Overwhelmed by new puppy (w toddler)

post reply Forum Index » Pets
[Post New]09/27/2013 01:02
quote
Anonymous
Looking for helpful advice, please don't flame!

We got a new puppy this week and I am feeling totally overwhelmed and stressed. (Our older dog passed away this summer and the house felt empty without him.) But now with a toddler too it feels like we have taken on too much. I can't sleep because I am so worried. Will this pass or should I seriously consider having our in laws take the puppy?

Ugh.
[Post New]09/27/2013 01:05
quote
Anonymous
You got a puppy? With a toddler?

If your inlaws are willing, slap a big bow on that doggie and bring him to his new home. It will be so much better for him.

You can get a new puppy when all of your kids are fully functioning preschoolers or elementary students.
[Post New]09/27/2013 05:41
quote
Anonymous
A puppy IS a toddler.
[Post New]09/27/2013 05:56
quote
Anonymous
Can your spouse help more? We got a puppy last week and have a 2 year old and 4 year old. I told my husband I've done the middle of the night wakings for the last 4 years, it's now his turn
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:05
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:Can your spouse help more? We got a puppy last week and have a 2 year old and 4 year old. I told my husband I've done the middle of the night wakings for the last 4 years, it's now his turn


My husband has been great. He has been staying with the puppy at night. But when the puppy wakes up at night it will wake me up too.

The little guy just seems to hate the crate which is stressful. I can only work from home for so long.
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:06
quote
Anonymous
Don't tell me this wasn impulse decision, OP. What made you think a puppy is easy?
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:06
quote
Anonymous
Not flaming, but I definitely do think you've taken on too much. We lost our dog when DC was 1 and we'd love another one but have decided to wait until she's in K or 1st grade. Not so that she'll be able to help with the dog, but so that she'll be more independent and self-sufficient in terms of her own grooming, pottying, breakfast-making.

Where did you get the puppy? I know you'll be heart-broken, but would it be possible to give him to your in-laws or return him to the breeder? Our dog's breeder had a lifetime returny policy. Basically, if you got to any piontn in the lifetime of your dog that you could no longer care for it, she would take him back rather than you sending it to a shelter.

Good luck and I'm so sorry!
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:08
quote
Anonymous
Of course the puppy xdoesnt like being locked away from you at night, you are part of the pack! Not sure why you are so overwhelmed by the puppy. Is it just waking up at n.ight or is your anxiety related to something else?
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:27
quote
Anonymous
Anonymous wrote:You got a puppy? With a toddler?

If your inlaws are willing, slap a big bow on that doggie and bring him to his new home. It will be so much better for him.

You can get a new puppy when all of your kids are fully functioning preschoolers or elementary students.


+1000000000000000000000000000000
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:31
quote
Anonymous
OP here- It wasn't an impulse decision but I am sure grief colored our thinking. I think the biggest thing stressing me out is that our nanny share was supposed to move to the other family's house this fall. Now that isn't happening so I feel pressure to get the puppy crate trained ASAP. Our nanny is obviously mad at us. (Which is a whole other story!)

The dog is sleeping in our living room (with my husband on the couch), not in a crate.
[Post New]09/27/2013 08:33
quote
Anonymous
What kind of dog is it ? We're looking for a lab puppy.
[Post New]09/27/2013 10:10
quote
Anonymous
If you absolutely need to rehome the pup and the breeder can't take it back, consider a breed- specific rescue. Young puppies are very adoptable and there is a better chance of finding a good home.
[Post New]09/28/2013 08:32
quote
Anonymous
They do grow out of the puppy stage - so you need to ask yourself if you're willing to put in the work now and know that it will get better in a year. If you can't and it's stressing you out, then I agree you should give it to your in-laws, return to the breeder or contact one of the fabulous local rescues (Lucky Dog, Mutts Matter, etc.)

We just adopted a 9 month old puppy from a local rescue - she was an owner surrender and we are so happy that we found such a great dog for our family. She is a bit of work, but we are in a stage of our lives right now where we can handle it.

Good luck!
[Post New]09/28/2013 09:14
quote
Anonymous
You can do it OP. The puppy stage is tough but short. I've always crate trained my dogs. They hate it at first, but if you suffer through a few days or a week, it is so worth it. I did find that the crate is mor palatable if it is in the same room as you are sleeping. I don't know how long you are gone during the day, but we found that puppies can go many hours between being let outside if you are crating them. Personally, I don't give water and food in in the crate but I know some disagree.

I got my last puppy right after my youngest turned three. It was busy, but I'm really glad we did it. My kids love their dog. Good luck.
[Post New]09/29/2013 13:44
quote
Anonymous
Give the puppy to a better home
post reply Forum Index » Pets
Message Quick Reply
Go to: 

Search   Recent Topics   Hottest Topics