Things I wish I knew before getting a puppy! | Puppy blues, exhaustion, witching hour, dog mom guilt
Вставка
- Опубліковано 31 тра 2024
- My name is Shelby and I do lifestyle videos here on UA-cam! I’d love for you to subscribe and join me on this journey.
Today I’m sharing all the things I wish I knew before getting our puppy. I talk about some of the frustrating things that we’ve been experiencing since having him, but also how much we love him. Trying to embrace and enjoy this puppy stage while enjoying watching him grow.
Bissell Carpet Cleaner - amzn.to/3CIrPEd
//CAMERA GEAR USED:
o Camera with kit lens - amzn.to/31nUjFq
o Microphone - amzn.to/31zrN3R
o Tripod - bit.ly/3bNEbyQ
o Vlogging Tripod - bit.ly/3bGTDwP
FOLLOW ME! Instagram @shelbyyritchey bit.ly/3bJ85ED
One thing, that I think is not being talked about enough when it comes to getting a puppy are the Puppy Blues. I never ever knew that such a thing was possible or even existed until about a week after bringing my first puppy home. Puppy Blues are very very real. I cannot believe with how much I looked up on "what to expect when bringing a puppy home" that Puppy Blues never popped up once. This was something that railroaded me, and I felt like the worst dog owner for wanting to go back in time to make the opposite decision on getting a puppy. After talking to my spouse about it though, I did feel better but we're not even two full weeks in and it's been an overwhelming rollercoaster ride. I grew up with dogs my entire life and helped my mom train the dogs she's had (but I've never taken on the full responsibility). I thought I was completely ready for us to own our own puppy and the puppy blues still hit. I think it's definitely something that needs addressed more in what to expect videos because, I am learning that it is one of the most common feelings in new puppy owners and with all videos I've watched, they pass but it can and will take time. I felt better the day after talking to my spouse about it but then the blues come and go. It's a horrible feeling but it is one people should not have to deal with alone. If you're experiencing the puppy blues, please talk to someone about it. I think it will help.
I 100% agree!
7-9 months is known as the "teenage" phase for dogs, it's also a fear period. They have multiple fear periods! The teenage phase will be very hard for most people, your dog might forget everything they have been taught around this age, they might destroy things or do things they haven't done before. I've trained two of my own service dogs and I'm getting my next prospect in 2 weeks! The teenage phase is VERY hard, especially for service dogs that need to be training daily, and going on a few outings every week. During this period, my 2nd service dog became very scared, he forgot everything he learned and he started acting weird. He didn't want anything to do with me, he just wanted to sleep and run around all day. Every time he saw a person, he would run away. We took him to the vet to see if anything was wrong, everything was fine, it was just the teen phase luckily. We stopped training until he was over the phase (it took a little over a month) and he was back to normal! He wanted to train again so we started again, and we went on outings again without any issue. He behaved perfectly after that phase! Don't give up, don't rehome your dog, don't punish your dog or yourself, the teen phase is normal and it will not last forever. They have a lot of hormonal changes around that time, their brain changes also so just give them time and space. Continue with your daily routine unless they become afraid of walks, then try walking them in your backyard or frontyard instead. Using kongs will help A LOT! Each dog you have should have at least 4 properly sized kongs, mix their food with some water and put it in the kong instead of feeding them from a bowl. Do NOT use a bowl for feeding EVER! Use slow feeding bowls, puzzle games, and snuffle mats. I use a kong, snuffle mat, slow feeder, and a puzzle game for each of my dogs meals, I divide his food up and put them in each one. Mental exercise is just as important as physical exercise. If you keep your dog mentally busy, it will help with anxiety and destructive behaviors, kind of like giving a baby a binky.
Weirdly enough, that love/hate feeling you got with your dog is how I felt about my cat for the first several months after we adopted her. There were moments where I thought she was cute, then she would do stuff that frustrated me so bad I didn’t like her anymore. It was hard because my husband and I had expected a lazy low-key, independent cat, and she was shaping up to be a stage 5 clinger with FOMO syndrome and I didn’t know what to do with that. So all these feelings made me feel like I couldn’t bond with her, and that the entire adoption was a mistake I couldn’t take back because we had promised to care for her for the rest of her life.
