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New Puppy - Second Thoughts
Concern about new puppy, whether I made the right choice to purchase him. Asking for advice on how to adjust to a new puppy.
Found [16] Posts :: Page 1 of 1
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Posted: 12:11:41 AM 12/14/2007
New Puppy
I just purchased a 10-week old Papillion puppy about a week ago, but I’m having second thoughts and I feel guilty about it. He is a great puppy – he is extremely intelligent, full of energy, and very affectionate; however, he throws fits already when I try to stop him from doing what he wants. I’ve never been fully responsible for a puppy before and I am having trouble adjusting. I am a bit overwhelmed, so I’m hoping that the second thoughts are just insecurities about my ability to do this myself. Can I get some advice to help me get through the transition of a new puppy? Maybe some personal success of dealing with a new puppy? Or techniques to reduce stress when he misbehaves? I know my request is general, but I am new to this. Any advice would be very much appreciated!
Posted: 8:45:50 AM 12/14/2007
Hi Mist,

I, too, am a first time dog owner as an adult. My dog is now almost two years old and we've had him since he was 10 weeks old. He is a maltese/toy poodle.

I felt exactly the same way you are feeling now. I had read all of the books and thought I had prepared myself for what it was like to have a puppy. The "tantrums", the ankle-biting, everything was unbearable to me. I couldn't understand how this little 5 lb puppy was equivalent to a "devil" dog. I definitely thought something was wrong with him. I didn't think I would get through the puppy phase. I have to say that I got a lot of support from people on this forum.

I would definitely enroll in a puppy class. If you haven't started crate training I would do that also. Get your puppy some puppy nylabones and a puppy kong to ease the teething pain. You need to take a deep breath and count to 10 when things get rough. When I needed a break I would put Mason in his crate just so I could gather my thoughts and also we could get a break from each other. I soon realized Mason was at his worst when he was tired and needed a nap.

Do not give up. By the time you know it you and your puppy will be best friends and it's the most rewarding feeling know how far you two have come.

Mason has turned into a wonderful dog, although still a rascal at time, and I couldn't imagine my life without him.

Hang in there. It does get much better.

"Puppies for Dummies" is a good book and so is "Housetraining for Dummies".
Windy Valley
Posted: 10:51:38 AM 12/14/2007
Even from someone who has dogs through out my entire life, I have to tell you when I got my first Jack Russell Terrier pup, I thought to myself "OMG What have I gotten myself into" Some puppies are just harder than others. I figured after this little JRT girl, I could pretty much handle anything. LOL
You just have to keep the disciple firm and consistant. If you let them get away with something one time and then not the next, it is very confusing for the puppy. Just hang in there and you will get through this.
I agree the puppy class would be a great asset to training your new puppy. Good Luck and enjoy your new baby.
Pictures would be nice to. hint, hint.
He's your friend,your partner,your defender your dog.You are his life,his love,his leader. He will be yours faithful and true to the last beat of his heart.You owe it to him to worthy of such devotion
zero1268
Posted: 12:48:48 PM 12/14/2007
First time i have had MY own dog. And every now and then i would think why the heck did i get a dog...Then when Tito cuddles or plays or does something to make me smile i remember why and its all worth it. And what hlps me threw the times when Tito acts liek a real dog is to remember that its not his fault...im asking him to do a lot! im asking him to almost be human...i cant blame him for anything he does because i am the one who taught him what he knows. When he does something very bad though i will take him to the ground on his side or his back and stand over him untill he stays there him self and gives up. Shoes them your alfa. Its what the pack leaders do in dog packs. Works awesome!
http://www.dogster.com/dogs/668321
charizma
Posted: 2:03:51 PM 1/3/2008
Hi Mist. Congrats on your new puppy. My only wish would have been for you to rescue, rather than purchase, but what's done is done. When I first took my Sage home at 8 weeks young, it was tough. As she got older I wanted to cry from being so frustrated at myself for not being able to "handle the responsibility". Luckily my brother kept urging me to stick with it. Now, 6 years later, I think back on how difficult the first year & 1/2 was, but I look into my perfect girls eyes & thank God she is still here with me.
She grew to be my most wonderful family member as well as my very best friend. You will be ok. Just keep on thinking about how wonderful it will soon be. Trust me. it's worth every crazy moment you are having right now.
"I am their leader, they are my sanity."
Posted: 6:35:01 PM 1/9/2008
Hello all, new to this forum, but i must say that i have to agree with Mist and see where he/she is coming from. I have a 6-month old pappillion and we got her around 12 weeks old. It has been very difficult for my girlfriend and i, as this is the first time we have raised a dog. We made some mistakes early on and hvae gotten real frustrated which lent itself to yelling and such. she has been so bad at times, peeing everywhere, not listening to anything, etc. Now she is apparently biting on the walls when we are gone during the day. This is the 2nd times she has done it and it has caused a hole in a rented apt which is not good. Its just very upsetting for both of us, We love her so much but she just does what he wants and doesnt listen.

