complete negative now, but look at it as a tough but positive lesson for your family in the amount of work animals, especially young ones, require. Also, remember that life is going to back to normal at some point!

If you do decide you want to add a dog in the future, I would suggest fostering an adult. There really isn't a cost to you, and there is no long-term commitment. A few weeks with a dog that is to be adopted to another family will help your family evaluate if a dog is the right 15+ year commitment for your family.

 

[keesshep]

Probably should have had a family meeting, and all agreed before adding a family member. Since you didn't, rehoming it was probably the best decision, while it was still young, and had not attached himself to your family. Thats like adopting a kid, without everyone's input. You can't expect an 8 year old to take care of a dog. You did the right thing. If it does not feel right, just move on. Your a dog lover, or your just not.

Hi all! Some background- we are a family of 4- my husband, son (10), daughter (8). My daughter has been begging for a dog for years and I was always 70/30 not interested in getting one. I got a beagle when I was 21 but returned her to the breeder bc I was not prepared to handle all the work. Since we’ve been quarantined and I’m not working from home, I thought it would be the perfect time. We found a breeder with the perfect pup. We surprised the kids the day before and drove 3+ hours each way to get her. She is the sweetest, cutest 8 week old little pup. We got her Monday 4/6. Keep in mind my husband never wanted a dog, specifically stating he didn’t want any more responsibilities than he already has. His job is very demanding and he works long hours. My son was looking forward to getting her but he didn’t really care one way or another. I thought it would be nice for my kids to grow up with a dog (neither my husband nor i grew up with one)

Ok so we brought her home Monday. OMG. While cute and fluffy, she was so much work.Although my kids were helping, the bulk of the work was on me. At 4 lbs she needed to be taken out constantly. She was up during the night, I was sleeping maybe 3 hours. I missed my life so bad. I was so anxious, depressed, sad, with some moments of happiness. But mostly, I wished I could rewind and that we never got her.

After talking candidly with my kids, my son said he didn’t realize how much work she’d be and asked a few times if we could give her back. My daughter was so sad at the thought. So I hung in there. On Day 6, I couldn’t handle it anymore. I love my daughter more than anything but it was too much for me to handle. Everyone kept saying stick with it, it gets better, but honestly the end result wasn’t appealing enough to want to stick it out.

Day 7, I found the most wonderful family to rehome her to. They are total dog lover, 2 kids around my kids ages, and a 6 month old puppy of the same breed. So as of yesterday our pup has a new home. My daughter is devastated. She cried on and off the whole day and night yesterday. I kept her by my side, we cried together. I kept her distracted and we also grieved the loss together. I planned things for us to do that we couldn’t do with the puppy around. Today we are going for a family
Bike ride around the neighborhood. It wasn’t an easy decision for me, and I do miss the puppy. But if my daughter wasn’t so hurt, I wouldn’t have any second thoughts.

I guess I’m just looking for reassurance that I did the right thing. I did love the puppy but like I said, I was doing all the work, with my kids pitching in, and I felt like I couldn’t handle it emotionally. My husband was very upset with me for doing this to our daughter but throughout it all he didn’t offer to help anymore than he has been. I feel like if it had been 50/50, I may have been able to handle it. But he was honest from the beginning and said he was only agreeing to it for me and the kids and because under the current circumstances I’m home to care and train her.

I feel so guilty for putting my family through this.