My feelings didn’t start to change until I took her with me to my mom’s house earlier this month. We did a LOT of traveling (planes and very long car rides) and though I can’t say our cat would jump into the carrier on her own, once she was in there she was extremely chill and relatively well-behaved compared to what I was expecting. And seeing her around my family at my mom’s showed me that she is extremely adaptable (which me and my husband really need at this point in our lives because we’re going through a lot of transitions. I also realized that while she strongly prefers to be near me, 1) that’s not always a bad thing, and 2) she’s gotten so much more comfortable with not always being right there on me/next to me/in my face compared to when we adopted her, and she actually chose to go nap in another room many times.
It’s hard to see the progress your critter has made when you’re in the thick of it and being a pet parent can feel overwhelming at times, your feelings are valid and you are not alone. I hope you have your “this is gonna work” moment with your pet if you’re struggling ❤
I got a springer spaniel 2 weeks ago and the puppy blues was something I was not prepared for or heard or and I did so much research! Yet in a day I was in tears with how overwhelming it was, how trapped I felt and how guilty!
@@chewytoy1357 he’s 8 months now and peak adolescence so there are new challenges (pulling on the lead, running off) but he’s so much better than when we got him! Things will get better! 😊
@@MichaelBrown-tv6qx yay that is so amazing! i’m so glad you are happier now 😊🐶 thank you for putting me at ease 💕
i am in the same boat right now.... My first dog passed away January this year. I got a new pup last March 25. And she drives me batshit crazy. She is the complete opposite of my first dog who was a very good boy (nonchalant, quiet, always following my command -- except for potty accidents which might have been because of his renal disease and his pickiness with the food - which i also think is because of his renal disease).
This new dog is whiney the moment that i leave the room, does not seem to lose energy. and is very smart - she figured out how to escape from the baby gate in my room, escape from his crate in the living room. I cant let her loose in the house because she is very quick. her energy is off the charts. i also have to force her to have afternoon naps while i work. And worst, she KNOWS HOW TO LOOK CUTE to get away with all her shenanigans. 😵😵
I definitely cried from exhaustion on day 3
Yes! There were definitely quite a few tears shed the first couple of months
About 1 week in and unfortunately bursting into tears daily, feeling severe depression and most shockingly of all have found that I actually really dislike him. I have made a huge mistake.
I remember having those same feelings… he’s 14 months now and it is soo much better!
Hi, how are you doing with your puppy? Did you keep him/her? I can very much relate to your feelings, so I am curious about how you are doing…
@@zuzanaxyz8866 hello. It's about a month later now and I have to say things are a lot better. There are still days where he's a bit overwhelming but he's starting to remember lessons and settle more. The first two weeks was definitely the worst, and I still have days where I just don't have the mental or physical energy to deal with him: but you start learning tricks to tire them out or train them more effectively. It does get better and I'm going to stick with him. :)
@@shelbyritchey thanks for the reassurance. A month ago when I read your coent I found it hard to believe... But starting to see a lot of improvement already and hope to be where you are in a year's time!
My mom adopted a 5 year old shelter dog. From day one a joy, I’m off the puppy thing .
This is exactly how I feel. I have a 11 week old mini golden doodle and the biting is so crazy. Many days I want to cry cuz she's so much work.
Omg such an important topic. I’ve had so many cries where I’m soooo frustrated. I had prepared our home, bought ALL the things, planned prepped educated. And still wasn’t as prepared as I felt I could have been. There is always something to learn. You hit it exactly perfectly how I feel. Thanks for the video. If you haven’t done an update since this on your dog you should.