Does anyone here think that my puppy has anxiety issues she exerts by chewing the walls when we are gone? Also, any Pappillion owners out there have advice on how to calm one down? She is always going 100 mph, and constantly/incessantly licking. Is it too late to train her the right away? please help. Thanks...
Posted: 7:18:03 PM 1/9/2008
Oh my, do be patient with yourself. You will have so much joy when you pass this stage. If you had a baby you wouldn't have the option of second thoughts. I loved my tink and miss her dearly but I remember when she was a little stinker. Then it was like a light turned on and she was wonderful. I'd say "Go to your room Tink" and she would go to her cage and sit there. Or "Let's do the pee pee dance" and she would go pee pee on command. Or time for nite nite and she would climb the stairs to get on the bed and we would all settle in for the night. (kitties too) My tink passed when my home burned down. Along with the kitties. So never give up they will give you more love than any one person you have in your life. It's unconditional and always.
Posted: 7:43:11 PM 1/9/2008
Thank you for your thoughts. i'm just more frustrated than anything i guess. I do love her very much but to come home and see my wall chewed was just disheartening...
Posted: 8:23:34 PM 1/9/2008
no no no. I can relate. I think anyone with a puppy can! it will get better. you are tired and overwhelmed and sleep deprived? it will get better. my puppy is 6 months old and it took about a month or so. it will get better. read read read.
Pen2
Posted: 8:30:17 PM 1/9/2008
Mist and PappyOwner, the key to success is to crate train both of the dogs, take them to obedience and be firm and consitant. If they're being real little brats, take them out side for a walk. Lots of times this bad behaviour comes from the dog needing physical exertion. If you can keep them busy and tired at the end of the day , they will be much less destructive. If the one little dog is chewing the walls, get her an x-pen, and out some toys in there as well as water. How long are you gone each day, and how long on average are they left alone?
stdogz
Posted: 9:12:33 PM 1/9/2008
The first few weeks with a new puppy are brutal. Nobody tells you that b/c they don't want you to return the dog ;-) It's the same thing with a newborn. They're awesome in the hospital and then you get them home....

I agree with others - go with the crate or Xpen, depending on how long she's by herself during the day. Keep her occupied with lots of chewies and toys and try and take her for a nice walk or play session before you leave her so she will be all tuckered out.

Don't worry - in a few weeks you will be the one giving advice on the new puppy woes. This too shall pass!

*ahem* - PIX please....
if it has tires or testicles, you're going to have trouble with it.......
Posted: 4:58:54 PM 1/10/2008
It is tough at first...I knew someone that got rid of their puppy only to be heartbroken and ask for it back a few days later....luckily the person they gave it too was fine with it and actually cried too. After hearing their story, and finding out how much the dog means to them now, I would not for a second have 2nd thoughts.
Posted: 10:31:28 PM 1/11/2008
be thankfull that you have a puppy and not a rescue with history. A puppy will be very receptive to your teachings as long as you are certain in what you are trying to teach. I love people that love dogs but am very sorry to disagree with crates and crate training. What wild dog in the wild from any country learns from this method?..none.


At the end of the day puppy is child to you, it needs direction to learn, consequence for unapproved behaviour and reward for doing the right thing (not "good boy/girl or a food treat). Dogs from every circle of the world live in numbers, the success lies in group communication, very specific and for good purpose.

Watch wolf, wild dog, coyote, hyena and dingo etc documentries and you will see there is a vast difference in the way they teach their pups to the way we think is right.

You dont have to carry the pup in your mouth etc lol!!! :o) but i think they spell it out loud and clear, maybe we should learn from the masters!!!
charizma
Posted: 2:14:34 PM 1/14/2008
I am in agreement with loopsntroops. I have never had to crate train. I find it can be dangerous at times to your dog.And why take the risk? They can easily harm themselves. Too much confinement. My pups have grown into wonderful adults without being "caged"
"I am their leader, they are my sanity."
Posted: 5:32:54 PM 12/7/2009
I dont have a new puppy, but I just (this past Saturday) got my new 3 year old male, maltese from a local shelter.
I was so excited because I've wanted a dog for so long..but I was beginning to feel so overwhelmed...almost regretting it...asking myself "what did I do???"
I even googled "regreting getting a dog" but couldn't find any encouragement. I finally found this forum and specifically signed up after reading these posts.
My dog was given up by his previous owners b/c he was hard to housetrain. My dog won't eat on schedule...he barely urinates when I take him out and almost never defecates. He has left me little surprises and I'm already exhausted. I feel like I'm always taking him outside to no avail. I'm sleep deprived too! PS I'm new to dogs...I've been reading a lot on training dogs..so hopefully each day I'll get better.
I don't really have a question I guess..I just needed some encouragement too :)
I'm a nurse and so my hours are long and always changing. I have my friend come by once a day, but even then my dog's home alone a good chunk of time. My husband's away on a business trip but he'll be back soon. I hope that when he's back I won't feel so overwhelmed........
Almost time to go home....hope Toby's okay at home..
illusionminis
Posted: 8:31:15 PM 12/7/2009
Smaller dogs can be harder to house train sometimes. I would suggest getting an x-pen, and putting it in your kitchen. Give him everything he needs. Toys,food, water, crate w/bed, and a weewee pad or paper to potty on. Weewee pad or paper training can be a life saver when away for long hours. It really isn't fair to ask a small dog to hold it's bladder for long hours.

treat him like a new puppy. Do not allow him to have the run of the house. Only allow him to be where you can see him. If he starts to sniff around, or go in circle, take him out imediatly. Once he goes out side praise big time for at least a full minute. Otherwise confine him to his x-pen. He will probably protest at first, but be strong. He will learn that is his special place.

There is a long hard road ahead of you, but if you have the patience, you will prevail. Taking on a puppy, or any dog for that matter can be extremly challanging. But in the end it is just as rewarding. Everytime you get upset, take a deep breath and start again.

Remember, he was allowed to do whatever he wanted for 3yrs, now you are asking him to change. It will take a while, but it can be done. Good luck
BIG HEARTS IN A SMALL PACKAGE
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