[MobyGrape]

I am not a new dog owner. I recently got a 9 week old puppy and he has bonded to me. I have not bonded to him as much as I want to and I feel terrible about it!! I've had other dogs before they were not purebred as this new one is & I received them at an age 3 months older than this one. He is so very TINY and honestly reminds me of a little kitten. My last dog was "small", as l always referred to her as, but passed at 18 pounds. Is it the breed I chose that may be wrong for me?? Should I return him to the breeder so he can go to someone who's bonds back to him?? I do everything a responsible dog owner is supposed to do and we play and I "love on him" & praise him etc... But don't feel bonded. Haven't even found a name I like for him..
HELP ME!

 

[LeoRose]

How long have you had him? What breed is he?

As far as the name thing, it took me a couple of weeks to settle on Ilka's name, and I had one cat that I called simply "Black Cat" for over a month until his actual name of Damascus came out one day.

 

[DaySleepers]

It's actually pretty common to not bond to a new baby puppy right away! They need a lot of time and energy and can be a big change to the household, but also are still in the process of developing their individual personality and figuring out the world. It can take a while before things 'click' and you really start to understand each other. I know a lot of dog people who don't like puppies at all and always try to bring home an older pup/adult dog, or even hire a puppy raiser.

That being said, if you really feel like this pup isn't right for you or is negatively impacting your mental health, there's no shame in returning him to the breeder. Sometimes things don't work out, and it's better for everyone that the puppy find a home that's a better fit instead of trying to hang on to the point where you resent the dog or are so stressed by him that it's impacting both of your quality of life.

Personally, I'd give it a little more time and try not to put a lot of pressure on immediately feeling that bond right now, because very often that bond does come, but you know the situation best.

 

[MobyGrape]

How long have you had him? What breed is he?

As far as the name thing, it took me a couple of weeks to settle on Ilka's name, and I had one cat that I called simply "Black Cat" for over a month until his actual name of Damascus came out one day.

Yorkshire terrier 1 week 1 day

 

[MobyGrape]

It's actually pretty common to not bond to a new baby puppy right away! They need a lot of time and energy and can be a big change to the household, but also are still in the process of developing their individual personality and figuring out the world. It can take a while before things 'click' and you really start to understand each other. I know a lot of dog people who don't like puppies at all and always try to bring home an older pup/adult dog, or even hire a puppy raiser.

That being said, if you really feel like this pup isn't right for you or is negatively impacting your mental health, there's no shame in returning him to the breeder. Sometimes things don't work out, and it's better for everyone that the puppy find a home that's a better fit instead of trying to hang on to the point where you resent the dog or are so stressed by him that it's impacting both of your quality of life

Personally, I'd give it a little more time and try not to put a lot of pressure on immediately feeling that bond right now, because very often that bond does come, but you know the situation best.