I’m a few weeks in and i am seeing all these things!! way overwhelming- creating puppy areas with pens is a lifesaver, i have a 3 hour schedule and up at midnight and 3am to pee. Two steps forward one step back and dang is he stubborn sometimes!! When he is in training time (mind u 5 to 10 minutes) if he doesn’t feel it he will literally lay down and put his head down and refuse. Crate training solid at night but during the day he flips out in it so the pen is key for him to nap or be safe when i have to shower and do an errand. How anyone could have a puppy working outside the home? I work remote otherwise this nuthouse situation would be impossible. Witching hour starts at 7 here, hes impossible af 👁️👁️ super alligator bitey even sass barking at me. Mom guilt 100% very true. Also finding your discipline/training boundaries teaching principles is key. I have a zero bite policy. I have not tolerated inappropriate biting at all. You have to find what you can tolerate and what are just never and stick to it.
This is so accurate! I wish I saw this before getting a puppy!
Definitely got the puppy blues by being a single puppy parent... So much work!
Thanks for sharing!
Witching hour is too real. My lovely and kind puppy seems posessed
Yea the freedom part and sleeping and napping was a no for me. I felt trapped.
We have a 10 weeks old Samoyed puppy and omg I feel all these emotions. It can be so hard, so frustrating but then sometimes he's such a good boy.... It's very difficult but then I need to constantly remind myself that it's a baby and it doesnt know any better !!! I love him so much though, my god!!! Thanks for sharing your story, it helps to know we're not alone with the puppy blues!
I remember feeling the same way! It gets so much better with time. 😊
My puppies witching hour is around 10 am everyday.
OMG!! Thank you so much for doing this video!!! This is our 8th dog and it’s been 15 years since we got our last 2 puppies and I don’t remember it being this hard! Maybe it’s my age but I thought I was just a bad dog mom. It’s so great to know I’m not the only one going through this. The Witching Hour, I had never heard of but I couldn’t understand what was happening to my dog around 7:15 at night. My perfect baby all day turns into Hell Boy in a heartbeat! Thank you, thank you, thank you!!!!! ❤❤
OMG...How can your story be mine exactly? Thank you for sharing. I'm just now hearing about this "Puppy Blues" phenomenon. I have a five month old "Toy Poodle" that's a miniture terrorist escape artist....lol. z I've had her for almost 3 months. I've felt so alone and so guilty that I had feelings of believing I made a mistake getting her and that I should I re-home her. Because it's been the hardest challenge for me.
Then I watch her nap. She looks so sweet and peaceful. When I wake her from her naps she's so loving (for a little while...lol) I can't believe I ever thought of doing that now even tho there are still many frustrating times bc she's also teething. That witching hour can be one long day, a couple of times a day....sometimes only at the end of the day. I never know.
This is my second puppy. My first puppy (Toy Poodle) was so mellow and chilled. She was perfectly behaved. Was potty trained in a week. Never had bitting issues. Would just want to hang out on my lap and cuddling. I could dress her up. My new baby is like..."Takev this shyyyyttt off me and chew it off herself in seconds. Cuddling? She can't be bothered bc she's too busy trying to destroy everything...
Needless to say I've learned dogs are like people. Uniquely different. I'm starting to embrace that she's fiesty, independent, fiercely intelligent and stubborn. I'm loving her diferrentness from my first dog. But it took awhile. I am so happy that there's other fur parents out there experiencing the same A to Z feelings I did. Hallelujah!!
We are starting puppy classes this week. Yay! 👏🏾👏🏾 Wish us well ya'll.
I'm wishing everyone well and great success with their babies...❤
Everything you are saying is exactly how I’m feeling. Puppy biting is so awful.. But you just can’t help loving him.
I forgot how much attention they need, you want to do an exercise video, not without me, you want to eat, me too! I have a lab puppy but had one for 12 years before, you do forget. We got a pen instead of just kennel (put it around it) and he likes it better since he can move around, go in or out of kennel and have more room. It's a roller coaster ride for sure. I missed witching hour with last dog, but this one....wow! I was "does he need a Valium??" Scary but funny too! The puppy biting, also new. Red dots on my arms....it will pass, I'm doing the diversion training, etc. but yes, some days you can't love without some resentment but it does pass and it's human.
