Hi, all,
I am a first time dog owner. I've lived with a dog before but he was an adult and was not the owner and the primary person in charge of the dog. I have a 14 week old Cavalier. He is a quiet, sweet tempered dog who sleeps well in his crate at night. He is well behaved and loves people and other dogs. He does not destroy my property and he does not bite. He is playful and affectionate and listens pretty well during training. He has potty training accidents but I know that's normal and we're doing out best to be consistent about potty training. I'm working on crate training during the day and he does take 2-3 naps. He is by no means a star in Puppy Preschool because he really wants to play with the other puppies but he is catching on.
I had puppy blues on the 3rd day of bringing puppy home. I have had him over a month. I lost 9 lbs in the first 2 weeks and have been crying uncontrollably and irrationally. I talked to my family and friends about how I feel so my husband and kids (school age) have been rearranging their schedules to be with the puppy. We hired pet sitters to give me a break 2-3x/week while everyone is busy with work and school. I'm not attaching to the puppy. He feels like work. He feels like a burden. I feel like I can't focus or concentrate in the house so even getting dinner ready is difficult. I feel like I'm trapped and won't be able to get on with my life until he is an adult and I don't know how much longer I can take this. With all the help I'm getting, I'm not crying everyday all day anymore - just some of the time - but then I feel numb and things I used to enjoy are no longer enjoyable or have any appeal to me. And then everyone else who has written about puppy blues has talked about how much their puppy bites them, pees on the floor, chews their things but my puppy has actually been quite good and low maintenance so I don't know why I feel so overwhelmed and burdened by him.
My husband and kids love him. How long did it take you to attach to your puppy/dog? I am worried that caring for the dog will make me resent him and that won't be good for either the puppy or my family. I'm having horrible thoughts of returning the puppy so he can go to a home where everyone loves him but I never thought I would be the type of irresponsible, immature person to do that to a dog. I feel at fault because I am the one who did all the research and found the breeder and brought him home. I researched breeds and caring for a dog for over a year and thought I was ready for the time and work involved but I thought I would enjoy it rather than feel this intense sadness and anxiety whenever I'm with him. Is this typical puppy blues? Will this pass? Or is this a sign that I am really not cut out to be a good dog owner? I think I could care for him but I'm not sure if I could give him the love that he deserves. Please help. I could use advice and a fresh perspective.
I am a first time dog owner. I've lived with a dog before but he was an adult and was not the owner and the primary person in charge of the dog. I have a 14 week old Cavalier. He is a quiet, sweet tempered dog who sleeps well in his crate at night. He is well behaved and loves people and other dogs. He does not destroy my property and he does not bite. He is playful and affectionate and listens pretty well during training. He has potty training accidents but I know that's normal and we're doing out best to be consistent about potty training. I'm working on crate training during the day and he does take 2-3 naps. He is by no means a star in Puppy Preschool because he really wants to play with the other puppies but he is catching on.
I had puppy blues on the 3rd day of bringing puppy home. I have had him over a month. I lost 9 lbs in the first 2 weeks and have been crying uncontrollably and irrationally. I talked to my family and friends about how I feel so my husband and kids (school age) have been rearranging their schedules to be with the puppy. We hired pet sitters to give me a break 2-3x/week while everyone is busy with work and school. I'm not attaching to the puppy. He feels like work. He feels like a burden. I feel like I can't focus or concentrate in the house so even getting dinner ready is difficult. I feel like I'm trapped and won't be able to get on with my life until he is an adult and I don't know how much longer I can take this. With all the help I'm getting, I'm not crying everyday all day anymore - just some of the time - but then I feel numb and things I used to enjoy are no longer enjoyable or have any appeal to me. And then everyone else who has written about puppy blues has talked about how much their puppy bites them, pees on the floor, chews their things but my puppy has actually been quite good and low maintenance so I don't know why I feel so overwhelmed and burdened by him.
My husband and kids love him. How long did it take you to attach to your puppy/dog? I am worried that caring for the dog will make me resent him and that won't be good for either the puppy or my family. I'm having horrible thoughts of returning the puppy so he can go to a home where everyone loves him but I never thought I would be the type of irresponsible, immature person to do that to a dog. I feel at fault because I am the one who did all the research and found the breeder and brought him home. I researched breeds and caring for a dog for over a year and thought I was ready for the time and work involved but I thought I would enjoy it rather than feel this intense sadness and anxiety whenever I'm with him. Is this typical puppy blues? Will this pass? Or is this a sign that I am really not cut out to be a good dog owner? I think I could care for him but I'm not sure if I could give him the love that he deserves. Please help. I could use advice and a fresh perspective.