Puppies - when does it get easier
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Anonymous
| We have our adorable 5-month-old puppy for three months and she is the light of our lives. Relatively well behaved, sleeps 7 hours a night, rarely has accidents anymore. However, she still requires SO.MUCH.TIME. Nearly every minute that we spend at home when we are not at work is focused on her, as she has not really gotten the hang of independent play and (understandably) needs to get all of her energy out since we are gone during the day. She makes us very happen but we don’t have time for anything anymore. What age does the constant need for attention go away? |
Anonymous
| The turning point for maturity for our dogs has always been 1 year. The teething, rough play tends to die down and they become more confident and mature. |
Anonymous
| We just asked ourselves this earlier in the morning. Ours is only 3.5 months. She’s great for her age based on what I’ve heard from others but we are still totally in the thick of it. I can barely get anything done. |
Anonymous
|
Is someone walking her when you’re at work?
I WAH and our 4 month old puppy has bursts of activity but sleeps a lot too when she’s just there with me before the kids get home. |
Anonymous
OP here. Yes! We have a walker who comes twice a day. |
Anonymous
| It depends on the breed. Labs have a looooooong puppyhood. Most finally stop chewing and destroying somewhere between 2 and 3 years. German Shepherds mature somewhere around 2. For Boxers, it's closer to 3 years! Poodles, Maltese, Shih Tzus, etc. mature much faster. Usually by about a year. |
Anonymous
| Depends on the breed. For labs 18-24 months for us. Puppies can be more work than newborns! |
Anonymous
| at 2 yrs. |
Anonymous
| Depends on the dog. I have a 5 month old mini poodle puppy and he plays independently all the time. Loves his toys and shakes and tosses them up. He also loves running around the back yard whether or not we are outside. Right now I’m watching TV and he is laying next to me with a chew toy I work out of the home and come home at lunch to let him outside or walk him most days. |
Anonymous
Yes! My puppy is driving us crazy with mouthing and rough play. Doesn't want to be petted, just play. It's so sad b/c I just want to pet a dog already! |
Anonymous
| We have a mini golden doodle. As a puppy, he slept most of the day. As an adult, he sleeps most of the day. And, now someone is always at home. He still sleeps a lot or is barking at someone while sitting in a window seat. What kind of dog do you have, OP? |
Anonymous
Mwah ha ha ha... I mean, my heart goes out to you OP 
Our English Black Lab just turned three. He is hilarious and still has that impish puppy attitude. But do not despair, certain things will get better. Don't know where you're located but if you're in Maryland, I recommend Sit Means Sit dog training - they're the real deal. It REALLY paid off or both us and the dog. It lead to our pup being on the GOTEAM and now we're considering search and rescue. Neither would have been possible without proper training. Tip: I don't know if she fetches yet but when both our pups get super would-up, I play a quick game of fetch, which often satiates them ... for a while. But take LOTS of pictures and cherish the moments when she's at her most mischievous best! And don't get too comfortable if she hasn't destroyed anything - it could kick-in while you're away one day and she gets bored or frustrated...You didn't need those new Sketchers anyway 
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Anonymous
| SWe have a 3 mo old poodle mix and she could sleep 22 hours a day if we let her. She entertains herself and stops chewing when we say “no”. Our previous dogs (labs) have been much more work. I’m now convinced the answer to this question is in the type of dog |
Anonymous
Stop bragging 
Kidding - I completely agree. We KNOW what we're getting into with Labs! But you and others make an excellent point. In fact, if more people would do their homework both before AND AFTER choosing a breed, a lot of heartache and unnecessary returns to the pound could be prevented. Unless the dog is somehow in danger by staying in a resident, I think most people give-up waaaaay too soon. Poodles ROCK - I don't even hold it against them that I suspect they're WAY smarter than I! |
Anonymous
| Lol, if you have a shepherd, it will never really stop |