The witching hour is so accurate!!😂 I’m glad it’s not just my guy who does this. We call it his demon time lol.
I totally relate. Having a puppy is a lot like Having a new baby. They grow up so quickly.
Thank you thank you thank you for making this video!!! I totally relate to everything you’ve said. I felt so alone with my ‘puppy blues’. I’m going through the same emotional rollercoaster as you described and often end up bursting into tears simply because of the lack of sleep, physical exhaustion, feelings of guilt etc. It’s made me feel so stressed and depressed that I’ve been on the verge of asking the breeder to take the pup back. But your video, and a good friend of mine, has reassured me that I’m not alone with these feelings and that it’s perfectly normal to feel these mixed emotions and thoughts. You sounded like you were going to cry at certain points in your video which touched my heart. ❤
This makes me so happy, I’m so glad it helped reassure you!
Haha, I relate to the “trying to get through the day without killing him” lol!
There’s days he’s good, and days he’s an absolute fiend!!
I just realized you might have meant him not doing something that might get him killed rather than you snuffing him out, and now I’m worried it’s just me 😮
Hahaha you are not alone. I feel like both apply.
Needed this. Thank you for sharing!
I'm at EXACTLY the same spot as you right now. I think I've just left the puppy blues stage. The anxiety isn't nearly as bad today because a small bunch of things just clicked in my head (mainly about not doing stressful things with him when I don't need to). He just started getting super confident on his walks. He lost his first baby tooth and I'm DELIGHTED! I totally don't mind the biting anymore because I know it'll end and I have ice-cubes I can smash up for him to nibble on. We're starting to communicate.
Very helpful! Thank you💓🐶
Brilliant video that tells it exactly like it is!
soooo relatable, 13 week golden here. so helpful!
Hope you get more subs! Thank you for this video, 6 days in and deep in the puppy blues right now. Mom guilt is real!
Really relate to this! Thank you for sharing :-).
Thank you so much for this video... I feel allllll the things you talked about, it's so hard it makesnyou hate yourself.
Puppy blues are real! I thought I’d cope…
Thank you! I'm up looking up what to do because my cute puppy was biting tonight and it was intense.
Real woman, real feelings! Thank you 🙏🏽
Thank you!!!
Oh my, this video made my day! Thanks so much for sharing! I have 3,5months old puppy and relate to everything you said :) this should be "must watch" for all new puppy owners ;) sending greetings from Prague Czech Republic :)
Thank you so so much! I’m so glad you enjoyed it 😊
Thank you for this! I have a 8 week old mini goldendoodle and it’s been so hard 😭 Your video made me feel so much better ❤️🤗 I CAN do this!
You absolutely CAN do this!! Foxe just turned 1 and looking back I miss him being little so much already. It’s hard but so worth it!
Haven’t seen a video more relatable. I know it’ll get better eventually 😢❤️
It does!!! Foxe just turned 1 year this week and he is just the best doggo now!!
I have a 13 weeks old Belgian Shepherd Groendael. All of these emotions you said in this video are my emotion now. I have so much guilt for my lovely cat (9y old), that we have now this one hell of a bitch. But I know it will be better in a few months. At least, I hope it will.
Just found this and can relate to everything said 😬😤😂😂😂♥️♥️♥️♥️ I love my little nugget but sometimes 😮😅😂😂😂😂😂
Great info. I am supposed to get a puppy in about a month. I work full time and I am thinking I need to wait until I retire (in about 6 years) cuz Im already tired from work and regular life, lol.
Yes, don't get a puppy. If you must, get a grown dog. Best wishes,
I also have a golden puppy 10 months. The exact same thing w the food happened. She didn’t like what she was having, I tried two foods both her something both she and I liked and it upset her belly. Got on the GI puppy, and she’s been well. Still searching for for non prescription diet
I just got my puppy Stella a golden doodle on Wednesday 27th. She shred my blood with her teeth day 4.😢
Hi, we just got a puppy & I'm feeling all of these things. could you do an update video?
Yes!! He actually just turned 1 so I am planning on doing an update video very soon :)